Methodology research
Methodology research covers a broad area. For the purposes of obtaining funding from the MRC/NIHR Methodology Research Programme, methodology research includes methods development to underpin the biomedical sciences.
More specifically, it includes:
1. Research methods in applied disciplines including: biomedical, behavioural and social science, experimental medicine, randomised trials, cohorts and other research designs investigating health, healthcare, health services and health policy
- for evaluative research
- for non-evaluative research.
2. Developing and evaluating theory and models relevant to health sciences.
3. Methods for effective regulation (including indices for decision making), approval, adaptation and reporting of new interventions (including behaviour).
4. Research methods for valid measures of health, e.g. health outcomes, exposure and risk (including behaviour, cognition and emotion) and well being.
In the following disciplines:
1. Health Economics and decision science
2. Statistical modelling
3. Biostatistics
4. Bio and health informatics
5. Epidemiology and public health (including health geography)
6. Behavioural sciences and health psychology
7. Medical sociology
8. Organisational/management science
9. Bioethics
10. Health geography.
The MRC will not fund research aimed at technology development as part of methodology research, but it may support statistical approaches and research methods linked to new technology.
Researchers seeking funding for biomarker identification and validation should apply through the relevant research boards.
MRP - Investigator-led research
Methodology Research Panel deadline dates
MRP - Needs-led research - live commissions
Highlight notices
MRP — Investigator-led research
Who can apply?
Applicants should follow the normal application process for MRC grants.
A research grant can be awarded for any period of up to five years, but those of two years or less are for proof of principle or pilot work only. All proposals anticipating an MRC expenditure greater than £1.2 million should be discussed with the programme manager for MRP before submission.
If you are interested in obtaining other forms of MRC support through the MRP, please contact the programme manager for the MRP first to discuss:
Contact: Dr Mark Pitman
Email: mark.pitman@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
Assessment process
Proposals will be reviewed and assessed following the standard process for MRC grants.
Methodology Research Panel deadline dates
Application deadlines are usually in January/February, May/June and September/October. All proposals are assessed by external experts before they are considered by the MRC/NIHR Methodology Research Panel at their meetings in June/July, October/November and February/March.
Your proposal must be submitted through the MRC Je-S system by 4pm on the relevant Methodology Research Programme deadline dates.
MRP - Needs-led research - live commissions
Who can apply?
Eligibility criteria for commissioned grants will be the same as for standard MRC research grants and as described in the applicant’s handbook, proposals are also welcomed from MRC unit staff. Commercial organisations and applicants from international institutions are welcome to apply as co-applicants; however the research should be carried out within the UK by a leading UK institution.
Current commissions
Guidance to applicants
Applicants should follow the normal application process for MRC research grants. General guidance on how to complete a research grant and the case for support can be found in the applicant’s handbook.
Specific guidance also includes:
- Needs-led/commissioned research will be assessed and scored following standard investigator-led MRC research grant criteria. The MRP panel will also place emphasis on the proposal’s relevance to the commissioning brief.
- The funding briefs do not generally stipulate the budget or timescale required to complete the work. However applicants should be aware that value for money is a key consideration in the assessment process and timely completion of the research will also be a factor given that advertised projects will be addressing key stakeholder needs.
- Applicants must include details on the project timetable and milestones.
Assessment process
Proposals will be reviewed and assessed following the standard process for MRC grants.
Proposals for commissioned research will be sent out for external peer review, as is common practice with MRC standard research grants, however applicants will not be invited to respond to reviewers’ comments. The final funding decisions will be made either by the Methodology Research Panel or a sub-committee appointed specifically for the purpose by the MRP if a high number of applications is received. Applications will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the applicants’ handbook including the justification of the resources requested (value for money). Decisions made by the MRP and its commissioning sub-committee panel are final.
Terms and conditions of needs-led research awards
In addition to the standard MRC and RCUK terms and conditions, projects commissioned by the MRP will need to:
- provide regular progress reports against the milestones set out in the proposal;
- provide a more detailed report on the research findings; and
- publish findings in the HTA monograph series, if supported by NIHR funds.
Details on the content and timing for submitting these reports and findings will be provided at the time the awards are made.
Panel membership
Contacts and guidance
General contact for pre-award enquiries, please contact:
MRC pre-awards administration team
GrantsPreAward@ssc.rcuk.ac.uk
If you have a query about scientific aspects of your research proposals, please contact programme manager below:
Contact: Dr Mark Pitman
Email: mark.pitman@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
