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Clinical research

Our approach

We support a diverse pipeline of clinical and translational research that addresses key clinical questions while deepening our understanding of cancer biology, to find better ways to prevent, detect and treat it.

We aim to maximise patient benefit by funding research across the clinical and translational pipeline, including early phase and first-in-human trials, ambitious and innovative trial design, and clinical infrastructure. We're also committed to ensuring that clinical scientists have the support they need to develop a career in clinical research and have a range of opportunities available for researchers at all career stages.

Our single, modular-based funding scheme supports these ambitions by funding high-quality clinical research and associated translational research, as well as the collection of samples and data.

We set out our more detail on our priorities and how we intend to achieve them in our clinical research statement of intent, which is used as a basis for strategic discussion by the Clinical Research Committee.

Explore our fundingRead our clinical research statement of intent

Our Clinical Research Committee

Our Clinical Research Committee oversees our funding and endorsement of investigator-led clinical trials and other research supporting or enabling clinical trials.

Find out more about the committee

Funded research

The committee works with expert review panels, as well as patient and public panels to support research with potential to make a practical impact on clinical practice or policy.

You can find out who we have recently funded for a taste of the kinds of projects we support.

Explore our recently funded awards

Our network

Clinical trials units (CTUs)

Our seven CTUs help investigators design, conduct, analyse and publish clinical trials of all phases that impact the care and outcomes for cancer patients in the UK and around the world.

Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres (ECMC) network

The ECMC network of 17 adult and 12 paediatric centres supports early-phase clinical trials and translational research to develop the cancer drugs of the future.

Our research nurses

Our 15 senior research nurses facilitate the delivery of high-quality clinical trials and are a key interface between researchers, health professionals and people affected by cancer.

Centre for Drug Development (CDD)

The CDD provides expertise and facilities to turn promising research ideas into novel therapeutics, imaging agents, cell therapies, vaccines and targeted small molecules.

News from our research network

Image of multiple brain scans.

Accelerating the search for new glioblastoma treatments

Richard Mair, Juanita Lopez and Nader Sanai talk about the 5G trial - a first-of-its-kind precision adaptive platform trial for glioblastoma. testing existing therapies which have proven safe and effective in other cancers.

Image of Yemi Akala.

Exploring the promise of decentralised cancer clinical trials

Yemi Akali talks about the benefits and challenges of decentralised clinical trials and explores where the opportunities lie for cancer trials.

Image of Graham Cadwallader.

Introducing our new clinical research funding

Graham Cadwallader, Head of Clinical Funding, shares about the bold changes we are making to the way we fund clinical research.

Developing your research career

We have a variety of fellowships, bursaries and other career development opportunities for academic and clinician researchers, whether you're new to the lab or looking for funding to start your independent research group.

Explore our research career development opportunities

Learn more about our work

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