Funding to support scientific excellence and innovative research into breast cancer.
Applicants should indicate how their proposal meets one or more of Breast Cancer Now’s strategic objectives:
- Improving treatments, care and services for those affected by secondary breast cancer.
- Improving support for the physical and mental health, and the emotional wellbeing of people affected by breast cancer.
- Developing kinder, smarter treatments for people with breast cancer and improving access to treatments for those affected.
- Improving detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
- Furthering our understanding of why breast cancer occurs and spreads and using our knowledge to help prevent breast cancer developing.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to apply, you should have conducted independent research in the field of breast cancer or be an experienced researcher in a related field.
Additional eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Applicants must be based at a recognised university, research institution or NHS trust in the UK or Ireland.
- Lead Applicants should hold contracts that extend beyond the period of the grant.
- Lead Applicants with a fixed-term position may apply, but they cannot request costs for their salary. They must include a letter from the Head of Department to indicate that their salary will be covered for the duration of the project.
- Applicants may be new to breast cancer research, but the proposed team must include people with relevant breast cancer expertise.
- Lead Applicants may not apply for more than one grant as Lead Applicant but may apply as a Co-Applicant or Collaborator on more than one application.
- Applicants may have spent time away from research (e.g. a career break, maternity leave, long-term sick leave).
- Co-Applicants and Collaborators may be based at institutions outside the UK/Ireland and/or at pharmaceutical or biotech companies.
- Applications for research that will take place within the NHS will be considered. Should the research become part of a clinical trial, Breast Cancer Now will fund the research but will not act as a sponsor.
VALUE AND DURATION
Grants are typically limited to £400,000. Applications requesting more will be considered, but you should contact Breast Cancer Now’s research team as early as possible before applying.
Funds will cover staff salary, research expenses and essential equipment. Funding will also include £2,500 for conference costs.
Most projects are expected to last three to four years.
KEY DATES
Deadline: 29 April 2025
Applications will be reviewed in November 2025
Further details can be found on the opportunity webpage and in the information for applicants document below.