The Hope Foundation For Cancer Research

Quick Stats

• Total Raised to Date: £8 million (since 2003)
• Annual Commitment: £500,000+ needed yearly; £200,000+ committed to Hope Cancer Trials Centre
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: £15,000 - £40,000+ per project (varies by type)
• Total Projects Funded: 100+ research projects, 32 PhD fellowships
• Geographic Focus: Leicestershire and Rutland (local)

Contact Details

Website: www.hfcr.org (redirects to www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk)

Email: enquiries@hfcr.org | enquiries@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk

Phone: 0116 270 0101

Address: The Lodge, 208 Knighton Road, Leicester LE2 3TT

Charity Number: 1091480

Overview

The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research, operating as Hope Against Cancer, was founded in 2003 by Allison Wilson CBE following her cancer diagnosis. Since its establishment, the charity has raised £8 million, funding over 100 original research projects, 32 multi-year PhD fellowships, and vital scientific equipment. The organization operates without government funding and works exclusively to support cancer research in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Through a tripartite partnership with the University of Leicester, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and local universities, Hope has helped attract £25 million in external grants and investment in cancer research for the region. In 2020, the charity raised £1.5 million to double the capacity of the Hope Cancer Trials Centre, which now runs 152 ongoing and planned trials.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

PhD Studentships

• Amount: £15,000 per year for three years (£45,000 total)
• Focus: Multi-year fellowships for early career researchers
• Example: Recent PhD award to Dr Thomas for studies on bispecific antibodies in B cell malignancies (completed 2023)

Hope Nurse Funding

• Amount: £40,000 per project
• Focus: Supporting specialist nurses at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre
• Application: Direct partnership funding

Pump Priming Projects

• Amount: Variable (typically £15,000-£40,000)
• Focus: Enabling researchers to collect pilot data for future large-scale external funding applications
• Application: Rolling basis through Research Advisory Panel

Equipment and Infrastructure

• Amount: Variable
• Focus: Purchasing vital scientific equipment for research facilities
• Example: Bioinformatics support positions, specialized research equipment

Hope Cancer Trials Centre Annual Support

• Amount: £200,000+ annually
• Focus: Subsidizing NHS-funded nurses, equipment, PhD studentships, early career researchers, and trial expansion

Priority Areas

• Early Detection Research: DNA markers showing cancer presence; liquid biopsy technology
• Clinical Trials: Supporting the Hope Cancer Trials Centre's 152 ongoing and planned trials
• Inflammation-Associated Cancers: Research into early detection and treatment targets
• Lymphoma Research: Particularly Mantle cell lymphoma and B cell malignancies
• Early Career Researchers: PhD students and fellowship grants
• Innovative Research: Projects that challenge traditional paradigms and have clear patient benefits

What They Don't Fund

While explicit exclusions are not published, the charity has clear parameters:

• Geographic Restriction: Research must benefit people in Leicestershire and Rutland specifically
• No National/International Projects: Unless they have clear local application
• Partnership-Based: Research must be conducted through their established partnerships with University of Leicester, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, or affiliated institutions
• Not Direct Patient Care: Focus is on research rather than treatment costs or patient support

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Governance and Leadership

Leadership

Chief Executive: Nigel Rose (since 2013)

Board of Trustees

• Chair: Executive Chairman and Owner of Grahame Gardner Ltd and Gymphlex Ltd
• Nigel Brunskill: Group Director of Research and Innovation at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust; Honorary Consultant Nephrologist; University of Leicester Professor of Renal Medicine (since 2006)
• Additional Trustees: Include a solicitor specializing in Probate and Property, an Emeritus Professor of Biochemical Toxicology from University of Leicester, and the Managing Partner of Pick Everard

The trustees come from diverse professional backgrounds but share a determination to improve cancer outcomes for people in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Research Advisory Panel

A specialist board within Hope's governance structure, comprising experts from local universities who:

• Follow trends in cancer research
• Assess funding and support requests through the partnership
• Advise the Board of Trustees on where funding is best spent to ensure maximum impact
• Ensure research quality and strategic alignment

Quote from CEO Nigel Rose: "We are proud to support the Centre's great work and making sure we play our part in improving treatments and patient outcomes in our local communities."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Hope Against Cancer operates through a partnership-based funding model rather than open competitive applications:

