Cancer Research UK (CRUK) have published a statement of intent outlining how they intend to support children’s and young people’s cancer research to better understand the underpinnings of this disparate group of diseases and develop more effective and less toxic treatments to increase chances of survival and improve quality of life after treatment.
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/statement-of-intent-for-childrens-and-young-peoples-cancer-research
They will (i) build research capacity in the UK, (ii) develop and support a co-ordinated research community, and (iii) ensure the research community has the tools and infrastructure it needs to progress

As part of this strategy they have launched (1) a new, national funding call and (2) a parallel international call:

before 6 December 2019 you must contact the Science Committee team
10 January 2020 (invited full application)
(1) Children and Young People’s Cancer Innovation Award
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes/children-and-young-peoples-cancer-innovation-award
This a three-stage competition, with outline, full application and interview stages.

Awards are for up to £1 million for up to 3 years.

They are particularly interested in applications that include researchers with expertise beyond paediatric cancer research, such as those working in other cancer fields and those in disciplines outside biomedical research, who are interested in using their knowledge and skills to answer key questions in paediatric cancers.

These awards are intended to stimulate new activity and collaborations, and to build capacity within UK paediatric cancer research.
Projects should be focused on transforming our understanding of paediatric tumour biology and developing innovative new ways to treat, detect and prevent these diseases.

They especially encourage proposals to investigate one or more of these concepts:
• The basis of tumor initiation and progression
• Novel therapeutic approaches
• Development of novel biomarkers or methodologies to predict disease progression, to enhance efforts in primary and secondary prevention and intervention
• Novel models that would enhance pre-clinical research
• Development of more effective and/or less toxic treatments to improve long-term health and quality of life

Before applying, please contact the Science Committee team to discuss the application process. They will then open an outline application form on their GrantsManagement system.

Please see the guidelines for full details: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/sc_-_cyp_innovation_award_-_full_-_application_guidelines.pdf

6 December 2019 (Preliminary submission)
10 January 2020 (Final submission)
March 2020 (Interview)
(2) SU2C-CRUK Paediatric Cancer New Discoveries Challenge
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes/su2c-cruk-paediatric-cancer-new-discoveries-challenge
Up to $1 million is available in round 1
Applicant teams successful in round 1 will also have the opportunity to apply for a second round of funding to progress their research further

Application information will be available on the SU2C website at the formal launch of request for applications – CRUK will provide details soon.
You are encouraged to contact the SU2C office to discuss your eligibility and suitability of your research proposal.

SU2C-CRUK Paediatric Cancer New Discoveries Challenge aims to support novel and innovative trans-Atlantic collaborations in childhood cancer research.

• These awards will support collaborative, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, transatlantic teams, comprising laboratory and clinical researchers and those at different career stages.
• Teams must be led by at least one researcher from a US institution and one from a UK institution.
• You are strongly encouraged to form a team that includes expertise beyond paediatric oncology (e.g. other areas of oncology, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, etc.).

Applications can address one or more of the following concepts, with the goal of progressing the approach to a more advanced pre-clinical or clinical setting in round 2:
• the basis of tumour initiation and progression
• novel therapeutic approaches
• development of novel biomarkers or methodologies to predict disease progression, to enhance efforts in primary and secondary prevention and intervention
• novel models that would enhance pre-clinical research
• development of more effective and/or less toxic treatments to improve long-term health and quality of life
CRUK would welcome proposals that advance research in any type of paediatric cancer, including teenagers and young adults, particularly inviting new proposals in paediatric brain tumours.

UKPRP-Consortium-outline-case-for-support-form-020919

The Second UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) funding call has now gone live

18 October 2019 (Mandatory Intention to Submit and topic area of interest) via email for both Consortium and Network applications

14 November 2019, 4pm (Outline applications) via Je-S

UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) Second call for proposals: Consortium and Network Awards
https://ukprp.org/how-to-apply/call-2-scope/

Applicants must notify the UKPRP Secretariat (UKPRP@mrc.ukri.org) of their intention to submit a proposal and the topic area of interest no later than 18 October 2019.

