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

March 2026 | November 2026 | March 2027

Up to £25,000 for up to 12 months (standard award); higher awards (up to £50,000) available for pathology trainees via a separate joint scheme.

Short-term funding for early-career clinicians and health professionals to gain experience in cancer research and generate preliminary data for future fellowships.

--- ## Description This bursary provides short-term support to clinicians in training, nurses, and allied health professionals at an early career stage, enabling them to participate in cancer research projects within the UK. The scheme is designed to help applicants develop research skills and generate preliminary data to strengthen future PhD or MD fellowship applications. Research proposals may span a wide range of cancer-related topics, including basic, translational, preclinical, engineering, population, imaging, and early detection research. Cancer Research UK particularly encourages projects addressing cancers of unmet need, early detection, and strategic priority areas. --- ## Due Dates - March 2026 (anticipated): Full application deadline for May 2026 Research Careers Committee review - November 2026 (anticipated): Application deadline for November 2026 Research Careers Committee review - March 2027 (anticipated): Full application deadline for May 2027 Research Careers Committee review *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Standard bursary: Up to **£25,000** for a project lasting up to **12 months** - Funding covers: applicant’s salary, running expenses, research services (e.g., statistical support, lab technician services) - Pathology trainees: May be eligible for a related joint scheme (Cancer Research UK–Pathological Society Pre-doctoral Research Bursary) with awards up to **£50,000** - Funding cannot be used for: Masters courses, examination fees, or costs supporting research towards an already-registered PhD/MD --- ## Eligibility - **Applicants:** - Clinicians in training (foundation, core, specialty, or run-through) - Nurses - Allied health professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, radiographers, medical physicists, pharmacists) - Must be eligible to complete clinical training and practice medicine in the UK - Not eligible if already registered for or completed a PhD/MD, or if holding a fellowship that allows research - Academic Clinical Fellows may apply for consumable costs - **Host Institution:** - Must be a UK university or research institute - Requires support from an appropriate research group and supervisor - Not eligible if salary is funded through a Cancer Research UK institute - **Other requirements:** - Application must be approved by the host institution - Parallel applications to multiple funders are allowed, but only one award may be accepted - **Flexible working:** - Applications on a part-time or flexible basis are supported, as long as the host institution agrees - Career breaks, part-time working, and changes in discipline are considered during assessment --- ## Application Process 1. **Contact Cancer Research UK:** - Recommended to discuss eligibility and proposal at least one month before the deadline - Provide a short CV, research abstract, and brief description of your suitability 2. **Prepare Application via Flexi-Grant:** - Complete applicant information, research proposal (max 1,500 words), justification appendix, data sharing plan, cover letter, and declarations - Obtain support letters from your supervisors and department heads - Include a detailed budget and justification for all costs 3. **Submit Required Documents:** - Justification appendix (detailing and justifying all requested resources) - Cover letter (1 page, or 2 pages if resubmitting) - Letters of support (from clinical and academic heads, supervisors) - Declaration of competing interests - Data sharing plan (adhering to FAIR principles) - AMRC full economic costing form 4. **Review and Decision:** - Applications reviewed twice yearly by the Research Careers Committee - Assessed on scientific rationale, cancer relevance, applicant’s track record, and access to resources - Feedback is provided, but all decisions are final --- ## Additional Information - **Success rate:** 5-year rolling success rate (2020–2025) is approximately 55% - **Accessibility:** Reasonable adjustments and disability support are available throughout the application process; a formal diagnosis is not required - **Eligible research:** Must be cancer-relevant; proposals may span basic, translational, preclinical, population, imaging, radiotherapy, engineering, and early detection research - **Ineligible research:** Not suitable for projects focused on future trials, single-compound pharmaceutical research, or infrastructure support for clinical trials units/centres --- ## External Links - [Program page and scheme details](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/predoctoral-research-bursary) - [Costs guidance for grants](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/costs-guidance-grants) - [Salary guidance for grants](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/salary-guidance-grants) - [Flexible research careers support](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/develop-your-research-career/additional-career-support/flexible-research-careers) - [Disability and accessibility support](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/disability-accessibility-support-researchers) - [How funding decisions are made](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/how-we-make-funding-decisions) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Regions Covered | Email | |------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Dr Catherine Cremona, Research Grants Manager | London (except Imperial and ICR), North East, Scotland, Northern Ireland | [research.careers@cancer.org.uk](mailto:research.careers@cancer.org.uk) | | Dr Elisabetta Gamen, Research Grants Manager | Cambridge, Oxford, South East and West | [research.careers@cancer.org.uk](mailto:research.careers@cancer.org.uk) | | Dr Fran Smith, Research Grants Manager | London (Imperial and ICR), Midlands, North West, Wales | [research.careers@cancer.org.uk](mailto:research.careers@cancer.org.uk) | | Dr Marjolein (Lein) Schaap, Research Programme Manager | General enquiries and career support | [research.careers@cancer.org.uk](mailto:research.careers@cancer.org.uk) | For general enquiries: [Cancer Research UK Contact Page](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/contact-us) Phone: 020 7242 0200 ---

Pre-doctoral Research Bursary

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