Funder: Cancer Research UK
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Full) | March 2027 (Outline) | September 2027 (Full) | October 2027 (Outline)
Funding Amounts: Typically up to £1 million over six years, or part-time equivalent; non-renewable
Summary: Supports salaried new group leaders to establish independent research groups addressing clearly defined cancer-related questions.
Key Information: Applicants must have salary funding throughout the award; new outline applications from clinicians are ineligible.
Description
Cancer Research UK’s Career Establishment Award helps new group leaders who already hold salaried independent positions establish their own research groups and programmes. Its remit includes basic biology, preclinical studies, imaging, radiotherapy, engineering and physical sciences applied to cancer, population research and early detection. Proposals must articulate a clear cancer-related question and explain how the work could advance understanding, prevention, diagnosis or treatment.
Priorities include early detection and cancers of unmet need: brain, lung, oesophageal, pancreatic, liver and stomach cancer. The Research Careers Committee also highlights children’s and young people’s cancers. Alongside research funding, the award offers career support through mentoring, leadership training and a mid-term review.
