Area of investment and support

Global health

We support world class medical research to improve health globally, addressing critical global health and societal challenges. By fostering equitable partnerships between scientists based in low and middle-income countries and the UK, we fund research to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes.

• Partners involved: Medical Research Council (MRC), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

The scope and what we're doing

MRC has a broad portfolio of global health investments, spanning the biomedical spectrum including:

• fundamental discovery research and mechanistic science
• early translational science
• population studies
• intervention development

Global health research is supported through all of MRC’s boards and panels.

Through our investments in global health research, we support a portfolio of high quality, high priority, diverse investments to improve health globally, encouraging:

• innovation in study design
• multi-disciplinarity to address global challenges
• diverse health topics: prioritising local relevance with potential for global impact

We also:

• prioritise equitable partnerships
• invest in research capacity strengthening
• promote co-design and co-production with communities, policymakers and health practitioners

MRC commitments to support global health research are underpinned by a longstanding relationship with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Why we're doing it

MRC is committed to funding global health research to address pressing global health challenges. This commitment aligns with the broader UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) international strategic framework, which emphasises the importance of international collaboration to achieve strategic objectives.

MRC’s strategy focuses on improving human health and economic prosperity through world-class biomedical research and innovation. By funding global health research, we aim to tackle diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, thereby reducing health inequalities and improving global health outcomes.

This approach enables us to deliver research aligned with the UN sustainable development goals, as well as government and National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) priorities.

MRC’s global health research funding supports the development of innovative solutions to combat critical global health issues. This approach not only addresses urgent health needs but also fosters scientific advancements and partnerships that benefit the global community.

Opportunities, support and resources available

All of MRCs boards and panels support global health as part of their remit.

You can find the opportunity most appropriate to your research on the funding finder.

Who to contact

Contact the MRC International team if:

• you are considering submitting a proposal to MRC on a global health topic and need advice
• you are not sure which opportunity to apply to

Email: international@mrc.ukri.org

Last updated: 13 March 2025