Building on our work with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to increase clinical research into Lobular, we’ve also been collaborating with the Medical Research Council (MRC), a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to increase applications for funding for research into the biology of Lobular and translational science.
Translational science is looking at what has been learnt in the lab and how it could potentially be used to benefit humans.
As with NIHR, please contact us at LBCUK to discuss your bid and involve Lobular research advocates in the development of your idea and support for your application.
We are delighted that the MRC are welcoming Lobular research applications across a range of their pre-clinical research grants.
Through the NIHR clinical research Lobular highlight notice, which only launched in December, we have already been working with existing and new clinicians and researchers on Lobular research ideas and proposals.
Having the patient voice at the heart of research is incredibly important and we welcome our role in helping to develop these new proposals.
Funding opportunities for Discovery Research
The MRC: research grant: applicant-led UKRI is now open and welcomes discovery research applications for mechanistic understanding of disease. It is an ‘always open’ opportunity with no closing date.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) researchers are encouraged to consider this opportunity and apply.
The Project lead must be based at an eligible Research Organisation in the UK. International Project Co-Leads can be included as part of the team with clear justification for their unique contribution.
Funding opportunities for early career researchers
There are three funding opportunities for early career researchers looking to transition to research independence.
1. MRC: new investigator research grant: applicant-led – UKRI. This is an ‘always open’ opportunity without a closing date. The Project Lead can commit up to 50% of their time and projects are usually 3 years. Read more and apply for the New Investigator research grant.
2. Early independence: career development fellowship – UKRI. This will open on 23 June to 15 September 2026. The Project Lead can commit 100% of their time to the fellowship, which is usually up to five years. Find out more and apply for the Early Independence grant.
3. Future Leaders Fellowships: round 11 – UKRI. The closing date is 16 June 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. Project Leads can commit 100% of their time to the fellowship. The duration of this award is up to 7 years. Find out more and apply for the Future Leaders Fellowships.
Fellowships will be funded for four years in the first instance (or equivalent length of time extended pro rata for part-time applicants). There is an option to apply to renew for a further three years during the last year of the fellowship.