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

March 26, 2026 (Application deadline for May 2026 review) | November 2025 (previous deadline, now passed)

Up to £100,000 for a project of up to 12 months duration; funds pilot studies, salaries, and collaboration costs.

Supports innovative, high-risk pilot research and novel collaborations to advance early cancer detection and diagnosis.

--- ## Description This award is designed to stimulate and develop the field of early cancer detection and diagnosis by funding novel pilot studies and high-risk research ideas. It encourages proposals that apply or adapt technology, pursue out-of-the-box investigations, establish new collaborations, or support researcher development, all with a clear focus on early detection. Projects should have a strong rationale, address a cancer-related question, and demonstrate potential clinical or population impact. The scheme aims to generate preliminary data and collaborations that can serve as a foundation for future, larger-scale research. --- ## Due Dates - March 26, 2026: Application deadline (for May 2026 Early Detection and Diagnosis Research Committee review) - November 2025: Previous deadline (now passed) Applications are reviewed twice per year. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to £100,000 - Project duration: Up to 12 months - Funding covers direct research costs, pilot experiments, travel, collaborative meetings, training, and may include one investigator’s salary for the duration of the award. --- ## Eligibility - Open to scientists, clinicians, and healthcare workers at UK universities, medical schools, hospitals, or research institutions. - Applicants from a broad range of disciplines (biomedicine, engineering, physics, statistics, mathematics, chemistry, informatics, computer/data sciences) are encouraged. - No prior cancer research experience required, but the project must be clearly linked to early detection or diagnosis of cancer with a vision toward clinical implementation. - All career stages are eligible; early career researchers are strongly encouraged to include an established researcher as co-applicant for mentorship. - Research teams may include collaborators from other UK institutions, and international or commercial organisations as co-investigators or collaborators. - Host institution approval is required before submission; flexible and part-time arrangements are permitted with prior discussion. --- ## Application Process 1. **Contact the funder:** Applicants should discuss their proposal with Cancer Research UK at least one month before the deadline for informal eligibility and scope guidance ([early.detection@cancer.org.uk](mailto:early.detection@cancer.org.uk)). 2. **Prepare application:** Applications are submitted via the Flexi-Grant system and must include: - Research proposal using the provided template - Narrative CV(s) for lead/joint lead applicants - Skills and experience form (if requesting salary or for early career researchers) - Justification appendix for all costs - Letters of support (from host institution, collaborators, or group leaders) - Declaration of competing interests - Data sharing plan - AMRC full economic costing form - Optional: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) plan, registered reports opt-in 3. **Host institution approval:** Required before submission. 4. **Review process:** Proposals are assessed by the Early Detection and Diagnosis Research Committee based on scientific quality, innovation, alignment with strategy, and potential impact. Feedback is provided, but decisions are final. Resubmissions are only permitted if recommended. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must be focused on early detection/diagnosis, with a clear line-of-sight to clinical or population impact. - Proposals addressing inequalities in cancer detection/diagnosis are encouraged and may receive priority if of comparable quality. - Extensive preliminary data is not required. - Ineligible: late-stage/metastasis-focused research (except recurrence detection), infrastructure support, or projects lacking early detection relevance. - Flexible working, career breaks, and part-time applications are supported. - Use of generative AI in applications must be declared and comply with funder policy ([see policy](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/generative-ai-policy-for-funding-applications)). --- ## External Links - [Scheme overview and application details](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/early-detection-diagnosis-primer-award) - [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) - [Justification appendix guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/justification-appendix) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |-----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | General/application inquiries | [early.detection@cancer.org.uk](mailto:early.detection@cancer.org.uk) | | Research Grants Manager (Dr Emily Friar)| [early.detection@cancer.org.uk](mailto:early.detection@cancer.org.uk) | | General Cancer Research UK support | [supporter.services@cancer.org.uk](mailto:supporter.services@cancer.org.uk) | | Phone | 020 7242 0200 | ---

Early Detection and Diagnosis Primer Award

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