The Early independence: career development fellowship by Medical Research Council (MRC), supports talented researchers who hold a higher research degree and can demonstrate career consolidation and productivity across past appointments. Its aim is to enable recipients to lead their own research plans, establish an independent research niche and team, and make a first step-change towards research independence. Applications are welcomed across all areas of the MRC’s remit to improve human health, from basic biomedical discovery research to translational and developmental clinical research.
Key areas of research include:
- Infections and immunity
- Molecular and cellular medicine
- Population and systems medicine
- Neurosciences and mental health
- Translational research and global health
There is no fixed upper limit to the funding that can be requested, all costs must be fully justified and represent value for money. MRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) and 100% of permitted exceptions. The fellowship supports up to 5 years of research (pro rata for part-time).
Applications close on September 15, 2026.