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:
- Have obtained a higher degree (MD/PhD) in a cancer-relevant research area
- Have obtained your CCT and hold consultant status, or a national training number (NTN or NTN(A)) and at the time of award have clear plans for obtaining your CCT
- Have the support of an appropriate research group and supervisor at a UK university or research institute1
- Be able to demonstrate that you meet the range of skills and experience as outlined in the 'developing independence’ career stage in our Fellowships Competency Framework2
You should not:
- Have held any previous substantive postdoctoral fellowships
- Have a tenured academic post at a higher education institute or research institute.
1Fellowships must be hosted in a UK university or research institute. Short periods of research experience away from the host institution may be requested and must be fully justified.
2We have updated our eligibility criteria for funding rounds which have a preliminary application deadline after August 2018 to introduce the Competency Framework. If you submitted your preliminary application to a funding round with an earlier deadline, our eligibility criteria based on years post-PhD will still apply and our Competency Framework will not apply to your application.
Funding support is provided for:
- Your salary at the appropriate specialty registrar or honorary consultant grade.
- Associated running expenses and research or technical assistance.
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 Clinician Scientist Fellowships are considered twice a year, and the application process has three stages:
- Preliminary application: reviewed and shortlisted by the Clinical Careers Committee
- Full applications: shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application and attend an interview. Full applications are peer-reviewed by international experts.
- Interview: shortlisted candidates will attend a 40 minute interview carried out by the Clinical Careers Committee.
Timelines
Preliminary application deadline | Shortlisting | Full application deadline | Interviews |
---|---|---|---|
27 November 2018 |
January 2019 |
19 February 2019 |
May 2019 |
21 May 2019 |
July 2019 |
20 August 2019 |
November 2019 |
Before you begin your application
You must read:
- Guidelines for preminary applications (PDF 738 KB)
- Guidelines for full applications (PDF 1.1 MB)
- Grant conditions
All applications must be made through our electronic grants management system (eGMS).
The Clinical 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 peer review. Final funding decisions are made by the Clinical Careers Committee
Cancer Research UK contact details
If you have questions about the eligibility of your proposal for this scheme, or require any assistance with your application, please contact the relevant funding manager.
Applications from London (excluding Imperial and Institute of Cancer Research)
Dr Marjolein Schaap
Senior Research Funding Manager
Applications from Cambridge, Scotland, the Midlands & North England
Dr Lorenzo de la Rica
Research Funding Manager
Applications from Manchester, Oxford, Southampton & South England
Dr Jutta Zimmer
Research Funding Manager
Applications from Birmingham, Newcastle, Institute of Cancer Research, Imperial & Northern Ireland
Dr Victoria Walker
Research Funding Manager
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.
Case studies
Read advice from previous successful applicants to this scheme
These grants are fantastic. They allow people like me to try out research and then, if they want to become academic leaders, they can develop their interests and skills further.
— Dr James O'Connor, Clinician Scientist Fellow