Research at the ICRF is broken down into basic science, clinical studies and translational research — the middle ground between the two. Most of the basic science is carried out at the laboratories in central London and at Clare Hall in Hertfordshire.

These sites employ around 80 graduate students and 180 postdocs. Students usually receive funding for four years from the charity, and must register externally for a PhD.

About 30 postdoctoral fellowships are available each year in basic research. For those bringing their own grants, the ICRF offers access to support services (including cell and media production, oligonucleotides, instruments and antibodies). Recruitment of group leaders has slowed after big campaigns in the last two years, but positions are available.

Clinical research units are based in hospitals and medical schools around the United Kingdom, covering areas ranging from immunotherapy to breast oncology. A total of 33 graduate students is funded by the ICRF, plus 44 clinical fellows and 49 postdocs.

The CRC divides its research between basic and clinical studies in a roughly 45:55 split. It awards grants to groups at the Paterson Institute in Manchester, the Beatson Institute in Glasgow, the Institute for Cancer Research and associated CRC centres, the Gray Laboratory Cancer Research Trust in London, and groups at universities such as Birmingham and Dundee.

Seventy-six students are funded by the CRC. Training follows guidelines set by the host institutions.

The CRC runs three fellowship schemes — Research Fellowships for Clinicians, Senior Clinical Fellowships and Senior Cancer Research Fellowships. Between them, these support 597 postdoctoral fellows. Scientists can also apply for project grants, which are reviewed by the grants committee four times a year. The Wellcome/CRC Institute operates junior and senior research groups, with the junior groups staying for a maximum of ten years.

Both charities are developing ‘translational research’, to bridge the gap between basic and clinical research. The ICRF has a training scheme in this area, which is now in its third year, with ten clinical or postdoctoral fellows.