Funding opportunities for industrial collaborative research
The MRC offers many opportunities for collaborative research between academia and industry from 1 to 1 partnerships to larger, pre-competitive consortia-based research initiatives involving several companies and academics. For information on the large scale initiatives, see ‘Identifying new collaborative opportunities: MRC funding initiatives’.
MRC Industry Collaboration Agreement (MICA)
The MICA encourages and supports collaborative research projects between academic and industry researchers. It is an agreement between the commercial and academic partners to undertake collaborative research. It can be applied to most of our research and fellowship schemes, including research projects funded through any of our boards or panels, and to industrial collaborative research in our Units. The key feature of the MICA is its flexibility, allowing the level and nature of the industry contribution to vary according to scientific needs, from cash and time input to sharing compounds and staff. Companies of any size may participate, from spin-outs and SMEs to major pharma. For more information on MICAs and how to apply, go to MRC Industry Collaboration Agreement (MICA).
Case studies of MICA project partners:
Research Training
There are opportunities for the bioscience industry to participate in collaborative research training, at both postgraduate and postdoctoral stages.
- Fellowships – all of our fellowship awards/schemes are open to collaborative research proposals involving industry through the MICA scheme. For more information on fellowships and how to apply please go to the Fellowships page.
- Case study: MRC fellow working with industry.
- Industrial CASE Studentships – the Industrial CASE awards aim to support the provision of multidisciplinary research training between industry and academia that will enhance the student experience and provide a range of skills that will help to build the research workforce in areas of new or expanding opportunity.
- Case study: Industrial CASE student.
