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Funding callPharmacology and drug development · United Kingdom

Therapeutic Catalyst – expression of interest

The Cancer Research UK Therapeutic Catalyst scheme supports researchers seeking to advance cancer therapeutics, with an expression of interest due on 5 February 2027 and review in March 2027. This guide covers research areas consistent with the scheme, readiness checks, project ideas and points to confirm in the official scheme guidance.

Pubrica InsightsEditorial team, reviewed by a subject specialist
Next deadline
5 February 2027
Last checked
10 November 2026
Funder
Cancer Research UK
Sources
1
Apply through the official call

Key dates

Application deadline
5 February 2027
Details last checked
10 November 2026
Apply through the official call

About the call

Funder
Cancer Research UK
Country
United Kingdom
Scheme type
Project grant
Funding
As stated in the call documents
Eligibility
Researchers seeking support to advance cancer therapeutics, applying first via an expression of interest reviewed in March 2027.
Scope
Pharmacology and drug development

Topics consistent with the call

  • Target validation for new cancer therapeutic approaches
  • Small-molecule drug discovery and medicinal chemistry for cancer
  • Biological therapeutics, including antibodies and cell therapies
  • Drug repurposing and combination strategies in oncology
  • Biomarkers to guide patient selection for new therapies
  • Preclinical models to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and safety

Based on the published scope; the official page sets out the full themes and requirements.

Is your work a fit? Check before you apply

  1. The project aims to advance a cancer therapeutic or therapeutic approach.
  2. There is a clear rationale and supporting data for the therapeutic concept.
  3. The applicant’s institution supports the work and any relevant intellectual property arrangements.
  4. The expression of interest states the development stage and next milestones clearly.
  5. A complete, institutionally approved expression of interest is submitted before 5 February 2027.

Why This Funding Call Matters

Many promising discoveries in cancer biology do not progress towards therapies because of gaps in funding and support at the translational stage. Schemes that target this stage help researchers move therapeutic concepts closer to development. The expression of interest route allows applicants to set out their concept for review before committing to a full application, helping to focus effort on concepts that fit the scheme.

Who Should Apply

Academic backgrounds

  • Cancer pharmacology
  • Medicinal chemistry
  • Cancer biology
  • Immunology and cell therapy
  • Translational oncology

Institutions and sectors

  • UK universities
  • Cancer research institutes
  • Academic drug discovery units
  • Biotechnology companies as partners

What Reviewers Typically Value

  1. A well-validated therapeutic hypothesis with a clear route to patient benefit.
  2. Robust preliminary data supporting the concept.
  3. A defined development plan with milestones and decision points.
  4. Teams with the expertise needed to progress therapeutics.

Ideas You Could Develop

Inhibitor for a resistance pathwayA project developing small-molecule inhibitors targeting a pathway linked to treatment resistance in a solid tumour.
Antibody–drug conjugate developmentA project optimising an antibody–drug conjugate against a tumour-associated antigen in preclinical models.
Repurposed drug combinationA project testing a repurposed drug in combination with standard therapy in patient-derived models.

Your Plan to the Deadline

A suggested schedule working back from 5 February 2027. Adjust it to the stage your work has reached.

  1. By 11 Dec 2026

    Read the call documents; confirm eligibility, budget limits, assessment criteria and institutional requirements.

  2. By 25 Dec 2026

    Agree the research question, aims, team and partners; contact your research office.

  3. By 8 Jan 2027

    Draft the case for support, methods, impact and budget.

  4. By 22 Jan 2027

    Obtain internal review, letters of support and institutional sign-off.

  5. By 31 Jan 2027

    Final checks against the funder’s guidance and formatting rules.

  6. By 5 Feb 2027

    Submit through the funder’s system before the deadline.

What you gain

  • Funding for the research, team and resources it needs.
  • Recognition from a competitive, peer-reviewed process.
  • Reviewer feedback that strengthens future applications.
  • A track record for larger grants and fellowships.

What happens after you apply

  1. Eligibility check: the funder confirms the application meets the call rules.
  2. Peer review: external reviewers assess the proposal against the published criteria.
  3. Panel: a committee ranks proposals; some schemes include an interview.
  4. Decision: outcomes are released on the funder’s timetable.
  5. Award: successful applicants agree terms and reporting requirements before starting.

What the Funder Are Looking For

Cancer Research UK is looking for projects that will advance cancer therapeutics, starting with an expression of interest that sets out the therapeutic concept, rationale and development plan. Proposals are likely to be assessed on scientific strength, potential for patient benefit and feasibility. Applicants should confirm eligibility, remit, the subsequent application stages and review timelines in the official scheme guidance.

Read the official pageThis guide summarises the opportunity. Confirm deadlines, eligibility and requirements on the official page before you plan your work, and record the date you checked it.Open the official page

Expert help

How Pubrica Can Help

Pubrica’s subject specialists can help you prepare a competitive proposal, planned back from the deadline. You remain the author of your work.

Grant writingProposal writing structured to the funder’s guidance and assessment criteria. Literature review and gap analysisThe evidence base and the gap your proposal addresses. Study designStudy design and methods that reviewers can assess. Statistical analysis planSample size and analysis plans for the proposal. Data management planData management and sharing plans to funder requirements. Proposal editingEditing of the full proposal for clarity and consistency.
Go to the official page

FAQs

Questions Researchers Ask

The next published deadline is 5 February 2027. Dates can change, so confirm them on the official page before you plan your work.

An expression of interest is generally shorter than a full application but should set out the therapeutic concept, supporting data and plans. Applicants should check the official scheme guidance for required content and format before the deadline.

Researchers seeking support to advance cancer therapeutics, applying first via an expression of interest reviewed in March 2027. Confirm the full eligibility rules in the call documents.

Yes. Pubrica’s specialists can review, write, edit and format your proposal. You remain the author and the person responsible for the submission.

Sources

  1. Cancer Research UK. (2026). Therapeutic Catalyst – expression of interest. Retrieved 10 November 2026, from https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/therapeutic-catalyst

How to cite this page

Pubrica Insights. (2026). Therapeutic Catalyst – expression of interest. Pubrica. https://pubrica.com/insights/calls-and-conferences/therapeutic-catalyst-expression-of-interest/

  • Cancer Research UK
  • Therapeutics
  • Drug discovery
  • Translational research
  • Oncology

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Therapeutic Catalyst – expression of interestNext deadline 5 February 2027

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