# Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst

**Funder:** Cancer Research UK
**Budget:** Up to £250k
**Duration:** Up to 18 months
**Consortium:** Required - collaborative project between applicant's academic lab and Cancer Research Horizons Therapeutic Innovation team
**Application:** 2-stage: expression of interest → full proposal (by invitation)
**Frequency:** Biennial
**Next round:** 2026-10
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/childhood-cancer-therapeutic-catalyst
**Last updated:** 6 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds early drug discovery/translational research for novel therapeutics in childhood and young people's cancers, run collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons' Therapeutic Innovation team. Open to academic researchers worldwide with their own lab; excludes basic/discovery research and full hit-finding/clinical development activities.

## Summary

The Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst accelerates translation of discovery research into novel therapeutics for children and young people with cancer, offering up to £250,000 per project over 18 months. The call targets researchers in paediatric oncology working to bridge basic science and clinical translation within the UK. Expressions of interest are reviewed twice per year, with the next deadline in October 2026.

## Who should apply

- Researchers working on paediatric oncology translational projects
- Based at UK institutions with access to clinical or preclinical paediatric cancer research facilities
- Teams bridging discovery science and therapeutic development for children and young people with cancer
- Applicants with a clear pathway from initial findings to therapeutic translation within 18 months

## Key dates

- Expression of interest deadline: October 2026
- Reviewed twice per year, with subsequent rounds throughout 2026 and beyond
- Up to 18-month project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Focus the expression of interest on unmet therapeutic needs in paediatric oncology and how your discovery directly addresses them.
- Emphasise timeline and milestones within the 18-month window; reviewers prioritise projects with clear translational momentum.
- Partner letters from clinicians or pharmaceutical collaborators strengthen the case that your work will genuinely move toward a therapeutic.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst fund?

Up to £250,000 per project.

### How long is a Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst award?

Projects run for up to 18 months.

### Who is eligible for the Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst?

Researchers at UK institutions working on translational research in paediatric oncology.

### When is the next deadline for the Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst?

The next expression of interest deadline is October 2026; the call is reviewed twice per year.

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

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