Prostate Cancer UK is a leading UK prostate cancer charity focused on improving the diagnosis, treatment and support available to men affected by prostate cancer. Its work combines medical research, patient support, health information, awareness campaigns and policy advocacy, with the long-term ambition of creating a future where no man dies from prostate cancer.
The organisation is also the UK’s biggest public funder of prostate cancer research. It has funded more than £120 million in research and supports projects ranging from basic biological research and diagnostic innovation to clinical studies, precision medicine and new treatments.
Introduction
Prostate Cancer UK is a UK-based medical research and patient-support charity dedicated to tackling prostate cancer and improving outcomes for men and their families.
Its work covers four interconnected areas:
- Funding innovative prostate cancer research.
- Helping men understand their prostate cancer risk and treatment options.
- Providing specialist information and support services.
- Campaigning for better diagnosis, treatment and early detection.
The organisation aims to give men the information, research breakthroughs and support they need to navigate prostate cancer and ultimately help create a world where prostate cancer no longer limits or ends men’s lives.
History and Background
Establishment and Early Development
Prostate Cancer UK traces its origins to 1994, when Anthony Kilmister founded Prostate UK, then known as the Prostate Research Campaign UK. The organisation was established in response to a lack of research and accessible public information about prostate disease.
The organisation later developed through collaboration and merger within the UK prostate cancer charity sector. Prostate UK and the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation merged into Prostate Action in 2010, contributing to the organisation’s subsequent development into Prostate Cancer UK.
Growth as a Prostate Cancer Charity
Over the past several decades, Prostate Cancer UK has expanded from a research and information-focused organisation into a major UK charity combining research investment, patient support, awareness, campaigning and health-system engagement.
The organisation says that its research investments have contributed to major advances in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the development and wider adoption of multiparametric MRI technology and the development of precision medicine approaches.
Mission and Purpose
Mission
The central mission of Prostate Cancer UK is to create a future where no man dies from prostate cancer. The organisation also seeks to ensure that men affected by the disease have the power and information needed to navigate diagnosis, treatment and life after treatment.
Key Objectives
Its work focuses on:
- Finding better ways to detect prostate cancer earlier.
- Developing more effective and personalised treatments.
- Improving understanding of prostate cancer biology.
- Reducing inequalities in prostate cancer outcomes.
- Providing trusted health information.
- Supporting men and their families.
- Campaigning for improvements in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Supporting the development of future prostate cancer researchers.
Governance and Structure
Organisational Structure
Prostate Cancer UK operates as a charitable organisation with governance structures overseeing its research investment, patient services, campaigning and wider organisational activities.
Research Governance
Prostate Cancer UK’s research funding processes have been certified by the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) as meeting best-practice standards for medical and health research peer review.
Patient and public involvement is also incorporated into research assessment. For example, applications for the Research Innovation Awards are assessed by patient and public involvement representatives as part of the review process.
Funding and Grants
Prostate Cancer UK Research Funding
Research funding is one of Prostate Cancer UK’s most significant activities. The organisation says it has invested more than £120 million in prostate cancer research.
Its funding portfolio includes:
- Discovery and fundamental research.
- Clinical research.
- Translational research.
- Diagnostic research.
- Precision medicine.
- Treatment research.
- Research into treatment resistance.
- Imaging.
- Immunology.
- Surgery and radiotherapy.
- Focal therapy.
- Black men’s health equity.
- Research supporting better treatment of localised and advanced disease.
Research Innovation Awards
The Research Innovation Awards support bold and innovative research projects that have the potential to change how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated.
The scheme accepts fundamental and clinical research, as well as projects between these stages, provided there is a clear pathway towards improving the health and wellbeing of men affected by or at high risk of prostate cancer. Smaller pilot and “blue sky” research projects can also be considered.
For the 2026 round, the Expression of Interest deadline is 1pm on 6 October 2026. Shortlisted applicants will proceed to a second stage, with final funding decisions expected in July 2027 and the earliest grant start date set for 1 August 2027.
Transformational Impact Awards
The Transformational Impact Awards support larger-scale research programmes that can deliver substantial advances in understanding, diagnosing or treating prostate cancer.
The scheme can support:
- High-quality discovery science.
- Preclinical research.
- Clinical research.
- Individual clinical studies.
- Interconnected research programmes.
- Research designed to accelerate patient benefit.
For the 2026 call, proposals are expected to be around £1.5 million and can run for up to five years, although proposals of up to £2 million may be considered. Proposals above £1.5 million must be discussed with Prostate Cancer UK before submission.
Career Acceleration Fellowships
Prostate Cancer UK’s Career Acceleration Fellowships support promising early-career researchers who want to establish independent research careers in prostate cancer.
The scheme is designed to help researchers:
- Develop independent research goals.
- Establish collaborations.
- Develop new technical skills.
- Gain experience in leading research environments.
- Build their future careers as prostate cancer research leaders.
Joint Clinical Research Funding
Prostate Cancer UK also collaborates with organisations including the Medical Research Council (MRC), National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Academy of Medical Sciences on funding opportunities for clinical researchers.
The Joint MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship supports clinically active healthcare professionals undertaking higher research degrees such as PhDs or MDs in prostate cancer research. It can also support postdoctoral researchers seeking to consolidate or refresh research skills.
Major Programs and Initiatives
TRANSFORM Prostate Cancer Screening Trial
One of Prostate Cancer UK’s major research initiatives is the TRANSFORM trial, which aims to identify the most effective methods for screening men for prostate cancer.
The organisation describes TRANSFORM as its biggest and most ambitious trial and positions it as a key component of its ambition to establish a national prostate cancer screening programme.
Risk Checker
Prostate Cancer UK’s online Risk Checker provides men with information about their individual risk of prostate cancer and helps them understand potential next steps.
