Cancer Research UK

Charity Number: 1089464

Annual Expenditure: £403.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £403 million (2024/25)
  • Success Rate: 62% (Clinical Trial Fellowship - 5-year rolling average 2020-2025)
  • Decision Time: Varies by scheme - applications typically reviewed twice yearly
  • Grant Range: Varies by programme - from individual fellowships to £20 million+ for team programmes
  • Geographic Focus: UK-based researchers with international collaboration opportunities

Contact Details

Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Phone: 020 7242 0200

Email: secretariat@cancer.org.uk

Research Support: Research careers programme managers available for pre-application advice

Online Portal: Flexi-Grant system for application management

Overview

Founded as Cancer Research UK through merger in 2002, the charity is the largest charitable funder of cancer research globally. With annual research spending of £403 million in 2024/25, CRUK remains on track to exceed its commitment of £1.5 billion research investment between 2021/22 and 2025/26. The organisation supports over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK, funding numerous research projects and clinical trials annually. Under CEO Michelle Mitchell's leadership since 2018, CRUK has delivered some of the strongest impact and financial performances in its history, with strategic focus on discovery, detection, prevention and treatment through four primary research objectives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

  • Cancer Grand Challenges: Up to £20 million each for international research teams tackling major challenges - partnership with US National Cancer Institute
  • Discovery Programme Awards: Up to £2.5 million over 5 years for mid-career researcher programmes (applications reviewed twice yearly)
  • Discovery Programme Foundation Awards: Mid-career researcher development (applications reviewed twice yearly)
  • Clinical Research Funding Scheme: Up to 10 years funding, applications reviewed twice yearly, requires pre-application discussion
  • Clinical Trial Fellowship Award: 62% success rate (2020-2025 rolling average), matched funding requirement
  • AACR-Cancer Research UK Transatlantic Fellowship: £300,000/$400,000 over 4 years
  • Career Development Fellowship: Supporting researcher development
  • Postdoctoral Research Bursary: Early career support

Priority Areas

  • Fundamental biology, genetics and immunology
  • Biomarker discovery and preclinical studies
  • Imaging and radiotherapy research
  • Early detection of cancers and pre-cancerous changes
  • Clinical and translational pathway research
  • High-impact early phase and first-in-human trials
  • Brain tumour research (strategic priority)
  • Cancer prevention research

What They Don't Fund

Information not specifically detailed in publicly available sources - applicants should consult programme-specific guidelines.

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Lord Simon Stevens (former NHS England Chief Executive, appointed October 2023)

Chief Executive: Michelle Mitchell OBE - “Since taking the helm, she has helped put CRUK on a strong footing to achieve its vision of bringing about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”

Chief Scientist: Professor Ketan Patel (appointed October 2022) - provides scientific leadership working with research community to deliver strategy focusing on discovery science

Recent Trustee Appointments:

  • Dame Nancy (2025) - over 40 years as a researcher and 14 years as a Vice-Chancellor
  • Professor René Medema (2025) - Chief Scientific Officer of the Princess Máxima Center for paediatric oncology
  • Kate Smaje (2025) - Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company
  • Professor Pam Kearns (2021) - Emeritus Professor of Clinical Paediatric Oncology, University of Birmingham

How to Apply to Cancer Research Uk

How to Apply

  • Online Portal: Flexi-Grant system for all applications
  • Closed Rounds: Most schemes require pre-application discussion for eligibility
  • Two-Stage Process: Many schemes use outline followed by full application
  • Pre-Application Support: Contact required for Clinical Research Funding Scheme for eligibility discussion and guidance

Decision Timeline

  • Review Frequency: Most schemes reviewed twice yearly (spring and autumn rounds)
  • Multi-Stage Timeline: Schemes with outline and full application stages spread over minimum 9 months
  • Multi-Stage Review: Expert Review Panels with written comments, applicant response opportunities
  • Patient Involvement: Patient and Public Involvement Review Panel
  • Final Decision: Made by funding committees or relevant review boards
  • Clinical Trial Timeline: First site expected to open within 12 months of final approval

Success Rates

  • Clinical Trial Fellowship: 62% (5-year rolling, 2020-2025)
  • Discovery Programme Award: 36% (5-year rolling, 2020-2025)
  • Discovery Programme Foundation Award: 25% (5-year rolling, 2020-2025)

Reapplication Policy

  • No Fixed Waiting Period: No strict time limit between reapplications
  • Career Stage Review: Applicants must reconsider eligibility in terms of career stage and competency framework
  • Feedback Requirement: Must address previous feedback from Research Careers Committee
  • Flexible Approach: Focus on addressing concerns rather than mandatory waiting periods

Application Success Factors

Direct Organisational Guidance:

  • Strong leadership in priority strategic areas is crucial for faster progress
  • Applications should demonstrate alignment with CRUK's four primary objectives: discovery, detection, prevention, and treatment
  • International collaboration is valued - evidenced by transatlantic partnership programmes
  • Career development trajectory should align with competency framework requirements

Strategic Considerations:

  • CRUK follows San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), evaluating impact beyond just publication metrics
  • Emphasis on developing future cancer research leaders
  • Support for clinician scientists and diverse research paths
  • Data sharing plans supported since 2016 with dedicated assistance available

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Oxford University OvarianVax cancer prevention vaccine project (£600,000 over 3 years)
  • Brain tumour research (strategic priority area)
  • High-impact clinical trials with innovative design
  • Five global teams awarded up to £20 million each in 2026 Cancer Grand Challenges round

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application engagement essential for Clinical Research Funding Scheme - mandatory informal discussion required
  • Career stage alignment critical - ensure competency framework fit and address any previous feedback thoroughly
  • Strategic alignment paramount - clearly demonstrate how research fits discovery, detection, prevention, or treatment objectives
  • International collaboration valued - consider partnership opportunities, especially transatlantic connections
  • Long-term vision important - CRUK invests in sustained research programmes up to 10+ years
  • Patient involvement emphasised - applications reviewed by Patient and Public Involvement Review Panel
  • Transparency and feedback - all applicants receive detailed feedback regardless of outcome, use this constructively for reapplications
  • Fixed deadline structure - most schemes operate closed rounds with applications reviewed twice yearly, plan ahead for submission cycles

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