[Cancer Research UK](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org)

Up to £2.5 million total over up to 5 years; funds postdocs, technicians, PhD students, running costs, and essential equipment.

Supports established UK-based researchers to pursue ambitious, multidisciplinary programmes addressing fundamental questions in cancer biology.

Contact the funder for an eligibility discussion before applying; outline application is required first.

--- ## Description This award provides long-term support for established researchers to pursue ambitious and creative programmes that address fundamental questions in cancer research. The scheme aims to enable outstanding scientists to explore a core overarching vision through a set of interrelated aims, encouraging multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches. Projects may span basic to early-stage translational research, including disease-specific and preclinical studies, and can involve the development or application of novel technologies and methodologies (e.g., imaging, radiotherapy). The goal is to facilitate innovative research that advances understanding of cancer biology, from molecular mechanisms to whole-body studies, and to generate biological data that can underpin future therapeutic development. --- ## Due Dates - April 2, 2025: Outline application deadline - June 25, 2025: Full application deadline - September 29, 2025: Outline application deadline - January 12, 2026: Full application deadline - April 2, 2026: Outline application deadline - June 25, 2026: Full application deadline All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to £2.5 million total per programme. - Duration: Up to 5 years. - Eligible costs: Postdoctoral researchers, technical staff, PhD students (stipend and fees), running costs, and essential equipment. - PhD studentships must be fully funded for four years and recruited within the first two years of the award. --- ## Eligibility - Lead applicants must be established scientists, clinicians, or healthcare workers based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, or research institution. - Applicants must contact Cancer Research UK for an informal eligibility discussion prior to submitting an outline application. - Applicants must be in a post fully funded by the Higher Education Funding Council, NHS, or equivalent for the duration of the award. - Applicants with core funding from a Cancer Research UK institute (e.g., Francis Crick Institute) may not apply as lead applicants but can be co-investigators or collaborators. - Collaborative teams across UK institutions are encouraged; international and commercial collaborators may participate as co-investigators or collaborators (subject to additional review and agreements). - Flexible and part-time working arrangements are supported if approved by the host institution. - The award cannot be used to fund part of an applicant's salary. --- ## Application Process - **Step 1: Pre-application discussion** Contact discovery@cancer.org.uk with a CV, summary of the proposed research, and a brief justification for applying. This must be done at least one month before the outline deadline. - **Step 2: Outline application** Submit an outline application via Flexi-Grant after receiving approval to proceed. No institutional approval required at this stage. - **Step 3: Full application (by invitation only)** If shortlisted, submit a full application with institutional approval. The process includes an interview with the Expert Review Panel. - **Required documents** - Narrative CVs for all lead and joint lead applicants, and co-investigators requesting salary. - Declaration of competing interests. - Justification appendix for costs. - Data sharing plan, letters of support, and other supporting documents as specified. - **Assessment** Applications are reviewed for scientific excellence, innovation, and relevance to cancer research, with a rolling success rate of ~36%. --- ## Additional Information - The scheme does **not** fund: clinical trials, translational work immediately aligned to a clinical trial (e.g., biomarker validation), projects focused solely on drug discovery, early detection, or cancer prevention, or pure technology development without direct cancer biology relevance. - Reasonable adjustments and accessibility support are available throughout the application process. - Policies on costs, salaries, data sharing, research integrity, and use of animals must be followed ([see policies](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance)). - Applicants may submit proposals to other funders but may only accept one award for the same research. --- ## External Links - [Full program details and application portal](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes/discovery-programme-awards) - [Funder homepage](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org) - [Costs guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/costs-guidance-grants) - [Salary guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/salary-guidance-grants) - [Narrative CV guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/narrative-cvs) - [Flexible research careers support](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/develop-your-research-career/additional-career-support/flexible-research-careers) - [Disability & accessibility support](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/disability-accessibility-support-researchers) --- ## Contact Information | Region | Contact Person | Email | |------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | South of England, Wales, London (excl. UCL) | Dr. Federica Rizzi | [discovery@cancer.org.uk](mailto:discovery@cancer.org.uk) | | Cambridge, Oxford, UCL | Dr. Hannah Reeves | [discovery@cancer.org.uk](mailto:discovery@cancer.org.uk) | | Scotland, N. Ireland, North of England, Midlands| Dr. Sowmiya Palani | [discovery@cancer.org.uk](mailto:discovery@cancer.org.uk) | - General enquiries: [supporter.services@cancer.org.uk](mailto:supporter.services@cancer.org.uk) - Phone: 020 7242 0200 For scheme-specific queries, contact the relevant Research Grants Manager by region.

Discovery Programme Award

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