Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme
About this scheme
Key information
Our programme is aimed at students from Black heritage backgrounds pursuing a PhD in cancer-related fields.
This scheme is open to people who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background, for example: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds).
You must also meet the general entry requirements for the PhD programme at a Cancer Research UK Centre, which typically include:
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hold or expect to graduate with a first or upper-second class undergraduate honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (or equivalent from a non-UK university)
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have appropriate research experience as part of, or outside of, an undergraduate or masters degree course in a relevant subject
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meet English language requirements as set by host institution
Please read our frequently asked questions for more information on eligibility.
About the programme
As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research, we have developed this programme in consultation with our research community and in close collaboration with our expert partners, Black in Cancer and the Windsor Fellowship.
We plan to grow the programme over time and will review it to consider expanding eligibility to other groups which are also underrepresented in our research community.
Read our interview with the programme leads to find out how programmes like this can help create a more diverse and inclusive research community.
You will be provided with:
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a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship (non-clinical) according to our standard PhD funding rates including stipend, research consumables and UK home tuition fees
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a place on one of the doctoral training programmes at one of our Centres
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a comprehensive programme of mentoring, career support, leadership training and networking led by the Windsor Fellowship and Black in Cancer, in addition to the support provided by our Centres, to drive your career forward and realise your full potential to beat cancer
Studentships for this application round will begin in September 2025. Placements are available at each of our seven CRUK centres.
How to apply to this scheme
Before applying, please read our eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions. We also recommend attending one of our informational insight sessions.
To apply, we ask you to:
- Submit a formal application to the Windsor Fellowship (opens from September 2024)
- Apply for your PhD studentship by submitting a PhD application to one of our seven CRUK host centres:
- Cambridge Centre
- City of London Centre
- Convergence Science Centre
- Manchester Centre
- Newcastle Centre
- Oxford Centre
- Scotland Institute
If you're shortlisted, you'll be invited to attend an interview at one of these centres.
Timeline summary
- September: Applications via Windsor Fellowship open
- October: Insight sessions
- Autumn/Winter: Each centre has its own application open dates and deadlines. Please submit your application before the deadline of the centre you are submitting your course application to.
- September 2025: PhD starts for successful applicants
Insight sessions
We held two insight sessions for prospective students to learn more about the programme and how to apply from our partners and host institutions. You can watch the session recordings here:
If you have any questions about the Black Leaders in Cancer PhD scholarship programme, please get in touch with:
Dr Silvia Panico
Fostering Black leadership in cancer research
We caught up with Abena Amponsah, one of our first Black Leaders in Cancer PhD students, to talk about the beginning of her academic journey.