Introduction
Prostate cancer does not affect all men equally. Black men face double the risk of being diagnosed with and dying from prostate cancer than white men, but alarmingly, policy decisions for Black men continue to rely on data derived from white men, even though clear differences exist between them.
Socioeconomic deprivation and geographic location also play an important role in prostate cancer stage at diagnosis and treatment - but how these factors interact and how they are influenced by other sociodemographic characteristics remains unclear.
We urgently need new evidence to update national policy and improve prostate cancer outcomes for Black men and men experiencing health inequity. Our Real-World Evidence for Health Equity in Prostate Cancer Awards support research projects that leverage Real-World Data (RWD) to fill critical evidence gaps to fully understand and address health inequity in prostate cancer, starting with Black men.
Recognising the critical role of RWD in closing evidence gaps in prostate cancer, we are pleased to invite proposals for our first Real-World Evidence funding call, which will focus on closing evidence gaps that drive inequity in prostate cancer care.
Remit & Eligibility
The purpose of this initiative is to fund research that uses RWD applicable to the UK to generate new evidence to identify and address health inequity in prostate cancer, with a focus on racial inequity. We define RWD as data collected within NHS data registries, outside the context of controlled clinical trials.
We welcome research that explores differences in prostate cancer outcomes across sociodemographic groups, using rigorous epidemiological methods with clear potential to drive policy changes and advance equity in prostate cancer care.
Priority will be given to research projects that fill critical evidence gaps related to racial inequities in prostate cancer, specifically aiming to improve outcomes for Black men. We will also consider research that investigates the role of socioeconomic status, deprivation, and other factors associated with poorer prostate cancer outcomes.
Budget
The budget allocated for this funding initiative is 1 million pounds. We aim to support between 4-6 projects through this funding call.
Please note that value for money will be a consideration in making final funding decisions, so we would advise applicants to ensure that the amount they are requesting is a realistic reflection of what is needed and that the likely impact of the proposal is commensurate with the funding requested.
If you wish to discuss a prospective project with the Data & Evidence Team before applying, please contact us via email ([email protected]).
Application and Assessment Process
Applications will follow a 2 staged submission process:
1: Expression of Interest Stage
Stage 1 requires applicants to submit an expression of interest, which will be screened internally for eligibility and data relevance and availability. This stage is to review if applications are within the remit and are aligned with the eligibility criteria. All eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Applicants must submit their expression of interest and ensure that all online declarations and approvals have been completed by the relevant parties before 1pm on 18 March 2025.
2: Second Stage (for shortlisted applicants)
Following the review of the EOI, eligible applicants will move onto Stage 2 and will be invited to submit a full proposal by 25 March 2025. The deadline for submitting full proposals is by 1pm on 27 May 2025.
Full proposals will be peer-reviewed by an independent, non-conflicted, expert review panel, which is made up of members of our Research Advisory Committee and Scientific Advisory Board, Real-World evidence and health equity experts, and patient and public involvement representatives. All reviewers must adhere to our existing conflict of interest policy.
The panel will convene in July 2025 to assess the submissions and make funding recommendations based on the scoring guidelines.
Once the final funding decisions have been confirmed applicants will be informed of the outcome by email by August 2025.
Applications must be made using our online Grants Management System (Symplectic Grant Tracker). Once registered with the system, you will have access to the application form.
All awards made will be in line with our terms and conditions (please note - these terms may be subject to change).
Funding Committee
Committee Chair
Professor David Sebag-Montefiore - Professor of Clinical Oncology and Health Research, Director of the Leeds Cancer Research Centre, Director of the Leeds CRUK Centre of Excellence for Radiotherapy Research, Clinical Director of the Leeds CRUK Clinical Trial Unit; Leeds, UK
Committee members
Dr Adam Brentnall - Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics, Queen Mary University of London
Professor Daniel Brewer - Professor in Medical Bioinformatics and Genomics at the University of East Anglia
Dr Floor Christie-de Jong - Associate Professor in Public Health for Medicine, University of Sunderland
Dr Natalie Darko - Director of Inclusion, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Associate Professor (Health Equity), University of Leicester
Dr Eleanor Kayne - Senior Research Fellow, Health Sciences, University of York
Dr Eva McGrowder - Senior Trial Manager, Institute of Cancer Research, member of the Prostate Cancer UK Black Men's Health Advisory Group
Dr Jana McHugh - Clinical Research Fellow in Oncogenetics at The Institute of Cancer Research and Honorary Senior Registrar in Clinical Oncology at the Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London
Professor Caroline Moore - NIHR Research Professor & Head of Urology, University College London and Honorary Consultant Urological Surgeon, University College London Hospitals Trust
Dr Habib Naqvi MBE - Director of the NHS Race and Health Observatory
Des Powe - Patient and Public Involvement Representative and member of the Prostate Cancer UK Black Men's Health Advisory Group
Dr Meena Rafiq - GP and Clinical Research Fellow in the Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, University College London
Professor Prabhakar Rajan - Group Leader at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London and Turing Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, London. He is also a Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon at University College Hospital.
Dr Pasquale Rescigno - Senior Clinical Lecturer at Newcastle University and former Head of the Interdisciplinary Group for Translational Research and Clinical trials in GU cancers at the Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS.
Professor Faye Ruddock - Founding Chair, Caribbean & African Health Network Chair Health Equity, University of Greater Manchester Director, Institute of Health Equity & Social Justice, University of Greater Manchester
Professor Mieke Van Hemelrijck - Professor in Cancer Epidemiology, King's College London
Lloyd Young - Patient and Public Involvement Representative and member of the Prostate cancer UK Black Men's Health Advisory Group
Interested?
For information on what to include in your application form, please read the Guidance Notes.
Before you apply
Funds must be in accordance with our current Finance guidance.
