Enter a distinct title for your application, this may be published. If your application is using 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 usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<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:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<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

Explain how your proposed work:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the field(s) or area(s) &nbsp;</li>
<li>has the potential to advance current understanding, or generate new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area of its focus&nbsp;</li>
<li>is timely, given current trends, context, and needs</li>
<li>impacts world-leading research, society, the economy or the environment &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within the Vision 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>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>outline your plans for engagement, communication and dissemination about your research and its outcomes with the research community and, where appropriate, with potentially interested wider audiences</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
References may be included throughout this section.
Applications should be self-contained, and hyperlinks should only be used to provide links directly to reference information. To ensure the information&rsquo;s integrity is maintained, where possible, persistent identifiers such as digital object identifiers should be used. Assessors are not required to access links to carry out assessment or recommend a funding decision. Applicants should use their discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.
References should be included in the appropriate question section of the application and be easily identifiable by the assessors for example (Smith, Research Paper, 2019).
You must not include links to web resources to extend your application.
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form, such as images, if relevant:
<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&nbsp;each&nbsp;new&nbsp;image&nbsp;onto&nbsp;a&nbsp;new&nbsp;line</li>
<li>provide&nbsp;a&nbsp;descriptive&nbsp;legend&nbsp;for&nbsp;each&nbsp;image&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;underneath&nbsp;it&nbsp;(this counts towards your word limit, so must not be included in the image)</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, such as references.

What are you hoping to achieve with your proposed work? 

Vision

Explain how you have designed your work so that it:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives &nbsp;</li>
<li>is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how you will manage them &nbsp;</li>
<li>uses a clearly written and transparent methodology (if applicable)&nbsp;</li>
<li>summarises the previous work and describes how you will build on and progress this work (if applicable) &nbsp;</li>
<li>will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts  &nbsp;</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>demonstrate access to the appropriate services, facilities, infrastructure, or equipment to deliver the proposed work</li>
<li>provide a detailed and comprehensive project plan, including milestones and timelines in the form of a Gantt chart or diagram</li>
<li>explain who you intend to collaborate with at the host organisation and your plans for wider research collaborations (project partner details should be provided only in that section)</li>
<li>include details of work that will take place as part of the proposed fellowship at a second UK or overseas organisation (if applicable)</li>
<li>explain and justify how you will approach diversity and inclusion in the study population and follow the&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/mrc-embedding-diversity-in-research-design-policy/">MRC embedding diversity in research design policy</a>&nbsp;(if applicable)</li>
<li>show how you will use both sexes in research involving animals and tissues and cells (if applicable). If you are not proposing to do this justify why</li>
<li>explain and justify the inclusion of public partnerships (if applicable) and the added value these offer</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
References may be included within this section.
Applications should be self-contained, and hyperlinks should only be used to provide links directly to reference information. To ensure the information&rsquo;s integrity is maintained, where possible, persistent identifiers such as digital object identifiers should be used. Assessors are not required to access links to carry out assessment or recommend a funding decision. Applicants should use their discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.
References should be included in the appropriate question section of the application and be easily identifiable by the assessors for example (Smith, Research Paper, 2019).
You must not include links to web resources to extend your application.
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form, such as images, if relevant:
<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&nbsp;each&nbsp;new&nbsp;image&nbsp;onto&nbsp;a&nbsp;new&nbsp;line</li>
<li>provide&nbsp;a&nbsp;descriptive&nbsp;legend&nbsp;for&nbsp;each&nbsp;image&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;underneath&nbsp;it&nbsp;(this counts towards your word limit, so must not be included in the image)</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, such as references.

How are you going to deliver your proposed work?   

