The Cancer Research UK Discovery Programme Award 2026 provides long-term support for established researchers pursuing ambitious and creative programmes addressing fundamental questions in cancer biology and early-stage translational research.
Awards provide up to £2.5 million over five years and may support multidisciplinary teams investigating cancer from molecular and cellular mechanisms through whole-body biology, including novel technologies, imaging, radiotherapy approaches, disease-specific biology, and preclinical research underpinning future therapeutic development. The next outline application deadline is September 29, 2026. (Cancer Research UK)
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants may be scientists, clinicians, or healthcare workers.
- The lead applicant must be based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, or research institution.
- Applicants must hold a post that is fully funded throughout the award period by the relevant Higher Education Funding Council, NHS, or equivalent.
- Previous Cancer Research UK funding is not required.
- Commercial organisations may also participate as collaborators, subject to CRUK funding conditions.
- Researchers receiving core funding from a CRUK institute may not normally apply as lead applicants, but may participate as co-investigators or collaborators.
- Applicants must contact CRUK for an informal and confidential discussion before applying.
Funding Details
- Maximum funding: £2.5 million.
- Duration: Up to 5 years.
- Funding may support postdoctoral researchers.
Deadline
- Current outline round opened: April 1, 2026.
- Outline application deadline: September 29, 2026.
- Committee shortlisting: November 2026.
- Invited full application deadline: January 2027.
- Expert Review Panel interviews: March–April 2027.
- Final committee review: June 2027.
Further Information
- CRUK encourages collaborative and multidisciplinary research programmes.
- Clinical trials and translational research immediately linked to a clinical trial are not suitable for this scheme.
- Assessment considers scientific excellence, innovation, cancer relevance, and alignment with CRUK’s research strategy.
- Official program page: View the official website
- Contact: discovery@cancer.org.uk.