Clinical Research Statement of Intent
We support a portfolio of clinical research that address key clinical challenges. This research will deepen our understanding of cancer biology and translate into better ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer.
Our flexible and scalable clinical research funding scheme encourages bold and innovative applications. Our statement of intent provides an overview of how we implement the research strategy and helps to guide the funding decisions made by our Clinical Research Committee.
Read on to learn more about our refreshed statement of intent, or apply for funding through our redesigned clinical funding scheme below.
Delivering our clinical research strategy
We’re delivering on our research strategy, putting discovery at the heart of our work to improve patient outcomes. To achieve this, we must deepen our knowledge of cancer biology and translate this into better ways to prevent, detect, and treat it.
We’re doing this by supporting high-quality clinical research focused on studying people, their tissues and data. Our clinical research portfolio includes interventional clinical trials, observational studies, and translational research that uses human tissues and data to develop model systems to study disease mechanisms.
Clinician scientists are vital to our success, bridging the gap between discovery science and patient research. We support clinician scientists at all career stages to maintain and grow a pipeline of excellent scientists who have trained in outstanding research environments.
Statement of intent for clinical research
We will build a portfolio of clinical research that:
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addresses critical clinical challenges.
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deepens our understanding of cancer biology to inform more effective and kinder interventions.
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has a particular focus on early-phase proof of concept trials and trials that optimise treatments and minimise adverse effects.
To catalyse this, we will build a connected, collaborative and diverse research community. We will:
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increase support for the brightest and best clinicians to train in outstanding research environments, such as our Institutes.
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increase opportunity and diversity in clinical research participation and workforce.
- build and nurture effective partnerships.
Delivering our statement of intent
Our ambition is to build a research portfolio that addresses key clinical challenges and advances our understanding of cancer and its treatment to drive progress for patients. Here is how we will do it.
Support high-quality clinical trials
We will build a broad portfolio of clinical trials, with an increased focus on early-phase, proof-of-concept trials and experimental medicine studies that link clinical trial data and samples with research that deepens our understanding of cancer development and treatment response.
We will also support studies that improve or repurpose treatments that currently exist.
Advance our biological understanding of cancer
We will build a portfolio that not only evaluates treatments, but also deepens our knowledge of cancer biology and how we treat it.
We will address key clinical challenges and catalyse collaborations between discovery researchers, clinical scientists and trialists.
We will also promote innovation in trial methodology and maximise the value of data and samples by making them available for experimental medicine research and model systems.
Work in partnership to drive progress for patients
We will establish and strengthen partnerships to benefit patients. We will expect and promote excellence in patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) across our research.
We will encourage research that considers PPIE and reduces barriers for underserved populations and explores the impact of disparities on cancer treatment.
We will collaborate with the government, the NHS, and partners in the science sectors to shape the clinical research landscape and optimise trial setup and delivery.
Our research strategy
We invest in creative people who can deliver research of the highest quality.
Our strategy shapes how we'll discover more about the mechanisms of how cancer develops and progresses to unlock new and better ways to prevent, detect and treat it.
Contact us
If you have any questions about our clinical research statement of intent or how it may affect your research, reach out to our research funding team.