This call seeks to complement the portfolio funded in the first UKPRP call (4 Consortia and 4 Network awards https://ukprp.org/what-we-fund/) to support research into the primary prevention of NCDs.

The UKPRP vision is to generate evidence on actionable, sustainable and cost-effective ways of modifying the upstream systems and environments that influence NCDs, and of reducing health inequalities, through population-level action. The UKPRP is a new model of funding in the UK that aims to:
• build and support interdisciplinary research teams to develop, implement and evaluate generalisable and scalable preventive policies, practices, designs and interventions which will enable change within complex adaptive systems to prevent NCDs.
• deliver solutions for large-scale and cost-effective improvements in health and the prevention of NCDs that meet the needs of providers and policy makers and are responsive to the challenging timescales of policy making. This involves co-production of research with the public, policy makers, professionals and those likely to implement the intervention.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to use systems thinking and, where appropriate, systems science when developing and evaluating interventions to prevent NCDs and reduce health inequalities.

Remit and Scope
UKPRP now seeks to complement what has already been funded, in the following areas:
• Preventing poor mental health and promoting mental wellbeing.
The UKPRP covers physical health, mental health and wellbeing in the UK, but we have highlighted mental health as it is a particular area of need. Research could include the development, design and evaluation of strategies or technologies to reduce mental health problems during key life-course transitions.
• Reducing health inequalities (where this forms the primary focus of an application).
Research could include developing and testing strategies most likely to reduce inequalities in health (for example by socio-economic status, deprivation, ethnicity, gender etc.) at different stages of the life course.
• Using fiscal and economic interventions to prevent NCDs and reduce health inequalities.
Research could include the evaluation, by natural experimental and/or big data methods, of population level policy changes relevant to the primary prevention of NCDs (e.g. congestion charging, soft drinks levy, changes in the child benefit system etc.).
• Modifying other social and economic determinants of health and wellbeing.
Research could cover welfare systems, poverty alleviation, occupational settings, gambling, housing or social cohesion; the co-design, implementation and evaluation of spaces and places (e.g. housing, workplaces, and public spaces) to improve physical and mental health; and the development of solutions for ensuring that the benefits derived from preventive strategies are shared equitably (e.g. by socio-economic group, ethnicity, gender etc.).
• Tackling food systems that perpetuate unhealthy diets and obesity.
We are aware of existing research funding schemes on food systems and influences on diet and obesity. Given the importance of this challenge, the UKPRP would welcome proposals addressing this area. Research could investigate strategies for modifying food systems in ways that affect demand for and uptake of unhealthy food.
• Improving the urban environment, including transport systems and air quality.
Research could evaluate the effects of central and local government transport or planning policies on air pollution, accidents and physical activity levels; or investigate how to enhance the built environment to improve health; and the development, design, application and evaluation of new technologies such as smart traffic management systems.
• Using green and blue spaces for improving population health and preventing NCDs.
Research could examine the effectiveness of different solutions for improving natural environments in health enhancing ways; evaluate interventions designed to encourage healthy use of the natural environment and how this can be achieved without exacerbating health inequalities; and the role of the natural environment in promoting health related resilience (particularly in relation to multiple deprivation).
• Targeting specific life course stages or transitions.
Research could examine the effectiveness of solutions targeted at reducing risks in specific life course stages such as childhood, adolescence, or old age; and specific life course transitions such as school to work, retirement, or becoming a parent.
• Cross-cutting approaches.
UKPRP would welcome approaches which exploit digital technologies, social media or other platforms, or which take advantage of large-scale datasets and linkage to routine datasets, to design and deliver solutions; and research into ways of improving the use of evidence in policy and decision making, particularly in local and central government.

Research into the effectiveness of existing interventions relating to the above topics also falls within the call remit as this is an area of need given that local policy makers require evidence to inform decisions on removing or retaining existing interventions.

