Programme grants are intended to provide long-term support for broad, multidisciplinary research where the aim is to answer an interrelated set of questions. They are awarded to outstanding individuals with an established scientific track record and are generally intended to be held for five years.
Research Areas
The Biological Sciences Committee (BSC)considers applications in the following areas:
- Cancer genetics, genomics and genetic epidemiology
- Cell and molecular biology of cancer
- Immunology
- Tumour biology
This excludes clinical trials and research programmes/projects falling within the remits of the Population Research Committee and the Clinical and Translational Research Committee and its sub-Committees, and research which is primarily focused on drug discovery, imaging, surgery or radiotherapy.
Applications are judged on the basis of scientific excellence, innovation and relevance to cancer research.
Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from scientists, clinicians or health care workers in UK universities, medical schools, hospitals and some research institutions. All applicants for Programme Grant funding are required to discuss their proposal with Cancer Research UK before starting the application process.
The following information should be considered prior to contacting the office:
- All applicants for programme grants are required to have extensive postdoctoral experience and must be able to show evidence of their ability to successfully run an independent research group.
- Applicants should be contracted to their university, or the NHS and hold an honorary university position, for the duration of the proposed award.
- Research Council employees working in Units or Institutes are only eligible to apply to the Biological Sciences Committee for programme grant funding at the January 2010 meeting. In addition, if you are located within an Institute that is core funded by another research charity or funding body this may affect your eligibility. Please contact the office to discuss your application.
- Conditions apply to applicants who will reach their contractual retirement date during the course of the grant for which they are applying. Please read our policy (this link opens the policy in a PDF file).
Period of Funding
Funding is provided for up to 60 months.
Funding Value
The level of financial support requested should be discussed with Cancer Research UK prior to submission.
How to apply
Applicants are required to contact Cancer Research UK to discuss eligibility and the application process before being given access to the on-line application system.
For further information or to register an interest, please email the BSC team and a member of staff will be in touch to discuss the application.
All applications must be made online using the Application Management System (AMS).
Submission deadlines
Forthcoming deadlines for applications are as follows:
| Submission Deadline |
Meeting In |
| Friday 31st July 2009 |
January 2010 |
Friday 30th October 2009 |
April 2010 |
| Friday 23rd April 2010 |
September 2010 |
Additional Information
Review Committee: Biological Sciences Committee
Please note that deadlines are final and we cannot accept applications after 5 p.m. on these dates. Applications will be processed in the order they are received up to the maximum quota for any one meeting. If the pre-set quota is reached before 5 p.m. on the deadline date applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
Contact Details
For enquiries about this scheme, please contact:
Dr Ben Onwuegbusi
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7438 5341
Email: ben.onwuegbusi@cancer.org.uk
