Cancer Research UK’s Clinical Research Funding Scheme supports investigator-led clinical trials, experimental medicine studies, and clinical research in cancer. The scheme uses a modular framework covering clinical trials, experimental medicine, and biomarker development—and applications may combine modules where justified. CRUK prioritizes proposals in cancers of unmet need, rare cancers, and childhood/young people’s cancers. This scheme operates a closed round and requires mandatory pre-application contact with CRUK. Applications are reviewed twice per year by CRUK’s Clinical Research Committee.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, UKCRC registered clinical trials unit, or recognized research institution
- All applications must have a UKCRC registered clinical trials unit coordinating the study or associated clinical trial
- Proposal must be investigator-led (not industry-led)
- Must contact CRUK for informal discussion ideally one month (minimum two weeks) before the outline deadline
- Applicant does not need to be the PI of an ongoing CRUK-funded grant to apply
- All proposals should outline activities to ensure diversity and inclusion in trial design and recruitment
Funding Details:
- Duration: typically up to 10 years (project-dependent; longer durations considered with justification)
- Award covers eligible research costs including staff, consumables, and other directly incurred costs
- Research Part A costs for NHS studies funded in line with AcoRD guidance
- International trial costs not covered (UK participation costs are eligible)
Deadline:
- Outline application deadline: March 27, 2026 (must contact CRUK at least 2 weeks before submitting)
- Full applications by invitation following outline review
- Submit through Flexi-Grant (CRUK’s online grants management system)
Where to Go for Further Information
- Program details.
- Contact (pre-application eligibility check): researchfunding@cancer.org.uk