Postdoctoral Research Bursary for Clinical Trainees

About this scheme
How to apply to this scheme

About this scheme

Key information

Career level

Clinician

Post doc

Early career researcher

Health professional

Research area

All research areas

Early diagnosis

Cancer prevention

Final submission

6 March 2025

Committee review

November 2025

Funding period

up to 2 years

Funding amount

up to £35,000

This award offers funding for clinical trainees to undertake a research project after completion of a PhD.

Eligibility

Applications are considered from any area of our funding remit, with the exception of clinical trials and drug discovery.

You should have:

obtained a higher degree (MD/PhD) in a cancer-relevant research area.
a national training number (NTN or NTN(A)) at the time of award
secured protected time and salary for your research

You should not have held any previous postdoctoral fellowships.

Fellowships must be hosted in a UK University or research institute. Periods of research experience away from the host institution may be requested and must be fully justified.

What is funded

Funding support is provided for:

up to £35,000
up to 2 years support
research expenses and research services (e.g. statistical support, lab technician services, etc)
travel related to the research project or collaborations

The award cannot be used to fund:

the applicant’s salary
course or examination fees

How to apply to this scheme

Overview of the application process

Applications for Research Bursaries are considered twice a year by the Research Careers Committee. Timelines typically follow this schedule, but may vary:

	Application deadline	Funding decisions
	6 March 2025	May 2025
	25 September 2025	November 2025

Before making your application

Guidelines for Postdoctoral Bursary.pdf

Guidelines for Postdoctoral Bursary.pdf
Read Grant conditions (PDF)

If you have questions about the eligibility of your proposal for this scheme, or require any assistance with your application, please contact a Research Grants Manager.

What makes a successful application

We prioritise funding for projects of sufficient scientific quality that focus on cancers of the brain, lung, pancreas and oesophagus.

The 5 year rolling success rate (financial year 2017-2022) from application to funding for this scheme is 47%.

Funding committee reviewing your application

Applications are assessed by the Research Careers Committee

Start your application

Cancer Research UK contact details

Please contact the relevant Research Grants Manager if you have questions about your eligibility or require any assistance with your application or active award.

For London (except Imperial and ICR), The North East, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

Dr Catherine Cremona, Research Grants Manager: fellowships@cancer.org.uk

For Cambridge, Oxford, and The South East and West

Dr Elisabetta Gamen, Research Grants Manager: fellowships@cancer.org.uk

For London (Imperial and ICR only), The Midlands, The North West and Wales

Dr Fran Smith, Research Grants Manager: fellowships@cancer.org.uk

Please contact Dr Marjolein (Lein) Schaap, Research Programme Manager, if you would like to hear more about the support we offer e.g. CRUK Fellow meetings, activities and training, and to share any potential challenges you might face: fellowships@cancer.org.uk

Please refer to the 'How to apply to this scheme tab' for further details and dates for the current funding round.

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