Consortium Awards
Consortium awards provide substantial, long-term investment (5 years) to support novel combinations of partners, including, where appropriate, industry (i.e. commercial/business partners), representing a range of academic disciplines and undertaking interdisciplinary research addressing a specific challenge in the primary prevention of NCDs. These groups should develop research strategies with users, for example policy makers, practitioners, health providers, the public etc. who may be part of the consortium, for the generation and implementation of new knowledge. The thinking behind consortia is that drawing together teams of experts from different disciplines and sectors, and including users, should enable researchers to capitalise on a range of expertise to develop novel research into new or existing high quality interventions that can deliver change at a population level.
Funding for consortia
• The scale and duration of funding is £4-7 million over 5 years. Applications outside of this range will be considered although, as with all applications, they should represent good value for money. Applications at the lower end of this funding range are encouraged but they must reflect ambitious research programmes that meet the UKPRP’s objectives.
• Recognising that the desired combinations of partners may not already exist, each successful outline applicant will receive a six-month Consortium Development Grant of up to £50,000 to build linkages between the consortium members, to develop research ideas and to act on feedback received from the assessment of the outline proposal. During the consortium development period, applicants will be required to attend a Joint Applicant Meeting which aims to bring together all successful outline applicants to discuss key areas applicants will need to develop in their full proposals.

Network Awards
Network awards will build new interdisciplinary communities of researchers and users around broad challenges in the primary prevention of NCDs. This award aims to support interactions between diverse disciplines and users to exchange expertise, scientific insights and capability as the network generates a shared vision around its chosen NCD prevention challenge. Each network award will fund the operating costs of the network, for up to 4 years. While a small proportion of the grant can be used to pump prime new research collaborations, applicants should note that the funding provided is not for primary research. Network awards are intended to develop future capacity in the UK to address NCD prevention challenges. We expect networks will lead to new collaborative interdisciplinary research proposals on preventing NCDs.
Funding for networks
• Each network will receive £100k per year for up to 4 years. This funding covers operating costs and provides limited funding for some feasibility work to pump prime a new research collaboration.
• Successful outline network applicants will receive a six-month period to develop full proposals and plans for network membership and respond to feedback received from the assessment of the outline application. During this time, you will be required to attend a Joint Applicant Meeting which aims to bring together all successful outline applicants to discuss key areas applicants will need to develop in their full proposals.

N.B. Compulsory Intention to Submit an Outline application (and give topic area of interest) by email by 18 October for both Consortium and Network applications
Applicants must submit a detailed outline proposal in Je-S by 16:00 (GMT) on 14 November 2019. You must notify the UKPRP Secretariat of your intention to submit an outline proposal and the topic area of interest by 18 October 2019. We have supplied an outline Case for Support form (PDF, 25KB) which you must complete and upload to Je-S as part of the proposal. The Consortium Award application guidance (PDF, 177KB) advises applicants on how to complete the sections in Je-S and the outline Case for Support form. You should refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (link to PDF) document which provides answers to common queries.

There are sizeable references to strategic vision and other useful documents plus separate guidelines for Consortia and for Network awards. Please see the website for full details.
There will be FAQs guidance.

Please inform Gwen Averley gwen.averley@ncl.ac.uk if you intend to apply for a Consortium or a Network award. There is no limit to the number of applications that may be made but we would need to be aware of any potentially overlapping applications.

https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/19alert-mid-range-equipment-initiative/

The capital budget for the call is approx. £10M.
Applications are invited for mid-range equipment costing over £200K including VAT. [This value refers to the equipment cost prior to the application of any discounts, institutional or partner contributions]
N.B. requests under this value will be rejected
N.B. Applications requesting over £750K should contact the office before submitting an application.

N.B. BBSRC will accept the cost of a maintenance/service contract, as part of the purchase cost of the equipment, provided the length of the contract is the lesser of 36 months or the programme it supports. Should the expected length of the contract exceed 36 months, or the length of the programme, then the cost of contract, included in the application should be reduced on a pro-rata basis so as to fit within the conditions as stated.

BBSRC encourages:
• equipment that is widely used and underpins capability across all scientific areas within the BBSRC remit. Relevance to the priority areas in BBSRC’s Delivery Plan is particularly encouraged
• applications that seek to pioneer the use of emerging advanced research technology
• applications that seek to utilise equipment in novel applications.

