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The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government supports medical and clinical research. The MRC provides funding for research through a range of grants and personal awards to scientists in universities, medical schools and other research institutes. Applications are generally submitted by the scientific community in ‘response mode’ and the MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health. Funding is usually provided in open competition across all areas of science, though the MRC also issues targeted calls for proposals to stimulate research in strategic priority areas.
The MRC has also earmarked specific funding to build capacity through studentships and clinical training fellowships in the stem cell area.
All applications are peer reviewed by independent scientific experts in the UK and overseas. This peer review is the first part of a two-stage process, which helps the MRC’s research boards and committees to decide which proposals to consider at their funding meetings. The research boards use similar criteria to those of the referees and also identify any ethical issues or risks to human participants that need further attention.
The primary considerations in funding decisions are research excellence and importance to health; however, high quality proposals in areas of particular strategic importance may be given priority in competition for funds.
I have been asked to reply.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government supports medical and clinical research.
The MRC spent £25.6 million on research on stem cells in 2007-08. A list of the projects, which includes neurological projects, will be placed in both Libraries of the House.