North West Cancer Research (incorporating Clatterbridge Cancer Research Ccr)

Charity Number: 519357

Annual Expenditure: £3.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £3.3 million (expenditure)
  • Success Rate: Data available on request from previous rounds
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: £75,000 - £500,000
  • Geographic Focus: North West England and North Wales (open to UK-wide applications)

Contact Details

Address: Room G6, Liverpool Science Park Innovation Centre, 131 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, L3 5TF

Phone: 0151 709 2919

Email: info@nwcr.org

Website: www.nwcr.org

Overview

Founded in 1948 as “Friends of the Liverpool Radium Institute,” North West Cancer Research (charity number 519357) is the only independent charity dedicated to tackling cancer across North West England and North Wales. In 2012, the organization merged with Clatterbridge Cancer Research. Since 2000, the charity has funded over £50 million in world-class cancer research, with research primarily conducted at three centres of excellence: University of Liverpool, Lancaster University, and Bangor University. With total income of £2.9 million and expenditure of £3.3 million in 2023, NWCR currently funds more than 50 world-class cancer research projects. The organization is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), ensuring rigorous, transparent funding processes. Led by Chief Executive Officer Alastair Richards, NWCR's mission is "to put our region's cancer needs first“ and work towards ”a future that is free from cancer."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Cancer Discovery Grants

  • Amount: Up to £300,000
  • Duration: Up to 3 years
  • Focus: Foundational knowledge to advance diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
  • Application: Fixed deadlines with specific application rounds

Structure & Capacity Funding

  • Amount: Up to £500,000
  • Duration: Up to 5 years
  • Focus: Larger infrastructure and capacity-building projects

PhD Studentships

  • Amount: Up to £110,000 (standard studentship for 3.5 years, including stipend up to £21,000)
  • Focus: Supporting next generation of cancer researchers
  • Joint Programs: Partnership with Kidscan for childhood cancer (£75,000 for 3 years)

Applied Research Grants

  • Focus: Projects to improve cancer diagnosis techniques, patient treatments, knowledge and understanding

Priority Areas

  • Regional Focus: Cancers most prominent and significant for North West England and North Wales populations
  • Research Areas: Discovery science, translational research, applied work, patient experience, inequalities
  • Emphasis on: Early detection research
  • Collaboration: Encourages collaborations between institutions and NHS organizations within regional footprint
  • Strategic Priorities: Tackle cancer causes, improve cancer care, find cancer cures

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly listed, applications should demonstrate relevance to the North West England and North Wales region and align with AMRC standards for medical research.

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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Alastair Richards - started as an NHS accountant before transitioning to charity sector leadership. Richards emphasizes the charity's commitment to regional cancer needs.

Governance: Board of trustees (trustees receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity). The two Boards of Trustees from North West Cancer Research and Clatterbridge Cancer Research merged in 2012.

Key Quote: “We fund only the highest quality research using a rigorous peer review process”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Application System: Fixed deadline funding rounds advertised via website and through networks
  • Notification Channels: Website, academic institutions, NHS partners, clinical research collaborators
  • Expression of Interest: Available for some funding streams
  • Application Method: Each funding stream has specific criteria and guidance documents
  • Eligibility: Open to academics, researchers, clinicians, and others across the United Kingdom

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The charity has run funding rounds on multiple previous occasions with data available on success rates.

Success Rates

NWCR has data available on the success rate of applications from previous funding rounds, though specific percentages are not publicly published. Researchers should inquire directly with the charity for this information.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should consult specific funding round guidance documents or contact the research team at info@nwcr.org for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from NWCR:

  • Value for Money: “Researchers should be mindful of the current resources available to North West Cancer Research and ensure that all applications provide good value for money”
  • Patient-Centered: “People and patients should be at the heart of your application, with positive evidence of patient and public involvement in the creation of the proposal”
  • Regional Relevance: “In making their applications, researchers should consider the relevance of their application to the people of the North West of England and North Wales”
  • Collaboration: “NWCR encourages collaborations between institutions and NHS organisations and encourage collaborative applications within our regional footprint”

Quality Standards:

  • All applications undergo rigorous external peer and scientific review
  • Adherence to AMRC processes and guidance
  • Only the highest quality research is funded

Recent Funded Projects (2024-2025):

  • Novel potent and selective inhibitors of PMCA4 as anti-metastatic drugs to treat pancreatic cancer
  • Identification of regulators of cytotoxic T-cell infiltration and activity in ER+ breast cancer
  • Exploring novel precision therapies for high grade serous ovarian cancer: Does acquired PARP inhibitor resistance confer sensitivity to PARG inhibitors?
  • Partnership with Mesothelioma UK for pleural mesothelioma clinical treatments
  • Summer Studentships at Lancaster University (10th consecutive year)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Regional alignment is critical: Clearly articulate how your research addresses cancer needs specific to North West England and North Wales populations
  • Patient involvement is essential: Demonstrate meaningful patient and public involvement (PPI) in your proposal development
  • Emphasize collaboration: Multi-institutional and NHS partnerships within the regional footprint are encouraged and valued
  • Focus on value: With expenditure exceeding income in recent years, demonstrate cost-effectiveness and research value
  • Quality over everything: AMRC membership means rigorous peer review - ensure applications meet highest scientific standards
  • Early detection matters: Applications focusing on early detection are specifically encouraged
  • Fixed deadlines: Plan ahead for specific application rounds rather than rolling submissions - typically advertised well in advance
  • Almost 90p of every £1 goes to research: The charity operates efficiently, so focus on research impact rather than overheads

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