Collaboration and wide access to the instrumentation for users within industry, public sector and other research organisation is highly encouraged.
To encourage sharing, the arrangements for managing access to the equipment and the prioritisation of its use should be fully described.
Award holders will be expected to put arrangements in place for providing advice and support to others wishing to assess the potential of the technology for their own research.

Value for money will be an important factor in assessment. Consequently, contributions from the host institution(s) and/or other external sources are strongly encouraged.
Contributions from external sources can be in kind (such as commitments to staff posts for the running and maintenance of the equipment, or the training of users) and/or financial (such as partial financing of the equipment).
Institutional commitments directed towards staff posts to fulfil aspects such as running and maintenance of the equipment, as well as training of users, are encouraged, as BBSRC is unable to support them through this call.
Where it is envisaged that a significant user-base for the equipment will be undertaking research in areas outside BBSRC remit, applicants must seek an appropriate level of additional upfront contributions and support from external sources, and provide information on this in the grant application.

Investigators can only submit one application as PI. However, they can submit another application as part of a consortium (i.e. as a Co-I) while being PI on an application

Applicants should discuss their application with their relevant procurement and finance officers prior to submission, particularly bearing in mind the EU tender and procurement rules.
The maximum duration of grants is 12 months and grants must start by 1st July 2020.
Prospective applicants for whom the expenditure appears challenging within the given time constraints regarding grant duration/start date (e.g. because the equipment may require an export license or involves lengthy customisation or construction times) must contact BBSRC before submitting an application.

Please see full guidance notes re scope, exclusions and eligible costs.

Please discuss your application with your Research Funding Development Manager [For FMS: Gwen Averley or Darren Airey]

https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/research/for-researchers/apply-for-a-research-grant/clinical-pioneer-awards/

Funding is aimed at clinicians and non-clinicians with innovative project ideas that are focused on practical interventions within the clinical or community setting and that can be adopted in an optimal pancreatic cancer pathway. Such interventions can include drive down waiting times (time to diagnosis; time to treatment; time to referral), improve survival, quality of life and patient experience and deliver a consistent standard of care for people affected by pancreatic cancer

A total of £200,000 is available. Funding will be awarded to a maximum of 4 awards. For each award, a total of up to £50,000 is available to support directly incurred research costs for up to 12 months.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS  1pm 27 NOVEMBER 2019

18 November 2019, noon

Prostate Cancer UK – Travelling Prize Fellowships

https://prostatecanceruk.org/research/for-researchers/funding-opportunities/travelling-prize-fellowships

aim to provide a unique opportunity for the most outstanding early career researchers to begin to develop their independent research careers, working in the best research environments in the UK and overseas.

• Awards are for three to four years. A period of at least six months must be spent outside of the Fellows’ host institution (either elsewhere in the UK, or abroad). Awards can be for up to £250,000 if solely based in the UK, or a total of £300,000 if the Fellowship includes a placement at one or more institutions outside the UK.
• Applicants must be within 2 years of their PhD viva (reasonable career breaks will be taken into consideration). Candidates may also apply if they are in the final year of their PhD, but in this instance, they will be expected to have successfully passed their viva within the next 12 months.
• Travelling Prize Fellowships must be held at a UK-based University, NHS site or other recognised higher research institution.

18 October 2019, noon

Expert Members Sought for the NERC/UKRI SPF Constructing a Digital Environment Programme
https://digitalenvironment.org/funding/

24 experts are sought, comprising 8 early career experts, 8 senior UK-based experts and 8 international experts.
Members will be in post for an annual term, with a prospect of renewal over the 3-year programme period. All reasonable costs will be covered. Fellowship grants will be provided to early stage experts.

The focus of the Constructing a Digital Environment Programme is on developing a ‘digitally enabled environment’, providing benefits for policy makers, businesses, communities and individuals.
It combines environmental science, computer science, data science and behavioural science

Prostate Cancer UK – Existing Trials: New Answers

https://prostatecanceruk.org/research/for-researchers/funding-opportunities/major-awards-201920-existing-trials-new-answers

for proposals looking to utilise and interrogate existing patient samples and/or data from recently completed or ongoing prostate cancer clinical trials, or from other data/sample repositories.