Cancer Research UK

Fully funded

Cancer Research UK Black Leaders in Cancer Scholarship Programme (PhD)

Cancer Research UK, United Kingdom

Scholarship overview

The Black Leaders in Cancer Scholarship Programme is a Cancer Research UK positive action scheme to develop the next generation of Black leaders in cancer research. It was designed with Black in Cancer and the Windsor Fellowship and offers a fully funded four-year PhD studentship at one of Cancer Research UK's centres.

Alongside the studentship, scholars receive pastoral support from a mentor trained by the Windsor Fellowship, a leadership programme, Black in Cancer career development workshops, an academic mentor at the host centre, and core skills training, career support and networking.

Applicants do not need to be UK nationals. Cancer Research UK funds fees at its home rate, and any gap to the international fee must be met by the host institution from another source, not by the student.

Award Information

  • Self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background (for example Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, or mixed backgrounds that include these).
  • Hold or expect to graduate with a first or upper second class honours degree, or equivalent from a non-UK university, in a relevant subject.
  • Have appropriate research experience as part of, or outside of, an undergraduate or master's course in a relevant subject.
  • Meet the English language requirements of the host institution.
  • Be a non-clinical PhD candidate; clinical trainees are not eligible.
  • Not already be a PhD student; the scholarship supports the full PhD from the start.
  • UK nationality is not required; EU and EEA nationals are classed as international fee payers.
  • Meet the general entry requirements of the PhD programme at the chosen centre.
  • Fully funded four-year PhD studentship, including stipend and research costs, in line with Cancer Research UK's costs guidance.
  • Tuition fees funded at Cancer Research UK's home/UK rate; any shortfall to the international fee is covered by the institution from another source and cannot be charged to the student.
  • Pastoral mentoring from a Windsor Fellowship-trained mentor.
  • Leadership programme of workshops (resilience, presentations, teamwork, goal setting, navigating the workplace).
  • Black in Cancer career development workshops.
  • Academic mentor at the host centre.
  • Core skills training, career development support and networking events.

2026/27 round (one round a year; each centre sets its own dates):

  • City of London: opens 5 October 2026, closes 4 November 2026, interviews w/c 11 January 2027.
  • Cambridge: opens 5 October 2026, closes 19 November 2026, interviews w/c 11 January 2027.
  • Oxford: opens 16 September 2026, closes 1 December 2026, interviews January 2027.
  • Convergence: opens 5 November 2026, closes 4 January 2027, interviews early spring 2027.
  • Manchester: opens 15 February 2027, closes 9 April 2027, interviews w/c 10 May 2027.
  • Newcastle: opens 12 October 2026, closes 4 December 2026, interviews w/c 8 February 2027.
  • Scotland: opens 19 October 2026, closes 30 November 2026, interviews w/c 25 January 2027.
  1. Watch the programme insight session for advice on PhD applications and research careers.
  2. Submit a formal application to the Windsor Fellowship.
  3. Submit a PhD application to one of the seven Cancer Research UK locations: Cambridge, City of London, Convergence Science, Manchester, Newcastle, Oxford or Scotland, by that centre's deadline.
  4. If shortlisted, attend an interview at the centre.
  5. Contact Cancer Research UK with questions about eligibility or the application; reasonable adjustments are available without a formal diagnosis.

Official links

How selection works

Applications are supported by Cancer Research UK and the Windsor Fellowship. Once approved to apply to a centre, candidates go through that centre's formal PhD application process, and shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the centre.

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