Career Development 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:
- Have space and facilities to run an independent research group
- 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:
- Already received funding to set up your research group
- A core-funded Group Leader position at one of our Institutes*
Some other locations are not eligible; please contact us before starting your application to check your host institution is covered.
If your salary is fully funded by your host institution you may be eligible to apply for a Career Establishment Award. If you are a clinician, please consider our funding opportunities for clinical academic career development.
Career breaks, flexible working, changes in discipline and other personal circumstances will be taken into consideration when assessing your record of outputs, research achievements and career progression.
Funding support is provided for up to six years, or equivalent duration for part-time working.
We're very supportive of part-time working and for a Career Development Fellowship we expect at least 0.5 FTE or 80% of your working hours, whichever is greater, to be spent on academic research. Find out more about how we support part-time working and extended leave in our flexible working policies.
Funding will cover:
- Your salary.
- 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 (see application guidelines for more details)
An annual salary enhancement of £6,500 is paid each year of the funding period.
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 28th April 2021 |
26th January 2021 22nd July 2021 |
March 2021 September 2021 |
May 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 application on:
- Scientific quality and originality: your proposal must have a strong scientific rationale.
- Cancer relevance: value of the proposed work in advancing the fundamental understanding of cancer or improving how cancer is diagnosed and/or treated.
- Your track record and potential to produce outstanding results.
- Suitability and strength of your research environment and collaborators: access to resources and facilities required for the fulfillment of the Career Development Fellowship.
The Committee will also consider how closely your research aligns with the priorities laid out in our Research Strategy, including earlier detection and harder-to-treat cancers (brain, lung, oesophageal and pancreatic cancers).
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
Jurga Kaucikiene, 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.org.uk
For Cambridge, Manchester, Scotland, The North of England (incl Newcastle), Wales
Dr Silvia Panico, Research Programme Manager: fellowships@cancer.org.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 Charlie Massie
Charlie explains how he demonstrated the skills and experience we expect of a Career Development Fellow.
Success rates
The average success rate, from preliminary application to award, for fellowships and career support awards through our New Investigator Committee is 8%.
Related guidance to download
Research events
Our Strategy and Research Funding teams attend and exhibit at conferences, meetings and workshops throughout the year.