Apply for a challenge

We are inviting global, interdisciplinary research teams to submit a full application. Please contact the Cancer Grand Challenges office first with a Letter of Interest to confirm whether your proposed project is within the scope of the funding opportunity. Teams must be international in nature, with no more than 50% of the Co-Investigators and overall funding being based in a single country. There is no requirement for teams to be led by or comprise team members who are based in the UK or US.

We expect a team to include one Team Lead and up to seven Co-Investigators. Applications are welcomed from teams working across a breadth of disciplines, including but not limited to: the biomedical sciences; software development and technology; engineering and physical sciences; and behavioural, health, population and social sciences. 

Please see further details in the Application Guidelines.

We initially expect to fund at least one team, although the final number of teams we fund will depend on scientific quality and availability of funds. Winning teams in this funding call will be funded by the Torrey Coast Foundation and Cancer Research UK through Cancer Grand Challenges. Teams are expected to start their research in May 2027.

The Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee will assess the applications received and shortlist teams based on the scientific quality of each proposal. Successfully shortlisted team(s) will be invited to attend an in-person interview with the Scientific Committee on 20 January 2027 in New York City.

These targeted challenges were developed in collaboration with the Torrey Coast Foundation and Cancer Research UK to address a specific, high-priority area of unmet need in cancer research, with significant potential for transformative impact.

The targeted gastroesophageal challenges were informed by a think tank convened by the Torrey Coast Foundation, The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research and Cancer Grand Challenges and chaired by Charles Swanton, Chair of the Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee. The think tank brought together leading researchers, clinicians and other experts, from the US, UK, Europe and Asia, to explore some of the most pressing questions in gastroesophageal cancer research and identify areas where focused investment could drive transformative progress. Input from members of our Patient Advocacy Panel also helped shape the challenges. 

Teams selected to tackle these challenges can receive up to $34m in funding over a flexible time period, reflecting the scale, ambition and collaborative nature of these awards.

Consultation for the sixth round of Cancer Grand Challenges, which will span the full breadth of cancer research, is already underway. The next set of core challenges will be announced in March 2027. 

We will continue to explore future opportunities for targeted challenges where there is a clear scientific need and the potential to accelerate progress through global team science.