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Cancer Grand Challenges (NCI + Cancer Research UK)

Cancer Grand Challenges

Supports large interdisciplinary global teams tackling transformative unsolved problems in cancer biology.

Between cyclesNIH National Cancer InstituteUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
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About

Cancer Grand Challenges is a co-funded program of the National Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK that supports large, interdisciplinary global research teams assembled to tackle the hardest unsolved problems in cancer biology. Launched in 2020, the program has run rounds in 2021 and 2023. Each winning team receives approximately $25 million over five years through an NIH Other Transaction Aw…

What this grant funds

NCI-defined Grand Challenge topics in cancer biology — cross-cutting, high-risk, potentially transformative research that no single team could tackle alone.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Biennial
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.60 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Other Transaction (OT)
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—
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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: www.cancer.gov