Research opportunities in children's and young people's cancers
Mikail, first diagnosed with lymphoma in 2020.
Different challenges. Same determination.
We’re prioritising research in children's and young people's cancers to address the unique barriers researchers and partners face in driving progress in this area.
Our commitment to children's and young people's cancer
Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults – from the types of cancer to the specific challenges facing the research community.
Over the past 50 years, research has helped transform the survival of children and young people with cancer. We’re proud of our role as the biggest funder of research into children’s and young people’s cancer in the UK, having doubled our annual spend in this area in the last five years.
We're continuing this investment through our current funding schemes across all cancer types, which are open to children's and young people's cancer researchers.
Our priorities
Working with the UK and international research community, like-minded organisations, industry and those with lived experience, we are addressing some of the following key barriers to create a future where all children and young people can lead longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
Improving our understanding through discovery research
We’re investing in discovery research to improve our understanding of the unique biology of cancers affecting 0-24-year-olds that can, in turn, lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Increasing therapeutic innovation
Through Cancer Grand Challenges, we’re driving global team research into pioneering new approaches to treat childhood cancers. Through our translational arm, Cancer Research Horizons, we're building partnerships with industry, investors and other charities to develop and deliver new therapies for young cancer patients.
Enhancing clinical trial capability and delivery
We’re funding and sponsoring cutting edge trials, pushing for equitable access and more efficient clinical trial delivery to improve children’s and young people’s cancer clinical trials.
Improving data access and sharing
We're leveraging the unique ecosystem in the UK and tackling barriers around issues such as data access and linkage to better support a world-leading data-enabled research environment for children's and young people's cancer.
Community building and support
We’re bringing together the research community, enabling new collaborations, supporting data-driven communities and translating promising treatments into the clinic for children and young people.
Translating cancer therapeutics for children and young people
C-Further, an international consortium launched by Cancer Research Horizons and LifeArc, brings together researchers, clinicians, scientists in drug discovery and development, partners, and impact investors with a shared commitment to creating new cancer therapeutics for children and young people.
Do you have an asset within the childhood cancer space across diverse modalities with therapeutic potential? C-Further could help progress your innovation.
Meet the team
Do you have questions about our children's and young people's cancer research? Reach out to our research funding team.
Laura Danielson
Children’s and Young People’s Research Lead
Victoria Walker
Research Programme Manager
Eleanor Stead
Research Programme Manager
Rosanna Larter
Project Manager