Approach

Information about reproducibility and how you will ensure reliability and robustness of your proposed work, such as further details of statistical analyses, methodology and experimental design, not provided in your approach.
We expect you to seek professional statistical or other relevant advice in preparing your response, which should include, as appropriate:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>sample and effect sizes</li>
<li>planned statistical analyses</li>
<li>models chosen (for example animal model, cell line)</li>
<li>potential sources of bias and how these will be mitigated during analysis</li>
<li>how your approach to addressing diversity is reflected in the experimental design and analyses</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Refer to the&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/mrc-guidance-for-applicants/application-and-policy-guide-for-the-ukri-funding-service/#section-the-application">MRC guidance for applicants</a>, for further information, examples and online tools.
If your proposed work involves animals, and you provide information on animal sample sizes and statistical analyses here, you should not duplicate it in the &lsquo;Research involving the use of animals&rsquo; section. 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.
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form, such as images, if relevant:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<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&nbsp;counts&nbsp;towards&nbsp;your&nbsp;word&nbsp;limit,&nbsp;so&nbsp;must&nbsp;not&nbsp;be&nbsp;included&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;image)</li>
<li>files must be smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format</li>
</ul>
</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.
The length of your response will vary depending on the type of project, you may not need to use 500 words.

How will you ensure your proposed work is reliable, robust and reproducible?

Reproducibility and statistical design

Ensure that you have identified:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>career development goals appropriate to the fellowship funding opportunity</li>
<li>how the fellowship will provide a feasible and appropriate trajectory for your personal development and to achieve your stated career development goals (as appropriate to your <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/developing-people-and-skills/mrc/skills-and-experience-needed-to-win-support/">career stage</a> and field)&nbsp;</li>
<li>how you will instigate positive change in the wider research and innovation community, for example through Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), advocacy or advisory roles, stakeholder engagement, participation in peer review, influencing policy, public engagement, or outreach</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within the Career development section we also expect you to describe:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>how you will ensure continued research and professional development in those you will be managing on the project, to have a positive research and innovation experience, with opportunities or support to progress their own careers (useful links <a class="govuk-link" href="https://researcherdevelopmentconcordat.ac.uk/">Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers</a> and&nbsp; <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.techniciancommitment.org.uk/">Technician Commitment</a>)</li>
<li>how the proposed work will provide a feasible and appropriate trajectory for you to acquire additional skills, like research, leadership, communication and management&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Why is this fellowship the right way to develop your career and how will you use it to benefit others?

Career development

Evidence of how you 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 (<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/developing-people-and-skills/mrc/skills-and-experience-needed-to-win-support/">appropriate to career stage</a>) to make best use of the benefits presented by this funding opportunity to develop your career &nbsp;</li>
<li>the right balance of skills and aptitude to deliver the proposed work&nbsp;</li>
<li>contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community&nbsp;</li>
<li>the appropriate team working or leadership skills (appropriate to career stage)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form, such as images, if relevant:
<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&nbsp;each&nbsp;new&nbsp;image&nbsp;onto&nbsp;a&nbsp;new&nbsp;line</li>
<li>provide&nbsp;a&nbsp;descriptive&nbsp;legend&nbsp;for&nbsp;each&nbsp;image&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;underneath&nbsp;it&nbsp;(this counts towards your word limit, so must not be included in the image)</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, such as references.
The word limit for this section is 1,650 words, 1,150 words to be used for R4RI modules (including references) and, if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions.
Use the R&eacute;sum&eacute; for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you have and how this will help to deliver the proposed work. You can include specific achievements and choose past contributions that best evidence your ability to deliver this work.
Complete this section using the following R4RI module headings. You should use each heading once, 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 you bring:
<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, including public partnerships  </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Additions: 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).
You should complete this section as a narrative. Do not format it like a CV.
References may be included throughout this section.
Applications should be self-contained, and hyperlinks should only be used to provide links directly to reference information. To ensure the information&rsquo;s integrity is maintained, where possible, persistent identifiers such as digital object identifiers should be used. Assessors are not required to access links to carry out assessment or recommend a funding decision. Applicants should use their discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.
References should be included in the appropriate question section of the application and be easily identifiable by the assessors for example (Smith, Research Paper, 2019).
You must not include links to web resources to extend your application.
<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/roles-in-funding-applications/">The roles in funding applications policy</a> has descriptions of the different project roles.

