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Therapeutic Catalyst

Cancer Research UK

This scheme provides opportunities to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into novel cancer therapeutics.

Key information

Timelines

Applications are reviewed three times per year. Upcoming application deadline: 25 September 2026

Funding period

Between 12 and 24 months, depending on award type

Funding amount

Up to £250K or £350k per project, depending on award type

About the scheme

We’re expanding the translational opportunities available to academic researchers, enabling you to take your research idea from the laboratory through to patients with a single funder and partner. Our Therapeutic Catalyst awards are focused on new ways to treat adult cancers using antibody-based therapeutics or small molecule approaches spanning the whole range of formats within these modalities. Projects are run collaboratively by an academic laboratory and Cancer Research Horizons' team of over 180 experienced drug discovery scientists. Before making an application, we strongly recommend that you discuss the project with a member of our Therapeutic Translation team within Cancer Research Horizons. They can support you with advice on the available schemes and the application process.

Therapeutic Catalyst categories

Target Award

This award can provide funding of up to £250k for 12 - 18 months.

It is focused on one of two areas:

cancer target identification – using novel model systems and/or analytical methods

validation of novel cancer targets – including insights into cancer target dependency and clinical positioning

Such projects may include collaborative approaches with our Functional Genomics Centre which uses leading CRISPR methodologies.

Early Therapy Award

This award can provide funding of up to £350K for 18 - 24 months.

It is focused on:

hit identification enabling work

experimental assessment of druggability (e.g. by fragment screening)

further development of an early therapeutic project

Therapeutic Discovery Partnerships

In addition to grant funding, we also offer multi-year collaborations on therapeutic discovery projects. We co-develop a therapeutic approach or explore a series of targets alongside you, contributing funding and providing access to our in-house drug discovery expertise and resources.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong relevance to cancer research (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is the single most important success factor.

Competitive proposals should directly address important questions in:

Cancer biology
Cancer genetics and genomics
Tumor immunology
Cancer prevention
Early detection
Precision oncology
Translational oncology
Clinical trials
Cancer epidemiology
Population sciences
Cancer data science
Survivorship
Cancer treatment

Projects without a clear and substantial focus on cancer are generally not competitive.

2. Scientific excellence and significance (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

CRUK consistently places scientific quality at the center of its review process.

Competitive proposals should demonstrate:

An important unanswered question
Strong biological or clinical rationale
Significant potential to advance cancer research
Clear hypotheses
High scientific ambition

Reviewers evaluate whether the research could make a meaningful contribution to the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer.

3. Innovation and originality (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Innovation is a defining feature of successful CRUK applications.

Competitive proposals frequently include:

Novel biological concepts
New therapeutic targets
Advanced genomics
Artificial intelligence
Spatial biology
Single-cell technologies
Early detection technologies
Precision medicine
Innovative clinical trial designs

CRUK's Pioneer Awards and Innovation Awards specifically support bold, unconventional, and high-risk/high-reward ideas.

4. Clear patient benefit and translational potential (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

One of CRUK's defining priorities is ensuring that research ultimately benefits patients.

Competitive proposals clearly explain how the work could lead to:

Earlier diagnosis
Better treatments
Improved survival
Reduced toxicity
Better quality of life
Improved healthcare delivery

Even discovery science should articulate a realistic pathway toward future patient benefit.

5. Rigorous methodology and feasibility (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Successful applications demonstrate:

Robust experimental design
Appropriate statistical methods
Clearly defined objectives
Realistic milestones
Risk management
Feasible timelines

Reviewers expect ambitious yet technically credible research.

6. Outstanding investigator and leadership potential (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

For fellowships and career-development awards, reviewers strongly evaluate the applicant.

Competitive investigators demonstrate:

Excellent publication record
Scientific independence
Leadership potential
Strong career trajectory
Commitment to cancer research

For Programme Awards, reviewers additionally assess the leadership of the principal investigator and the strength of the research team.

7. Excellent research environment and institutional support (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive proposals benefit from:

Outstanding host institution
Access to core facilities
Multidisciplinary collaborations
Institutional commitment
Strong mentoring (for fellowships)
Clinical infrastructure (where relevant)

The quality of the research environment is a key consideration across many CRUK funding schemes.

8. Collaboration and multidisciplinary science (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

CRUK increasingly encourages collaboration across disciplines.

Competitive teams often include:

Cancer biologists
Clinicians
Bioinformaticians
Engineers
Data scientists
Statisticians
Imaging specialists
Population scientists

Collaborative research is particularly important for translational and clinical programs.

9. Potential to transform cancer research or clinical practice (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

CRUK seeks research capable of producing major advances.

Competitive projects demonstrate potential to:

Change clinical practice
Inform treatment guidelines
Enable new therapies
Launch clinical trials
Influence public health policy
Transform scientific understanding

Transformative impact is valued across both basic and clinical research programs.

10. Patient and public involvement (PPI) where appropriate (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

For many translational, clinical, prevention, and population studies, CRUK encourages meaningful involvement of patients and the public.

Strong applications may include:

Patient advisory groups
Public involvement in study design
Research priority setting
Dissemination to patient communities

For relevant funding schemes, high-quality PPI strengthens the overall impact and relevance of the proposal.

Specialties

Cancer

Oncology

Eligibility Requirements

You can apply for any of our Therapeutic Catalyst awards if you are an academic researcher based at any university or research institute world-wide. You should also have your own lab and/or perform independent research.

This scheme is open to global applications.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Cancer Research UK

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.

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