Clinical Research Funding Scheme
Cancer Research UK's scheme funds innovative, investigator-led clinical and translational cancer research, supporting clinical trials, experimental medicine, and sample collection to accelerate treatment advances.
Funder: Cancer Research UK
Due Dates: September 10, 2025 (Outline) | December 4, 2025 (Full) | March 27, 2026 (Outline) | June 25, 2026 (Full)
Funding Amounts: No strict upper limit; typical awards are £50k–£200k/year for clinical trials, £100k–£300k/year for experimental medicine, and £30–£60/block or £5–£40/sample for sample collection; funding duration up to 10 years, longer if justified.
Summary: Supports high-quality, innovative clinical and translational cancer research through flexible, modular funding for trials, experimental medicine, and sample collection.
Key Information: Contact CRUK at least two weeks before deadline for eligibility check and guidance; UKCRC-registered Clinical Trials Unit involvement is required for most applications.
Description
This scheme funds investigator-led, modular clinical and translational research in cancer, aiming to accelerate advances in treatment and patient outcomes. It supports integrated packages or standalone modules in Clinical Trials, Experimental Medicine, and Sample Collection, prioritizing early-phase, biologically-rich, and innovative studies. The scheme encourages embedding mechanistic and omics approaches, diversity and inclusion strategies, and research in areas of strategic need (e.g., rare, pediatric, or unmet-need cancers). Both early-career and established researchers are eligible to apply, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, patient/public involvement, and data/sample sharing.
