The MRC has a mission to support research and training with the aim of maintaining and improving human health. To address important scientific opportunities and health needs, and when stand-alone grant support alone is insufficient, its three main support mechanisms are:
1. Institutes – very long-term flexible multidisciplinary investments
2. Units – more focused investments established for as long as needed to support a scientific need and/or deliver a research vision
3. Centres – build on existing MRC, and other, support to add value and help establish a centre of excellence. All three are mission-focused and carry out ground-breaking research including innovative methodology and technology development. Developing strategically driven initiatives, led by an expert scientific director, can help promote novel, high risk approaches, cooperative research programmes, or the development of shared infrastructure.
