# Therapeutic Catalyst - Target Award

**Funder:** Cancer Research UK
**Budget:** Up to £250K
**Deadline:** 5 February 2027 (Further cut-offs 21 May 2027, 17 September 2027)
**Duration:** 12-18 months
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant, collaborative project run with Cancer Research Horizons' drug discovery team
**Application:** 2-stage: expression of interest → full proposal, by invitation only
**Frequency:** Three times per year
**Official call:** https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/therapeutic-catalyst
**Last updated:** 25 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds cancer target identification or validation using novel model systems, antibody or small molecule approaches for adult cancers. Open to academic researchers worldwide with their own lab; projects run collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons' drug discovery scientists.

## Summary

The Therapeutic Catalyst - Target Award from Cancer Research UK funds cancer target identification or validation work, using novel model systems, antibodies or small molecule approaches, with up to £250K over 12-18 months. It is open to academic researchers worldwide who run their own lab, and projects are developed collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons' in-house drug discovery scientists. The call runs three times a year, with expression-of-interest applications accepted by invitation into full proposal only.

## Who should apply

- Academic researchers who run their own lab, at any career stage stated as eligible
- Institutions anywhere in the world, not limited to the UK
- Projects focused on target identification or validation in adult cancers
- Researchers using novel model systems, antibody or small molecule approaches
- Applicants willing to collaborate directly with Cancer Research Horizons' drug discovery team

## Key dates

- Next deadline 5 February 2027, with further cut-offs 21 May 2027 and 17 September 2027
- Two-stage process: expression of interest, then full proposal by invitation only
- Project duration 12-18 months

## Tips for applicants

- Expression of interest is the gating step, only invited applicants proceed to full proposal, so frame the target rationale and novelty tightly at this stage.
- Highlight how the project will draw on Cancer Research Horizons' drug discovery expertise, since projects are run collaboratively rather than independently.
- With three cut-offs a year, if you miss one deadline the next is only a few months away, use the gap to strengthen model system or validation data.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Therapeutic Catalyst - Target Award pay?

Up to £250,000 for a project lasting 12-18 months.

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

Academic researchers worldwide who run their own lab and work on target identification or validation for adult cancers.

### Is a consortium required for this award?

No, it's for individual applicants, though the project is run collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons' drug discovery team.

### How many times a year can I apply?

The call runs three times a year, with cut-offs on 5 February 2027, 21 May 2027 and 17 September 2027.

### What is the application process for this award?

It's a two-stage process: an expression of interest followed by a full proposal, submitted only by invitation.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/cancer-research-uk-therapeutic-catalyst-target-award-2027-02) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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