Changing Policy and Practice Award
We invite applications from researchers funded by the MRC, Moorfields Eye Charity or Medical Research UK (formerly the Medical Research Foundation) for our Changing Policy and Practice Award.
Research can only improve lives if it reaches the people who can benefit from it. This award helps researchers share important findings beyond academic journals, putting them into the hands of patients, healthcare professionals, policymakers and communities.
The award supports targeted dissemination activities linked to specific research findings and clearly defined audiences. Activities should have the potential to influence healthcare policy, inform practice, improve decision-making or change behaviours and attitudes that impact health outcomes.
We welcome applications from all areas of medical research. Applications can focus on any audience outside the scientific press.
We also invite Renewal applications for current and past Changing Policy and Practice Award holders to further disseminate their research findings.
The Funders
Medical Research UK
Medical Research UK is the independent charity of the MRC. Our history (formerly operating as the Medical Research Foundation) stretches back more than 100 years, when medical research was first focused on tackling major public health challenges.
Today, we fund research into neglected health conditions because there are still too many conditions affecting millions of us where research is critically underfunded. By investing in research where it is needed most, we help identify critical gaps in medical knowledge and support discoveries that can change lives.
We work alongside researchers, health professionals, partners and supporters to build a fairer medical future, for every mind and every body.
This funding round is supported by the Fleming Memorial Fund for Medical Research, established in 1959 in memory of Sir Alexander Fleming.
Awards are co-funded with the MRC, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and Moorfields Eye Charity.
Moorfields Eye Charity
Moorfields Eye Charity’s mission is to improve eye health and the lives of people affected by sight loss, by funding world-leading research, innovation, education and care. With the support of the charity’s donors and by investing in new ideas, exceptional people and groundbreaking technology and innovation, the charity is leading the way in transforming eye health and sight loss for people across the UK, and globally.
How much funding is available?
Non-renewal applicants may apply for up to £50,000, to be used over a flexible time period of up to two years.
Renewal applicants may apply for up to £30,000, to be used over a flexible time period of up to two years.
Who can apply?
The research underpinning the dissemination activity must have been funded by the MRC, Moorfields Eye Charity or Medical Research UK or, for renewal awards, be a previous Changing Policy and Practice award.
- Applications are accepted from one-year prior to the grant finishing or within two years after the grant has finished. This time restriction may be reconsidered in exceptional circumstances i.e. for large scale clinical trials which take longer to publish their findings.
- (Renewal applications only) Applicant must have previously received a Changing Policy and Practice Award.
- Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil or MD.
- The research finding forming the basis of the dissemination work must have been published in a peer reviewed journal prior to EoI application submission and must have been funded by their MRC, Moorfields Eye Charity or Medical Research UK grant.
- The MRC, Moorfields Eye Charity or Medical Research UK funding must be acknowledged in the publication.
- The applicant should be listed as either the PI or as a Co-investigator on the original grant. For renewal applications, eligibility is based on the original research grant, not the previous Changing Policy and Practice Award.
Changing Policy and Practice Renewal Scheme
This competition runs twice a year and is open to MRC and Medical Research UK-funded grant and fellowship holders based at eligible institutions, as well as MRC-funded and MRC core-funded researchers in MRC research institutes, units and centres, who have previously received a Changing Policy and Practice Award. To be eligible, the MRC or Medical Research UK funding supporting the research should be within one-year prior to the grant finishing or within two years after the grant has finished. Those with an active Changing Policy and Practice Award are also eligible to apply. This time restriction may be reconsidered in exceptional circumstances. Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil or MD. To be eligible for funding, the applicant should be listed as either the PI or as a Co-investigator on the original grant.
A renewal application should build upon an existing programme of work which was funded through our Changing Policy and Practice Award.
The continuation of activities should enable you to develop the long-term sustainability of your programme, or to reach a defined milestone whereby the activities funded through the award will no longer be necessary.
Timeline
- Deadline for Expression of Interest: 12:00 on 5 November 2026
- Invitation to full application: 19 November 2026
- Deadline for Full Application submission: 12:00 on 11 January 2027
- Funding decision: March 2027
How to Apply
Applicants should apply online using our online grants management system.
Please read the Guidance for Applicants here:
If invited to submit a full application, applicants will be required to submit a Résumé for Researchers CV.
Queries
Any queries on the competition, the application process or eligibility should be sent to research@medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk, or you can alternatively contact the Research Team by phone on +4420 4581 2403.
Terms and Conditions of Award
Awards made through this competition will follow standard Medical Research UK Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions spell out the responsibilities of the Principal Investigator and the Lead Research Organisation. The Principal Investigator and the Lead Research Organisation are required to indicate their formal acceptance of the application, their acceptance of the terms and conditions of a Medical Research UK award, and the approval of the salaries and resources sought in the application. We may add additional conditions to an award to reflect the particular circumstances and requirements of the funding, or the nature of a particular award. Acceptance of an award constitutes acceptance of both the core conditions and any additional conditions. We reserve the right to vary these Terms and Conditions.
Research must be conducted in line with our expectations for integrity, security and responsible practice, as set out in our Terms and Conditions. Funded organisations should ensure appropriate measures are in place to safeguard sensitive data, intellectual property and research outputs, and to support transparent and reproducible research. Applicants are encouraged to consider UKRI guidance on trusted research and research with potential misuse risk when developing and delivering their work, including the ‘Principles’ in UKRI’s policy on research with potential misuse risk’ and UKRI expectations.