The Cancer Research UK Career Establishment Award is a funding scheme to support promising new group leaders establishing independent research groups. This award is specifically for researchers who already hold a salaried independent position at a UK university or research institute. The scheme is open to various research areas within Cancer Research UK's funding remit, excluding interventional clinical studies/trials and drug discovery.

Scope of Work

The award funds researchers to develop their research programs and build their teams. The research can cover a wide range of topics related to cancer, including:

• Basic cancer biology

• Early diagnosis

• Cancer prevention

• Mechanisms of cancer development

• New therapeutic targets

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Career Establishment Award, you must:

• Hold a full-time, fully funded post at a UK university or research institute for the duration of the award.

• Have dedicated space and facilities to run an independent research group.

• Demonstrate the skills and experience outlined for the "establishing independence" career stage in Cancer Research UK's Fellowships Competency Framework.

• Clinicians must have completed specialist training, including a PhD or MD, and have postdoctoral research experience.

You are not eligible if you:

• Have already received Fellowship funding to set up your research group.

• Hold a core-funded Group Leader position at one of Cancer Research UK's Institutes.

Budget and Duration

• Funding Amount: Typically up to £1 million, covering salaries, running expenses, and equipment for up to two additional research positions.

• Duration: 6 years (or part-time equivalent).

Key Dates

• Preliminary Submission Deadline: October 3, 2024

• Committee Review: December 2024

Application Process

The application process involves two stages:

1. Outline Application: Submit an outline application through the Flexi-Grant system (https://cancerresearchuk.flexigrant.com/). The Research Careers Committee reviews these applications and shortlists candidates for the full application stage.

2. Full Application: Shortlisted candidates submit a full application through Flexi-Grant. This application is reviewed by an Expert Review Panel, followed by an interview. The panel then makes a recommendation to the Research Careers Committee, which makes the final funding decision.

Note: The Research Careers Committee generally only considers two submissions per applicant at the same career stage. Contact the CRUK office before submitting a second application.

Selection Process

The Research Careers Committee evaluates applications based on:

• Scientific quality and originality: The research proposal must have a strong scientific rationale.

• Cancer relevance: The proposed work should contribute to advancing the understanding of cancer or improving diagnosis and treatment.

• Track record: The applicant should have a strong track record and demonstrate the potential to produce outstanding results.

• Research environment and collaborators: The applicant should have access to a suitable research environment, resources, and collaborators.

• Alignment with CRUK's Research Strategy: The research should align with Cancer Research UK's strategic priorities, including a focus on early detection and harder-to-treat cancers.

Contact Information

• For London (except Imperial and ICR), The North East, Scotland, and Northern Ireland:

  • Dr. Catherine Cremona, Research Grants Manager

  • Email: fellowships@cancer.org.uk

• For Cambridge, Oxford, and The South East and West:

  • Eve Riley, Research Grants Manager

  • Email: fellowships@cancer.org.uk

• For London (Imperial and ICR only), The Midlands, The North West, and Wales:

  • Dr. Fran Smith, Research Grants Manager

  • Email: fellowships@cancer.org.uk

• For inquiries about support offered to CRUK Fellows:

  • Dr. Marjolein (Lein) Schaap, Research Programme Manager

  • Email: fellowships@cancer.org.uk

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.