Innovate UK has launched a new £25.4 million funding competition to support the development and clinical validation of technologies that could help detect and diagnose cancer earlier.
The competition, delivered on behalf of the Office for Life Sciences’ Cancer Healthcare Goals programme, is seeking innovative collaborative R&D projects focused on early cancer diagnostics.
Funding will support the development, validation and evaluation of diagnostic technologies and approaches that demonstrate the potential to deliver clinical and health economic benefits.
Projects that address the needs of people with less common cancers are particularly encouraged. These are defined as cancer types outside breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer, although rare forms of these four cancers can also be included.
Successful projects could use the funding to generate evidence to support regulatory approval and future adoption within the NHS.
Projects must have total eligible costs of between £1.5 million and £4 million.
The competition opened on 1 September 2026 and closes at 11am on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
Key details
- Up to £25.4 million available
- Funding provided as a grant
- Projects must have eligible costs of £1.5 million to £4 million
- Focus on earlier cancer detection and diagnosis
- Applications addressing less common cancers are particularly encouraged
- Deadline: 11am, 28 October 2026
Find out more about the competition and how to apply here.
