| Cancer Research UK (CR-UK) is the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research. Launched in 2002, as a result of the merger of two large charities, CR-UK aims to improve understanding of cancer and develop better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease in addition to providing information on cancer and influencing public policy. Research remains the primary focus, and the portfolio is targeted at the basic understanding of cancer, primary prevention, risk stratification, symptom awareness, diagnosis and screening, treatment strategies and treatment management. Over £355 million (approx €400million) was dedicated to funding a wide variety of cancer research projects carried out during 2008/09, with an additional £15m (approx €16.5m) spent on cancer information and advocacy activities. More than 4,500 scientists, clinicians and nurses are supported via core Institutes and through a comprehensive range of response-mode grant awards, from bursaries, short-term pilot awards through to five-year programmes and clinical trials. CR-UK works with a wide range of partners, including the NHS, Departments of Health, the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), universities, academia, industry, other charities and the international research community. CR-UK acts as the administrative host organisation for the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI). NCRI is a partnership which coordinates the work of 20 government and charity funders of cancer research in the UK (including Cancer Research UK) as well as working with all relevant sectors of industry. NCRI develops common strategies for funders at national level and is also a partner in the International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP) which is seeking to develop global partnership in cancer research. NCRI and CR-UK have been among the pioneers of the strategic analysis of cancer research, together with research funders in the USA, and more recently Canada and Europe. |
