Cancer Research UK awards £12 million to 10 exceptional researchers

Cancer Research UK has given a number of prestigious grants to new investigators who are set to become the eminent cancer scientists of the future.

The ten exceptional researchers from across the country were awarded over £12 million to develop their careers and to aid exciting discoveries that will help more people beat cancer than ever before.

This is the largest investment in the next generation of research leaders from Cancer Research UK to date.

Two up-and-coming university lecturers will receive five-year Career Establishment Awards, which will allow both of them to start a new world-leading research group.

Four promising junior researchers will be given six-year Career Development Fellowships, which will support them at the beginning of their careers to run their own research group for the first time.

The remaining four senior scientists will each receive a six-year Senior Cancer Research Fellowship, which will give these independent investigators the chance to build on their previous outstanding research.

Dr David Scott, Cancer Research UK's director of science funding, said: "Having ten awards available sends out the important message that Cancer Research UK is serious about supporting new scientists at the start of their careers."

Professor Margaret Frame is chair of the panel of world-renowned cancer experts that helped to select these scientists and science director at the Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre. She said: "It was highly competitive and we ended up with an excellent set of individuals. Now Cancer Research UK will nurture their talent and their passion for cancer research.

"I am always amazed by the breadth of wonderful new innovation and ideas that I see at these interviews. The funding from Cancer Research UK will give these ten scientists the time and resources to take on challenging problems in cancer. It will be exciting to see what comes out of these projects over the next few years. I look forward to watching them develop their own independent careers and join the next generation of cancer research leaders in the UK and internationally."

The next round of preliminary applications is open to suitable candidates. The deadline for applications is 28 July 2011 and funding is available for up to ten awards.