Apply for funding

We provide funding for impactful research projects that address important questions in the field of blood cancer and which align with our overarching strategic aims and priorities.

Each year, we run four grant schemes across the spectrum of discovery, translational and clinical research including fellowships to support early career researchers. An overview of our funding schemes is given below.

We are excited to launch this new clinical trial funding scheme through which we will support large-scale clinical trials that have significant potential to improve the survival for those affected by the hardest to treat blood cancers.

This scheme is open to applications for innovative, large-scale clinical trials testing multiple interventions that are adaptable in design (for example, multi-arm, multi-stage trials).

Applications must focus on the testing and development of at least one of the following:

• Novel treatments or treatment combinations;
• Improvements in treatment sequencing/scheduling;
• More personalised treatment approaches, for instance through use of/development of predictive or prognostic biomarkers.

All applications must also:

• Be inclusive by design and have an inclusive recruitment strategy in place to ensure patients recruited are representative of the disease group/subgroups under investigation.
• Have a clearly defined pathway to impact, aiming to achieve paradigm-shifting changes to current clinical practice or disease management for people living with the least survivable blood cancers.

Studies must be focused on patients with blood cancer who, with current clinical management, have a predicted 5-year survival of less than 50% at the point of diagnosis.

Grants will typically range from £4m to £8m, for up to seven years. The maximum that can be requested is £8m.

Applications for smaller-scale clinical trials in any type of blood cancer or precursor condition should be submitted to our annual Transformational Research Awards scheme.

We held a webinar on 2nd April to provide more information about the scheme. If you weren't able to attend but would like to watch the recording, please contact us via email.

We will also be running a workshop on 20th May which will be an opportunity to hear from those with complex trial design and delivery experience as well as take part in breakout sessions on topics such as PPI. We would expect lead applicants or senior research team representatives from all groups planning to apply to attend this workshop. Sign up here.

This will be a two-stage scheme. To apply:

1. Submit an ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) form below via email to the Research Team: by 26th June 2025
2. If your EOI is approved, your full application must be submitted on Grant Tracker: by 3pm, 1st October 2025
3. Notification of Interview: November 2025
4. Interviews will be held: February 2026
5. Outcomes will be communicated: ~ March 2026

Please refer closely to the guidelines during the development of your application.

All our schemes run annually. To be notified when our calls open, please contact the Research Team.

Project Grants

Project Grants support world class research proposals that aim to address vital questions in the field of blood cancer in line with our strategic aims and the priorities of people affected by blood cancer.

Maximum grant: £300,000

Duration: 3 years

Next call opens: October 2025

Innovative Pilot Grants

Innovative Pilot Grants support researchers with novel research ideas to develop the pilot data needed to secure further investment from our larger grant schemes, other medical research funders or from industry. This scheme allows us to fund innovative research ideas that could lead to the next big breakthroughs in blood cancer research.

Maximum grant: £30,000

Duration: 12 months

Next call opens: October 2025

Transformational Research Awards

Transformational Research Awards support advanced pre-clinical translational research, clinical studies or trials to develop and test new treatments, diagnostics or other technologies, or for the establishment of the evidence required for the uptake of improved treatments or technologies into the NHS. Research funded through this scheme should aim to accelerate progress towards a transformational step change in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or care for people affected by blood cancer.

Maximum grant: £1,000,000

Duration: 5 years

Next call opens: Spring 2026 (Expressions of Interest)

Early Career Fellowships

These clinical and non-clinical fellowships aim to help the most talented early career blood cancer researchers to make the next steps in their careers enabling their transition to independence. The scheme will increase the capacity in blood cancer research and support the development of the next generation of blood cancer research leaders.

Maximum grant: £350,000

Duration: 3 years

Next call opens: June 2025