Jul 20, 2025, 09:23

Cancer Immunology Project Awards

The Cancer Immunology Project Awards support immunologists from non-cancer fields to spearhead innovative projects that address fundamental questions in cancer immunology, thereby expanding the UK’s research capacity in this vital area.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicant profile: UK-based scientists, clinicians or healthcare professionals at universities, medical schools, hospitals or eligible research institutes
Lead PI background: Must be an immunologist without an established track record in cancer research
Collaborations: Partnerships with cancer researchers/clinicians are strongly encouraged but not mandatory
Exclusions: Group leaders at CRUK core-funded Institutes or investigators with a demonstrated cancer research history may join as co-investigators but cannot be lead PIs

Scientific Remit:

Proposals must clearly articulate a cancer context and may cover areas such as:

Cellular & molecular immunology: Mechanisms of tolerance, immune regulation, memory formation, tissue interactions and enhancing anti-tumor immunity
Inflammation, allergy, transplantation & autoimmunity: Insights into immune homeostasis, tissue damage sensing and their impact on cancer initiation/progression
Immune response to infection: Host–pathogen dynamics, susceptibility/resistance mechanisms and immune-related adverse events from therapies

Funding Details:

Duration: Up to 3 years
Quantum: Up to £300 000 total, eligible for:
- Researcher and technical staff salaries
- Running expenses (consumables, travel, publication fees)
- Equipment costs
Optional: Opt in to our multi-journal Registered Reports pilot

How to Apply & Further Information:

Pre-application: Email a one-page project summary, potential collaborators list and your CV at least one month before the deadline
Formal application: If invited, submit via Flexi-Grant
Review: Assessed by an Expert Review Panel
Decision: Final funding decisions by the Discovery Research Committee