# Spotlight Call: Tackling Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers of Unmet Need through Clinical Research

**Funder:** Cancer Research UK
**Application:** Applications reviewed via standard Clinical Research Committee (CRC) review process
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/clinical-research-funding-scheme
**Last updated:** 7 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Clinical research funding for pancreatic, liver, oesophageal and gastric cancer, covering clinical trials, sample collection and experimental medicine awards, submitted via the clinical research funding scheme and reviewed by the CRC.

## Summary

This Cancer Research UK Spotlight Call funds clinical research into pancreatic, liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers, areas the funder flags as having unmet clinical need. It supports clinical trials, sample collection studies and experimental medicine awards, submitted through CRUK's standard clinical research funding scheme and reviewed by the Clinical Research Committee (CRC). Funding rounds run twice a year on a continuous basis, so there is no single annual deadline to work around.

## Who should apply

- Clinical researchers based at UK institutions
- Investigators working on pancreatic, liver, oesophageal or gastric cancer
- Teams proposing clinical trials, sample collection studies or experimental medicine awards
- Applicants able to submit via CRUK's standard clinical research funding scheme

## Key dates

- Funding rounds held twice a year, with continuous call frequency
- Applications reviewed via the standard Clinical Research Committee (CRC) review process

## Tips for applicants

- Frame the proposal around unmet clinical need in these four cancer types, CRUK created this Spotlight Call specifically because standard schemes underfund them.
- Use the standard clinical research funding scheme application route rather than a bespoke form, since review follows the normal CRC process.
- Because rounds run twice yearly, time submission to the nearer CRC review cycle rather than waiting for a fixed annual date.

## Frequently asked questions

### What cancers does the CRUK Spotlight Call fund?

It funds clinical research into pancreatic, liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers.

### How often can I apply to the CRUK Spotlight Call?

Funding rounds are held twice a year and the call runs continuously, so there is no single fixed annual deadline.

### What types of research does this call support?

It covers clinical trials, sample collection studies and experimental medicine awards.

### Who reviews applications to the Spotlight Call?

Applications are submitted via the standard clinical research funding scheme and reviewed by CRUK's Clinical Research Committee (CRC).

### Is the CRUK Spotlight Call open to researchers outside the UK?

Eligibility is listed for Great Britain (GB)-based applicants.

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

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