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

Applicant capability to deliver

<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MRC-18072023-Fellowships-clinical-activities-and-training-TFS-template.docx">Download the fellowships clinical activities and training template (DOCX, 43KB)</a> complete the table and paste it into the text box.
Explain your clinical activities and training and how these relate to the proposed fellowship, including:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>your Professional Registration Number (name of body and registration number for example, HCPC or GMC 1234567)</li>
<li>your clinical speciality or profession</li>
<li>your current training stage or nearest equivalent (foundation, speciality registrar with grade, consultant)</li>
<li>your completion of training date</li>
<li>Royal College Examination, with name of exam and date or anticipated date</li>
<li>if you intend to be clinically active during or after the fellowship</li>
<li>if you will seek an honorary clinical contract</li>
<li>the percentage of your time you will spend on clinical duties, you may spend up to 20% of your time on clinical duties as part of a full-time fellowship (two clinical sessions a week)</li>
<li>the percentage of this time that will have direct relevance to your proposed work</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Do you intend to be clinically active during or after the fellowship and what level of clinical training do you have?

Clinical activities and training

Ensure the head of department (of the host organisation) provides you with a supporting statement (which they have written), that includes:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the name and title of the head of department providing the written support statement</li>
<li>evidence detailing how the host will support you, as appropriate for your career development and the vision and approach of the fellowship&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>how your research environment will contribute to the success of the work, in terms of suitability of the host organisation and strategic relevance to the project</li>
<li>how the host organisation will ensure your time commitment to the fellowship is protected</li>
<li>what development and training opportunities will be provided and how they form a cohesive career development package tailored to your aims and aspirations  </li>
<li>what financial or practical support, such as access to the appropriate services, facilities, infrastructure, or equipment, is being provided and how this strengthens your application  &nbsp;</li>
<li>evidence of your suitability for an MRC fellowship</li>
<li>details of the fellowship work to be conducted at another UK or overseas host organisation and how they will support you (if applicable)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
If your application includes a second host organisation (industry or research), and or you would like to provide a previous head of department supporting statement, this information should be included within the next two sections of your application.

How will the host organisation support your fellowship?

Host organisation support

If relevant to your fellowship, you should include a support statement from your second host organisation. Note, your second host organisation can be another&nbsp;<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-organisation/#contents-list">eligible research organisation</a>&nbsp;or an industrial organisation or company, an enterprise that puts or has intention to put goods or services on a market.
If your fellowship application does not include a second host organisation, you should indicate &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; within the text box and mark the section as complete.
The appropriate head of department (or equivalent, if your second host organisation is from industry), must provide a statement of support confirm their commitment to supporting your MRC fellowship, by including:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the name and title of the head of department (or industry equivalent), that has written your supporting statement</li>
<li>evidence detailing how the second host research organisation or industry partner will support you, as appropriate for your career development and the vision and approach of the fellowship</li>
<li>how your research environment will contribute to the success of the work, in terms of suitability of the host organisation and strategic relevance to the project</li>
<li>how the second host research or industry organisation will ensure your time commitment to the fellowship is protected</li>
<li>what development and training opportunities will be provided and how they form a cohesive career development package tailored to your aims and aspirations</li>
<li>what financial or practical support, such as access to the appropriate services, facilities, infrastructure, or equipment, is being provided and how this strengthens your application</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

How will the second host organisation support your fellowship?

Second host organisation support

If you plan to undertake your fellowship at a different department to your current affiliation or have recently moved department, a statement of support should be included from your current or previous head of department, with their assessment of your suitability for an MRC fellowship.
If not applicable to your fellowship application, you should indicate &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; within the text box and mark the section as complete.

If applicable, provide a support statement from your previous head of department.

Previous head of department support statement

A statement must be provided by at least one sponsor who is a senior member of the department where you are applying to host your fellowship and who will have academic responsibility for you. Include other sponsors if necessary to support all areas of the proposed work, they may be from other organisations.
A sponsor statement should be up to 1,000 words, only use the full word limit if you have multiple sponsors.
A sponsor is not expected to fulfil a supervisory role during the fellowship, but they act as a supporter for the application and the fellowship.
A sponsor should have expertise in the research area of the application and will act as guarantor for the quality of the proposed research, suitability of you as a fellowship candidate and the quality of training and development you will receive.
An entry should be included for each sponsor, detailing:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the sponsor&rsquo;s name and current position</li>
<li>in what capacity they know you</li>
<li>how long they have known you</li>
<li>their views on your research ability and suitability for this fellowship</li>
<li>measures of research activity where you will be based, such as the number of academic staff</li>
<li>the suitability and quality of the support, training and skills that you will receive, including how your research area fits with the priorities of the research environment</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Provide details of your sponsors and their support.

