SCF & Cancer Research

The Purpose of the SCF is to work together with the NHS to help make life better for cancer patients in Sussex. Through our support for Patient Services and Research Projects, we strive 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.
  • Economic Benefits: Research contributes to economic growth within the NHS and the wider community.
  • 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.
  • Partnerships: 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.

Explore SCF’s evolving research strategy and our commitment to funding impactful research projects in the field of cancer. Join us in supporting cancer research in Sussex for a brighter future.

SCF & Cancer Research

SCF radiotherapy team

The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)

SCF radiotherapy team

The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)

Discover the role of AMRC in advancing medical research and support for charities:

 

  • Dedicated Membership: AMRC is committed to assisting medical research charities in funding top-quality research through guides, training, and auditing processes.
  • SCF & AMRC: The SCF has joined AMRC as an introductory member, with plans to transition to full membership upon complete adherence to its funding process guidelines (e.g., peer reviewing research applications).
  • Guidance & Advocacy: In addition to ensuring support for high-quality research, AMRC serves as a representative for the medical research charity sector, offering valuable guidance.
  • Network Opportunities: AMRC organises networking events, providing a platform for SCF to engage with other charities and enhance learning experiences.

Explore the diverse benefits of the partnership between SCF and AMRC, driving impactful research and advancements in medical science.

The Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC)

Established in 2024, the SCRC is a key development in the direction of cancer research in Sussex. Its impact has significantly enhanced the SCF’s ability to support cancer research.

 

Mission and Collaboration
The SCRC’s core mission is to unite cancer researchers from the University of Brighton, the University of Sussex, their joint medical school, and the Sussex-based hospital trusts. This collaboration aims to foster inclusive and organized inter-institutional partnerships, with a focus on placing patients at the heart of cancer research.

 

Long-term Goals
The SCRC is dedicated to achieving long-term objectives, including:

  • Enhancing the Clinical Trial Portfolio
  • Attracting and retaining top talent in the area
  • Securing national-level investment in cancer research (e.g., MRC/CRUK)

Maximising Impact
By uniting Sussex’s leading cancer researchers, SCRC anticipates a profoundly impactful outcome from their combined research efforts. Aligning the SCF’s cancer research initiatives with SCRC’s objectives ensures that funded projects hold the utmost value for the medical communities and patients in Sussex.

 

Explore the profound potential of the collaboration between SCF and SCRC, driving forward innovative cancer research and patient-centric care.

The Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC)

SCF radiotherapy team

Our Research Priorities

SCF radiotherapy team

Our Research Priorities

Discover our focused research priorities aimed at driving impactful cancer research and enhancing patient outcomes:

 

  • Contribution to Cancer Understanding: Funding research programs that advance the understanding of cancer and lead to improved patient outcomes.
  • Direct Patient Benefit: Providing direct benefits to Sussex patients through medical trials, utilisation of tumor samples, and the pilot release of treatments.
  • Enhancing Cancer Research Profile: Collaborating with entities such as the Sussex Cancer Research Centre and hospital trusts to elevate the profile of cancer research in Sussex, ultimately retaining and attracting staff and securing future funding from national cancer charities.
  • Project Diversity and Impact: Each project funded aligns with at least two of the above priorities. A specific focus is placed on supporting a minimum of two projects with short-term patient benefits (within two years) and two projects recruiting Sussex-based patients for oncology trials.
  • Inclusive Approach: While our focus areas encompass blood, brain, and women’s cancers, we remain inclusive and open to funding projects targeting any cancer type that aligns with our research aims.

Explore how our research priorities drive impactful and inclusive cancer research initiatives in Sussex, ultimately benefiting the broader patient community.

The SCF Research Strategy

Strategy Summary

 

  1. Advancing Cancer Research: Our strategy is centred on funding a robust and expanding array of cancer research projects aimed at contributing to the understanding of cancer and improving outcomes for patients in Sussex.
  2. Responsive Funding Approach: We are committed to agile “pump-priming” of research by supporting early-stage projects that have the potential to attract larger scale applications from external funders. This responsiveness is balanced with a focus on maintaining good governance practices.
  3. Collaborative Enhancement of Research Profile: Collaborating with the Sussex Cancer Research Center, Hospital trusts, and Universities to elevate the research profile of Sussex. Our short-term focus is on retaining and attracting staff to the county, with a longer-term goal of attracting national charity funding.
  4. Enhanced Selection Criteria and Portfolio Control: Continuously refining our selection criteria to ensure maximal benefit from our funding, with a specific emphasis on patient benefit and oncology trials. We are committed to taking more proactive control over our project portfolio by establishing “calls for funding” aligned with specific project scopes.
  5. Quality Control and Continuous Improvement: Working with AMRC and similar bodies to implement effective quality controls in our research projects, ensuring the maximisation of value from our donor’s funds.
  6. Ongoing Strategy Development: Committed to learning through experience and partnerships, with a continuous focus on further developing our strategy over the next two years as our research funding grows.

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

The SCF Research Strategy