Research priorities

For more information regarding the specific research priorities, please see our Grant Application Package.

Applicants should adhere to the general research principles, as outlined in the Grant Application Package (GAP) 2011-2012 and may address one or more of the specific research priorities detailed in the GAP and listed below:

• Clarify the evidence on research areas of nutrition and cancer
• Life course exposure in relation to cancer
• The role of body fatness and physical activity in relation to cancer
• Patterns of diet and physical activity in relation to cancer
• Molecular/genetic research
• Methodological research
• Cancer survivors research

Please note:

From 2010 a revised system has been introduced whereby applications for the WCRF International Grant Programme will be accepted from anywhere in the world except the Americas (North America, Central America including the Caribbean, and South America). Applications from the Americas will be accepted by the AICR Grant Programme.

Studies must be justified in terms of their direct relevance to human cancer. Studies that will be considered include, but are not limited to, (1) human epidemiologic, clinical, or metabolic studies; (2) studies that use human biological samples (e.g. blood, tissue, urine); (3) in vivo or in vitro studies that explore mechanistic pathways of the cancer process.

The use of experimental designs outside in vivo human settings will be considered for relevant studies that examine mechanistic pathways of the cancer process. Experimental studies that exclusively explore changes in the cancer outcome (e.g. incidence, tumour size) will be considered only if the applicant demonstrates that these changes are relevant to human cancer.

Given the interest in the diet and cancer field and the high quality of applications, ONLY those outline applications that in the judgment of the Grant Panel are of sufficient quality and relevance to WCRF International’s objectives will be considered suitable for external review.

Use of animals in research

One of the WCRF global network's missions is to fund research on the relationship of nutrition, physical activity and weight management to cancer risk.

WCRF International does not carry out any research itself. The research funded under the WCRF International Grant Programme is carried out in universities, hospitals and other research institutions.

For the WCRF International Research Grant Programme, preference is given to applications that have direct relevance to human cancer. Projects that are outside the human in vivo setting that are not justified in term of their relevance to humans will not be given priority. However, we recognise that animal research can be valuable in providing knowledge and understanding of basic biology and mechanisms that cannot be obtained from research in humans, but that can lead to human studies in the future.

WCRF International is a member of the UK based Association of Medical Research Charities and endorses the AMRC's position on the use of animals in medical research that animals should only be used if it is essential and there is no alternative.