Enter a distinct title for your application, this may be published. If your application is using the industry collaboration framework, add 'ICF' before the title.

Application title (must be fewer than 150 characters, including spaces)

In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application.
We may make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, so make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:
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<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>opinion-formers</li>
<li>policymakers</li>
<li>the public</li>
<li>the wider research community</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Guidance for writing a summary
Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of:
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<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>context</li>
<li>the challenge the project addresses</li>
<li>aims and objectives</li>
<li>potential applications and benefits</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

This will be used to help select the most appropriate assessors for your application.

Summary

Ensure you describe:
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<li>the health or clinical need you are seeking to address</li>
<li>how your work could lead to the development of a new or improved prototype, product, service or technology</li>
<li>how meeting this need could significantly reduce disease burden or alleviate an important bottleneck</li>
<li>the competing solutions and their status, including whether similar or complementary research is being taken elsewhere</li>
<li>the key competitive advantages of your proposed solution</li>
<li>the potential market for your proposed solution</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

What is the opportunity or challenge, you are seeking to address?

Opportunity and market

Explain how your proposed work:
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<li style="list-style-type:none">
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<li>is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the fields or areas</li>
<li>has the potential to advance current understanding, or generate new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area&nbsp;</li>
<li>is timely given current trends, context, and needs&nbsp;</li>
<li>impacts world-leading research, society, the economy, or the environment</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within the Vision section we also expect you to:
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<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>identify the potential direct or indirect benefits and who the beneficiaries might be</li>
<li>identify potential improvements in human or population health, whether through contributing to relieving disease or disability burden, improving quality of life or providing benefit to the health service or health-related industry</li>
<li>show how your programme fits within the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/about-us/mrc/who-we-are/our-strategy/">MRC strategy</a> and the difference it will make</li>
<li>describe the route to patient benefit</li>
<li>explain how the results will provide mechanistic insights into disease and if the results will be valuable for discovery science through 'reverse translation'</li>
<li>brings together and builds on UK cancer immunotherapy and wider life sciences expertise</li>
<li>will enhance and complement the existing landscape&nbsp;</li>
<li>be of international importance</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant, you should:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words</li>
<li>insert each new image onto a new line</li>
<li>provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit)</li>
<li>files must be smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Your application may be rejected if images are provided without a descriptive legend in the text box, or are used to replace text that could be input into the text box.

What are you hoping to achieve with your proposed work? 

