Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme

About this scheme

This programme aims to help develop the next generation of Black leaders in cancer research.

Eligibility

Our programme is aimed at students from Black heritage backgrounds pursuing a PhD in cancer-related fields.  This scheme is open to people who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background, for example: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds).

You must also meet the general entry requirements for the PhD programme at a Cancer Research UK Centre, which typically include:

• hold or expect to graduate with a first or upper-second class undergraduate honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (or equivalent from a non-UK university)
• have appropriate research experience as part of, or outside of, an undergraduate or masters degree course in a relevant subject
• meet English language requirements as set by host institution

Please read our frequently asked questions for more information on eligibility.

About the programme

As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research, we have developed this programme in consultation with our research community and in close collaboration with our expert partners, Black in Cancer and the Windsor Fellowship.

We plan to grow the programme over time and will review it to consider expanding eligibility to other groups which are also underrepresented in our research community.

Read our interview with the programme leads to find out how programmes like this can help create a more diverse and inclusive research community.

What is funded

You will be provided with:

• a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship (non-clinical) according to our standard PhD funding rates including stipend, research consumables and UK home tuition fees
• a place on one of the doctoral training programmes at one of our Centres
• a comprehensive programme of mentoring, career support, leadership training and networking led by the Windsor Fellowship and Black in Cancer, in addition to the support provided by our Centres, to drive your career forward and realise your full potential to beat cancer

Four studentship places are available for our third round starting in September 2025. Two of these will be at our City of London Centre and two at our Cambridge Centre.