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

December 4, 2025 (Full application) | March 26, 2026 (Interventional trial outline)

Up to £500,000 per project; project duration flexible up to 3 years

Funds hypothesis-driven research projects in cancer prevention and population health with clear objectives and potential for significant population impact.

--- ## Description This award supports high-quality, hypothesis-driven research focused on primary prevention and population research related to cancer. Eligible projects can span a broad range of research areas, including epidemiological studies (classical, clinical, molecular), cancer incidence and survival analysis, methodological/statistical research, risk stratification, exploratory and confirmatory clinical trials of chemopreventive agents, and the development or evaluation of behavioural, lifestyle, or policy interventions for cancer prevention. Projects must clearly articulate a cancer-related question and demonstrate potential for population-level impact, aligning with Cancer Research UK's prevention research strategy. --- ## Due Dates - **December 4, 2025:** Full application deadline (for spring review; reviewed by May 2026 committee) - **March 26, 2026:** Outline application deadline for interventional trials (if required) Applications are reviewed twice a year; deadlines above correspond to the next available review cycles. --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum award:** Up to £500,000 per project - **Duration:** Flexible, up to 3 years - **Eligible costs:** Salaries for postdoctoral researchers/technical staff, running costs, equipment (up to £50,000; contact funder if more required), and other justified direct research costs If a compelling scientific rationale exists, exceptions to standard limits may be considered with prior discussion. --- ## Eligibility - **Applicant:** Scientists, clinicians, or healthcare professionals based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, or research institute with postdoctoral experience or equivalent. - **Career stage:** Researchers at all career stages are welcome; early-career lead applicants should include an established researcher as co-applicant for mentorship. - **Collaborations:** Teams across UK institutions encouraged; international/commercial collaborators may participate in supporting roles. - **Host institution:** Must approve the application and provide necessary resources. - **Other funding:** Parallel applications to other funders allowed, but only one award may be accepted. --- ## Application Process 1. **Contact the funder:** Strongly recommended to discuss eligibility and proposal fit at least one month before the deadline ([pprc@cancer.org.uk](mailto:pprc@cancer.org.uk)). 2. **Expression of Interest:** Required for interventional trials; submit before outline/full application. 3. **Application submission:** Via Flexi-Grant online system. Host institution approval required before submission. 4. **Required documents:** Narrative CVs, research proposal (max 2,500 words), justification appendix, data sharing plan, letters of support, and other uploads as specified in the scheme guidance. 5. **Review process:** Peer review by expert panels and Patient and Public Review Panel; final decisions by the Prevention and Population Research Committee. 6. **Feedback:** Provided to all applicants; resubmissions only by committee invitation. --- ## Additional Information - **Flexible working:** Part-time and flexible working arrangements supported. - **Patient and public involvement:** Strongly encouraged; a PPI plan is required or justification for its omission. - **Success rate:** Five-year rolling success rate is 37%. - **Ethical/regulatory approvals:** Must be in place before funding is released. - **Salary requests:** Only for early- to mid-career researchers meeting specific criteria; see [salary guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/salary-guidance-grants). - **Data sharing:** Required; must align with FAIR principles. - **Ineligible costs:** Infrastructure support, salaries for administrators/support staff, research nurse costs (except in exceptional cases), masters student costs, and others as detailed in [costs guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/costs-guidance-grants). --- ## External Links - [Scheme details and application portal](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes/prevention-and-population-research-project-awards) - [Prevention research strategy](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/our-research-strategy/prevention-and-population-research) - [Research policies and guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance) - [Flexi-Grant system](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-grants-management-system) - [Justification appendix guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/justification-appendix) - [Narrative CV guidance](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/narrative-cvs) - [Committee and review process](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/how-we-make-funding-decisions/prevention-and-population-research-committee) --- ## Contact Information | Region | Contact | Email | |-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | London & South of England (incl. Oxford/Cambridge) | Dr Alice Burke, Research Grants Manager | [pprc@cancer.org.uk](mailto:pprc@cancer.org.uk) | | Rest of England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland | Dr Nikita Dhillon, Research Grants Manager | [pprc@cancer.org.uk](mailto:pprc@cancer.org.uk) | General queries: [supporter.services@cancer.org.uk](mailto:supporter.services@cancer.org.uk) | Phone: 020 7242 0200 ---

Prevention and Population Project Award

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