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

Up to £2.5 million over 5 years; supports staff, PhD students, running costs, and essential equipment.

Long-term funding for established researchers to lead ambitious, multidisciplinary programmes addressing fundamental questions in cancer biology and early-stage translational research.

Outline application and pre-application discussion required; only UK-based lead applicants eligible.

--- ## Description This award provides substantial, long-term support for established researchers to pursue ambitious, creative programmes focused on fundamental questions in cancer biology or early-stage translational research. The scheme seeks multidisciplinary, collaborative proposals built around a central vision, with interrelated research aims. Supported research may span molecular mechanisms, cellular behaviour, whole-body studies, and can include the development or application of new technologies (e.g., imaging, radiotherapy) as long as the overarching goal is to advance understanding of cancer biology. Disease-specific and preclinical studies are eligible if they generate biological data underpinning therapeutic development. Clinical trials, direct clinical translation, or pure technology development projects are not eligible. --- ## 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 Outline applications are required before invitation to submit a full application. Two rounds are held annually. --- ## Funding Amount - Up to £2.5 million per award - Funding duration: up to 5 years - Supports: postdoctoral researchers, technical staff, PhD students (stipend and fees), running costs, and essential equipment - Awards do not cover lead applicant salaries or infrastructure support (e.g., clinical trials units, tissue banks) --- ## Eligibility - **Lead applicant**: Must be an established scientist, clinician, or healthcare worker based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, or research institution. - **Employment**: Must hold a post fully funded by the UK Higher Education Funding Council, NHS, or equivalent throughout the award. - **Collaborations**: Multidisciplinary teams and collaborations (including with international or commercial partners) are encouraged; commercial/international partners must comply with CRUK policies. - **Host institution**: Must provide adequate resources and space. - **Restrictions**: Programme Awards cannot fund the lead applicant’s salary, full-time clinical fellows, or core infrastructure. - **Ineligible**: Applicants with core funding from CRUK institutes (e.g., Francis Crick Institute) cannot apply as lead applicants but may participate as co-investigators or collaborators. - **Flexible working**: Career breaks, part-time, and flexible arrangements are supported if approved by the host institution. --- ## Application Process 1. **Pre-application discussion**: Contact the Discovery team at least one month before the outline deadline with a short CV and 1–2 page research summary. 2. **Outline application**: Submit via Flexi-Grant; includes research proposal, narrative CV, and preliminary budget. 3. **Full application**: Invitation-only, following successful outline review. Requires detailed proposal, justification appendix, data sharing plan, letters of support, and institutional approval. 4. **Review**: Multi-stage peer review, including committee shortlisting, external/expert panel review, and interview. 5. **Assessment criteria**: Scientific excellence, innovation, alignment with CRUK strategy, and potential for impact. 6. **No resubmissions**: Unless specifically recommended by the committee. --- ## Additional Information - **Policies**: Applicants must comply with CRUK’s research integrity, open access, data sharing, and experimental design (including sex as a biological variable) policies. - **Costs guidance**: Only direct research costs are funded; indirect and infrastructure costs are not eligible. - **PhD studentships**: Must be fully funded at CRUK rates; part-funding or overseas fees are not permitted. - **Accessibility**: Reasonable adjustments and support are available for applicants with disabilities or long-term health conditions. - **Success rate**: 5-year rolling success rate is 36%. --- ## External Links - [Discovery Programme Award scheme page](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/discovery-programme-award) - [Full 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) - [Research policies and guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance) - [Contact the Discovery team](mailto:discovery@cancer.org.uk) --- ## Contact Information | Region | Contact Person | Email | |------------------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------------------| | South of England, Wales, London (excl. UCL) | Dr Divneet Kaur | [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, Northern Ireland, North, Midlands | Dr Sowmiya Palani | [discovery@cancer.org.uk](mailto:discovery@cancer.org.uk) | For general queries: - [Cancer Research UK Contact Page](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/contact-us) - Phone: 020 7242 0200 ---

Discovery Programme Award

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