UK Obesity Research Institute: Full Application
Funding
Up to £72,000,000
Deadline
19 November 2026
Location
United Kingdom
Applications
Deadline: 19 November 2026
Overview
Apply by 4pm UK time on 19 November 2026 to establish a director-led UK institute researching the biological mechanisms of obesity and related disease. UKRI expects one award, with funding up to £72 million for an initial seven years. The £90 million figure is the full economic cost ceiling, not the cash grant. Funding normally covers 80% of full economic costs, with specified exceptions at 100%, within the published contribution limit. Funding is subject to full business-case approval.
Requirements to check
Key requirements:
- The British Heart Foundation co-funds the opportunity, contributing up to £12 million over seven years to cardiovascular research. Do not add this to the published £72 million opportunity ceiling to invent a larger award.
- The latest institute start date is 1 October 2027. Proposals must explain the single-site hub, partner sites, governance, host support, public involvement, research culture and route to impact. A director with an international track record must lead.
- The scope is mechanistic biomedical research. Broad societal factors, behavioural science alone, trials beyond phase IIa and disconnected project portfolios are outside this call. Read the full cost and international-partner rules.
A nominated director and leadership team at an eligible UK research organisation, with host support and relevant experience of large-scale mechanistic biomedical research. Each eligible organisation may lead only one application. Businesses and ordinary charities cannot lead or co-lead, but may participate as project partners. UKRI-approved charitable independent research organisations and international researchers have limited co-lead roles and cannot lead the institute or a UK research site.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
A nominated director and leadership team at an eligible UK research organisation, with host support and relevant experience of large-scale mechanistic biomedical research. Each eligible organisation may lead only one application. Businesses and ordinary charities cannot lead or co-lead, but may participate as project partners. UKRI-approved charitable independent research organisations and international researchers have limited co-lead roles and cannot lead the institute or a UK research site.
Regions
No published award history for Medical Research Council (MRC). Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Medical Research Council (MRC)
Apply by 4pm UK time on 19 November 2026 to establish a director-led UK institute researching the biological mechanisms of obesity and related disease. UKRI expects one award, with funding up to £72 million for an initial seven years. The £90 million figure is the full economic cost ceiling, not the cash grant. Funding normally covers 80% of full economic costs, with specified exceptions at 100%, within the published contribution limit. Funding is subject to full business-case approval. A nominated director and leadership team at an eligible UK research organisation, with host support and relevant experience of large-scale mechanistic biomedical research. Each eligible organisation may lead only one application. Businesses and ordinary charities cannot lead or co-lead, but may participate as project partners. UKRI-approved charitable independent research organisations and international researchers have limited co-lead roles and cannot lead the institute or a UK research site. The nominated director should read the UKRI full-application guidance and work with the host research office. Use the linked UKRI Funding Service opportunity and submit before 4pm UK time on 19 November 2026, allowing time for the research office to approve and submit.
The nominated director should read the UKRI full-application guidance and work with the host research office. Use the linked UKRI Funding Service opportunity and submit before 4pm UK time on 19 November 2026, allowing time for the research office to approve and submit.
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