Vision

Explain how you have designed your work so that it:
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<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives</li>
<li>is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed</li>
<li>if applicable, uses a clear and transparent methodology</li>
<li>if applicable, summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed</li>
<li>will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts</li>
<li>describes how your, and if applicable your team&rsquo;s, research environment (in terms of the place, and relevance to the project) will contribute to the success of the work</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within the approach section demonstrate how you will support the development of a consortium based a broad utility, deep genotyping and phenotyping platform capable of:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>generating insights into patient response</li>
<li>adverse effects</li>
<li>resistance to immunotherapy</li>
<li>mechanistic insights into disease</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within the approach section we also expect you to:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>describe how the consortium brings together different multi- and inter-disciplinary expertise as well as geographic spread, including industry members</li>
<li>describe plans for sustainability and legacy beyond the end of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding - these could include cost recovery models, securing additional funding, development or expansion after the initial period of funding</li>
<li>provide details of governance (proportionate to the scale and complexity of the activity); including external advisory structures if needed&nbsp;</li>
<li>plans for support and maintenance of the proposed infrastructure&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>details of access and usage particularly where a culture of equipment sharing may extend use&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>provide detail on training and development of staff&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Demonstrate that your proposed approach is feasible, and comprehensively identify any risks to delivery and how they will be managed, including:
<ol class="govuk-list govuk-list--number">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ol class="govuk-list govuk-list--number">
<li>How likely the risks are to occur.</li>
<li>What their impact would be on the success and deliverability of the project.</li>
<li>Your risk mitigation strategy, giving particular consideration to any potential safety risks and how these risks will be controlled.</li>
<li>Your option to include a risk table to support your response.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
Ensure you describe how the idea or solution has been developed to date and what the proposed approach for further development is.
This should outline:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the previous work and current status of the innovation or technology and how the proposed work will build upon and progress its development</li>
<li>the key gap that the project&rsquo;s primary objective is seeking to address</li>
<li>the critical data to be generated as the project endpoint that will maximise translation of outcomes and transform the chance of attracting onward investment</li>
<li>the expertise or any consultancy required to deliver the proposed work</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Provide a project plan to support your application and information on how the proposed work has a reliable and robust methodology and experimental design. Provide a summary of the project workplan, accompanied by an embedded Gantt chart or similar aide to support your application. This should outline:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>project specific deliverables, including proposed success criteria</li>
<li>the resourcing necessary to deliver the proposed work</li>
<li>the overall timeframe of the project</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Do not use the project plan to include information which should be detailed in the other sections of your application.
Ensure that you describe the methodology and experimental design. This should include:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the use of animals or patients, including justification for why particular animal models or clinical populations have been chosen and any considerations given to diversity</li>
<li>any consultation with a statistician or methodology hub to the development of the application</li>
<li>the access you will have to statistical support during the project</li>
<li>the statistical analysis plans, the proposed sample sizes in sufficient detail for the replication of any power calculation</li>
<li>the anticipated effect of sizes and variability</li>
<li>potential sources of bias and describe the strategies that will be adopted to minimise their effects</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
As part of your methodology, describe the nature of human participation in your proposed work, including:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the characteristics of the participants (such as age, disease) and the rationale for their selection</li>
<li>the specific population groups in relation to their diversity characteristics and the proposed analysis, following the MRC embedding diversity in research design policy</li>
<li>target and acceptable levels of participant recruitment across the project timeline</li>
<li>evidence of recruitment feasibility</li>
<li>the human participant recruitment strategy, including the steps that will be taken if patient recruitment does not reach the set targets</li>
<li>provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place</li>
<li>if applicable, provide details of how any limited animal, library specimen or isolate cell work will inform the human-centric proposed work. For any research involving animals and tissues and cells, you must show how you will use both sexes. If you are not proposing to do this, a strong justification is required</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within the Approach section, we also expect you to describe your exemplar project or projects specifically:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>provide details on the proposed methodology and experimental design, including:</li>
<li>the experiments you will undertake to probe the stated hypothesis</li>
<li>the data you will collect and how it will test the hypothesis</li>
<li>the proposed study design and why this approach is appropriate to meet the study objectives</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Please refer to the&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/mrc/guidance-for-applicants/what-to-include-in-your-application/2-2-attachments/">MRC guidance for applicants, section 2.2.3.5 &lsquo;Reproducibility and statistical design&rsquo;</a>, for further information.
Use the &lsquo;Research involving the use of animals&rsquo; section to provide information on the rationale for using animals, choice of species, welfare and procedure severity.
The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction of Animals in Research have developed a&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/experimental-design-assistant-eda">free online tool to guide researchers</a>&nbsp;through the design of their experiments. It helps to ensure that researchers use the minimum number of animals consistent with their scientific objectives, methods to reduce subjective bias, and appropriate statistical analysis.
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant, you should:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words</li>
<li>insert each new image onto a new line</li>
<li>provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit)</li>
<li>files must be smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Your application may be rejected if images are provided without a descriptive legend in the text box, or are used to replace text that could be input into the text box.

How are you going to deliver your proposed work? 

Approach

Provide at least two key progression milestones for your project, that:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>delineate the proposed work into costed project phases with clear Go or No-Go decision points</li>
<li>establish key progression milestones with target and acceptable thresholds</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Download and complete the following <a class="govuk-link" href="https://ukri-tfs-prod-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/MRC+ExpMed+Milestone+Form.docx">Experimental Medicine milestone template </a>and copy and paste into the text box.
Milestones must be SMART &ndash; that is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-framed.
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>detail robust Go or No-Go criteria (failure to meet these will result in early termination of the project).</li>
<li>for all projects, it is advisable to structure the project so that the critical questions are addressed as early as possible in the plan</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Success criteria should be based on project outputs that, at the given point, need to be achieved in order to justify further continuation of the studies. Success criteria should align to project aims and objectives; success criteria for the final milestone should reflect what success for the funded aspect of the project would equate to.
For each success criterion, please specify a quantified target value that you will seek to attain and a quantified acceptable value, which, if achieved, would support project progression
For exemplar projects, this should include a summary of:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>study design</li>
<li>study participants</li>
<li>study endpoints</li>
<li>dose (when applicable)</li>
<li>analysis plans</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
DO NOT include project management meetings or other process-related tasks as milestone success criteria.
Your estimate of the milestone criteria being met should assume that the preceding milestone was achieved.
For the final milestone, the criteria should reflect outcomes representing successful completion of the project.

