The Cancer Research UK Prevention and Population Programme Award 2026 provides long-term support for ambitious, multidisciplinary research programmes with the potential to transform cancer prevention and population research.
Researchers can apply for up to £2.5 million over five years for programmes spanning cancer epidemiology and aetiology, precision prevention, behavioural and lifestyle interventions, prevention trials, screening, methodology, and policy research. The current outline application deadline is September 11, 2026.
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 demonstrate the ability to lead an independent research group and multidisciplinary programme.
- Research teams may involve investigators from multiple UK institutions.
- International and commercial organisations may participate as co-investigators or collaborators in supporting roles.
- Previous CRUK grant or fellowship recipients may apply, although applicants cannot remain an active CRUK fellow during a Programme Award.
- The host institution must provide sufficient research space, infrastructure, and resources.
- Part-time and flexible working arrangements may be considered with approval from the host institution and CRUK.
Funding Details
- Funding amount: Up to £2.5 million.
- Duration: Up to 5 years.
- Funding is subject to an annual scientific milestone review.
- Equipment costing up to £50,000 may be requested.
Deadline
- Outline application deadline: September 11, 2026.
- Outline committee review: November 2026.
- Invited full applications open: November 2026.
- Full application deadline: January 2027.
- Final committee review: May 2027.
Further Information
- Translational projects may develop new prevention targets, agents, strategies, and precision-prevention approaches.
- The programme supports risk stratification and prevention studies, including identification of high-risk populations.
- Behavioural and lifestyle research may address tobacco, alcohol, physical activity, obesity, sedentary behaviour, and UV exposure.
- CRUK strongly welcomes PhD studentships as part of the programme’s research capacity-building component.
- Applicants must contact CRUK before applying for an informal and confidential discussion and are advised to do so at least one month before the deadline.
- Official program page: View the official website
- Contact: pprc@cancer.org.uk.