1. Through Established Partnerships: Funding requests are funnelled through the tripartite partnership with University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
2. Research Advisory Panel Review: All requests are assessed by the specialist Research Advisory Panel made up of university experts
3. Contact for Inquiries: Researchers should contact enquiries@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk or call 0116 270 0101 to discuss potential funding opportunities
4. Focus on Pump Priming: The charity particularly supports pump priming projects that enable researchers to gather pilot data for larger external funding applications

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines are not publicly available. Funding decisions are made by the Board of Trustees based on recommendations from the Research Advisory Panel.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed. The charity operates on a partnership model with established research institutions rather than open competitive grant rounds.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Given the partnership-based approach, ongoing dialogue with the Research Advisory Panel is encouraged.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Approach

1. Local Partnership Essential: Research must be conducted through University of Leicester, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, or affiliated institutions in the region
2. Pump Priming Strategy: Projects that demonstrate potential to attract larger external funding are particularly valued
3. Clear Patient Benefit: Research must have clear benefits for patients across the Leicestershire and Rutland region
4. Innovation Focus: Projects should influence potential practice changes in early detection, prevention, and treatment

Recent Successful Projects

DNA Markers Research: Grants awarded for research into DNA markers showing cancer presence, with outcomes aimed at making cancer identification easy, reliable, and routine

Bioinformatics Research: Funding for part-time bioinformatician positions to support research into potential targets for early detection and treatment of inflammation-associated cancers

Lymphoma Research: Funding to Prof Dyer and Dr Walter led to new tools for early detection of relapse in Mantle cell lymphoma and Leicester's involvement as one of only 4 UK sites in an important lymphoma study using liquid biopsies

PhD Success: Dr Thomas received Hope funding for his PhD on bispecific antibodies in B cell malignancies (completed 2023), leading to a prestigious post-doctoral position with Roche in Basel, Switzerland

Key Terminology Used by the Funder

• “Pump priming” - Early-stage funding to enable larger grant applications
• “Local trialists” - Researchers conducting trials in the local area
• “Practice changes” - Research that influences clinical practice
• “Early career researchers” - PhD students and early post-doctoral researchers
• “External investment” - Larger grants attracted following Hope's initial funding

Impact Leverage

The charity emphasizes its track record of attracting additional investment: Hope's initial funding has helped attract £25 million in external grants and investment in cancer research for the Leicestershire and Rutland area - a leverage ratio of approximately 3:1 on their total £8 million investment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Partnership Model: Hope Against Cancer does not operate open grant rounds; funding is accessed through established partnerships with University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Contact them early to discuss potential collaboration.

1. Geographic Focus is Non-Negotiable: Research must directly benefit people in Leicestershire and Rutland. National or international projects without clear local application will not be funded.

1. Pump Priming is Key: The charity particularly values projects that use their funding as a springboard to attract larger external grants. Demonstrate how Hope's funding will enable future major applications.

1. Emphasize Patient Impact: All research must have clear, demonstrable benefits for patients. The charity focuses on early detection, prevention, and treatment innovations that can change clinical practice.

1. Leverage the Research Advisory Panel: The panel of university experts plays a crucial role in funding decisions. Building relationships with local academic researchers and demonstrating scientific rigor is essential.

1. Track Record of Success: With £8 million raised funding 100+ projects and attracting £25 million in external investment, Hope seeks projects that will continue this strong return on investment and enhance the region's reputation as a cancer research hub.

1. Support for Early Career Researchers: The charity has funded 32 PhD fellowships and consistently supports early career researchers. Junior researchers with strong mentorship and promising projects are encouraged to apply.

References

• Charity Commission Register: THE HOPE FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH, Charity Number 1091480. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1091480

• Medilink Midlands. “Hope Against Cancer attracting cancer research investment in region.” Available at: https://www.medilinkmidlands.com/hope-against-cancer-attracting-cancer-research-investment-in-leicestershire/

• University of Leicester. “Working together to put research at the top of the agenda in the fight against cancer.” September 2024. Available at: https://le.ac.uk/news/2024/september/cancer-hope

• Hope Against Cancer official website: www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk

• University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. “Hope Cancer Trials Centre.” Available at: https://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/research-and-education/research-innovation/about-us/research-facilities/hope-cancer-trials-centre/