Provide details of your project milestones.

Project Milestones

Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work</li>
<li>the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work&nbsp;</li>
<li>the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others</li>
<li>contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
The word count for this section is 1,500 words:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>1,000 words to be used for R4RI modules (complete this as a narrative, do not format it like a CV)</li>
<li>if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions (complete this as a narrative)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant, you should:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words</li>
<li>insert each new image onto a new line</li>
<li>provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit)</li>
<li>files must be smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Your application may be rejected if images are provided without a descriptive legend in the text box, or are used to replace text that could be input into the text box.
R4RI modules (up to 1,000 words)
Use the R&eacute;sum&eacute; for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you and, if relevant, your team (project and project co-leads, researchers, technicians, specialists, partners and so on) have and how this will help deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals&rsquo; specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.
Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed. Use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/before-you-apply/resume-for-research-and-innovation-r4ri-guidance/#:~:text=UKRI%20committed%20to%20adopting%20a,UKRI%20throughout%202022%20and%202023.">UKRI guidance on R4RI</a>. You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge</li>
<li>the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships</li>
<li>contributions to the wider research and innovation community</li>
<li>contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Additions (up to 500 words)
Provide any further details relevant to your application. This section is optional and can be up to 500 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences, or outputs, but you can use it to describe any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/career-breaks-and-flexible-working-for-reviewers-and-applicants/">career breaks</a> if you wish to disclose them).
Complete this as a narrative. Do not format it like a CV.
UKRI has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new UKRI Funding Service. For full details, see <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/before-you-apply/check-if-you-are-eligible-for-research-and-innovation-funding/eligibility-as-an-individual/#contents-list">Eligibility as an individual</a>

Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?

Applicant and team capability to deliver

Include all references in this section, not in the rest of the application questions.
You should not include any other information in this section.
We advise you not to include hyperlinks, as assessors are not obliged to access the information they lead to or consider it in their assessment of your application.
If linking to web resources, to maintain the information's integrity, include persistent identifiers (such as digital object identifiers) where possible.
You must not include links to web resources to extend your application.

List the references you have used to support your application.

References

Upload a single PDF containing the letters or emails of support from each partner you named in the &lsquo;Project partners&rsquo; section.&nbsp;These should be uploaded in English or Welsh only.
If you do not have any project partners, you should indicate N/A in the text box.
What supporting statements we are looking for
Important note: We are only looking for you to provide letters or emails of support from the following:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>a third party individual</li>
<li>a third party organisation</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Third party means the individual and organisation must not be involved in the application core team. You must ensure that any project partners providing a supporting document, are also added to the &lsquo;project partners&rsquo; section within the UKRI Funding Service.
Ensure you have prior agreement from project partners so that, if you are offered funding, they will support your project as indicated in the project partners&rsquo; section.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
What supporting statements we are not looking for
We are not looking for you to provide any letters or emails of support from individuals or organisations included in your application core team (this includes other departments within the same organisation). Any individual or organisation included in your application with a <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/roles-in-funding-applications/roles-in-funding-applications-eligibility-responsibilities-and-costings-guidance/#section-role-descriptions-and-responsibilities">core team role</a> cannot also be a project partner.
Do not include any other statements or any other type of information we have not requested, including letter or emails of support from colleagues simply expressing supportive opinions. We only expect letters or emails of support from your third party project partners to be uploaded to this section.
If you include any information not requested by us your application will be rejected.
Supporting document guidance for third party project partners
Each third party project partner supporting letter or email you provide, should:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>be no more than two A4 pages</li>
<li>confirm the partner&rsquo;s commitment to the project &nbsp;</li>
<li>clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them &nbsp;</li>
<li>describe any additional value that they bring to the project </li>
<li>include the name of the project partner organisation and contact information (this should match the partner contact and organisation name details you must add to the separate &lsquo;project partners&rsquo; application section)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Project partners letters and emails of support are not required to be on headed paper or include handwritten signatures (electronic signatures are acceptable from the nominated partner contact).
When you have uploaded your &lsquo;Project partners&rsquo; PDF, enter the words &lsquo;attachment supplied&rsquo; within the text box.
Project partner responsibility for the recruitment of people
If the project partner is responsible for the recruitment of people as research participants or providing human tissue their email or letter of support should include:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>agreement that the project partner will recruit the participants or provide tissue</li>
<li>confirmation that what is being supplied is suitable for the proposed work</li>
<li>confirmation that the quantity of tissue being supplied is suitable, but not excessive for achieving meaningful results (if applicable)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Multiple project partners
If you have multiple project partners, you should:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>ensure each separate email or letter of support, does not exceed two pages of A4</li>
<li>consolidate all the supporting documents provided by each project partner into a single PDF file before uploading</li>
<li>ensure the PDF does not exceed the maximum file size of 8MB</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
For the file name, use the unique UKRI Funding Service number the system gives you when you created your application, followed by the words &lsquo;Project partner&rsquo;.

