Applications
Information on how to submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) to tackle one of the newest Cancer Grand Challenges.Currently viewing section: The challenges
The challenges
On 5 March 2025, we launched a new set of challenges:
- AI-human collaborations in cancer
- Cancer avoidance
- The dark proteome
- Mechanisms driving mutational signatures
- The nervous system and cancer
- Rewiring cancer cells
- TME dynamics
These challenges are now open for EOIs from global, interdisciplinary research teams for awards of up to £20m ($25m). Please note that submissions are due by 23:59 BST, 18 June 2025.
Key dates
| 5 March 2025 | We launch seven new challenges and open them up to the global research community. |
| 18 June 2025 | EOIs are due. |
| July 2025 | Shortlisted teams are notified and given seed funding to support submission of a full application. |
| September 2025 | Shortlisted teams are publicly announced. |
| 23 October 2025 | Full applications from shortlisted teams are due. |
| December 2025 | Shortlisted teams interview with the Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee. |
| March 2026 | Successful teams are publicly announced at the Cancer Grand Challenges Summit. |
How to submit an EOI
These guidelines contain all you need to know about how to put together an EOI and what we’re looking for from applicant teams.
Prior to submitting your EOI, you will need to be registered with Cancer Research UK’s grants management system, Flexi-Grant.
Once you've completed this questionnaire, an EOI form will be opened for you on Flexi-Grant – or a member of the Cancer Grand Challenges office team will be in touch with any questions about your answers.
The EOI will set out your vision and broad ambition for tackling your selected challenge, and detail the members of your international team.
FAQs
First, through a series of global think tanks held in 2024, we engaged the global community to stimulate debate on topics for potential new challenges.
These think tanks were framed around our Scientific Committee members' recommendations on the most pressing topics in cancer research. We heard from a diverse range of researchers and clinicians to help inspire and hone our thinking around the next set of challenges. Our patient Advocacy Panel members also provided their input.
The Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee then recommended a small number of challenges to Cancer Research UK, after which Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute made the final decision on which challenges should be posed to the research community.
We are inviting global, interdisciplinary teams to submit their Expressions of Interest.
Teams must be international in nature, with no more than 70% of the activity (and funding) being based in a single country. There is no requirement for teams to be led by, or comprise team members, who are based in the UK or US.
We expect a team to include one Team Lead and up to seven Co-Investigators. Applications are welcomed from teams working across a breadth of disciplines, including but not limited to: the biomedical sciences; software development and technology; engineering and physical sciences; and behavioural, health, population and social sciences.
Please see further details in the Expressions of Interest Guidelines.
The number of teams we fund will depend on scientific quality and availability of funds. In previous funding rounds, we have funded 3-5 teams. More than one team may be funded against a single challenge.
Find out more about our active challenges and the teams funded against them.
The Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee assesses the Expressions of Interest received. It then makes recommendations to Cancer Research UK on a shortlist of the best applicant teams.
Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute then 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.
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. Finally, Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute agree which of these teams can be funded.
