# 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:** Biannual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/career-establishment-award
**Last verified:** 5 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

For new independent group leaders (scientists; clinicians no longer eligible from May 2026) based at a UK university, medical school, hospital or research institution with a fully-funded salary. 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.

---

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.