Oracle Head And Neck Cancer Uk Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £498,898 (total income 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Small grants awarded late February; Large grants timeline not specified
• Grant Range: Small Grants from £55,000 pool (up to 3 projects); Large Grants up to £300,000 over 3 years
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (universities, research institutes, NHS organisations)

Contact Details

Website: https://oraclehnc.org.uk

Email: research@oraclehnc.org.uk (for research funding queries)

General Email: info@oraclecancertrust.org

Phone: 020 3875 8991

Address: Registered charity in England and Wales (1142037) and Scotland (SC052790)

Overview

Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK was formed in May 2024 through the merger of Oracle Cancer Trust (founded in 2000) and the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation. The charity is the UK's leading national organization dedicated to head and neck cancer, operating with a four-pillar RACE strategy: Research, Awareness, Collaboration, and Patient/Community Engagement. Over the last 20 years, Oracle has awarded £8 million in research grants supporting early-stage, pioneering research into head and neck cancers, funding over 50 research programmes at leading UK institutions including The Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, Newcastle University, and the University of Sunderland. As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), Oracle adheres to strict guidelines and protocols for reviewing and selecting research projects. The charity's mission focuses on addressing the medical research and delivery gaps facing head and neck cancer patients in the UK, with core values of being patient-centred and action-oriented.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Large Grants Programme: Up to £300,000 over three years

• Supports innovative, hypothesis-driven pre-clinical research addressing critical challenges in head and neck cancer
• Includes laboratory-based (wet lab) and bioinformatics/in silico research approaches
• Application deadline typically mid-February (February 17, 2025 for current round)
• Open to principal investigators affiliated with UK universities, research institutes, or NHS organisations
• Applications submitted via online application process

Small Grants Programme: £55,000 total funding pool for 1-3 projects

• Supports innovative research projects aimed at improving outcomes for head and neck cancer patients
• Flexible funding for projects that may not align with larger funding program criteria
• Encourages diverse applicants including allied health professions
• Application deadline typically mid-January (January 17, 2025 for current round)
• Grants awarded late February
• Applications submitted via online application process

Priority Areas

• Early-stage research into causes, prevention, treatment, and care of head and neck cancers
• Research that advances understanding, prevention, early detection, or treatment
• Projects with clear potential to improve patient outcomes and experiences
• Research that translates into clinical practice and directly benefits patients
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with real-world applications
• Addressing health inequalities across UK regions and diverse populations
• Innovation in service delivery within NHS head and neck cancer centres
• Research incorporating Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

What They Don't Fund

• Clinical trials or post-clinical activities (explicitly excluded from Large Grants Programme)
• Projects not focused on head and neck cancer
• Non-UK based principal investigators or institutions
• Projects not adhering to the 3Rs (Replacement, Refinement, Reduction) if involving animal research

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Keith Jones - Chair
• Professor Gus Alusi - Trustee
• Dr Mehmet Sen - Trustee
• Gareth Thomas - Trustee
• James Robertson - Trustee (joined 2022)
• Toby Amis - Trustee

The Board comprises 5 trustees drawn from a variety of backgrounds representing different skill sets, including expertise in marketing, investments, finance, and strategy. No trustees receive remuneration.

Senior Leadership

• Gareth Thomas - Interim CEO
• Tamara Kahn - Former CEO (transitioned to strategic advisory position September 2025 after four years as CEO)
• Michelle Vickers - Chief Awareness Officer

Research & Funding Committee

The Independent Research & Funding Committee comprises clinicians, researchers, and a patient representative—none of whom receive funding from Oracle. Committee members bring experience from different disciplines, geographies, and stages of career. External reviewers are involved where extra expertise or capacity is needed.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK website. Separate application processes exist for Small Grants and Large Grants programmes.

Small Grants Programme:

• Application deadline: typically mid-January (January 17, 2025 for current round)
• Submit via online application portal at https://oraclehnc.org.uk/research-grants

Large Grants Programme:

• Application deadline: typically mid-February (February 17, 2025 for current round)
• Submit via online application portal at https://oraclehnc.org.uk/research-large-grants

Both programmes require applicants to contact research@oraclehnc.org.uk with any questions about the application process.

