# Therapeutic Catalyst – Target Award

**Funder:** Cancer Research UK
**Budget:** Up to £250k
**Deadline:** 25 September 2026
**Duration:** 12–18 months
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** 2-stage: expression of interest → full proposal
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/therapeutic-catalyst
**Last verified:** 12 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to academic researchers worldwide with an independent lab. Focused on cancer target identification or validation of novel cancer targets using novel model systems/analytical methods. Projects run collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons. Not suitable for fundamental biology, gene-silencing-only approaches in commercial cell lines, or clinical-trial-enabling studies.

## Summary

The Therapeutic Catalyst, Target Award funds cancer researchers to identify and validate novel drug targets using innovative model systems and analytical methods, offering up to £250k over 12-18 months. The call targets independent academic researchers worldwide and requires collaborative partnership with Cancer Research Horizons, the drug discovery arm of Cancer Research UK. Projects that are purely fundamental biology, gene-silencing-only work in commercial cell lines, or clinical-trial-enabling studies are explicitly out of scope.

## Who should apply

- Independent academic researchers with an established lab
- Cancer researchers focused on target identification or validation
- Teams ready to collaborate with Cancer Research Horizons from proposal design onward
- Projects employing novel model systems or analytical methods to de-risk target selection

## Key dates

- Expression of interest deadline: 25 September 2026
- Two-stage process: EOI followed by full proposal
- Project duration: 12-18 months

## Tips for applicants

- Engage Cancer Research Horizons early, they assess feasibility and de-risking, not just novelty; build the partnership into your EOI narrative.
- Emphasise the target validation angle; this award rewards evidence of clinical relevance, not blue-sky biology.
- Avoid gene-silencing-only designs in standard cell lines, the panel will screen these out; demonstrate technical innovation in your model system or readout.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the Therapeutic Catalyst, Target Award provide?

Up to £250,000 per project.

### Who is eligible for the Therapeutic Catalyst, Target Award?

Academic researchers worldwide with an independent lab, working on cancer target identification or validation with novel model systems or analytical methods.

### Is this a collaborative grant?

Yes, all projects must run collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research UK's drug discovery partner.

### What research types are not eligible?

Fundamental biology, gene-silencing-only approaches in commercial cell lines, and clinical-trial-enabling studies are out of scope.

### How long does the application process take?

It is a two-stage process: first an expression of interest, then a full proposal stage for shortlisted teams.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/cancer-research-uk-therapeutic-catalyst-target-award-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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