To beat cancer, we need to be bold and think outside of the box to find fresh ways of tackling the disease. This led to us launching our flagship programme for innovative research. The Pioneer Award funds short-term, cutting-edge projects that explore entirely new scientific approaches. They are a source of funding like no other, as nowhere else in the field of oncology can a visionary scientist go from the first seed of an innovative idea to being awarded funding in just four months.

The Award scheme is high risk, high reward. We are aware that not all funded projects will succeed. What are hopeful for, however, is that for those which do succeed, they will transform and revolutionise our understanding of preventing cancer, diagnosing it earlier and/or treating cancer far more effectively.