How will you be mentored during the fellowship?

Mentors

Enter the words &lsquo;attachment supplied&rsquo; in the text box, or if you do not have any project partners enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo;.
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 your application.
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 uploaded to this section.
If you include any information not requested by MRC, your application will be rejected.
Supporting letter and email guidance for third party project partners
Each project partner 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>confirm the partner&rsquo;s commitment to the project  </li>
<li>clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them  </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 &lsquo;Project partners&rsquo; section)</li>
<li>have a page limit of two sides of A4 per partner</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).
Industry or company project partner letter and email of support guidance
Industry or company project partners are required to complete the industry or company letter of support template by exploring the document download section of <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/mrc/guidance-for-applicants/types-of-funding-we-offer/mrc-industry-collaboration-framework-icf/">MRC Industry Collaboration Framework (ICF)</a>. This will ensure the letter or email they provide you, contains all the relevant information we need.
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 letter or email 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 partner letter or email of support, does not exceed two pages of A4&nbsp;</li>
<li>consolidate all the supporting documents provided by each project partner into a single PDF file before uploading&nbsp;</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 Funding Service 'App' number the system allocated you when you created your application, followed by the words &lsquo;Project partner&rsquo;.
Ensure you have prior agreement from project partners so that, if you are offered funding, they will support your project as indicated in the &lsquo;Project partners&rsquo; section.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.

Upload a single PDF containing the letters or emails of support from each partner you named in the ‘Project partners’ section. These should be uploaded in English or Welsh only.

Project partners: letters (or emails) of support

The assessors are looking for you to confirm if your proposed work involves collaboration with an industry or company project partner. If it does, you will need to follow the MRC industry collaboration framework (ICF).
By &lsquo;industry or company&rsquo; we mean an enterprise that puts or has intention to put goods or services on a market.
For guidance to assist your decision if your proposed work requires you to follow ICF, you should explore the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MRC-240223-IndustryCollaborationFrameworkDecisionTree.pdf">ICF decision tree (PDF, 41KB)</a> and <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/mrc/guidance-for-applicants/types-of-funding-we-offer/mrc-industry-collaboration-framework-icf/">find out more about ICF</a> which includes:
<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;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Enter &lsquo;Yes&rsquo; in the text box if you have industry or company project partners and you are likely to follow ICF. You should also confirm your answers to the ICF questions one to nine in the text box for each ICF project partner.
Contact <a class="govuk-link" href="mailto:mcmb@mrc.ukri.org">fellows@mrc.ukri.org</a> if you are unsure if your application should follow ICF.
In addition to the project partner information completed in the previous section, 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 industry or company project partner.
Confirm your answers to the ICF questions in the text box, repeat this process for each ICF 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 basic research or applied research. </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 fully flexible contribution or gated contribution (based on the IP sharing arrangements with the industry or company partner). </li>
<li>Outline the pre-existing IP (&lsquo;background IP&rsquo;) that each partner, including the academic partner, will bring to the collaborative research project and the terms under which partners may access these assets. </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:  </li>
</ol>
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>who will own this IP  </li>
<li>what rights industry or company partners will have to use academically-generated foreground IP during and after the research project, for internal research and development or for commercial purposes  </li>
<li>any rights of the academic partner to commercialise the foreground IP, including foreground IP generated by industry or company partners </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
7. Outline any restrictions to dissemination of the project results, including the rights of the industry or company 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)  </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 industry or company project partners and describe how they will be managed.
9. Justify collaborating with an overseas industry or company under ICF (if applicable).
Failure to provide the information requested for industry or company 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 with your technology transfer or contracts office before applying.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made. You must provide us with a copy of the collaboration agreement, signed by all partners, before an ICF award starts.
Enter N/A in the text box if you:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>do not have any project partners</li>
<li>have project partners, but they are not industry or company partners</li>
<li>
have industry or company partners, but the proposed work will not involve an ICF collaboration, you must clearly explain in the text box why ICF does not apply to you
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Does your application include collaboration with industry or company project partners? 

