Cancer Grand Challenges
A Cancer Research UK and US National Cancer Institute partnership that gives up to £20 million to global teams to tackle a named cancer problem no single lab could solve.
Launched by Cancer Research UK in 2015 as Grand Challenge and relaunched with the NCI in 2020, Cancer Grand Challenges sets a series of open challenges, from mapping tumours at single-cell resolution to understanding cachexia, extrachromosomal DNA, early-onset colorectal cancer and the causes of cancers in never-smokers, and funds interdisciplinary international teams for five years. Funded teams include Mutographs (mutational signatures of exposures), eDyNAmiC (extrachromosomal DNA), CANCAN (cachexia), PROSPECT and SAMBAI. Patient advocates sit in every team and challenges are set with input from the global community. The programme is a model for goal-directed, cross-border funding.
- Challenge-setting and team awards (up to £20 million)
- Funded teams: Mutographs, eDyNAmiC, CANCAN, PROSPECT, SAMBAI
- Patient advocacy in every team
Michelle Mitchell is chief executive of the world's largest independent cancer research charity.
Iain Foulkes directs the research portfolio of Cancer Research UK.
Co-developed the HPV vaccine technology that is eliminating cervical cancer in vaccinated populations.