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

March 26, 2026 (Application deadline for May 2026 committee review)

Up to £100,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months; supports pilot studies, collaborations, and investigator development.

Funds innovative, high-risk research and pilot studies to advance early cancer detection and diagnosis, including novel approaches and new collaborations.

--- ## Description This award supports highly novel and pioneering research ideas and pilot studies with the aim of advancing the field of early cancer detection and diagnosis. The scheme encourages innovative, high-risk scientific approaches, including the development or application of new technologies, establishment of new collaborations or consortia, and investigator development activities. Projects must demonstrate a clear link to early detection or diagnosis of cancer, articulate a pathway to clinical or population impact, and address a specific cancer-related question. The award also welcomes proposals that foster new collaborations, enable researcher training or lab exchanges, and support exploratory research that could lead to larger future projects. Spotlight calls may target reducing inequalities in cancer detection and diagnosis, and applications addressing these may be prioritized if of comparable scientific quality. --- ## Due Dates - March 26, 2026: Application deadline for May 2026 committee review Applications are reviewed twice per year. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to £100,000 - Duration: Up to 12 months - Funding can be used for pilot experiments, running costs, collaborative travel, training, workshops, lab visits, and one investigator’s salary (if eligible). --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be scientists, clinicians, or healthcare workers based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, or research institution. - Researchers at all career stages are welcome; early career researchers are encouraged to include an established researcher as co-applicant for mentorship. - Previous cancer research experience is not required, but the proposal must clearly relate to early detection or diagnosis of cancer and have a vision for future clinical implementation. - Research teams can be based across different UK institutions; international and commercial collaborators are allowed as co-investigators or collaborators. - Host institution approval is required before submission. - Applications for the same project may be submitted to other funders, but only one award may be accepted. --- ## Application Process - Contact Cancer Research UK at least one month before the deadline for an informal discussion and eligibility check ([early.detection@cancer.org.uk](mailto:early.detection@cancer.org.uk)). - Notify and coordinate with your institution’s administrative team for approval. - Applications must be submitted via the Flexi-Grant system. - Required documents include: research proposal (using provided template), justification appendix, narrative CVs or skills and experience forms, declaration of competing interests, letters of support, data sharing plan, costs, and other funding declarations. - Optional: Patient and public involvement plan, registered reports pilot opt-in. - Applications are assessed by the Early Detection and Diagnosis Research Committee, with feedback provided post-review. --- ## Additional Information - The success rate for this scheme (2020–2025) is approximately 42%. - Proposals do not need extensive preliminary data but must clearly articulate novelty and potential impact. - Applications addressing inequalities in early detection and diagnosis are encouraged and may be prioritized. - Flexible working arrangements (career breaks, part-time, discipline changes) are considered during review. - Reasonable adjustments for disability/accessibility are available. --- ## External Links - [Scheme details and application portal](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes/early-detection-and-diagnosis-primer-award) - [Research strategy](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/our-research-strategy) - [Statement of intent for early detection](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/our-research-strategy/early-detection-and-diagnosis-research) - [Early Detection and Diagnosis Research Committee](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/how-we-make-funding-decisions/early-detection-diagnosis-research-committee) - [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) - [Flexi-Grant system](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-grants-management-system) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|---------------| | Early Detection & Diagnosis | [early.detection@cancer.org.uk](mailto:early.detection@cancer.org.uk) | | | Cancer Research UK Support | [supporter.services@cancer.org.uk](mailto:supporter.services@cancer.org.uk) | 020 7242 0200 | | General Contact Page | [Contact Cancer Research UK](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/contact-us) | |

Early Detection and Diagnosis Primer Award

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