Upload a single PDF containing the letters or emails of support from each partner you named in the Project partner section. 

Project partners: letters (or emails) of support

If industry collaboration does not apply to any of your project partners, or you don&rsquo;t have any project partners, simply add &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; into the text box.
If your research project involves collaboration between an academic organisation and an industry or company, you are likely to need to follow the industry collaboration framework and answer this question, check using the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MRC-240223-IndustryCollaborationFrameworkDecisionTree.pdf">ICF decision tree.</a>
Important note: You must also add any industry or company collaborator to both &lsquo;Project partners and &lsquo;Project partners letters (or emails) of support&rsquo; sections of your application, when they are included under ICF.
By &lsquo;industry or company&rsquo; we mean an enterprise that puts goods or services on a market and whose commercial activities are greater than 20% of their overall annual capacity.
The assessors are looking for information relating to the nature, goals and conditions of the collaboration and any restrictions or rights to the project results that could be claimed by the project partner.
Find out more about&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/mrc/guidance-for-applicants/types-of-funding-we-offer/mrc-industry-collaboration-framework-icf/" target="_self">ICF</a>, including:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>collaboration agreements&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>definitions of basic or applied research&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>internationally based companies&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>subsidy control&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Intellectual property (IP) arrangements&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>fully flexible and gated contributions&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>the ICF assessment criteria&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
In addition to the project partner information completed in the previous section, confirm your answers to the ICF questions in the text box, repeat this process for each ICF&nbsp;project partner:
<ol class="govuk-list govuk-list--number">
<li>Name the industry or company project partner considered under ICF.</li>
<li>Indicate whether your application is either basic research or applied research.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Explain why, in the absence of the requested UKRI funding, the collaboration and the planned research could not be undertaken.</li>
<li>State whether your application is under the category of either fully flexible contribution or gated contribution (based on the IP sharing arrangements with the ICF partner).&nbsp;</li>
<li>Outline the pre-existing IP (&lsquo;background IP&rsquo;) that each project partner, including the academic partner, will bring to the collaborative research project and the terms under which project partners may access these assets.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Outline the IP that is expected to be developed during the collaborative research project (&lsquo;foreground IP&rsquo;) and briefly outline how it will be managed, including:&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>which project partners will own this IP &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>what rights project partners will have to use academically-generated foreground IP during and after the research project, for internal research and development or for commercial purposes&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>any rights of the academic partner to commercialise the foreground IP (including foreground IP generated by project partners)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
7. Outline any restrictions to dissemination of the project results, including the rights of the project partner to:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>review, approve or delay publications (including the time period associated with such rights)&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>request or require the removal of any information</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
8. Declare any conflicts of interest held by the applicants in relation to the project partners and describe how they will be managed.
9. If applicable, justify collaborating with an overseas industry or company under ICF.
Failure to provide the information requested for industry partners under ICF could result in your application being rejected.
You are recommended to discuss the goals and conditions of any collaboration with an industry or company project partner with your university technology transfer or contracts office before applying.

Does your application include industry project partners?

