Open Call for Transformational Impact Grant Programme (UK)

Deadline: 22-Sep-2026

The Transformational Impact Grant Programme provides major research funding for projects capable of producing significant advances in prostate cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. Awards are expected to be around £1.5 million, with proposals of up to £2 million considered for research programmes lasting up to five years or longer. What Is the Transformational Impact Grant Programme? The Transformational Impact Grant Programme supports ambitious, high-quality research designed to generate substantial and measurable advances in prostate cancer. The scheme covers the full research pathway, from discovery science and preclinical research to translational and clinical studies. Combined preclinical and clinical programmes with interconnected workstreams. The central requirement is that the research should have the potential to create a transformational impact on prostate cancer knowledge, clinical practice, or patient benefit. Why It Matters Prostate cancer research requires advances across diagnosis, disease biology, treatment, recurrence, and resistance. This programme is intended for research that can: Produce evidence leading to changes in clinical practice. Address major unanswered questions in prostate cancer. Generate a significant advance in understanding the disease. Translate scientific discoveries into improved diagnosis or treatment. Create a substantial step change in prostate cancer research. The programme therefore targets projects with a strong pathway from research discovery to real-world impact. What Research Does the Programme Support? The call supports research across several major prostate cancer themes. Novel Diagnostic Approaches Research may focus on translating innovative diagnostic technologies, biomarkers, tests, or approaches into applications that improve prostate cancer detection and management. High-Risk Localised Prostate Cancer Projects can investigate the biology, identification, progression, and management of high-risk localised disease. Treatment of Localised Disease Research may develop or evaluate new approaches for treating prostate cancer before it becomes metastatic. Localised Recurrence Projects can address the detection and treatment of prostate cancer that returns after initial treatment. Metastatic Disease Biology Research may investigate how prostate cancer develops and behaves after spreading to other parts of the body. Preventing CRPC Progression The programme supports research aimed at preventing or delaying progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). CRPC refers to prostate cancer that continues to progress despite treatments designed to reduce androgen activity. Novel Treatments for CRPC Researchers can investigate new therapeutic approaches for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Treatment Resistance Research may explore why advanced prostate cancer stops responding to existing treatments and how resistance can be prevented or overcome. Funding Available The anticipated award size is approximately: £1.5 million per grant This is equivalent to approximately $1.9 million USD, although the actual dollar value will vary with exchange rates.

Proposals requesting up to:

£2 million may also be considered. Projects can run for up to five years or longer, depending on the proposed research programme and justification. Projects requesting less than £750,000 may be more appropriately suited to the Research Innovation Awards scheme. Who Is Eligible? Applications must be led by an established researcher who meets the relevant academic or clinical appointment requirements.

Eligible lead applicants include:

Researchers with a tenured academic appointment at a recognised UK institution. Researchers with a tenure-track academic appointment at a recognised UK institution. Clinical researchers holding an honorary academic contract at a recognised UK institution. The lead applicant should have the experience and institutional position necessary to manage a major, multi-year research programme. Joint Lead Applicants The programme allows applicants to build multidisciplinary research teams. Up to four additional senior Joint Lead Applicants may be included.

Joint Lead Applicants can be based:

In the UK. Internationally. The programme also requires the inclusion of at least one experienced Early Career Researcher (ECR) as a Joint Lead Applicant. This requirement encourages major research programmes to combine established scientific leadership with the development of emerging research talent. Early Career Researchers and Trainees Applicants are expected to consider meaningful involvement of early-career researchers.

The inclusion of:

PhD studentships Clinical Fellows Early Career Researchers is encouraged where appropriate to the proposed research programme. This can help build long-term research capacity while delivering the scientific objectives of the grant. What Makes a Strong Proposal? A strong application should clearly explain why the proposed research could create a transformational change in prostate cancer.

Important elements include:

A clearly defined and significant research question. Strong scientific rationale. High-quality discovery, translational, or clinical research. A clear pathway toward patient benefit. Evidence that the research could influence clinical practice. Appropriate methodology and study design. Strong multidisciplinary collaboration where required. Experienced research leadership. Meaningful involvement of Early Career Researchers. A realistic and justified budget. Clear milestones and expected outcomes. How the Programme Works Applicants should structure their research programme around a clear chain of impact: Major prostate cancer problem → innovative research question → rigorous research programme → evidence generation → translation → clinical or patient benefit Where several research components are proposed, applicants should demonstrate why they are int