Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest independent cancer research charity formed in 2002 from the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial Cancer Research Fund, drives pioneering research into cancer’s causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and cure all cancers. Rooted in scientific excellence, collaboration, and determination, it funds over 4,000 scientists and doctors across UK-wide institutes, aiming to boost 10-year survival from 1-in-4 in the 1970s to 3-in-4 by 2034 through discovery science, translational/clinical trials, early detection, prevention, biomarkers, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, drug discovery, and policy influence. Priorities target high-impact innovations for all cancer types/stages, rare/aggressive cancers, new treatments/diagnostics, population health, and capacity-building via fellowships and consortia like Cancer Grand Challenges.

It funds academic institutions, universities, NHS Trusts, and research centres based in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), with lead applicants at eligible UK entities; global partnerships are possible for acceleration. No income thresholds apply, but it suits established research groups with oncology track records, not small charities or grassroots organisations.

Grants range from £50,000–£1.5 million (e.g., £150k–£350k projects, multi-million programmes), awarded via scheme-specific calls on Flexi-Grant—no unsolicited applications, starting with EOI/informal discussion, then full proposals with peer review (4–6 months). Biannual rounds; next Career Development Fellowship deadline: 19 February 2026.

Distinctive for its scale, networks (e.g., Major Centres, Manchester Institute), public engagement, and policy advocacy, CRUK excludes non-research, unrestricted, or misaligned projects, focusing solely on transformative cancer outcomes via rigorous, evidence-based funding.