Suicide and Self-Harm Research

The Medical Research Foundation is inviting applications from mid-career scientists who are making a transition to independence, and working to strengthen understanding in the medical research field of suicide and self-harm.

Suicide and self-harm are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality linked with mental health disorders, and many people who die by suicide have a prior diagnosis of a mental health condition. The aim of this funding call is to fund outstanding mid-career researchers to advance knowledge in the field of suicide and self-harm. The proposed research must have suicide and/or self-harm as its primary focus, however researchers with a track record in a related field who would like to focus their experience on this area are encouraged to apply.

All areas of research relevant to suicide and self-harm will be considered; the applications may be broad in scope or focused on a particular aspect of suicide and/or self-harm. Research may incorporate diverse perspectives, such as biomedical science, social science and clinical work. Research proposals investigating the following themes are particularly encouraged:

• Protective factors for suicide
• The association between social media use and suicide
• Self-harm trajectories across the life span

Applicants are encouraged to explore opportunities for multi-disciplinary collaborations and the meaningful inclusion of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities, where appropriate, for the proposal.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may apply for a Fellowship over a maximum of a 3-year period (pro-rata for part-time positions).

Requested costs should include the following:

• The applicant’s personal salary for time committed to the Fellowship (see below for expected time commitments).
• An additional budget of up to £60,000 per year for research costs (which may include research staff costs, but not applicant’s personal salary).

There will be up to £2,000,000 available in this competition. This competition is supported by generous gifts in Will from Alice Mary Cory and Kathleen Frances Goff.

Who can apply?

This competition is open to all UK-based researchers and clinical academics at eligible institutions (UK HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations). Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil, MD or doctorate in a relevant area and be conducting their research at an eligible institution. Partnerships outside of academia are allowed, providing the collaboration will advance the research project in line with the aims of the funding call. Clinical academics and applicants with clinical duties are encouraged to apply.

This competition is for mid-career researchers. Mid-career researchers are those with extensive postdoctoral experience and in the process of, or ready for, transition to research independence. Applicants should be taking steps to start their own research group. This grant is not intended to support those who have already secured substantial research funds and/or have already established their own research group (e.g. Senior Lecturers, Professors, MRC and other funders’ Senior Fellows), or those that already hold a fully funded position in their Research Organisation. Applicants who have held an early career fellowship may still be eligible.

Applicants cannot hold a salaried position and a Fellowship at the same time. If awarded a Fellowship, the award holder would need to give up their permanent position for the duration of the Fellowship or change to a proleptic appointment. Applicants with a permanent, funded position may also be eligible if they choose to use the Fellowship to join a new research organisation. In this case, the new research organisation will be required to provide a letter confirming their willingness to support the Fellow for the duration of their Fellowship.

As this is a Fellowship, we expect that that the grant will cover 80-100% of the applicant’s academic salary, and the majority of their research time will be spent on the Fellowship (at least 80%).

Timeline

Deadline for submission: 12:00 Thursday 11 September 2025

Shortlisting notification: January 2026

Interview: February 2026

Funding decision and feedback: March 2026

How to apply

Applicants should apply via our online grants management system. Please see here for the guidelines for applicants.

Please note that applicants must use our Resume for Researchers template in their application.

Queries

The Medical Research Foundation is committed to making this application accessible to all by offering assistance where needed.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Research Team if you have any questions or concerns:

Email: research@medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk

Tel: 020 4581 2402

Terms and Conditions of Award

Awards funded through this competition will follow standard Medical Research Foundation terms and conditions. The terms and conditions spell out the responsibilities of the Principal Investigator and the Lead Research Organisation. The Principal Investigator and the Lead Research Organisation are required to indicate their formal acceptance of the proposal, their acceptance of the terms and conditions of an award, and the approval of the salaries and resources sought in the application.

The Medical Research Foundation may add additional conditions to a grant award to reflect the particular circumstances and requirements of the funding, or the nature of a particular award. Acceptance of an award constitutes acceptance of both the core conditions and any additional conditions. The Medical Research Foundation reserves the right to vary these terms and conditions.

Expert Review Process

Applications will undergo external peer review and will then be shortlisted by an Expert Review Panel of independent scientific experts. The shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with the Expert Review Panel.

This research project discusses suicide and/or self-harm, so please read the content with care. If you are feeling suicidal, know that help is available. Contact the Samaritans on 116 123 if you need emotional support. If you feel you are in immediate danger to yourself, call 999.