The UK Medical Research Council’s plans to redirect funding to new “centres of research excellence” (CoREs) could force existing MRC research units to close, eminent scientists have warned.
In an open letter to the science minister Patrick Vallance more than 500 scientists and academics expressed their “deep concern” at a new funding model that will award large “challenge led” grants to tackle specific challenges at newly created CoREs over a time limited 14 year period.12
The letter urges the minister to reconsider the decision, warning that the move will threaten the viability of the existing 19 MRC units located at UK universities that have “long and distinguished histories” in medical research.3
“MRC units are a unique …
