Worldwide Cancer Research has opened its annual 2026 Grant Round, inviting researchers at any career stage from anywhere in the world to submit applications for discovery cancer research funding. The program supports basic, fundamental, or translational projects of 12 to 36 months in length focused on the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of any cancer type, with a maximum budget of £275,000 and a typical three-year award around £200,000. This year’s round opened on March 5, 2026, and will close on April 2, 2026—or earlier if the cap of 500 applications is reached, making early submission strongly advisable. Worldwide Cancer Research funds creative, hypothesis-driven ideas that other funders might overlook, deliberately prioritizing scientific novelty and impact over incremental progress. Note: applicants must register on the new 2026 grants system before submitting, even if they have applied in previous years.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Principal Investigators at any not-for-profit research institution anywhere in the world
- All career stages eligible, from postdoctoral fellows to senior investigators
- No citizenship or residency restrictions
- The PI must hold an employment contract lasting at least the duration of the grant requested
- Research must be discovery/basic/early translational in nature (not late-phase clinical trials)
- Projects must be discrete, hypothesis-driven, and achievable within the funding period requested
- If applying from an institution not yet in the system, contact grants@worldwidecancerresearch.org to be added before submitting
- Research using mammals with special UK protection (cats, dogs, horses, non-human primates) undergoes additional review by the NC3Rs
Funding Details:
- Award range: up to £275,000 (most three-year awards are around £200,000)
- Duration: 12 to 36 months
- Funds may cover staff salaries, consumables, equipment, and other direct research costs
- No commercial transfer of grant funds permitted
- No-cost extensions of one year may be requested
- Worldwide Cancer Research is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and follows AMRC peer-review standards
Deadline:
- Application window: Open now — March 5, 2026 through April 2, 2026 (or earlier if 500-application cap is reached)
- Daily updated application count published on the funder’s website; early submission strongly encouraged
- All applicants must register on the new 2026 grants system before submitting
- Shortlisted applications will proceed to external peer review; full timeline published in the 2026 Application Handbook
Contact / Further Information: