Impact of Cancer and Cancer Care on Human Biology and Health

Grant opportunity

Application deadline: 25 Sep 2025

Institute: Medical Research Foundation
Country: United Kingdom
More information: https://www.medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk/grants/impact-of-cancer-and-cancer-care-on-human-biology-and-health

The Medical Research Foundation is inviting applications from researchers to support people impacted by cancer, helping them to live well with and beyond treatment.

Cancer remains one of the main causes of death in the UK. 3.5 million people in the UK live with cancer, and around 167,000 die of cancer every year. Cancer treatments and survival rates have significantly improved in recent years, and now some cancers are even considered chronic health conditions. However, more research is needed to understand the impact of cancer treatments on overall health after remission - including the physical side effects of treatment, and the mental health impacts of patient journeys.

We welcome research proposals that seek to better understand and improve the quality of life of people living with cancer, or those who have survived cancer.

Research areas could include, but are not limited to:

• the biological basis of cancer treatment side effects - such as those caused by immunotherapies;
• improving long-term and late effects of treatment - such as increased risk of secondary cancers, cardiac issues and stroke in later life, particularly in paediatric cancer patients;
• cancer treatment side effects - such as neurological complications, mouth ulcers, fatigue, pain and nausea;
• identifying risk or predictive factors on cancer therapy efficacy and side effect severity - such as the role of the microbiome;
• improving consequences of cancer treatment - such as infertility, endocrine deficiencies, organ removal, and impacts of major surgery;
• palliative care during cancer treatment and recovery;
• rehabilitation therapies before, during and after cancer treatment and recovery - including physiotherapy and occupational therapy;
• psychological and mental health effects of cancer and cancer survivorship.

The Foundation invests in research where there is a clear and unmet need. Applicants will need to demonstrate how their proposal represents potential for impact, particularly where their proposal is in an area of research that has already received significant research funding to date. Applicants are encouraged to include people with lived experience in the development of their proposal.

Applications related to understanding the fundamental biology of cancer, or developing novel diagnostics will not be considered within the scope of the scheme. Development of new treatments would need to demonstrate how they were an improvement on existing care, and must identify the evidence base for the treatment. We recognise the importance of end-of-life care, however, this funding opportunity does not include research focused solely on interventions or therapies for the last days of life, end of life planning, or bereavement.

Applications are welcomed from researchers at all levels of seniority and will be assessed relevant to the applicant’s career stage, with no preference shown for any particular career stage.

How much funding is available?
Applications are expected to be between £300,000 and £500,000 over a maximum of a 3 to 5-year period. There will be up to £3,000,000 available.

Who can apply?
This competition is open to all UK-based researchers, clinical academics and allied health professionals at eligible institutions (UK HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations). Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil or MD.

Applications will be considered from researchers at all levels of seniority. Only one application will be accepted per applicant, though individuals can hold more than one Medical Research Foundation grant at any one time.

Timeline
Deadline for submission: 12:00 BST on 25 September 2025
Shortlisting Notification: January/February 2026
Rebuttal Process: February 2026
Funding Decision: March 2026

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