Pelican Cancer Foundation is the only charity in the UK committed solely to the research, education and advancement of surgery for bowel cancer and its associated secondary diseases, particularly in the liver, and our focus is on improving accurate diagnosis and precision surgery.

Bowel cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the UK and the 2nd biggest cancer killer. Every year nearly 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and sadly more than 16,500 people die of it. However, it can be treatable and curable if diagnosed early.

Pelican was founded in 1993 to advance the pioneering colorectal surgical work of Professor Bill Heald CBE who perfected a surgical technique that transformed patient survival rates and is now recognized across the world as the best surgical operation for bowel cancer. For the past thirty years, Pelican has worked with Professor Heald, Mr Merv Rees OBE, Mr Brendan Moran, and their colleagues at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, a world class centre of excellence for the treatment of bowel cancer, sharing the latest advances in early diagnosis, technology and surgical treatments to embed best practice and knowledge.

Optimal rectal cancer management remains at the heart of Pelican’s unique aims and has led to the development of world-renowned initiatives in colorectal cancer research and multidisciplinary team (MDT) workshops which have helped to refine treatment and improve outcomes. The principles and concepts of these workshops have been instrumental and have been replicated in part, or in whole, in many parts of the world.

Research principles

The following principles guide the charity’s research grants programme:

• Relevance to the surgical cure of bowel cancer and associated diseases
• Advances in quality of life for patients with bowel cancer and associated diseases
• Excellence, timeliness and originality of science
• Evidence that funding cannot be more suitably obtained elsewhere
• Avoid duplication
• Where possible openly publish and disseminate results of research

Research priorities

• Clinical rather than laboratory-based research
• Research that advances precision surgery and treatment
• Studies that include the multi-disciplinary perspective
• Relevance to the staging and treatment of bowel cancer, liver metastases and related diseases
• Innovative surgical research
• Research that can lead on to educational programmes for multi-disciplinary cancer teams or surgeons
• Of value to the NHS

Applicants should be aware that, due to limited resources, we do not automatically acknowledge applications and, although we endeavour to process applications as quickly as possible, we are unable to guarantee review completion dates.

The lay summary sections of the application forms are vital to our fundraising activities and must be written for an audience with no scientific background. Please take time to ensure language used in the lay summary is easy to understand and that your explanation is clear, otherwise your application is unlikely to be successful

Timing of applications

Funding opportunities will be advertised on the Pelican website with a clear timetable. All research proposals will be assessed using the rigorous review process set out in the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) guidelines and best practice.

Types of grants

Grants are available where the principal investigator is based in a recognised research centre, university or hospital. Centres outside the UK may be considered if the applications are partnered with a project within the UK.

The following types of grants are available:

• Pilot or feasibility study
• Small projects

We are particularly sympathetic towards innovative and early-stage projects. Applications for grants must be submitted on the appropriate application form, which can be found on the Pelican website.

Submitting an application

All applicants should refer to the terms and conditions before applying. It should be noted that, in line with AMRC guidance, applications should be for directly incurred costs of research only, indirect costs of research will not be met.

The research application must clearly ask a research question that delivers patient benefit and there should be a clear timescale of when this benefit will be available for patients.

The research should be clinical, Pelican is unlikely to support research that requires experimental animals. The study should focus on the research principles and priorities of the charity.

Funding relies on charitable donations and the lay summary is critical and will appear on the charity website. This summary must be a MAXIMUM of 200 words and follow the points laid out in the application.

If subsequent funding will be required, it should be made clear where this will be sought and how much it is likely to be.

Application Process

Application forms should be emailed to us no later than 3^rd September 2024. Any forms received after this date will not be considered. Make sure that electronic and mobile telephone contact details are clear on the application form in case we need to contact you about your application.

Peer Review

Peer Reviewers will consider:

• The area of research, the level of activity in the area in the UK and internationally and its international standing
• The importance of the application to the treatment of bowel cancer and associated diseases
• Scientific merit of the proposals and if the objectives are clear and sound
• If the plan of investigation is likely to yield decisive results and, if so, is the timescale realistic?
• Will the trial be able to recruit patients and complete the research in the timescale outlined?
• The suitability of method/techniques proposed
• What is the likely significance to the field?
• The track record of the research team for this type of trial
• Are the resources and running expenses requested justified and appropriate
• The likelihood of high impact publications arising from the work, the possible appeal of the work to the general public and potential donors and other issues relevant to the type of work or the subject area

Confidentiality

Applications are considered confidential, and all reasonable steps are taken to ensure confidentiality.

Fundraising

Successful applicants may be asked to assist with further fundraising.

Release of funds

Grants will be paid three months in arrears. Continuation of grants is reliant on successful annual reports of agreed targets and outcomes. If the Research Review Panel deems the research to lack momentum or achievement then grants will not be continued.

Contact Details:

Send applications to: admin@pelicancancer.org