Today, we’re excited to announce a £173m investment in our Cambridge Institute – the largest single grant we have ever awarded outside of London.  

The award, which will support the Institute over the next seven years, will enable world-class discovery science, unlocking new insights into how cancers develop, grow and spread, as well as examining how the immune system can be harnessed to combat the disease.    

“In a golden era for life sciences, this funding bolsters Cambridge as a major global hub for cancer research on an increasingly competitive worldwide stage and will greatly aid the recruitment of top-tier international talent,” said Professor Greg Hannon, Director of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute.  

The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute 

The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute was established in 2007 and was the first new major cancer research centre in the UK for over 50 years.  

In 2013, it became a department of the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, strengthening links with researchers across the University and further enhancing its position as a world leader with research transitioning into clinical trials, and ultimately new and better cancer treatments.  

There are over 300 scientists at the Institute working on groundbreaking discoveries and taking them from the laboratory bench to patient’s bedsides.  

“The Institute serves as a foundation for the entire Cambridge cancer research community through access to cutting-edge equipment and technical expertise,” said Hannon. 

“Only through understanding all aspects of the disease can we prevent, detect and treat cancer so that everybody can lead longer, better lives, free from fear of cancer. 

“With this new funding, the Institute aims to accelerate its impact for patients, with new schemes to integrate clinicians into every aspect of our research and to embrace new technologies, including the promise of machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance our discovery portfolio.”   

Want to explore our Cambridge Institute? Check out our drone fly-through tour: