In July 2025 the Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC) was pleased to announce the launch of the Career Starter Award, providing 6-12 months of funding for early career researchers, covering salary support and up to £5k in consumables.
Funded through the CReSt catalytic extension, the scheme aims to allow talented early career researchers the time and resources to generate pilot data, create models, and gain skills that will make them attractive candidates for large, competitive fellowship opportunities. The Award attracted strong interest from both the UK and internationally, drawing applications from researchers across the globe, bringing high-calibre talent into the Welsh cancer research community.
Following interviews held in September 2025, five applicants were offered the Awards. Four of the successful candidates will be hosted at Cardiff University, across the Divisions of Cancer and Genetics, Infection and Immunity, Engineering. The fifth award-holder will be hosted in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Swansea University. The researchers will be undertaking innovative work in a variety of fields, including acoustic cytometry for detection of urological cancers, adaptation and investigation of oncolytic viruses, calpain-mediated mechanisms of peritoneal invasion, and immunotherapies for metastatic melanoma.
“We are thrilled to be able to support an incredible variety of novel projects through the Career Starter Award. It was a very competitive call, highlighting the need for funding of talented individuals right at the start of their journey. We wish the award-holders the very best of luck with their work, and we are excited to see where their research leads.” Kathryn Spiers-Pritchard, Scientific Project Manager, WCRC
The first award-holder took up their post in December 2025, with the remaining four beginning their positions between January and April 2026.
“Receiving this award is such a blessing for allowing me to transition into this new role and research environment. Linking up with Viral ImmunoTherapies and Advanced Therapeutics (VITAL) and working on the rapid generation of specifically tailored precision oncolytic agents puts me in a great position for continuing my career in research. Working with the WCRC also allows me to gain important experience in working and communicating research findings with the general public, something I am truly passionate about.” Dr Julian Fischer, CSA recipient
“As I was finishing my PhD in Cardiff University’s School of Medicine, I wanted to pursue a career in research and the WCRC Career Starter Award has helped me start working towards this! I am excited to broaden our knowledge base on understudied adenoviruses to develop vectors for oncolytic viruses and cancer vaccines. I would not have been able to do this without the WCRC Career Starter Award and I’m looking forward to working with the WCRC team and the VITAL group this year.” Rosie Mundy, CSA recipient
Through the Career Starter Award, the WCRC seeks to strengthen the future of cancer research by attracting outstanding early-career researchers and enhancing Wales’ profile as a destination for emerging research talent.