LOI deadline: November 13, 2026, 5 p.m. GMT. World Cancer Research Fund International’s 2026–27 INSPIRE Research Challenge is a separate applicant-facing grant competition for independent early-career investigators worldwide studying innovative approaches to human cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship. The call opened October 5, 2026.
Individual applicant maximum: £75,000 GBP total for up to 12 months. Budgets must be submitted in pounds sterling and justified. Direct research expenses can include the principal investigator’s salary, staff, essential equipment, research supplies, publication, travel and patient/public engagement. The PI must explain how other research expenses will be met if PI salary is requested. Institutional overheads and training courses are ineligible. No general mandatory cash match is published.
Eligible applicants: Investigators awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent higher research degree 2–7 years ago on a full-time-equivalent basis, accounting for eligible career breaks, who hold a research contract at a university, medical school, hospital or research institute anywhere in the world. The investigator must demonstrate intellectual independence and have an endorsing support letter from the current supervisor. Current World Cancer Research Fund Network grantees are ineligible. Only one lead application per PI across INSPIRE and the Regular Grant Programme is permitted per funding cycle; up to three INSPIRE applications per institution.
Scope: Projects must address one or more mandatory 2026–27 priorities: integrative oncology, lifestyle and weight-loss medications, early-onset cancer, early-life exposures, ingested contaminants or ultra-processed foods. They must test a plausible hypothesis relevant to human cancer; where scientifically appropriate, projects may consider diet, exercise, sleep, stress, immune function or pathogens. Pure systematic reviews/meta-analyses and exclusively cell-line research are not eligible. Experimental animal models need strong scientific justification and ethical compliance.
How to apply: Read the controlling 16-page INSPIRE guidance. Use ProposalCentral to submit the mandatory LOI by November 13, 2026 at 5 p.m. GMT, including proposed hypothesis, workplan, supervisor support, eligible institution and GBP direct-cost budget. Institutional Head of Department and Finance Officer electronic approvals must be completed for the funder to receive the application; allow at least three working days. Initial LOI outcomes expected February 2027, final awards around September 2027. Contact inspire@wcrf.org.