Director-led bids seek to advance mechanistic research into obesity and cardiometabolic disease.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) will shortly be accepting director-led applications to establish a UK Obesity Research Institute (UK-ORI). The planned institute will investigate mechanistic biomedical drivers of obesity and related cardiometabolic disease, with the aim of generating integrated physiological and pathological understanding and supporting the development of treatments and long-term prevention strategies.

Applications should be led by a nominated director (project lead), supported by a leadership team and host organisation, and should set out how the institute will be designed and delivered as a collaborative, outward-facing entity. Proposals are expected to address key barriers limiting understanding of the causes and consequences of obesity, enabling targeted prevention and treatment.

The scientific scope is expected to integrate fundamental biomedical science, medicine and technological innovation. Proposed research themes should prioritise biologically and data-driven discovery across molecular, cellular and physiological systems, with an emphasis on dynamic human physiology and cardiometabolic processes. The call also highlights proof-of-concept target validation in humans and experimental medicine to test mechanisms in vivo and de-risk novel therapeutic targets, including mechanistic links between obesity and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease.

Eligibility is open to organisations meeting MRC requirements. Applications must be submitted by a single eligible research organisation in partnership with other research sites, with collaborative, multi-site delivery expected. An eligible research organisation may lead one application only, but may act as co-lead or collaborator on others.

The MRC will provide up to £60 million over seven years, with potential to renew. Prospective lead applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the MRC before submitting a full application, and the council anticipates only a small number of applications due to the scale and scope.