Developmental pathway funding scheme - Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers on the Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme regarding eligibility, funding, preparing an application, assessment, ethics and governance.
Eligibility
Q: Who is eligible?
A: The Principal Investigator must be a UK-based researcher (although Co-Investigators on the application can be international), or at an overseas establishment supported by the MRC.
Q: Can investigators from MRC units and institutes apply under this scheme?
A: Yes. However, such investigators should first discuss their proposals with MRCT and any award to a MRC unit/institute would be made on the basis of 100 per cent directly incurred costs only and would not include indirect or estates costs.
Q: Is my UK institution eligible?
A: Eligible organisations fall into three categories:
- UK higher education institutions (HEIs)
- Research Council Institutes
- Independent research organisations (IROs)
Please see eligibility for research council funding for further details.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of applications I can submit?
A: Individuals may be the Principal Investigator on only one application per DPFS round, but may act as a Co-Investigator on any number of applications per DPFS application round. However, please note that the assessment will consider the level of engagement of Principle Investigators and Co-Investigators with the research and their capacity to meet these requirements.
Q: Can my application include an industry partner(s)?
A: Yes, the MRC recognizes the value that such partnerships can bring. If you have an industrial partner(s) and are making an outline application, no additional details than those requested in the DPFS Outline Application are required.
If you have an industrial partner(s) and are making a full application, you will need to upload a completed MRC Industry Collaboration Award (MICA) Form and signed Heads of Terms within the ‘case for support’ of your J-eS application. Please refer to the MRC web site for further guidance on MICAs.
Q: Does my application have to include industry and/or charity partnerships?
A: No, this is not mandatory, but applications including partnerships are strongly encouraged where these add value to the research.
Q: Can I have more than one partnership?
A: Yes.
Q: Can the industry partnership be non-UK?
A: Yes. If the only/most appropriate industrial partner that could be justified scientifically was a non-UK industrial partner this would be acceptable.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of applications a research organisation can submit?
A: No, there is no limit per research organisation, but we would strongly suggest that research organisations consider their capacity to deliver the full range of proposed studies.
Q: Can I submit an application which has previously been submitted to an MRC research board or panel?
A: Yes, if a year has passed since the original submission. However, it is expected that the proposal will have been substantially revised, taking into account the feedback/comments received, such that it is more competitive. Similarly, the MRC anticipates that applicants would have significantly revised proposals that may have been previously unsuccessful with other funders.
Q: If my application doesn’t fit the remit of the DPFS, what options do I have?
A: If your application does not fit the remit of DPFS, but is within the broader sphere of MRC interest, then you may apply via other normal funding mechanisms. In particular applications proposing the discovery of new causes or risk factors of disease, biomarkers, drug targets, or research tools should be submitted as research grants in response mode through the research boards. Please see ‘Available grants’ for more information.
Funding
Q: How much funding is available under the Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme?
A: The MRC plans to commit over £30 million per year to the Translational Managed Programme, of which the DPFS forms a key part.
Q: What is the expected duration of grants under this scheme?
A: Depending on the nature of the research, the requested support might be sufficient for one or two years work, or occasionally longer. Lengthy development programmes will normally be supported in stages, but longer awards can be justified by the work needed and endpoints sought.
Q: What start date/when will funds be available from?
A: We are keen for grants to start as early as possible (within six months) after the awards are announced.
Q: Will the application attract full economic costs (FEC)?
A: Yes, the application will need to be submitted on an FEC basis.
Q: Are applications/awards under the DPFS value limited?
A: No. Awards will not be value limited. It is envisaged that DPFS projects will normally be substantive, seeking a minimum of £250k in costs. Although there is no upper limit on project costs, requested costs will need to be justified based on the translational gap to be crossed and the resources required to bridge this gap.
Q: Will awards be pruned?
A: Only under exceptional circumstances will awards be pruned. Therefore, it is important that applications are appropriately costed and represent clear value for money. If you over or under bid it is likely your application will be rejected.
Preparing an application
Q: My organisation is not registered to use the J-eS.
A: Please contact the J-ES helpdesk as soon as possible with details of your organisation and the grant scheme you wish to apply for
Q: How do I submit an outline application?
A: Applications will be accepted using only the Je-S (Joint Electronic Submission) and the DPFS outline application form. Applicants should refer to the general guidance for applicants (on Je-S Help), the Guidance for DPFS Applicants and MRC standard terms and conditions.
Q: What is the page limit for the DPFS outline application form?
A: For the outline application, the form sets the maximum number of words that can be submitted in each field. Applications which exceed these limits will be automatically rejected.
Q: Can I create my own outline application document as I would for a normal research grant?
A: No, only applications that use the DPFS outline application form will be accepted.
Q: What happens if my application is received after the deadline?
A: Any proposals received after the deadline will be rolled over for assessment by the following DPFS panel meeting.
Assessment
Q: Will a successful outline applicant be given the opportunity to respond to referee comments?
A: As part of the full application, applicants should address issues raised during the outline assessment.
Ethics and governance
Q: Do I need full ethics permission and regulatory approvals for any human studies in the grant proposal? If so, when should I apply for this?
A: The MRC does not require ethics permissions and regulatory approvals to be in place when you submit an application. However, given that research requiring the use of human tissue/organs may raise various ethical and regulatory issues, applicants will be required to demonstrate that they have adequately considered these matters. Early discussions with regulatory bodies may be required to ensure that all requirements can be met in a timely manner. Once an application is successful. It is the responsibility of your host institution to ensure that the appropriate ethics approval(s) has been obtained and that no research requiring such approval is initiated before it has been granted. Please read the MRC terms and conditions.
Communications
Q: How will you let me know if my outline or full application has been successful?
A: We will notify the Principal Investigator of the decision by email communication.
Q: When can I expect to receive feedback on whether my application has been successful?
A: Formal notification of the outcome will be made within four weeks of the relevant DPFS panel meeting.
Q: Will you publish a list of the awards that are made?
A: Following the funding decisions a list of awards will be made available on the MRC website (the list will be inclusive of name, title of grant, host institution and value awarded).
Other
Q: If my query is not answered by the FAQs or guidelines, or I have a scientific query regarding my application, how do I contact you?
A: Please contact Jonathan Pearce at jonathan.pearce@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
Q: I have a query concerning preparing my J-eS Application Form, whom should I contact?
A: In the first instance please refer to all documentation relating to the scheme, especially the Guidance Notes and J-ES Help which will guide you through the standard processes for preparing a proposal and costing your proposals. If you still have a query, contact the J-ES helpdesk:
J-ES Helpdesk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1793 44 4164
Email: JeSHelp@rcuk.ac.uk
Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Please note that voice mail will log calls at all other times and will take messages if the line is already in use.
