UKRI Translation: MRC Proof of Concept: stage one

The UKRI Translation: MRC Proof of Concept (MRC PoC) stage one solicitation, managed by the Medical Research Council, seeks to translate UK discovery research into medical impact. The program focuses on progressing technology readiness levels from early-stage research toward clinical application, specifically supporting the development and testing of diagnostics, biomarker validation, and radiotherapy or radiation protocols. Eligible applicants must be research organizations such as universities, research institutes, or NHS bodies, though project partners may be based outside the UK if necessary. The solicitation follows a two-step decision process where stage one applications are reviewed by a panel, and successful candidates proceed to stage two for external peer review and further panel evaluation. Applications are evaluated based on clinical need, competitive advantage, the strength of the supporting rationale, deliverability, and the strategy for intellectual property and downstream development. Proposals must include a detailed 17-section project description, including an exit strategy and long-term development plan, while adhering to strict word counts. While there are no fixed upper limits on individual project funding or duration, the overall annual program budget is approximately 42 million pounds. Successful projects submitted by the November 18, 2026, deadline are expected to start between June and November 2027. Key requirements include the assembly of a multidisciplinary team with clinical, technical, and statistical expertise, and adherence to quality standards such as GLP or GMP for cell and gene therapy manufacturing.