MRC/NIHR Better Methods, Better Research Programme Opens for 2022

The Medical Research Council (MRC) provides funding in partnership with the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) to improve research methods being applied by others anywhere within the remit of MRC or the NIHR.

Research should include at least one of the following project categories:

• Research into underpinning methodologies that extend beyond a single case study or application.
• Development of methods to understand research standards and drive improvements in quality.
• Research that increases the implementation and adoption of optimal methodologies (by methodologists and/or non-methodologists).
• Research that makes the outputs of biomedical/health research more useful to others (across scales, experimental approaches, systems, disciplines or translational pathways).

Research themes in scope include:

• Integrative biological systems and mechanisms including: molecules to humans and mechanisms; underpinning methods for technologies (including multiscale visualisation and precision perturbations); methods for discovery and translation.
• Phenotyping, endotyping, populations and people, including: cohorts; epidemiology and public health (including geography, anthropogenic change); complexity for ageing and multimorbidity; precision medicine; prevention; measures; health psychology, behaviours and social science for health.
• Clinical and translation for health, including: evidence, health economics, policies, decisions (clinical/operations/management), ethics, law and regulation; digital; trials, assessment and comparisons; underpinning methods for advanced therapies
• Global health.
• Health research systems and culture, including: research on health research; knowledge exchange, reporting and learning research systems; public trust; commercial engagement.

This list is not exhaustive, and applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant programme manager ahead of developing a full application.

The lead applicant must have a graduate degree (ideally a PhD) and be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. This includes: higher education institutions; UKRI approved independent research organisations or NHS bodies; government-funded organisations; public sector research establishments; MRC institutes; MRC units and partnership institutes; and institutes and units funded by other research councils.

Applications from collaborative teams are encouraged, including collaboration with industry via an MRC industry collaboration agreement. Applicants are encouraged to learn from others where possible, and multidisciplinary teams or approaches are welcomed.

The annual budget is £4 million, with two opportunities with a total budget of £2 million occurring each year.

The full economic cost of a project is typically up to £625,000. MRC and NIHR will fund 80% of the full economic cost (meaning a total request of £500,000). Those anticipating requesting funding of more than £500,000 should contact the programme manager.

Applications should be submitted by the 15 June 2022 deadline.