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‘Apply for bowel cancer research grant to help improve early diagnosis of UK’s second biggest killer’
The NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Cancer Network has urged researchers in Scotland to take advantage of a new grant aimed at improving early diagnosis of bowel cancer
A pilot grant is being offered by Bowel Cancer UK, offering up to £50,000 “to support innovative research” into Scotland’s second most common cause of cancer death.
The grant is aligned to its Research Strategy, which is focused on stratifying bowel cancer risk, improving screening, and enhancing diagnostic approaches.
The charity said that lay review is “a key part of the assessment process” while patient involvement is “strongly encouraged and should be built in from the design stage”.
It notes that if support is needed in connecting with a patient representative, then researchers can reach out to the Bowel Cancer UK Research Network by completing a request form.
The NRS Cancer Network has encouraged interested researchers to apply for the early diagnosis pilot grants and meet the Wednesday 18 March deadline.
Network Clinical Lead, Professor Jeff Evans said: “Bowel cancer remains the fourth most common cancer and second biggest killer in the UK, with around 44,000 new cases reported annually.
“However, with the help of earlier diagnosis, it can be both treated and cured. Grants like these are therefore a vital opportunity to help make a difference and significantly improve overall survival rates.
“Bowel Cancer UK is hoping to identify innovations in diagnosis and screening, hand in hand with enhancing current approaches which have already evidenced success. If further breakthroughs can happen, then we in Scotland will share the benefits.
“Please do apply if you feel you can contribute to those aims.”
The NRS Cancer Network is supported by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government to increase, support and sustain clinical trial activity in cancer care in partnership with the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC).
The fundamental aim of NRS Cancer is to support the recruitment of cancer patients into clinical research and so contribute to improving the quality of cancer care for patients across Scotland. This has been achieved by improving the supportive research infrastructure in NHS Cancer Services in Scotland.
Publication date: 9th February 2026
