Introduction

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is offering a Gap Fund for early-stage development of new healthcare interventions. This funding opportunity aims to generate critical data that builds confidence in the development strategy for a new or repurposed medicine, medical device, diagnostic test, or other medical intervention.

The concept for the new product should already be backed by other funding. The Gap Fund sits between the smaller Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) funding and the more substantial Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS).

Scope of Work

This funding opportunity supports academically led translational projects that aim to undertake a focused package of work to bridge the gap between the inception of a new idea and substantive funding.

The projects should focus on preventing disease, improving diagnosis, developing new treatments, improving outcome monitoring, and improving the management of diseases and conditions.

The application should clearly articulate the core concept, the critical gap, how the proposed plan will address the gap, and the challenges involved in onward development.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be employed by an eligible research organization, be actively engaged in the project, and be looking to generate critical preliminary data to build confidence in the development strategy for a new medicine, repurposed medicine, medical device, diagnostic test, or other medical intervention development.

International applicants can be included as project co-leads, but the contribution and added value to the research collaboration should be clearly explained and justified in the application.

Budget and Duration

The full economic cost (FEC) of the project can be between £50,000 and £300,000. The MRC will provide funding at 80% of the FEC. The duration of the award is between six and 24 months. Projects should start one to six months after the funding decision date.

Additional Information

This funding opportunity is designed to provide funding to prime the development of a medical prototype, medical product or behavioural intervention. The funding can be used to follow on from fundamental science funding across the whole of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) remit.

Key Dates

• Opening Date: 13 September 2024 9:00am UK time

• Closing Date: 13 November 2024 4:00pm UK time

• Funding Decision Meeting: January 2025

Application Process

• Applications must be submitted through the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service.

• The project lead is responsible for completing the application process.

• The application must be submitted to the research office for checking before being submitted to UKRI.

Selection Process

• Applications will be assessed by members of the MRC DPFS Panel with additional expertise sourced as necessary.

• The assessment process will take approximately 12 weeks.

• The panel will assess applications based on clinical or medical need, rationale, deliverability, intellectual property, and the future development plan.

Contact Information

• For questions related to this specific funding opportunity, please contact gapfund@mrc.ukri.org.

• For general questions related to MRC funding, please contact rfpd@mrc.ukri.org.

• For queries regarding the system or the submission of applications through the Funding Service, please contact the helpdesk at support@funding-service.ukri.org or 01793 547490.

Reporting Requirements

Progress reports are requested after 12 months and at the end of the project. Requests for change, relating to unforeseen scientific changes will not be considered. Requests related to maternity, paternity, adoption, parental or sick leave will be allowable under standard grant conditions.

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.