Advancing Cancer Research Together

The purpose of the SCF is to help make life better for cancer patients in Sussex. Working with the Sussex Universities and hospital Trusts, SCF funds cancer research to raise the profile and impact of cancer research in Sussex, to help attract top talent to the region and to advance cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

.

 

Why Fund Research in Sussex?

Discover the importance of direct funding for cancer research in Sussex:

 

  • Enhanced Patient Care: Research-active hospitals offer improved care, informed decisions, and better patient confidence.
  • High Quality: SCF collaborates with the the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), and the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC) to ensure research funds support high-quality projects effectively.
  • Pump Priming: SCF supports early-stage projects that national charities may overlook, enabling researchers to gather vital data for future funding applications.
  • Tailored Projects: Our focus on Sussex-specific projects involves local patients in trials and introduces new treatments ahead of a broader UK rollout.
  • Professional Growth: Sponsoring local researchers attracts top talent to support the NHS, enhancing care quality and staff engagement.
  • Strategic Alignment: SCF’s research spending aligns with the goals of Sussex Cancer Research Centre to secure national investment in Sussex.

 

Advancing Cancer Research Together

Our Research Priorities

Our Research Priorities

It is our objective to fund research that is Patient Focussed, of High Quality, that is Sussex Aligned and which is an effective and efficient use of our research expenditure.

  • Patient Focussed – The Sussex Cancer Fund only funds research that has a clear line of site to delivering benefit to patients
  • High Quality – The SCF depends on donations and so places the utmost importance on ensuring it only funds research of the highest quality, achieved by a stringent peer review.
  • Sussex Alignment – It is a priority to support research that is part of a broader Sussex research strategy and that is aligned with the needs of Sussex patients
  • Efficient Giving – We use both Pump Priming as well as Joint Funding In order to maximise the use of our research spend

The SCF Research Strategy Summary

To fund a strong and growing portfolio of cancer research projects that contribute to a deeper understanding of cancer and lead to improved outcomes for patients in Sussex.
 
To act nimbly by “pump-priming” research – funding early-stage projects that can justify larger-scale applications to external funders – while ensuring that responsiveness is balanced with strong governance.
 
To work closely with the Sussex Cancer Research Center, hospital trusts, and local universities to enhance the research profile of Sussex, with the short-term goal of retaining and attracting staff to the region, and the longer-term goal of securing national charity funding.
 
To collaborate with the AMRC and SCRC to ensure effective quality controls are in place across our research projects, maximising the impact and value of our donor’s funds.
 
To continue learning through experience and partnerships, and to further develop our strategy over the next two years as our research funding grows. Areas for further exploration and development include:
 
– Research in the community
– Cancer prevention research
– NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) funding
– The impact of AI on cancer research
– Regular standardised reporting and the evaluation of outcomes
 

Explore our comprehensive research strategy designed to drive impactful cancer research, achieve positive patient outcomes, and continuously enhance our funding impact (see below).

Explore our comprehensive research strategy

The SCF Research Strategy Summary