Sussex Cancer Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £569,386 (2024)
• Charitable Expenditure: £401,199 (2024)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £20,000 (plus PhD studentships up to ~£100,000 over 3-4 years)
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Sussex, with research grants open UK-wide (must benefit Sussex patients)
• Research Spending: Over £1 million in last three years

Contact Details

• Website: www.sussexcancerfund.co.uk
• Email: research@sussexcancerfund.co.uk (for research applications) / bsuh.scfadministrator@nhs.net (general)
• Phone: 01273 664930
• Address: Sussex Cancer Fund, Sussex Cancer Centre, Bristol Gate, Brighton, BN2 5BE

Overview

Sussex Cancer Fund (Charity No. 1147195) was established to provide financial support for cancer research and for the provision, maintenance and replacement of facilities, equipment and buildings for the Radiotherapy and Oncology department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. With an annual income of £569,386 (2024) and support from 2 staff members, 6 trustees, and 25 volunteers, the charity has invested over £1 million in research over the past three years. Their mission is to ensure “everyone affected by cancer deserves the highest level of care, support, and compassion.” The fund works closely with the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC), University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, the University of Sussex, and the University of Brighton. Their research strategy emphasizes translational research that takes “discoveries from the lab bench to the bedside” and places specific focus on supporting projects with short-term patient benefits and oncology trials recruiting Sussex-based patients.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. SCF:SCRC Pump-Priming Awards (via Sussex Cancer Research Centre)

• £5,000 or £15,000
• Supports innovative, proof-of-concept cancer research
• One award reserved for NHS-trust clinician-led projects
• Open to nurses and allied health professionals
• Applications reviewed by independent experts and multidisciplinary committee
• Recent deadline: August 4, 2025 (annual cycle)

2. Small Project Funding (direct application to SCF)

• Under £20,000
• Deliverable within two years
• Aims to improve clinical services, patient treatments, and care
• Rolling application process currently open
• Can supplement larger funded projects or provide pump-priming

3. William Priddy Studentships (via SCRC)

• Two types: Myeloma Research and General Cancer Research
• Covers full-time PhD (3-3.5 year duration)
• Includes home fees, UKRI stipend, and £5,000-£12,500/year running costs
• Must involve collaboration between BSMS/UoS and NHS trust
• Led by BSMS or University of Sussex PI

4. MD-Res/PhD Studentships & Clinical Fellowships

• Application process still being developed (contact SCF directly)

5. Research & Innovation Projects

• Larger research projects
• Application process still being developed (contact SCF directly)

6. Creative Community Engagement Awards (via SCRC)

• Up to £1,000
• Builds connections between people with lived experience of cancer and cancer research
• Open to all art forms

Priority Areas

Cancer Types: Blood cancers, brain cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, endometrial cancer, anal cancer, multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia, and all other cancer types

Research Focus:

• Translational research with clear route to clinical and patient impact
• Projects benefiting Sussex cancer patients (within 2 years where possible)
• Oncology trials recruiting Sussex-based patients
• Understanding cancer mechanisms
• Treatment response and resistance
• Diagnostic tools development
• Cancer-related symptoms (fatigue, weight loss)
• Stress hormone impacts on treatment
• Gut microbiome research
• Brain metastasis detection
• Enhanced radiotherapy techniques

Equipment & Services:

• Radiotherapy and oncology equipment
• Patient consultation facilities
• Medical equipment for Sussex NHS cancer treatment centres
• Patient support services (though research grants are separate stream)

Collaboration Requirements:

• Projects establishing sustainable collaborations across SCRC institutions
• Inter-institutional cutting-edge cancer research
• Bench-to-bedside pipelines
• Partnerships between universities and NHS trusts

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly documented on their website. However, their focus is clearly on:

• Cancer research relevant to Sussex patients
• Research based in or collaborating with Sussex institutions
• Projects with translational/clinical impact potential

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Professor David Bloomfield - Chairman, Consultant Oncologist
• Neil Pearce - Treasurer, Finance Director at Portsmouth Historic Quarter Trust (appointed 2023)
• Steve Crocker - Trustee, leads SCF's research programme. Retired from IT operations and programme management (appointed 2023)
• Sarah Ralphson - Trustee, Medical Education Programme Director with 25+ years experience across cancer types (appointed 2024)
• Erica Carroll - Trustee, senior public sector leader, barrister and regulator with legal, governance and advocacy expertise (appointed 2025)
• Moira - Trustee, retired solicitor specialising in charity law and governance (appointed 2025)
• Lou Scott - Trustee, experienced charity leader with background in income generation, formerly Deputy CEO at Grief Encounter

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Staff Team

• David Witham - Fund Manager, long-standing connection with Sussex Cancer Centre, worked in First Contact, Radiotherapy, and Chemotherapy departments
• Tina Alfieri - Relationship Manager, experienced fundraiser with personal cancer treatment experience
• Joanna Godden - Marketing and Communications Manager, Chartered Marketer with 20+ years experience (joined 2019)
• Sarah MacDonald - Administration & Operations, 25 years experience from American Express (joined March 2025)

How to Apply to Sussex Cancer Fund

How to Apply

For Small Projects (under £20,000):

• Direct application to Sussex Cancer Fund
• Email: research@sussexcancerfund.co.uk
• Phone: 01273 664930
• Rolling application process (currently open)
• Recommended to contact SCF directly to discuss project before applying

For Pump-Priming Awards (£5,000 or £15,000):

• Apply through Sussex Cancer Research Centre: https://sussexcancer.org/funding
• Annual application cycle (recent deadline: August 4, 2025)
• SCRC offers support in assembling applications

For William Priddy Studentships:

