Latest news:
Cambridge and Dundee are the latest locations to join the Cancer Research UK Centres UK-wide network.
About the Centres
Over the next five years, we will be establishing up to twenty Cancer Research UK Centres across the UK. The Centres Initiative is one of our highest priority strategic initiatives and is vital to help deliver our 10 goals. The initiative plays a major part in our 5-year research strategy.
Vision for the Centres
- To develop long-term, sustainable Centres of excellence in cancer, delivering world-class research, improved patient care and greater local engagement.
- To create a national framework through which together we can achieve our goals.
The Centres will not be new buildings, but instead are 'virtual' partnerships working on a local level with other charities, universities, cancer networks and NHS Trust(s), and on a national level with government and industry.
We hope that these partnerships will help deliver our 2020 goals and to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.
Aims of the Centres:
- To enhance cancer research in the UK.
- To ensure that cancer research feeds through to improved patient care and public health.
- To train the clinical and non-clinical research workforce of the future.
- To ensure a broad research coverage across the UK (geography, cancer types, treatment types, and research areas).
- To expand public engagement and local fundraising.
The Centres will not be:
New buildings
- The Centres will be 'virtual' centres bringing together different people and organisations to work towards a joint cancer research strategy.
Direct extensions of existing clinical centres
- Cancer Research UK Centres are different from our existing network of clinical centres. Importantly, they will be more comprehensive and involve a wider range of stakeholders.
Funded in the same way as most Cancer Research UK research grants.
- Each Cancer Research UK Centre will be different, and will be funded according to its own strategy.
Potential Centres across the UK have already been visited and Cancer Research UK is in the process of working with each location to develop their Centre strategies.
It is increasingly important for Cancer Research UK to demonstrate its local relevance. Our Local Engagement and Development (LEAD) team will be working to promote fundraising and other activities in each location.
For example, the LEAD team will be working to strengthen partnerships between local staff, volunteers and researchers to ensure that our scientists are aware of opportunities to get involved and that they have the support they need.
If you have any questions about the Cancer Research UK Centres, please contact the Centres Team on centres@cancer.org.uk
