Data science is already providing cancer insights, but some challenges prevent us from using research data as effectively as we could. We aim to improve how we use research data to answer important questions that lead to better patient outcomes.
In our research data strategy, we set out how we intend to scale up our current activities to unleash the enormous power of big data. We aim to create a research culture that supports timely, transparent and ethical curation and use of data in cancer research. To achieve this, we're focusing on four priorities:
build and retain public trust and involvement in how and why patient data is used in cancer research
fund ambitious and exemplary data science from discovery to translation, with a focus on children and young people
connect people doing data-driven research across sectors with FAIR and diverse data, tools, platforms and expertise
poise our researchers to be early adopters of emerging data, new technologies and improved practices
This award, jointly supported by Stand Up To Cancer, offers up to £2.5m per award for research programmes to support data-driven solutions to common challenges in children’s and young people’s cancers.
Our Data Catalyst aims to maximise the impact of cancer datasets that may have commercial value. The catalyst provides funding and support to help researchers make these datasets more accessible and usable by third parties including commercial entities.
We're looking for innovative researchers from all funding areas and welcome proposals involving data science across our funding portfolio.
We’re building a cancer data science community to support our researchers in tackling common challenges, sharing best practices across sectors and connecting people with FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) and diverse data, tools, platforms and expertise.
Our six communities of special interest help us shape researcher-led data activities and support a connected and collaborative data community. Each group is led by a key member of the data community and focuses on different research data challenge areas.
This new forum brings together expertise from NHS England, researchers, third sector organisations and people affected by cancer to improve access, quality and timeliness of cancer health system data.
This programme offers data research and information governance advice, support and facilitation to ensure our funded researchers have the support they need for safe and effective collection and reuse of sensitive cancer data. We also offer our own trusted research environment where researchers can securely store, access and analyse patient data to inform cancer care.
Effectively involve people affected by cancer and members of the public in your research by introducing them to concepts of data science in an easy-to-understand way. We’ve worked alongside patients and the public to develop a resource to explain what research data is, its role in cancer research and our involvement and priorities in this area.
The cancer data patient and public community is a group of people who use their lived experiences to shape data-driven research projects and developments about how data is used.
use MY data is a trusted voice for patients and the public in all discussions and decisions about the use of data for research and improving healthcare.
The Public Engagement in Data Research Initiative (PEDRI) is a partnership between UK organisations to shape better data research by promoting transparency, diverse voices and good public engagement practices.
We host scientific conferences, workshops, webinars and other events. Join us to hear about the latest science, present your research and network with our exceptional community.
Our three-day programme will explore the future of data-enabled cancer research, highlighting the transformational role of emerging tools and technologies in advancing our understanding of cancer. Join us in Edinburgh from 24-26 February 2026.
Explore the latest articles and blogs for researchers, featuring advice, guidance, network updates and research projects.
Professor Joanne Edwards tells us about a new project which will see researchers, surgeons and engineers use AI to generate insights from biological scans and histological stains.
We dig into the new awards using the power of data science to accelerate improving outcomes for children and young people with cancer.
Dr Philip Dunne and Dr Chris Tape put the FAIR principles into motion when they worked together to share information and speed up cancer research.
Private sector organisations are important partners in translating data insights into real-world patient benefits. We’re dedicated to ensuring continued responsible use and secure sharing of health-relevant data across our network.
As part of our commitment to maintaining trust, transparency and accountability, we’ve consulted extensively with the public, patients and our partners to establish a set of guiding principles governing partnerships that involve health-relevant data.
Our Data Advisory Board are international experts in their fields who contribute an invaluable perspective on oncology data science and advise us on the development and delivery of our research data strategy.
Subscribe to our newsletters to hear about the latest news, funding opportunities, events and conferences and other research stories.
