Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellowship
About this scheme
Key information
Applications are considered from any area of our funding remit, with the exception of clinical trials and drug discovery.
You should:
- Be based at a UK university or research institute during the fellowship
- Have obtained a higher degree (MD/PhD) in a cancer-relevant research area
- Have obtained your CCT and hold consultant status
- Have undertaken a significant period of postdoctoral research
- Be able to demonstrate that you meet the range of skills and experience as outlined in the 'establishing independence’ career stage in our Fellowships Competency Framework
You should not have a tenured academic post at a higher education institute or research institute.
Funding support is provided for:
- Your salary at the appropriate honorary consultant grade
- Salaries and running expenses for up to two posts. You may choose from a postdoctoral researcher, a technician and/or a (non-clinical) PhD student.
- Associated running expenses
- Equipment costs up to £25,000
- Relocation costs up to £1,000 if you wish to take up your fellowship at a new host institution
Additional support
Our fellowships offer a range of benefits beyond funding, including access to networking and training opportunities, flexible working policies and an accelerated route through the Tier 1 visa system.
How to apply to this scheme
Application process
Applications for this scheme are considered twice a year, and the application process has three stages.
- Preliminary Application: reviewed and shortlisted by the Research Careers Committee*.
- Full application: If shortlisted, you will be invited to submit a full application. This will be assessed by an Expert Review Panel and will include an interview.
- Committee Review: The Research Careers Committee meet to review the funding recommendations of the Expert Review Panels and make the final funding decision.
How to Apply
We are currently migrating to a new grants management system. It will be available for you to complete an Outline application in mid-October. Ahead of time, you can prepare your research proposal - details can be found in the Preliminary application guidelines, and complete a Skills and Experience form. If you intend to apply to the scheme please let the office know by emailing fellowships@cancer.org.uk and we can alert you to when the new system is available.
Timelines
Preliminary application deadline |
Full application deadline |
Interviews |
Committee Review |
---|---|---|---|
5th November 2020 |
26th January 2021 |
March 2021 |
May 2021 |
1st April 2021 | 15th July 2021 | September 2021 | November 2021 |
*The Research Careers Committee is a new CRUK Committee that will replace the New Investigator Committee and the Clinical Careers Committee. The Research Careers Committee will cover both remits and review all associated schemes. If you would like more detail on Committee composition, please email fellowships@cancer.org.uk.
Before you begin your application
You must read:
The Research Careers Committee will judge your proposal on:
- Scientific excellence: whether you have a strong scientific rationale to support the proposed research proposal.
- Cancer-relevance: the value of the proposed work in advancing the fundamental understanding of cancer or improving how cancer is diagnosed and/or treated.
- Your own track record and potential to produce outstanding results
- The strength of your research team and research environment
Applications are assessed by international, Expert Review Panels and funding decisions are made by the Research Careers Committee.
Cancer Research UK contact details
Please contact your Research Grants Manager if you have questions about your eligibility for this scheme or require any assistance with your application or active award
For Cambridge, Manchester, Scotland, The North of England (incl Newcastle), Wales
Dr Flora Scott, Research Grants Manager: fellowships@cancer.org.uk
For London, Oxford, Southampton, Birmingham, Northern Ireland, The South
Dr Victoria Walker, Research Grants Manager: fellowships@cancer.org.uk
Please contact your 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
For London, Oxford, Southampton, Birmingham, Northern Ireland, The South
Dr Marjolein (Lein) Schaap, Research Programme Manager: fellowships@cancer.ok.uk
For Cambridge, Manchester, Scotland, The North of England (incl Newcastle), Wales
Dr Lorenzo de la Rica, Research Programme Manager: fellowships@cancer.ok.uk
More career development opportunities for researchers

We offer a range of fellowships, bursaries and other support to help outstanding scientists and clinicians develop their independent research careers.
Dr Sean Lim
Sean tells us about her successful progression from Clinician Scientist Fellow to Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellow.