Future Leaders

Cancer Grand Challenges Future Leaders are early career researchers (postdocs, PhD students, junior group leaders, assistant professors and other roles) and key members of our funded teams and global community, making significant contributions to tackling their teams' challenge. In addition to being exposed to exceptional cancer research by working with research leaders across the globe, they gain access to training in cutting-edge scientific techniques across disciplines and research groups within their Cancer Grand Challenges team.

We already support a cohort of more than 400 graduate students and post-doctoral researchers across more than 10 countries worldwide, and this number is growing. Through our international reach as well as the quality and breadth of our research, we provide a unique global platform to train and develop these future generations of cancer research leaders.

Importantly, our Future Leaders receive an unparalleled opportunity to network with peers worldwide, exchange ideas and form international collaborations early in their scientific training, as well as access to a network of global cancer research leaders that form Cancer Grand Challenges. They will carry these connections forward as they mature into independent researchers.

Annual Future Leaders' Conference

Thanks to the generosity of The Bjorn and Inger Saven Future Leaders Fund, every year 100 Future Leaders from across the globe are invited to attend the Cancer Grand Challenges Future Leaders' Conference. The programme includes scientific sessions, plenary talks from established leaders in the field, career development sessions and a busy networking and social programme. 

Monthly webinar series: Frontiers in Cancer Research

This series provides an environment for Future Leaders to present and seek feedback on projects and boost interactions and collaboration between Cancer Grand Challenges teams. It also offers a platform for attendees to expand their understanding in different research areas, learn from experts in various disciplines and explore new avenues of research.