Cancer Research UK
Clinical Research Funding Scheme
Full application deadline; outline deadline was 7 Sept 2026. Applications reviewed twice per year.
Last updated:
Cancer Research UK's Clinical Research Funding Scheme supports investigator-led clinical trials and associated translational research in cancer, with flexible budgets and durations of up to 10 years. The scheme is open to UK-based researchers at universities, hospitals, medical schools, and UKCRC-registered clinical trial units. All trials must be coordinated by a UKCRC-registered CTU and industry-sponsored trials are ineligible.
Details
| Funder | Cancer Research UK |
| Budget | Flexible; module dependent |
| Deadline | 3 December 2026 |
| Duration | Up to 10 years (longer durations considered if justified) |
| Consortium | Optional — UKCRC registered clinical trials unit must co-ordinate the clinical trial/study; exceptions possible for small-scale non-interventional studies and certain biomarker assay validation studies |
| Application | 3-stage: Expression of interest → Outline application (Flexi-Grant) → Full application (Flexi-Grant). Outline shortlisting leads to full application in subsequent round. |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Open to researchers at any career stage based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, UKCRC registered clinical trials unit or research institution. Supports high-quality clinical trials, experimental medicine, and sample collection modules. Proposals must be investigator-led. Pre-application contact with CRUK required at least 2 weeks before deadline. Industry-sponsored trials ineligible.
Who Should Apply
- •UK-based investigators at universities, medical schools, hospitals, or UKCRC-registered clinical trial units
- •Researchers designing investigator-led clinical trials in cancer
- •Applicants with trials coordinated by a UKCRC-registered CTU
- •Teams with translational or experimental medicine components alongside the trial
Key Dates
- •Outline application deadline 7 September 2026
- •Full application deadline 3 December 2026 (closed round; contact clinicalresearch@cancer.org.uk at least 2 weeks prior)
- •Up to 10-year project duration (longer durations considered if justified)
Tips for Applicants
- ✓All proposals require coordination by a UKCRC-registered CTU; confirm this is in place before outlining.
- ✓Contact clinicalresearch@cancer.org.uk at least two weeks before the full application deadline; this is a closed round with pre-registration requirement.
- ✓The two-stage format means outline feedback is minimal, use the outline to confirm eligibility and CTU support rather than seek detailed critique.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of cancer research does this scheme fund?
Investigator-led clinical trials and associated translational or experimental medicine research in cancer. Industry-sponsored trials are ineligible.
What is the budget for Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Funding?
Budgets are flexible and module-dependent; there is no stated cap. Durations of up to 10 years are supported, with longer periods considered if justified.
Who can apply for this scheme?
UK-based investigators at universities, medical schools, hospitals, UKCRC-registered clinical trial units, or other recognised research institutions.
Do I need a clinical trial unit to apply?
Yes; all applications must have a UKCRC-registered CTU coordinating the trial or study.
What is the outline deadline?
The outline application deadline is 7 September 2026; the full application deadline is 3 December 2026.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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