Jul 19, 2025, 22:37

CRUK Discovery Programme Award

The Discovery Programme Award provides long-term, multidisciplinary funding (up to £2.5 million over 5 years) for high-risk, high-reward research projects that advance fundamental understanding of cancer biology or open novel avenues for diagnosis and treatment.

Eligibility Criteria:

Lead Applicant:
- Established independent or mid-career researcher based at a UK university or research institute.
- Demonstrated track record of innovative, discovery-driven research.
Team & Environment:
- Access to the resources, facilities, and collaborations required for large-scale, multidisciplinary science.
Remit:
- Aligned with CRUK’s Discovery Research Statement of Intent and broader Research Strategy.

Funding Details:

Duration: 5 years
Quantum: Up to £2.5 million total, covering:
- Salaries for postdoctoral researchers, technical staff, and PhD students
- Running costs (consumables, travel, data generation)
- Equipment up to £50,000
Milestone Reviews: Annual Scientific Milestone Report required

Key Dates:

Outline Submission Deadlines:
- 26 September 2024 → Committee shortlist November 2024
- 2 April 2025 → Committee shortlist June 2025
Full Submission Deadlines:
- 9 January 2025 → Committee review June 2025
- 25 June 2025 → Committee review November 2025

How to Apply & Further Information:

Prepare Outline: Read the Full and Outline Programme Award Guidelines and Grant Conditions on the CRUK website.
Contact Office: At least two months before your chosen outline deadline, email your local Discovery Research Grants Manager (below) for eligibility discussion and application form access.
Submit Outline: Online via Flexi-Grant. If invited, submit a full application at the next full-call date.
Interview: If shortlisted, present to an Expert Review Panel; final decisions by the Discovery Research Committee.

Contacts ([email protected]):

South of England, Wales & London (excl. UCL): Divneet Kaur PhD — Tel 020 3469 8655
Cambridge, Oxford & UCL: Aleksandra Dabrowska PhD — Tel 020 3469 5278
Scotland, NI, North of England & Midlands: Sowmiya Palani PhD — Tel 020 3469 5231