# Career Establishment Award

**Funder:** Cancer Research UK
**Budget:** Up to £1m
**Deadline:** 1 October 2026 (Outline application deadline; full application deadline Feb 2027, interview/committee review May 2027)
**Duration:** 6 years (or part-time equivalent)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → full application + interview
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/career-establishment-award
**Last updated:** 30 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

For new group leaders (scientists, not clinicians) with a salaried independent position at a UK university, medical school, hospital or research institution. Applicant must be sole PI. Covers cancer-relevant basic, preclinical, imaging, radiotherapy, EPS, population, and early detection research. Equipment costs capped at £25k; relocation up to £1k.

## Summary

Cancer Research UK's Career Establishment Award funds up to £1 million over six years for researchers establishing independent cancer research groups in the UK. Eligible applicants are early-career scientists within the first few years of leading their own group, based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, or research institution on a fully-funded salary. The call covers cancer-relevant basic, preclinical, imaging, radiotherapy, engineering, physical sciences, population, and early-detection research, and runs biannually.

## Who should apply

- New independent group leaders (scientists) within the early-career stage
- Researchers based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, or recognised research institution
- Applicants on a fully-funded salary who are sole PI
- Cancer-relevant projects in basic, preclinical, imaging, radiotherapy, engineering, physical sciences, population, or early-detection research
- Researchers not eligible for clinician-track awards from May 2026 onwards

## Key dates

- Outline application deadline 1 October 2026
- Full application deadline February 2027; interviews and committee review May 2027
- Six-year project duration (or part-time equivalent)
- Biannual call cycle

## Tips for applicants

- The outline stage is selective; focus on clarity and feasibility over ambition in the short format, then expand the research scope in the full application.
- Equipment costs are capped at £25,000; plan justified core equipment in the outline and leave non-essential instrumentation for future grants.
- Ensure your salary is documented as fully-funded before submission, applications from researchers without confirmed funding will be desk-rejected.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much is the Career Establishment Award and how long does it last?

Up to £1 million over six years (or part-time equivalent).

### Who is eligible for the Career Establishment Award?

New independent group leaders (scientists, not clinicians from May 2026 onwards) based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, or research institution with a fully-funded salary, applying as sole PI.

### What types of cancer research does the Career Establishment Award fund?

Cancer-relevant basic, preclinical, imaging, radiotherapy, engineering, physical sciences, population, and early-detection research.

### Is there a cap on equipment costs?

Yes, equipment costs are limited to £25,000; relocation costs are capped at £1,000.

### How many stages does the application have?

Two stages: outline application (deadline 1 October 2026), then full application and interview (deadline February 2027, interviews May 2027).

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/cancer-research-uk-career-establishment-award-2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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