Applications open for Medical Research Council (MRC) BEACON Award
Tuesday September 1, 2026
Healthcare professionals across the North of England are invited to apply for a new funding opportunity designed to support clinical academic career development at key transition points.
Supporting clinical academic career development
The BEACON – Building translational research Excellence Amongst Clinicians of the North – Award, delivered through the Medical Research Council (MRC) Regional Account for Clinical Researchers (RACR) programme, will provide up to £50,000 to support protected research time for registered healthcare professionals with a PhD or MD. The scheme aims to help researchers maintain or re-establish research momentum and strengthen their competitiveness for future fellowships and research awards.
Applicants can request funding equivalent to up to 50% protected research time over a 12-month period, enabling them to undertake research and career development activities alongside their clinical role. Awards are expected to begin within six months of funding decisions being confirmed.
Who can apply?
The funding call specifically targets two recognised clinical academic career “pinch points”: doctors and dentists returning to academic training following completion of a PhD or MD, and registered healthcare professionals returning to research after a period away from research.
A partnership across the north
BEACON, is one of ten MRC-funded Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers established across the UK. Hosted by Newcastle University and delivered by Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHRP) Academy, on behalf of a consortium of leading northern universities and NHS trusts convened by the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), the programme was created in response to growing concerns about declining clinical research capacity at a time when demand for research-active healthcare professionals continues to increase.
What applicants need to demonstrate
Applications must demonstrate a clear programme of research within MRC remit, strong career development objectives, and appropriate academic and clinical support. Successful applicants will receive support to progress towards future clinical academic fellowships and grant funding.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal with their local BEACON Centre Lead as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for approvals and application development.
Key dates
Key dates include:
- Applications open: 1 September 2026
- Application webinar: 21 September 2026
- Application deadline: 23 October 2026, 4pm
- Applications reviewed: November 2026
- Funding outcomes communicated: Late 2026
Further information
Further information, application guidance and supporting resources are available on the BEACON webpage.
Prospective applicants are also encouraged to register for the MRC RACR: BEACON Award Application Webinar on 21 September 2026, which will provide further information about the funding call, eligibility requirements and the application process. Register for the webinar here.