Director-Led Obesity & Metabolic Research Institute in Swindon

We are seeking director-led applications to investigate mechanistic biomedical drivers of obesity and related cardiometabolic disease and deliver transformative impact in obesity research. The director, supported by a leadership team, will lead the design and delivery of a collaborative institute. Applications should focus on the key barriers to unlock understanding of the causes and consequences of obesity to enable targeted prevention and treatment.

The funding available is up to £60 million, and for seven years duration, with the potential to renew. Funding of this opportunity is subject to approval of a full business case. This is a pre-announcement and the information may change. The funding opportunity is expected to open in late July 2026.

This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility.

The nominated director (project lead) should lead the application, alongside a leadership team, and with the full support of their host research organisations. To be eligible to apply for UK Obesity Research Institute (UK-ORI) funding, you must:

• have the relevant expertise and experience to lead or contribute to an internationally leading investment of significant scale
• show how you will strategically direct the investment, be actively engaged in the work and support a positive research culture
• focus your application on mechanistic research tackling important multidisciplinary health challenges related to obesity

For applicants who do not have a contract of employment for the duration of the proposed project, by submitting an application the research organisation is confirming that, if it is successful:

• contracts will be extended beyond the end date of the project
• all necessary support for the project and the applicants will be provided, including mentorship and career development for early career researchers

An eligible research organisation may lead one application only but is allowed to be a co-lead, or collaborate, on other applications.

If you are employed by the following organisations, you cannot apply as project lead or project co-lead but can participate as project partners on an application led by an eligible UK organisation:

• businesses
• charity and third sector organisations
• International researchers

International organisations cannot lead an application as part of the leadership team or lead one of the UK research sites. International researchers are permitted as a project co-lead (international) if making an important research contribution to one of the UK sites. We would expect co-leads based outside of the UK to offer expertise, or facilities not available in the UK, and to provide clear indicators of commitment to the UK-ORI. The contribution and added value of the international participants to the research collaboration should be clearly explained and justified in the application.