We fund projects that are different, innovative, and have real benefits for cancer patients and their loved ones around the world.
How we fund research
To make sure we fund the highest quality projects, we are a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), a national organisation of leading medical and health research charities. AMRC membership is the hallmark of quality research funding. This means we follow the AMRC principles of peer review and support the AMRC position statement on the use of animals in research. We were awarded ‘Best practice in medical and health research peer review’ following our five-yearly audit in 2015.
Our decision process
We follow a 4 step funding process for all our research.
- We open calls for funding annually and invite researchers from Welsh institutions to submit applications to us.
- Expert peer reviewers from around the world volunteer their time to advise and score all our research applications.
- The peer reviews are read by one of our voluntary advisory committees (see below) who help us make decisions about which research grant applications to fund.
- The relevant advisory committee recommendations are passed to our Research and Patient Services Committee for funding approval. Applicants are informed of the decisions and successful applicants begin their research into improving the lives of cancer patients and their families, funded by us.
Our committees
As part of being a member of the AMRC, we follow good practice guidelines covering the five principles of peer review: accountability, balance, independence, rotation and impartiality. Our committees play a crucial role in the allocation of Tenovus Cancer Care funds and we are enormously grateful for their support and for giving up their time to help us help people affected by cancer.
Scientific Advisory Committee
Our Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is made up of leading researchers covering a mix of cancer types and lab based activity. They volunteer their time to meet a few times a year to recommend and monitor the progress of our lab based PhD Studentships.
- Chair: Dr Douglas Winton
- Professor Charlotte Bevan
- Dr James N. Arnold
- Professor Jonathon Pines
- Professor Ian Tomlinson
Psychosocial Advisory Committee
Our Psychosocial Advisory Committee (PAC) is made up of experts in their field.
Their wealth of knowledge covers a range of backgrounds including palliative care, cancer rehabilitation, physical activity epidemiology and health and social care relating to cancer.
They volunteer their time to meet throughout the year to recommend and monitor the progress of our community based PhD Studentships.
- Chair: Professor Mari Lloyd-Williams
- Dr Katriina Whitaker
- Professor John Saxton
- Dr Abigail Fisher
- Professor Julia Downing
- Professor Peter Murchie
- Professor Bridget Johnston
Research Advisory Group
Our Research Advisory Group consists of people affected by cancer, whether as a patient, survivor, carer, bereaved or through their work life. They are our volunteers involved in every stage of our iGrant process and recommend which projects should receive Tenovus Cancer Care iGrant funding.
- Alison
- Jayne
- John
- Laura
- Lesley
- Lynfa
- Mary
- Rachel
- Rachelle
- Stephen
- Wayne
Research Strategy Grant Steering Group
Our Research Strategy Grant Steering Group is made up of Tenovus Cancer Care staff members and lay representatives. They are involved in every stage of the research strategy grant process, from setting the call priorities to making funding recommendations.
- Chair: Dr Tim Banks – Head of Research
- Rhian Edwards – Director of Research and Support
- Iwan Jones – Head of Wellbeing
- Helen Powell – Head of Care
- Charlotte Simpson – Lay representative
Public and patient involvement
We’re a member of the Charities Research Involvement Group, a sub group of the Shared Learning Group on Involvement. The aim of the main group is to encourage shared learning about patient and carer involvement between voluntary sector organisations working in the UK.
The focus of the Charities Research Involvement Group is involvement in research. We currently involve patients and the public in every stage of our iGrant funding process by having our lay Research Advisory Group made up of entirely people affected by cancer.
We also have our Research Network of over 1,500 people who we email quarterly about opportunities to engage in research. If you’d like to add an opportunity to our next mailing, please email research@tenovuscancercare.org.uk to request a template.
Useful documents
Before you apply for research funding, you might find it useful to review the below documents.
- Our Research Strategy
- Our Grants Code of Conduct
- Allowed costs for grant applicants
- Studentship Terms & Conditions
- Impact Guidance
We are members of the AMRC. This means we follow the AMRC principles of peer review and support the AMRC position statement on the use of animals in research.
