Funding for studies that deepen mechanistic understanding of the causal mechanisms underlying the effects of gambling activities, products and interventions in gambling disorder.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has pre-announced the launch of Experimental Medicine to Define Mechanisms of Gambling Disorder grants to support academically-led experimental medicine studies in humans that deepen mechanistic understanding of the causal mechanisms underlying the effects of gambling activities, products and interventions in gambling disorder. Projects must:

• Focus on a mechanistic hypothesis.
• Include an experimental intervention or challenge in humans.
• Be independent from gambling industry associations.

Studies must address a clearly articulated gap in understanding of gambling disorder and include clear measurable, clinical, behavioural, cognitive or neurobiological outcomes to investigate causal biological, cognitive or psychosocial mechanisms.

Applications should move beyond identifying correlates and behavioural endpoints to test causal pathways underlying gambling addiction emergence, progression or response to treatment. Applications are also welcome which that elucidate mechanisms associated with clinical trajectories of gambling disorder including mental health impacts. Interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged but highly focussed projects would equally be in scope.

Applicants must be based at a research organisation eligible for MRC funding.

The full economic cost (FEC) of a project can be up to £3 million for up to three years. UKRI will fund 80% of the FEC.

The MRC will host a webinar on 5 October 2026 (13:00-14:30) to provide more information about the opportunity context, scope, expectations, exclusions and timeline. Applicants can register to attend the webinar online.