Career Establishment Award
Cancer Research UK’s Career Establishment Award funds new independent group leaders to launch innovative cancer research programmes across diverse scientific disciplines in the UK.
Funder: Cancer Research UK
Due Dates: October 2, 2025 (Outline) | March 26, 2026 (Outline) | October 1, 2026 (Outline) | February 19, 2026 (Full) | September 10, 2026 (Full)
Funding Amounts: Up to £1 million total over 6 years (non-renewable); supports up to two posts, running costs, equipment (up to £25k), and relocation (up to £1k).
Summary: Supports new independent group leaders in the UK to establish their own cancer research group across a wide range of cancer-relevant disciplines.
Key Information: Clinicians are ineligible for new outline applications after May 2026; award is for researchers with a fully-funded salary and independent group leader status.
Description
This fellowship enables new group leaders at UK research institutions to establish their own independent cancer research group. The scheme is open to scientists (not clinicians, post-May 2026) who have secured a fully-funded salary (e.g., lecturer or equivalent), have access to space and facilities, and are ready to lead an independent research programme. Research proposals must be cancer-relevant and can span basic, preclinical, imaging, radiotherapy, engineering/physical sciences, population, and early detection research. The award is designed to foster scientific independence, leadership, and collaboration, with structured feedback and a mid-term review to support career development.