Industry Collaboration Framework (ICF)

Demonstrate how your proposed international collaboration relates to Trusted Research and Innovation, including:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>list the countries your international project co-leads, project partners and visiting researchers, or other collaborators are based in</li>
<li>if international collaboration is involved, explain whether this project is relevant to one or more of the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fnational-security-and-investment-act-guidance-on-notifiable-acquisitions%2Fnational-security-and-investment-act-guidance-on-notifiable-acquisitions&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBenjamin.Sharman%40ukri.org%7Ce3080a5761be430d8dc208db6ce30d1f%7C8bb7e08edaa44a8e927efca38db04b7e%7C0%7C0%7C638223494647504807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=hOLC8dyLW8qAkugj61zrb5jDPEz7hv7Z2tehvua%2BXCA%3D&amp;reserved=0">17 areas</a> of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act</li>
<li>if one or more of the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fnational-security-and-investment-act-guidance-on-notifiable-acquisitions%2Fnational-security-and-investment-act-guidance-on-notifiable-acquisitions&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBenjamin.Sharman%40ukri.org%7Ce3080a5761be430d8dc208db6ce30d1f%7C8bb7e08edaa44a8e927efca38db04b7e%7C0%7C0%7C638223494647504807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=hOLC8dyLW8qAkugj61zrb5jDPEz7hv7Z2tehvua%2BXCA%3D&amp;reserved=0">17 areas</a> of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act are involved list the areas</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Enter 'N/A' in the text box if not applicable to your proposed work.
We may contact you following submission of your application to provide additional information about how your proposed project will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&amp;I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help manage these risks.

Does the proposed work involve international collaboration in a sensitive research or technology area?

Trusted Research and Innovation

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 style="list-style-type:none">
<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+updated+Sept+24.docx"> facility information list (DOCX, 42KB)</a></li>
<li>proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility information list</li>
<li>confirmation you have their agreement where required</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Facilities should only be named if they are on the facility information list above. If you will not need to use a facility, you should indicate 'N/A' in the text box and mark the section as complete.

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 MRC&rsquo;s 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 in the text box following the headings in the&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/data-management-plan-template/">MRC data management plan template</a>. You are not required to upload the document to your application.
The length of your plan will vary depending on the type of study being undertaken:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<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 1,500 words</li>
<li>all other research, less complex, the plan may be as short as 500 words</li>
</ul>
</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/publications/mrc-guidance-for-applicants/ethics-and-approvals/">MRC guidance on ethics and approvals</a>.
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form, such as images, if relevant:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<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&nbsp;(this&nbsp;counts&nbsp;towards&nbsp;your&nbsp;word&nbsp;limit,&nbsp;so&nbsp;must&nbsp;not&nbsp;be&nbsp;included&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;image)</li>
<li>files must be smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format</li>
</ul>
</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)

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&nbsp;</li>
<li>release genetically modified organisms&nbsp;</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</a>.&nbsp;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&nbsp;</li>
<li>this overseas research will be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with the principles of UK legislation&nbsp;</li>
<li>the expectation set out in Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research will be applied and maintained&nbsp;</li>
<li>appropriate national and institutional approvals are in place&nbsp;</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://nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resources/peer-review-and-advice-service">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, such as:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>rodents</li>
<li>rabbits</li>
<li>sheep</li>
<li>goats</li>
<li>pigs</li>
<li>cattle</li>
<li>xenopus laevis and xenopus tropicalis</li>
<li>zebrafish</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Select, download, and complete the relevant Word checklist or checklists by <a class="govuk-link" href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnc3rs.org.uk%2Fchecklists-use-animals-overseas&amp;data=05%7C02%7CKirsty.Cook%40ukri.org%7C7776d059f1d0490639c708dd07cb999e%7C8bb7e08edaa44a8e927efca38db04b7e%7C0%7C0%7C638675293218338887%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=hLATRpVO7ftZ4Itg6A1pu6T4eaUn85sC2QHy5xKEFTU%3D&amp;reserved=0">exploring NC3Rs checklist for the use of animals overseas</a>.
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.
Enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; in the text box if conducting research with animals overseas does not apply to your proposed work.

