International — WCRF 2026–27 Pilot and Feasibility Cancer Research Grants (Up to £60,000)

Letter of Intent deadline: November 13, 2026, 5 p.m. GMT. World Cancer Research Fund International’s 2026–27 Regular Grant Programme includes a distinct Pilot and Feasibility Grant (PFG) track for eligible research institutions worldwide. The grants prepare for later, substantive human cancer research on diet, nutrition, body composition, physical activity and sleep.

Individual applicant funding: up to £60,000 GBP total for up to two years. This is not the £500,000 maximum for the separate Investigator Initiated Grant (IIG) track. No universal cash match is published. Requests must be itemized in GBP; institutional overheads and general training courses are excluded.

Eligible research: Genuine pilot or feasibility studies involving processes such as participant recruitment, consent, retention, data collection, research implementation, sample feasibility and transition criteria for a later trial or study. Primary efficacy testing, small full-hypothesis studies, and standalone development of new research tools/methods do not qualify for PFG; those needing hypothesis-testing research should consider the separate IIG. Cancer relevance must be explicit and address one of six 2026–27 research priorities: integrative oncology, lifestyle/weight-loss medicines, early-onset cancer, early-life exposures, ingested contaminants or ultra-processed foods.

Applicants: Universities, medical schools, research hospitals, academic institutes and independent noncommercial research centers worldwide. The PI must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent and have prior independent grant funding, with a host research appointment throughout the project. No more than three Regular Grant Programme applications may come from one institution per cycle, and only one lead application per investigator. Lead PI salary is ordinarily excluded, except limited consideration for eligible low- and middle-income country investigators. Direct research personnel, justified equipment, supplies, research travel and dissemination may qualify.

How to apply: Study the controlling 20-page RGP guidance, create a ProposalCentral account and choose the Pilot and Feasibility Grant LOI. Complete the application by November 13, 2026 at 5 p.m. GMT, including online approval by the institution’s Head of Department and Finance Officer; allow them at least three working days. Successful LOIs may be invited to full proposal review; initial LOI outcomes expected February 2027. Questions: research@wcrf.org.