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 support including networking groups and events, training, mentoring and opportunities to develop independence as a leader.
Flexible working
We recognise the challenges faced when managing a research career alongside other responsibilities, and we understand our researchers may follow varied career paths to become the research leaders of tomorrow. Our flexible funding policies are designed to accommodate your circumstances, including:
- Flexibility in funding eligibility for applicants who have spent time outside of research
- Part-time working
- Paid parental or other long-term leave
Accelerated UK work visa route
If you require a visa to work in the UK, you may qualify for the accelerated Global Talent Visa route. The Global Talent Visa is open for promising and talented individuals in specific sectors wishing to work in the UK. It replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa on 20 February 2020. Many Cancer Research UK fellowships, awards, and posts funded through our grants are eligible for the Global Talent Visa. Cancer Research UK is recognised as an endorsed funder under the Endorsed Funder Route.
The Global Talent Visa offers a number of benefits, including remaining valid for five years with the option to renew or apply for settlement after 3 years; freedom to move between research institutions or change roles in the UK; freedom to travel abroad during your visa to explore new collaborations; and the option to bring your family with you.
Following changes in Government policy on visa routes to the UK, we’ve provided an update on the Global Talent Visa, looking at why it’s a useful route for researchers to use, addressing some misconceptions about it, and clarifying how it’s accessible for CRUK-funded researchers at different career stages.
As per our Costs Guidance, Global Talent Visa application fees for CRUK fellowship holders or grant staff whose salaries are funded by CRUK can be included in grant applications or charged to the CRUK grant. Other types of visa application costs for CRUK grantholders or CRUK-funded posts are not eligible costs.
The Royal Society and the British Academy provide some useful guidance on applying for the Global Talent Visa.
The UK Government is also setting up an Office for Talent aimed at encouraging leading scientists, researchers and innovators to come to the UK.
Be part of a broad research community united behind an ambitious strategy
At Cancer Research UK, we're more than just a funder of research. Our vision is that 3 in 4 patients will survive cancer by 2034, and we're actively leading the research community to make that a reality.
As a CRUK researcher, you'll be part of a network of 4,000 scientists and clinicians supported by a suite of state-of-the-art facilities that cover the full breadth of cancer research and the translational pipeline, and you'll further benefit from our extensive portfolio of partnerships with organisations around the world.
CRUK IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE FUNDING. THEY TAKE THINGS TO A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LEVEL OF SUPPORT, AND THE COMMUNITY YOU BECOME PART OF GOES FAR BEYOND THE ROLE OF A NORMAL FUNDER.
Dr Noor Gammoh, CRUK Career Development Fellow
Read Noor's story
Our research strategy
We're setting an ambitious new agenda for cancer research and substantially increasing our investment in targeted initiatives that we believe will help us achieve our vision.
Our strategy identifies the need for renewed focus on earlier diagnosis, to close the gap on cancers of unmet need – such as lung, pancreatic and oesophageal, where survival rates remain especially low – and to invite new cross-disciplinary perspectives from the physical sciences and immunology.
Our infrastructure
Our long-term investment in facilities has helped to create a thriving network of research at 90 institutions in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK.
At CRUK we recognise the crucial role that infrastructure plays in creating a dynamic and responsive research environment. Our infrastructure provides capabilities across the full breadth of cancer research, from basic biology research through to the delivery of late-phase clinical trials.
Our partnerships
We partner with academic, professional, public-sector and industry organisations around the world to deliver our research.
We work together with other funders, universities and medical schools around the UK, and professional bodies including the Medical Royal Colleges to ensure that we are providing the right environment for training 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.