Industry Collaboration Framework (ICF)

If you will need to use a facility, follow your proposed facility&rsquo;s normal access request procedures. Ensure you have prior agreement so that if you are offered funding, they will support the use of their facility on your project.
For each requested facility you will need to provide the:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>name of facility, copied and pasted from the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://ukri-tfs-prod-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Facility+Information+for+TFS.docx">facility information list (DOCX, 35KB)</a></li>
<li>proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility information list&nbsp;</li>
<li>confirmation you have their agreement where required&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Enter N/A in the text box if not applicable to your proposed work.

Does your proposed research require the support and use of a facility?

Facilities

Provide a data management plan which should clearly detail how you will comply with our published&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/mrc/our-policies-and-standards/research/data-management-and-sharing/">data management and sharing policies</a>, which includes detailed guidance notes.
Provide your response following the&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/data-management-plan-template/">MRC data management plan template</a>.
The length of your plan will vary depending on the type of study being undertaken:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>population cohorts; longitudinal studies; genetic, omics and imaging data; biobanks, and other collections that are potentially a rich resource for the wider research community: maximum of 1500 words</li>
<li>all other research, if less complex, the plan may be as short as 500 words</li>
</ul>

How will you manage and share data collected or acquired through the proposed research?

Data management and sharing

Demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations</li>
<li>how you will manage these considerations&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Consider the&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/mrc/guidance-for-applicants/5-ethics-and-approvals/">MRC guidance on ethics and approvals</a>.
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant, you should:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words</li>
<li>insert each new image onto a new line</li>
<li>provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit)</li>
<li>files must be smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Your application may be rejected if images are provided without a descriptive legend in the text box, or are used to replace text that could be input into the text box.

What are the ethical or RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work?  If you do not think that the proposed work raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.

Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)

The assessors are looking for you to outline where Intellectual Property (IP) and Freedom to Operate considerations will need to be accounted for (for example: where licenses will need to be obtained).
Note that, at the time of application, or during any subsequent grant, UKRI would not anticipate any business to have exclusive rights to the assets and IP arising from the funded project.
Include any IPR if appropriate. If your IPR is a patent, please include the patent number(s) along with a summary scope of the claims. We recognise that most applications to Developmental Pathway Gap Fund (DPGF) will not have a patent or other IPR

Provide a brief description of the Intellectual Assets underpinning the proposed work (if any).

Intellectual property rights (IPR)

In respect of animals, plants or microbes, are you proposing to:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>use genetic modification as an experimental tool, like studying gene function in a genetically modified organism</li>
<li>release genetically modified organisms</li>
<li>ultimately develop commercial and industrial genetically modified outcomes</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
If yes, provide the name of any required approving body and state if approval is already in place. If it is not, provide an indicative timeframe for obtaining the required approval.
Identify the organism or organisms as a plant, animal or microbe and specify the species and which of the three categories the research relates to.
Identify the genetic and biological risks resulting from the proposed research, their implications, and any mitigation you plan on taking. Assessors will want to know you have considered the risks and their implications to justify that any identified risks do not outweigh any benefits of the proposed research.
Enter N/A in the text box if not applicable to your proposed work.

Does your proposed research involve any genetic or biological risk?

Genetic and biological risk

If you are proposing research that requires using animals, download and complete the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://ukri-tfs-prod-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/AnimalResearchQuestionTemplate-BBSRC.docx">Animals Scientific Procedures Act template (DOCX, 74KB)</a>, which contains all the questions relating to research using vertebrate animals or other Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulated organisms.
Save it as a PDF and upload to this section following the file upload guidance.
Enter N/A in the text box if not applicable to your proposed work.

Does your proposed research involve the use of vertebrate animals or other organisms covered by the Animals Scientific Procedures Act?

