Early Detection and Diagnosis Programme Award

Grant opportunity

Application deadline: 11 Sep 2025

Institute: CRUK
Country: UK
More information: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes/early-detection-and-diagnosis-programme-award

This scheme funds long-term, integrated and renewable programmes of exceptional science to transform how and when early cancers and pre-cancerous states are diagnosed. 

At a glance: 

Eligibility
You must be:

• A scientist, clinician or healthcare worker
• Based at a UK university, medical school, hospital, CRUK Institute or other research institution for the duration of the award
• Able to demonstrate extensive postdoctoral experience and ability to successfully run an independent research group

Scientific remit
Early detection and diagnosis (ED&D) research seeks to detect and diagnose consequential precancerous changes and cancer at the earliest possible point at which an intervention might be made, reducing the burden of late-stage disease.

ED&D programmes will support discovery and translational/clinical research which is mindful of the clinical and population context.

The remit of these awards includes:

• Identification and validation of ED&D markers and understanding of disease trajectory
• Identification of high-risk groups for early detection and diagnosis research and implementation
• Data and computation-driven approaches to ED&D
• Development and use of appropriate preclinical model systems
• ED&D technology development
• Non-confirmatory clinical trials of early detection/diagnostic technologies or approaches
• Health systems research for ED&D
• Research into clinician behaviour and decision support for ED&D
• Evaluation of impact of early detection and diagnosis policies and interventions
• Research to understand and intervene in the behaviour of the public to enhance early detection and diagnosis
• Research into the health economics of ED&D of cancer 

Programme Awards provide long-term support for broad, ambitious, multi-stranded programmes where the various work streams coordinate and integrate to address a central theme, asking an interrelated set of questions. They aim to encourage the research community to think bigger.

While the programme will have defined objectives, the expectation is that not all the questions will necessarily be conclusively answered within the tenure of the award, hence the opportunity for renewal of the programme. Parts of the programme may be a continuation of current activity; other elements should start new lines of enquiry.

What is funded
Awards are made up to £2.5 million for up to 5 years, and can be used to fund:

• Postdoctoral researchers
• PhD students (stipend, fees and running expenses)
• Technical staff
• Running expenses
• Equipment

The award cannot be used to fund the salary of the Principal Investigator.

The deadline to submit your application is 11 September 2025. Click the link above for further details!

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