Decision Timeline

Small Grants: Grants awarded in late February following mid-January deadline (approximately 4-6 weeks)

Large Grants: Timeline not publicly specified, but follows rigorous peer review process with at least two independent reviewers and committee discussion

All proposals undergo assessment by the Independent Research & Funding Committee following AMRC principles of peer review.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, Oracle has funded over 50 research programmes across 20 years with £8 million in total grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants are advised to contact research@oraclehnc.org.uk for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Oracle uses a structured 36-point assessment matrix covering five key criteria:

1. Strategic Fit: Alignment with Oracle's mission to advance head and neck cancer research, prevention, detection, and treatment
2. Impact: Clear potential to improve patient outcomes and experiences; demonstration of how research will translate into clinical practice or benefit patients
3. Methodology: Rigorous research design appropriate for the research question; for animal research, adherence to the 3Rs (Replacement, Refinement, Reduction)
4. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI): Strong PPI plan demonstrating how patient input informs the research; Oracle emphasizes that "a patient voice is built into every stage of Oracle's strategy and funding decisions"
5. Return on Investment: Evidence of value for money and potential for future larger-scale funding or real-world applications

Review Process:

• All proposals assessed by at least two independent reviewers
• Final decisions made based on combined reviewer scores, committee discussion, and applicant clarifications
• Oracle adheres to AMRC's five principles of peer review: accountability, balance, and independent decision-making

Application Priorities Specific to Oracle:

• Addressing Health Inequalities: Recent funding has focused on tackling variations in head and neck cancer cases across different areas, particularly in communities with high deprivation and large ethnic minority populations (e.g., Tower Hamlets project funded with £29,700)
• Patient-Centred Approach: The charity strongly values research that places patient experiences at its core
• Early-Stage Research: Oracle's focus is on funding early-stage research that can take several years to reach clinical trial stage
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Applications demonstrating collaboration across disciplines and potential for real-world applications are valued
• Diverse Applicants: Small Grants Programme particularly encourages applicants from allied health professions

Recent Examples of Funded Projects:

• EVEREST-HN Project at The Royal Marsden: Development of a symptom-based risk stratification tool to streamline referrals and guide diagnostic decisions
• Tower Hamlets Cancer Inequality Research (£29,700): Investigating variations in head and neck cancer cases in areas with high deprivation
• PhD Project led by Dr Elizabeth Marsh at University of Derby

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasize patient impact and PPI: Oracle places patient voice at the heart of all decisions. Include a robust PPI plan showing how patients inform your research at every stage.
• Focus on early-stage, pre-clinical research: Large Grants specifically exclude clinical trials; emphasize hypothesis-driven, laboratory-based, or bioinformatics research with potential to translate into clinical applications.
• Address health inequalities: Oracle has demonstrated recent interest in projects tackling disparities across UK regions and diverse populations—highlight how your research addresses these gaps.
• Demonstrate strategic fit with the 36-point matrix: Explicitly address all five criteria (strategic fit, impact, methodology, PPI, ROI) in your application to maximize scoring potential.
• Consider Small Grants as entry point: With flexible criteria and encouragement for allied health professionals, Small Grants offer an accessible pathway to demonstrate capability for future larger applications.
• Join Oracle's networks: The Oracle Voices programme coordinates PPI activities—connecting with this network could strengthen your application's patient involvement component.
• Contact research team early: Oracle welcomes questions at research@oraclehnc.org.uk—use this resource to ensure your project aligns with current priorities before investing time in a full application.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Get A-Head Charitable Trust
• Brain Research UK
• LINGEN DAVIES CANCER FUND CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION
• NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH (INCORPORATING CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH CCR)
• Against Breast Cancer Limited
• SIGHT RESEARCH UK
• PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH
• World Cancer Research Fund
• Blood Cancer UK Research
• Bowel Research UK

References

1. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK website - Homepage: https://oraclehnc.org.uk
2. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - Large Grants Programme: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/research-large-grants
3. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - Small Grants Programme: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/research-grants
4. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - Apply for Funding: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/healthcare-professionals-researchers/research/apply-for-funding
5. Charity Commission Register - Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK Limited (1142037): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5018929
6. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - Expert Review Process: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/no-title
7. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - About Us: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/about-us
8. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - Our People: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/about-us/our-people
9. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - Research Projects: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/healthcare-professionals-researchers/research/research-projects
10. UK Fundraising - "Oracle Cancer Trust merges with Head & Neck Cancer Foundation": https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/05/17/oracle-cancer-trust-merges-with-head-neck-cancer-foundation/
11. Oncology Today - “Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK launches Small Grants Programme to advance patient care”: https://oncologynewstoday.co.uk/oracle-head-and-neck-cancer-uk-launches-small-grants-programme-to-advance-patient-care/
12. Oncology Today - "Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK gets funding boost to close the gap around cancer inequality": https://oncologynewstoday.co.uk/oracle-head-neck-cancer-uk-gets-funding-boost-to-close-the-gap-around-cancer-inequality/
13. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - Leadership Update: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/leadership-update
14. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK - Oracle Voices: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/patients-and-carers/oracle-voices