Funding opportunities for clinical academic career development
We have a broad range of research grant funding schemes to cater for your situation, whether you're just getting started or an experienced independent researcher, and whether you require a fully funded fellowship or grants to advance individual projects.
Not a clinician? View our other career development funding opportunities.
Do you need help deciding which Fellowship to apply to? Our competency framework can guide you to consider which funding opportunity is right for you to support your transition to the next career level.
| Scheme | Salary included? | Eligibility | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| For clinical trainees pre-PhD stage Pre-doctoral Bursary Provides short-term funding to allow clinicians and other health professionals to get involved in research projects early in their career. |
✓ | Pre-PhD | 24 March 2022 |
| Clinical Trial Fellowship Supports clinicians interested in clinical trials with further training within a Clinical Trial Unit. |
✓ | Completed foundation training | TBA |
| For researchers developing independence Postdoctoral Research Bursary Offers funding for clinical trainees to undertake a research project after completion of a PhD. |
✘ | Clinical trainees with a PhD/MD | 24 March 2022 |
| Clinician Scientist Fellowship Offers 5 years support for clinicians to develop your clinical academic research career through postdoctoral training. |
✓ | PhD/MD and CCT (or clear plans to obtain it) | 30 March 2022 |
| Clinical Trial Fellowship Supports clinicians interested in clinical trials with further training within a Clinical Trial Unit. |
✓ | Completed foundation training | TBA |
| For researchers establishing an independent research group Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellowship Offers 5 years support for clinicians to develop independence and leadership in your field of clinical academic research. |
✓ | PhD/MD, CCT and significant postdoc experience | 30 March 2022 |
| Career Establishment Award Offers 6 years of support to set up your first independent cancer research group. |
✘ | Significant postdoc experience | 30 March 2022 |
| For group leaders transitioning to scientific leadership Senior Cancer Research Fellowship Offers 6 years of support to further develop your independent cancer research group. |
✓ | Group leaders | 30 March 2022 |
| Programme Foundation Award Offers 6 years of support to further develop your independent cancer research group. |
✘ | Group leaders | 17 March 2022 |
More funding opportunities from other organisations
We've worked with the Medical Research Council and six other major funders of biomedical research to provide an integrated view across career and funding options through an interactive online tool.
Benefits of developing your research career with us
We support and develop the very best researchers with more than just funding. As a CRUK Fellow or Group Leader, we'll help you become a research leader of tomorrow.
Our researchers benefit from being part of a network of 4,000 clinicians and scientists who are united behind our ambitious strategy to beat cancer sooner. With the support of our network, you'll have the opportunities you need to develop independence as a leader.
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Networking meetings with fellow CRUK researchers in your peer group, and our world-leading senior scientists
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Training workshops and mentoring from inspirational leaders
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Access to the CRUK network of scientists, clinicians and state-of-the-art facilities
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Flexible working opportunities and paid leave entitlements
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Accelerated UK work visa route for exceptionally talented researchers
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.
