Methodology research programme
MRC is working with NIHR to deliver the single joint health strategy. Launched in 2008 as part of the single health research strategy, (press release). MRC is lead funding partner for MRP and part of this programme is the joint MRC–NIHR funding panel ‘The Methodology Research Programme Panel’.
To strengthen the evidence base for health research, the MRP will oversee and implement the evolving strategy for high quality methodological research. In addition to the MRC and NIHR funding partners, the MRP will also take account of the needs of other stakeholders including the devolved administrations, industry R&D, and regulatory/advisory agencies and other public bodies. The MRP will fund investigator-led and needs-led research proposals from across the UK.
The MRC has demonstrated continued commitment to methodology research by awarding £16 million to establish a network of seven new centres dedicated to methodology research – the MRC Network of Hubs for Trials Methodology Research.
- Remit
- Highlight notices
- MRP - Investigator-led research
- Methodology Research Panel Deadline Dates
- MRP – Needs-led research – Live commissions
- Membership
- Contacts and guidance
Remit
The programme includes research on methods development to underpin the biomedical sciences, experimental medicine, clinical trials, population health sciences, health services research and health policy, including:
- Methods for the design and analysis of PRIMARY descriptive and evaluative studies.
- Methods for the design and analysis of SECONDARY studies involving reviews and evidence synthesis of descriptive and evaluative studies.
- The design, process and analysis of clinical trials including improved methods for the assessment of risk, efficacy, safety and other issues related to regulatory approvals for new medicines, devices and diagnostics.
- Methodologies in the applied disciplines underpinning research in the health science, for example, health economics, biostatistics and quantitative analysis, modelling, decision sciences, epidemiology, behavioural sciences and health psychology, qualitative analysis and mixed methods, medical sociology, organisational and management science and bioethics.
- The assessment and validation of patient-reported measures of health, health outcomes and satisfaction.
The MRP’s focus is on research with methods development as its primary purpose and methodological outputs that are applicable beyond a specific case-study.
The remit of the MRP does not include research projects:
1. Aimed at technology development, but it may support statistical approaches and research methods linked to new technology.
2. Biomarker identification and validation studies. These studies can be supported through the MRC Research Boards.
Highlight notices
Partnerships
If you are considering establishing a collaboration with an industrial partner(s), you and your potential collaborator(s) are advised to refer to the guidance on MRC Industry Collaboration Agreement (MICAs).
In summary, applicants with industrial collaborator/s will also be required to include MICA: as a prefix to their project title, complete the Project Partner section in Je-S and submit PDF versions of:
• A completed MRC Industrial Collaboration Agreement (MICA) form
• A signed Heads of Terms for the proposed collaboration
Please note that if you plan to collaborate with industry and submit a MICA application but fail to submit the documents detailed above, the MRC reserves the right to decline the application on eligibility grounds.
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, May and September. All proposals are assessed by external experts before they are considered by the MRC research boards 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:
- When applying applicants should select “strategic grants” and Dr Mark Pitman as the programme manager
- 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 (within section 3.3 research plans of the case for support).
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 Methodological 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.
- 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
Email: grants@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
Scientific contact
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