The grants will support human experimental medicine studies examining causal pathways in gambling disorder.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has opened Experimental Medicine to Define Mechanisms of Gambling Disorder grants through its Research Programme on Gambling. The grants will support academically-led experimental medicine studies in humans that examine how gambling products and environments interact with biological and psychosocial processes.

Projects must focus on a mechanistic hypothesis, include an experimental intervention or challenge in humans and be independent of gambling industry associations. Studies should address a defined gap in understanding and include measurable clinical, behavioural, cognitive or neurobiological outcomes. Applications are expected to test causal pathways linked to the emergence, progression, persistence, relapse, recovery or treatment response of gambling disorder, including associated mental health impacts.

Research may examine gambling disorder as defined by recognised diagnostic criteria, as well as gambling-related harms and addictive behaviours below the diagnostic threshold where these have clear relevance to prevention, identification or treatment. Interdisciplinary and highly focused projects are eligible. Meaningful public and patient involvement, including consideration of lived experience and participant safeguarding, is required.

Applicants must be based at a research organisation eligible for Medical Research Council funding and must lead and actively undertake the work. Applications must be team based and involve diverse expertise and stakeholders, including people with lived or learned experience of gambling-related harms. Early career researchers may apply as ‘new investigators’.

Projects may have a full economic cost of up to £3 million. UKRI will provide 80% of the full economic cost. Awards will last three years, with projects starting by 1 April 2028 and ending by April 2031.