Applications
Learn how to submit an EOI for one of our seven new challenges. Submissions are due by 18 June 2025.
Our process
Now accepting Expressions of Interest
We recently launched seven new challenges and are currently accepting Expressions of Interest from global, interdisciplinary research teams to take them on. Each successful team will be awarded up to £20m ($25m). Submissions are due by 18 June 2025.
Learn more How we set challenges and award core funding
1. We engage with the global community to stimulate debate on topics for potential new challenges.
2. The Scientific Committee recommends a small number of challenges to Cancer Research UK, which can span any problem relating to understanding, preventing, detecting or treating cancer. Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute make the final decision on which challenges should be posed to the research community.
3. We announce the challenges and invite researchers from across the globe to form new, interdisciplinary and international teams and submit a short Expression of Interest to take on one of these challenges.
4. The Scientific Committee makes recommendations to Cancer Research UK on a shortlist of the best applicant teams. Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute agree on which of these teams are shortlisted, and invited to submit a more detailed proposal and attend an in-person interview. Each shortlisted team receives seed funding to develop its application.
5. Following the interviews, the Scientific Committee makes recommendations to Cancer Research UK on which teams are of the highest quality for Cancer Grand Challenges funding. Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute agree which of these teams can be funded.
6. We provide funding, at scale, to the successful teams, over several years, to address their challenges.
