Early Detection and Diagnosis Programme Award
Cancer Research UK’s Early Detection and Diagnosis Programme Award funds large-scale research to advance early cancer detection, including biomarker discovery, diagnostic development, and addressing health inequalities.
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Funder: Cancer Research UK
Due Dates: September 11, 2026 (Outline) | January 21, 2027 (Full) | March 11, 2027 (Outline)
Funding Amounts: Up to £2.5 million per award for up to 5 years; equipment requests up to £50,000 allowed.
Summary: Supports ambitious, integrated research programmes to advance early detection and diagnosis of cancer, emphasizing clinical or population impact.
Key Information: Applicants must contact the funder for an eligibility discussion before submitting an outline application.
Description
This funding opportunity supports long-term, integrated research programmes designed to transform the early detection and diagnosis of cancer and pre-cancerous states. The scheme encourages bold, multi-strand scientific initiatives addressing a central theme with a clear pathway to clinical or population-level impact. Proposals may build on previous work or launch new lines of enquiry, and should articulate how the integrated programme will deliver significant advances in early detection and diagnosis.
Key research areas include, but are not limited to:
- Discovery and validation of biomarkers or signatures for early cancer/pre-cancer detection
- Development and validation of diagnostic tests and interventions
- Clinical trials of early detection/diagnosis technologies
- Health systems, clinician and public behaviour studies
- Health economics of early detection/diagnosis
A spotlight call within the scheme specifically welcomes projects addressing inequalities in early cancer detection and diagnosis, prioritizing innovative research to reduce disparities.
