Yorkshire Cancer Research – 2026 Sheffield Pioneers Funding (round 5)

Yorkshire Cancer Research has established a unique funding stream that can only be applied for by principal applicants based at the University of Sheffield. All proposals submitted to these funds must undertake cancer research that will ultimately improve the cancer outcome for people within the region and beyond.

All applications submitted to the funding stream must have gone through the University of Sheffield’s internal review process and be approved by the University of Sheffield to apply. For more information on the University of Sheffield selection process please contact Research Services at Sheffield by emailing ycr_schemes@sheffield.ac.uk
 

With the exception of External Fellowship Applicants, all Principal Applicants must be currently employed by the University of Sheffield. In practice, this means that applicants must be contracted by the University to work at least 50% of their Full Time Equivalent (FTE) at the University.

Applicants who have “Open ended” or “Fixed Term” contracts are eligible to apply, however, they must either submit a letter of support from the University stating that their contract would continue for the duration of the Award, or provide details of the person who would lead the proposal in the event of a personnel change.

Those not holding a substantive post should identify a suitable mentor/co-applicant (who holds a substantive post) to be a joint principal applicant. Honorary staff without a contract of employment at the University are not eligible to be a Principal Applicant or Fellowship Mentor on applications but can apply as Co-applicants.

All Fellowship Applicants will need an agreed supervisor/mentor who is a permanent member of staff at the University of Sheffield. These should be added as a joint Lead Applicant. External Fellowship Applicants must demonstrate they have sponsorship and agreement from the respective Head of School that a University of Sheffield contract will be provided on successfully being awarded a Fellowship Award. A letter of support must be submitted confirming this agreement.

The University of Sheffield must be the host institution. All Awards are subject to Yorkshire Cancer Research Award Conditions and Policies for Awards.

1. Cancer prevention and early diagnosis
   
   The research within this theme will describe and analyse the characteristics of Yorkshire populations and patients, and the cancers experienced there, to help identify factors that contribute to poor outcomes. The vision is that gaining a better understanding of Yorkshire’s cancer patients, will help to develop targeted interventions and screening programmes to improve survival, primarily through earlier diagnosis.
    
2. Digital health, big data, advanced diagnostic technologies: rethinking the delivery of care
   
   Integrating modern technology and digital health with a re-envisaged cancer care delivery, the vision is that digital healthcare information, artificial intelligence and more intelligent use of novel diagnostics in clinical pathways will increase the volume and safety of community-based oncology treatments, thus saving NHS costs and improving patient experiences. Digital technology can also be used to inform risk profiles.
    
3. Translational and precision cancer medicine
   
   This theme will integrate genomic profiling with NHS cancer pathways to reveal insights into the role and opportunities of modern genomics and precision oncology in cancer care, offer pipelines of patients for the next generation of pharmaceutical studies and feed into discovery and molecular research in the University.
    
4. Improving outcomes for cancer patients
   
   The vision is to discover new treatments or better ways of giving current treatments, as well as develop new methodology for matching treatment to patients’ individual cancers. This theme encompasses discovery science – identifying new molecules and mechanisms; therapeutic innovation – developing novel treatments and combinations; and precision oncology – improving patient selection to optimise therapeutic response.
    
5. Enhancing patient experience and voice
   
   Our research will focus on improving quality of life by developing a holistic approach across the whole cancer experience. This will span risk and prevention to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative and supportive care as well as bereavement support. By supporting empirical research, including studies of digital data, we will address different experiences in terms of the access to, and the provision of, services for cancer prevention and care. Inclusivity is a key driver of this theme, with a vision that has patients and those important to them at the centre of what we do.
    

Yorkshire Cancer Research commissions the independent organisation, Worldwide Cancer Research (WCR), to conduct the peer review of applications submitted to the Sheffield Pioneers Fund.

If you have any questions please contact research@ycr.org.uk or call our research team on 01423 613483.