Research involving the use of animals

If you are proposing to conduct overseas research, it must be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with those in the UK, as in <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resources/responsibility-use-animals-bioscience-research">Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research, page 14</a>. Ensure all named applicants in the UK and overseas are aware of this requirement.
If your application proposes animal research to be conducted overseas, you must provide a statement in the text box. Depending on the species involved, you may also need to upload a completed template for each species listed.
Statement
Provide a statement to confirm that:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>all named applicants are aware of the requirements and have agreed to abide by them</li>
<li>this overseas research will be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with the principles of UK legislation</li>
<li>the expectation set out in Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research will be applied and maintained</li>
<li>appropriate national and institutional approvals are in place</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Templates
Overseas studies proposing to use non-human primates, cats, dogs, equines or pigs will be assessed during <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/who-we-are-and-what-we-do#services">NC3Rs review</a>&nbsp;of research applications. Provide the required information by completing the template from the question &lsquo;Research involving the use of animals&rsquo;.
For studies involving other species, select, download, and complete the relevant Word checklist or checklists from this list:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20rodents%20overseas%20%286%29_0.docx">Additional questions on the use of rodents overseas (DOCX, 49.1KB)</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20rabbits%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of rabbits overseas (DOCX, 49.2KB)</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20sheep%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of sheep overseas (DOCX, 50.9KB)</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20goats%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of goats overseas (DOCX, 47.3KB)</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20pigs%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of pigs overseas (DOCX, 51.4KB)</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-12/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20cattle%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of cattle overseas (DOCX, 57.0KB)</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20Xenopus%20laevis%20%26%20%20Xenopus%20tropicalis%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of&nbsp;Xenopus laevis&nbsp;and&nbsp;Xenopus tropicalis&nbsp;overseas (DOCX, 57.3KB)</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Save your completed template as a PDF and upload to this section, following the guidance provided. If you use more than one checklist template, consolidate each checklist as a single PDF.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, enter N/A in the text box.

Will any of the proposed animal research be conducted overseas?

Conducting research with animals overseas

If you are proposing research that requires the involvement of human subjects, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.
Justify the number and the diversity of the participants involved, as well as any procedures.
Provide details of any areas of substantial or moderate severity of impact.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, you should indicate N/A in the text box.

Will the project involve the use of human subjects or their personal information?

Research involving human participation

If you are proposing work that involves human tissues or biological samples, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.
Justify the use of human tissue or biological samples specifying the nature and quantity of the material to be used and its source.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, enter N/A in the text box.

Does your proposed research involve the use of human tissues, or biological samples?

Research involving human tissues or biological samples

Enter N/A in the text box if not applicable to your proposed work.
Researchers applying for clinical research in the NHS, public health or social care need to complete a Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool (SoECAT) to be eligible for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) portfolio. This is the route through which support and excess treatment costs are provided in England.
You must answer &lsquo;Yes&rsquo; and complete and upload a SoECAT if you are applying for clinical research funding, and:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>you will carry out your research in the UK</li>
<li>it is intended for the NIHR CRN portfolio; this may include studies in a social care or public health setting</li>
<li>the research requires approval by Health Research Authority (England) or its equivalents in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales</li>
<li>your research will use NHS resources</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
You must complete a SoECAT even if you don't think your clinical research will involve excess treatment costs (ETCs).
See MRC guidance 3.5.1 on <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/mrc/guidance-for-applicants/costs-we-fund/3-5-nhs-costs/">who needs to complete a SoECAT</a>.
If you are applying for clinical research in the NHS, public health or social care and don&rsquo;t think you need to complete a SoECAT, answer &lsquo;Yes&rsquo; and explain why a SoECAT is not necessary.
We want to know that you have taken the appropriate steps for the full costs of your research to be attributed, calculated and paid.
We want to see the expected total resources required for your project, such as Excess Treatment Costs (ETCs), to consider if these are appropriate.
How to complete a SoECAT
<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/online-soecat-guidance/30396" target="_self">SoECAT guidance</a> can be found on the NIHR website.
These are the steps you need to take:
1. Contact an attributing the costs of health and social care Research &amp; Development (AcoRD) specialist as early as possible in the application process.
2. Complete an online SoECAT. Excel versions of the form have been discontinued. If you don't have an account for NIHR's Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS) you will need to create and activate one. <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/getting-started-and-logging-in-to-cpms/11462">See the user guide for instructions</a>.
3. Request authorisation of your SoECAT.
4. Once authorised extract the &lsquo;study information&rsquo; and the &lsquo;summary&rsquo; page from the &lsquo;Funder Export&rsquo;, combine them as a single PDF and upload it to your application.
Applications that require a SoECAT but have not attached the SoECAT funder export study information and summary may be rejected.
Contact <a class="govuk-link" href="mailto:experimental.medicine@mrc.ukri.org">experimental.medicine@mrc.ukri.org</a> if you have questions about the UKRI aspects of this process or have concerns that your SoECAT may not be authorised in time for the application deadline.

This Opportunity closed on Thursday 9 May 2024

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This Opportunity closed on Thursday 9 May 2024

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