The Office of Foundation Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute.
UCSC Contact: Samantha Forde |forde@ucsc.edu
Funder: Cancer Research UK and National Cancer Institute
Opportunity: Cancer Grand Challenges
EOI Due: June 18, 2025
Overview
Cancer Grand Challenges supports a global community of world-class, interdisciplinary research teams to come together, think differently, and take on some of cancer’s toughest challenges, with the ultimate aim of transforming outcomes for people affected by cancer.
Cancer Grand Challenges are intended to transform cancer research, through proposals presenting bold, innovative solutions to the challenges, and evidence that applicants have actively sought out new, collaborations that will bring fresh thinking to these problems. The Cancer Grand Challenges initiative supports teams involving investigators from institutions across the globe and from different disciplines. Proposals will drive global collaboration and bring together scientifically diverse expertise in a way that is not already happening. Including non-traditional disciplines is encouraged, both to drive the development of novel technologies or methodologies and to incorporate thinking from other fields that has not yet been applied to cancer. Teams will involve individuals with the potential to become future leaders in cancer research, as well as people affected by cancer, to support efforts to ensure the needs of patients are heard and understood.
New 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
Please see the complete guidelines here.
Eligibility Requirements for Teams
- Be international in nature, with no more than 70% of the activity (and funding) being based in a single country;
- Comprise a scientifically diverse, interdisciplinary group of investigators, each of whom has a demonstrated record of accomplishments in advancing their respective fields;
- Incorporate training for future leaders in cancer research;
- Each team must have one Team Lead;
- Teams should include multiple Co-Investigators;
- Applicants must look for opportunities to involve advocates for people affected by cancer (patients, survivors, caregivers) in their research.
Award Amount & Terms
- up to £20 million for the direct costs
- The Terms and Conditions of Cancer Grand Challenges funding, and policies affecting awards, are set out in a series of documents, updated versions of which will be shared with shortlisted teams.
Timeline
- June 18, 2025 Expression of Interest due
- July 2025 Shortlisted teams are notified and given seed funding to support submission of a full application
- October 23, 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 announced at the Cancer Grand Challenges Summit
Special Instructions
Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (fr@ucsc.edu). For support developing your proposal, please contact the Research Development Specialist assigned to your unit or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu. Within the Division of Social Sciences, please contact Ashlee Tews (ashleeac@ucsc.edu).
The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Advancement. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations and corporations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits. For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website: FR Calls for Funding.