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 enter 'N/A' in the text box and mark the section as complete.

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, you should enter 'N/A' in the text box and mark the section as complete.

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

Research involving human tissues or biological samples

Researchers applying to do clinical research in the NHS, public health or social care usually need to complete a Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool (SoECAT).
We request the SoECAT because we want to know that you have taken the appropriate steps to request National institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) support and 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 to consider if these are appropriate.
Enter &lsquo;Yes&rsquo; and complete and upload a SoECAT if you are applying for clinical research 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&nbsp;</li>
<li>your research will use NHS resources&nbsp;</li>
<li>the research requires approval by Health Research Authority (England) or its equivalents in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales&nbsp;</li>
<li>you will need support from the NIHR Research Delivery Network, this may include studies in a social care or public health setting&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
It is important to complete a SoECAT to be eligible for NIHR support. You must complete a SoECAT even if you don't think your clinical research will involve excess treatment costs (ETCs).
See MRC guidance on <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/mrc-guidance-for-applicants/application-and-policy-guide-for-the-ukri-funding-service/#section-the-application">who needs to complete a SoECAT.</a>
How to complete a SoECAT
<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/online-soecat-guidance/30396">SoECAT guidance</a> can be found on the NIHR website.
These are the steps you need to take:
<ol class="govuk-list govuk-list--number">
<li>Contact an attributing the costs of health and social care research and development (AcoRD) specialist as early as possible in the application process.</li>
<li>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 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>.</li>
<li>Request authorisation of your SoECAT.</li>
<li>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.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Applications that require a SoECAT but have not attached the SoECAT funder export study information and summary may be rejected.
Ensure the AcoRD specialists name and date are include within the uploaded summary page. The SoECAT is invalid without this information.
Contact <a class="govuk-link" href="mailto:mcmb@mrc.ukri.org">fellows@mrc.ukri.org</a>&nbsp;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 closing date.
If you are applying for clinical research in the UK and don&rsquo;t think you need a SoECAT, you must enter &lsquo;Yes (but SoECAT not needed)&rsquo; in the text box and clearly explain why a SoECAT is not required.
Enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; in the text box if your proposed work will not involve clinical research in the UK, such as human participation or use of samples in the NHS, public health or social care settings.

Are you applying to do clinical research in the UK?

Clinical research using NHS resources

If your application is not related to another, enter N/A in the text box and mark the section as complete.
If yes, explain how this new application is related to the other application. You must include details of any related applications currently under consideration or previously submitted.
You may only have one fellowship application under consideration by UKRI (which encompasses all fellowship schemes led by any of the research councils or Innovate UK). However, application to other funders is permissible. If the related application was submitted to another funder, you should identify the name of the funder and when you applied.
If this is a resubmission include the reference number of your previous MRC application. Describe how this application differs from the previous application and how feedback on the previous application has been considered and acted on.
You may only apply twice for any MRC fellowship, regardless of the extent of changes to the application. Changing your organisation or project does not reset your number of previous applications.

Is this application related to another application to MRC or other funding organisation?

Related applications

If you are not applying for a jointly-funded fellowship, you should indicate N/A in the text box and mark the section as complete.
If you are applying for a jointly-funded fellowship we want to know the name of the joint funder. If applicable, select your joint funder from the below list and paste it in the text box:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>DEBRA (the butterfly skin charity)</li>
<li>Diabetes UK</li>
<li>Kidney Research UK</li>
<li>Macular Society</li>
<li>Medical Research Foundation</li>
<li>Motor Neurone Disease Association</li>
<li>Parkinson&rsquo;s UK</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
By selecting a joint funder, you agree to MRC sharing this application and your personal information with the chosen joint funder or funders.

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