• Apply through Sussex Cancer Research Centre: https://sussexcancer.org/funding
• Must be led by BSMS or University of Sussex PI
• Project must involve institutional collaboration

For MD-Res/PhD Studentships, Clinical Fellowships, and Research & Innovation Projects:

• Application process still being developed
• Contact Sussex Cancer Fund directly at research@sussexcancerfund.co.uk

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. For the Pump-Priming Fund, applications are reviewed by independent experts and a multidisciplinary research committee, then ranked on multiple criteria. Applicants should contact the fund directly for timeline estimates.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The fund has made multiple awards through the SCF:SCRC Pump-Priming scheme, including five awards in a recent round that kick-started new collaborative research projects across Sussex.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented on their public website. Applicants should contact the fund directly to discuss reapplication if unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Specific Criteria from the Funder:

1. Patient Impact is Paramount: Projects are ranked on “potential impact on cancer patients” as the first criterion. The fund emphasizes supporting at least two projects with short-term patient benefits (within two years) and at least two projects recruiting Sussex-based patients for oncology trials.

1. Translational Focus: Steve Crocker, Trustee leading the research programme, emphasizes that “basic research projects should clearly describe the route to clinical and patient impact.” The fund's tagline is taking discoveries “from the lab bench to the bedside.”

1. Collaborative Research: The SCRC “particularly encourages applications which establish sustainable collaborations across the SCRC (BSMS, UoS, University of Brighton, and Sussex-based NHS trusts) and establish or strengthen bench to bedside pipelines.” Projects involving multiple institutions are prioritized.

1. Research Quality and Originality: Applications are evaluated on research quality and research originality, alongside patient impact and research team strength.

1. Sussex Connection Essential: Research must be relevant to cancer patients or carers living in Sussex, even if researchers are based elsewhere in the UK. The fund continuously refines selection criteria to ensure “maximal benefit from their funding, with specific emphasis on patient benefit and oncology trials.”

1. Patient Involvement Valued: “People living with cancer are encouraged to provide input into grant applications,” reflecting the centre's patient-centric approach.

1. Feasibility Matters: Projects are scored on “feasibility, relevance, and scientific excellence of the project proposal” as well as “the training the student will receive, potential contribution to knowledge/impact, quality of the research environment, and the likely contribution to developing new networks across the Sussex Cancer Research Centre.”

Recent Funded Projects (2025 examples):

• PhD on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia examining TOE1 protein as potential driver
• PhD studying stress hormones' influence on treatment response in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (starting late 2025)
• Research Radiographer post to open more national radiotherapy trials in Sussex
• Data analysis project to identify patients likely to experience significant treatment-related fatigue
• Gut microbiome in anal cancer research
• Stress and endometrial cancer research
• Genetic factors in multiple myeloma
• Brain metastasis detection
• Leukaemia protein interactions
• Cancer-related weight loss studies

Strategic Advice:

• Contact the fund before applying to discuss your project - they welcome pre-application discussions
• Clearly articulate how your research will benefit Sussex patients specifically
• Demonstrate collaboration between institutions (universities and NHS trusts)
• For pump-priming awards, show how initial funding could lead to larger competitive grants
• The SCRC is “happy to support applicants in assembling an application” - take advantage of this support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Patient benefit is the top priority: Clearly demonstrate how your research will impact cancer patients in Sussex, ideally within two years
• Translational research wins: Show a clear route from laboratory findings to clinical application - “lab bench to bedside”
• Collaboration strengthens applications: Inter-institutional projects (universities + NHS trusts) are particularly encouraged
• Contact before applying: The fund welcomes pre-application discussions and SCRC offers application support - use these resources
• Range of funding options: From £1,000 creative engagement awards to ~£100,000 PhD studentships, with rolling Small Project funding under £20k currently open
• Small grants are accessible: Pump-priming awards (£5,000-£15,000) specifically target proof-of-concept research too preliminary for major funders
• Sussex connection required: All research must be relevant to Sussex cancer patients, though researchers can be UK-wide
• Patient involvement valued: Including people with lived experience of cancer in grant applications is encouraged

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Sussex Heart Charity
• The Rosemere Cancer Foundation
• The Sussex Community Foundation
• The Caron Keating Foundation
• The Hope Foundation For Cancer Research
• Rockinghorse Children's Charity
• Yorkshire Cancer Research
• The Eight Foundation
• Guts
• The Chalk Cliff Trust

References

1. Sussex Cancer Fund official website - www.sussexcancerfund.co.uk
2. Sussex Cancer Fund “How to Apply” page - https://sussexcancerfund.co.uk/cancer-research/cancer-research-home/how-to-apply/
3. Sussex Cancer Research Centre funding page - https://sussexcancer.org/funding
4. Charity Commission Register - Sussex Cancer Fund (1147195) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5026740
5. Sussex Cancer Fund team page - https://sussexcancerfund.co.uk/team/
6. “Sussex Cancer Fund: Research Updates 2025” - https://sussexcancerfund.co.uk/sussex-cancer-fund-research-updates-2025/
7. “New SCF/SCRC pump-priming awards open for applications” - Sussex Cancer Research Centre - https://sussexcancer.org/news/new-scfscrc-pump-priming-grants-now-open-for-applications
8. “Sussex Cancer Fund Open Applications for the Small Project Funding” - Sussex Cancer Research Centre - https://sussexcancer.org/news/sussex-cancer-fund-open-applications-for-the-small-project-funding
9. Companies House - Sussex Cancer Fund (07963616) - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07963616
10. Work for Good - Sussex Cancer Fund profile - https://workforgood.co.uk/charities/sussex-cancer-fund-1/