Cancer Research UK has introduced a new policy for supporting PhD/MD level clinical research training through the development of Clinical Training Accounts (CTA) within its newly established Cancer Centres; the philosophy of which is outlined below.
This will affect all clinicians seeking funding for a Clinical Research Training Fellowship after 1 April 2009, at which point the CTA will be the sole source of support for fellows at this level. Consequently, Cancer Research UK will not be running the annual competitive Clinical Research Training Fellowship scheme again after the current round of applications (the closing date for which was the 8 September 2008).
The establishment of Cancer Research UK Cancer Centres
Cancer Research UK and its predecessors have had a long-standing history of training and developing successful scientists and doctors. We are committed to training the next generation of researchers, upon whom we are dependent to deliver our vision: "Together we will beat cancer".
Cancer Research UK has been working in partnership with universities, NHS Trusts/Boards, and other funding partners across the UK to establish a network of Cancer Research UK Centres. These Centres will be:
- Long-term, sustainable centres of excellence in cancer, delivering world-class research, improved patient care and greater local engagement.
- The national framework through which the Charity hopes to achieve its 2020 goals.
The Centres will be inclusive, bringing together cancer researchers across all disciplines to work together to an agreed overarching strategy and for the long-term benefit of people affected by cancer.
The increasingly interdisciplinary nature and growing challenges of cancer research demand a new approach towards the training of future cancer researchers. They should be equipped with a much broader range of skills and expertise, which we believe can best be delivered through a comprehensive approach to training.
Cancer Research UK Centres will become the major foci for our investment in training. Successful centres are expected to provide an integrated and comprehensive training programme for scientists and clinicians.
We will monitor the progress of each Centre's training programme to ensure that cancer research is promoted and encouraged across all disciplines, departments and partner organisations within a Centre, and that they provide the best possible training environment. The training programmes must be equitable and inclusive and take into account all the disciplines represented amongst the members of the Centre.
Please note that the majority of our Cancer Research UK's funding to support research will continue to be awarded through open competition and will not be tied into Centres, i.e., project and programme grants, as well as our other fellowship awards.
For any questions, please email the Personal Funding team, or the Centres team.
