Early independence: clinician scientist fellowship
Medical Research Council (MRC) · United Kingdom
Fellowship supporting clinically active researchers with a higher research degree to establish their own independent research niche and transition towards research independence within the Medical Research Council remit.
Summary
Deadline
2 Sept 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Fellowship supporting clinically active researchers with a higher research degree to establish their own independent research niche and transition towards research independence within the Medical Research Council remit.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research, Public Sector
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Medical and health research areas within the Medical Research Council remit.
Match funding
Yes (host contribution)
Requirements
Registered healthcare professionals including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, doctors, dentists, general practitioners and veterinarians. Registered healthcare professional with PhD or equivalent; evidence of career consolidation and productivity; plans to establish independent research niche within MRC remit. Research p...
Eligible applicants
Registered healthcare professionals including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, doctors, dentists, general practitioners and veterinarians.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No specific funding limit stated.
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
80% of the full economic cost.
Payment type
Salary and project costs via host (grant)
Eligible scope
Research projects that support the development of an independent research programme within the MRC remit to improve human health.
Eligible expenses
- Salary and research project costs.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under MRC fellowship FEC terms (80% FEC funded).
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service.
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Applications are assessed based on fellowship vision, research approach, career development, applicant capability, support for the applicant, ethical considerations and requested resources.
Application sections
- Vision for the fellowship
- research approach including reproducibility and statistical design
- career development
- applicant capability and experience
- support for the applicant
- ethical and responsible research considerations
- resources requested for the fellowship.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met or if required information is missing.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
10 Jun 2026
Project duration
Up to five years (pro rata for part-time fellowships).
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Fellow hosted by eligible UK research organisation per MRC Fellowship Investment Framework.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicant fellowship; UK research organisation host required.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Eligibility Criteria","value":"Applicants must be a registered healthcare professional, have a PhD or equivalent, demonstrate career consolidation and past productivity, and show clear plans to establish their own research niche enabling a transition to research independence."},{"label":"Host Organisation Requirement","value":"Fellowship must be supported by and hosted at an eligible UK research organisation."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Clinician scientist fellowship supporting transition to research independence."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Applicants must demonstrate a clear plan for developing their own independent research niche and research programme."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Applicants may only apply twice for any MRC fellowship scheme."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applications are open to applicants of all nationalities but must be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation. Fellows relocating to the UK may request support for visa costs for themselves and dependent family members."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Upcoming
- Deadline
- 2 Sept 2026
- Funding amount
- No specific funding limit stated.
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Payment type
- Salary and project costs via host (grant)
- Audience
- Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Medical and health research areas within the Medical Research Council remit.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 14 Jan 2026