Early Detection and Diagnosis Primer Award
Funds innovative, high-risk pilot studies and collaborations to advance early cancer detection and diagnosis research across multiple disciplines.
Funder: Cancer Research UK
Due Dates: March 26, 2026 | September 17, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to £100,000 for a project of up to 12 months; direct research costs and one investigator salary eligible.
Summary: Supports highly novel, high-risk pilot studies and new collaborations to advance early cancer detection and diagnosis research.
Key Information: Open to UK-based researchers at any career stage; early career leads are encouraged to include an established co-applicant for mentorship.
Description
This award funds innovative, high-risk pilot studies and the development of new collaborations in the field of early cancer detection and diagnosis. It is designed to stimulate pioneering research and support researchers in generating preliminary data or forming new consortia, laying the groundwork for larger-scale projects. The scheme welcomes multidisciplinary approaches and encourages applications from researchers in diverse fields, including biomedical sciences, engineering, informatics, mathematics, and health systems research. Projects must demonstrate clear relevance to early detection or diagnosis of cancer, with a vision toward future clinical or population impact.