The organisation reports that the tool has been used for more than 4 million risk checks since 2020.
Specialist Nurse Service
Prostate Cancer UK provides specialist support to men affected by prostate cancer and prostate problems.
Its Specialist Nurses have more than 14,000 conversations each year, providing information, reassurance and support through channels including telephone, online chat, email and WhatsApp.
Patient and Peer Support
The organisation also provides services such as:
- Sexual support.
- One-to-one peer support.
- Specialist nurse advice.
- Online information.
- Treatment and diagnosis information.
- Support for men and families navigating prostate cancer.
These services complement the organisation’s research and campaigning work by helping people understand and manage the practical and emotional challenges associated with prostate cancer.
Awareness and Campaigning
Prostate Cancer UK campaigns to improve awareness of prostate cancer risk and encourage earlier diagnosis.
The organisation is particularly focused on developing a national screening programme that could identify prostate cancer earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Research Investment
Prostate Cancer UK reports that it has invested more than £120 million in world-class prostate cancer research. This investment has contributed to advances in diagnosis, treatment and understanding of the disease.
Multiparametric MRI
One significant example of research impact is the development and promotion of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for prostate cancer diagnosis.
Prostate Cancer UK states that it helped develop world-class mpMRI technology and subsequently campaigned for its availability in hospitals across the UK.
Precision Medicine
Research supported by Prostate Cancer UK contributed to the development of olaparib, which the organisation describes as the world’s first precision medicine for prostate cancer.
Precision medicine uses information about the biology or genetics of a patient’s cancer to identify treatments that are more specifically suited to that cancer. This work has opened new treatment approaches for advanced prostate cancer.
Research Diversity and Health Equity
Prostate Cancer UK’s research portfolio includes Black men’s health equity as a research area. This reflects the organisation’s broader focus on addressing differences in prostate cancer risk, diagnosis and outcomes between population groups. (Prostate Cancer UK)
Supporting Future Researchers
Through fellowships, internships and training opportunities, Prostate Cancer UK also invests in the next generation of prostate cancer researchers.
Its 2027 Windsor Fellowship partnership, for example, supports UK-based prostate cancer research laboratories hosting eight-week summer placements for Black and mixed-Black heritage undergraduate students or recent graduates. (Prostate Cancer UK)
How Researchers Can Apply for Prostate Cancer UK Funding
Researchers interested in Prostate Cancer UK funding should follow the specific requirements of the relevant funding scheme.
A typical application process involves:
- Identify the appropriate funding programme based on the research stage, project scale and career level.
- Review the research strategy and eligibility criteria for the selected scheme.
- Check the funding scope to ensure that the proposed research addresses prostate cancer and has a credible pathway towards patient benefit.
- Prepare the Expression of Interest or application using the required application system and templates.
- Secure institutional approvals and any required declarations before the deadline.
- Submit the application by the specified deadline.
- Participate in peer review and assessment if the application progresses.
- Respond to reviewer comments or submit a second-stage application where required.
- Await the final funding decision from the relevant review committee and Board of Trustees.
Prostate Cancer UK advises first-time applicants to contact its research team to discuss potential projects before applying, particularly where eligibility or fit with the research strategy is uncertain.
Why Prostate Cancer UK Matters
Prostate Cancer UK plays an important role in the UK prostate cancer ecosystem because it combines research funding, patient support, public awareness and health-system campaigning within one organisation.
Its work matters because:
- Prostate cancer is the UK’s most common cancer.
- Earlier diagnosis can improve treatment options.
- Research is needed to develop more effective and personalised treatments.
- Men and families need reliable information and specialist support.
- Health inequalities require targeted research and action.
- Future researchers need funding and career-development opportunities.
- Evidence from research needs to be translated into improvements in healthcare practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Prostate Cancer UK?
Prostate Cancer UK is a UK prostate cancer charity that funds research, provides specialist information and support, raises awareness and campaigns for improvements in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.
What is Prostate Cancer UK’s mission?
Its central mission is to create a future where no man dies from prostate cancer while giving men the information and support needed to navigate the disease.
How much research funding has Prostate Cancer UK provided?
Prostate Cancer UK reports that it has funded more than £120 million of prostate cancer research.
What types of research does Prostate Cancer UK fund?
Its research portfolio covers areas including diagnosis, imaging, precision medicine, treatment resistance, immunology, surgery, radiotherapy, focal therapy, clinical research, fundamental biology and Black men’s health equity.
What are the Research Innovation Awards?
Research Innovation Awards support bold and innovative prostate cancer research with the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment. They can support fundamental, translational and clinical research, as well as smaller pilot projects.
What are the Transformational Impact Awards?
Transformational Impact Awards support large-scale research investments and interconnected research programmes designed to deliver significant advances in prostate cancer research and patient benefit.
Where can researchers find current Prostate Cancer UK funding opportunities?
Researchers can find current and upcoming research funding schemes through the official Prostate Cancer UK funding opportunities page.
Conclusion
Prostate Cancer UK is a major UK organisation working to reduce the impact of prostate cancer through research, patient support, health information, awareness and campaigning. Since its origins in the 1990s, it has developed into one of the country’s leading funders of prostate cancer research.
Its research funding supports a broad range of scientific and clinical work, from fundamental cancer biology and diagnostic technologies to precision medicine, treatment innovation and clinical research. At the same time, its specialist support services and awareness programmes help men and their families make informed decisions throughout the prostate cancer journey.
For researchers, Prostate Cancer UK’s funding portfolio offers opportunities ranging from early-career fellowships and clinical research training to innovative research projects and major transformational research programmes. Its continued emphasis on patient benefit, scientific quality, innovation and patient and public involvement makes it an important funding organisation within the UK prostate cancer research landscape.
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