Deadline: 04-Nov-2025
The World Cancer Research Fund has launched its Grant Programme to support innovative and original research into the role of diet, nutrition, body composition and physical activity in either cancer prevention or cancer survivorship.
The Regular Grant Programme provides two main funding opportunities. Investigator initiated grants are designed for established researchers working in the research areas and themes of the programme. These grants encourage collaboration and support innovative research into the link between diet, nutrition, and physical activity in either Cancer Prevention or Cancer Survivors. Grants of up to £500,000 are available for a maximum duration of four years. Applications requesting funding near the maximum limit are expected to involve primary data collection, with a clearly justified budget allocated approximately equally across the project duration.
Pilot and feasibility grants are intended as startup funds for preliminary research, allowing researchers to collect data or test study parameters that can support future applications for larger grants. These grants also support studies on behavioural change in cancer survivors, with lifestyle interventions requiring a clear theoretical basis. Projects under this scheme must meet the definition of pilot or feasibility studies and may include epidemiological or mechanistic research if the primary aim relates to feasibility. Funding of up to £60,000 is available for a maximum of two years.
Applications must be directly relevant to human cancer, focusing on diet, nutrition, body composition, and physical activity. Eligible outcomes include cancer endpoints and recognised surrogate markers of cancer or cancer outcome. All proposed research must demonstrate novelty and potential impact by improving understanding of the role of lifestyle factors in cancer.
Grants are open to Principal Investigators based at institutions outside the Americas, with international collaborations encouraged. Institutions such as universities, hospitals, and research institutes may apply, but commercial organisations are not eligible. A maximum of five applications per institution will be accepted in each cycle, and only one application per Principal Investigator is allowed. The programme encourages applications from low- and middle-income countries.
The grant budget covers direct research costs including PhD student stipends, essential equipment, travel, open access publication, and other justified research-related expenses. Salaries for Principal Investigators are not covered, except in cases where the PI is based in a low- or middle-income country. Institutional overheads are not permitted.
For more information, visit World Cancer Research Fund.
