Twitter Linkedin Facebook Instagram
Get in Touch
icom_donate

Donate Today
icon_get_involved

Get Involved
icon_friend

Friends of

Friends of Rosie Research Strategy

Our research strategy – why we fund research into childhood cancer

Our aims, objectives and priorities

  • Friends of Rosie’s research strategy aims focus on providing “pump-priming” funds of one or two years to research and clinical investigators who are addressing paediatric cancers. The goal is to provide funds that will lever major longer-term funding from established funders (e.g. CRUK, Leukemia UK, MRC, ESRC etc.). Some priority is given to promising young investigators at the beginning of their careers. Generally funding is directed to support post-doctoral research fellows for one or a maximum of two years.
  • Our research strategy objectives are to fill a gap of funding where solid preliminary results of novel approaches are required in grant applications to lever major and longer term funding. If possible, publication of this work should also be a goal.
  • Priorities are defined by annual consultation with a Scientific Advisory Board (see below).

The unique role of the charity in the research landscape and how it adds value

  • In the geographical area that it functions (the North West of England) there are six universities, two of which are in the major “Russell Group”, with associated medical schools and childrens’ hospitals. There is a major UK cancer research institute in Manchester. All are competing for fiercely competitive funding to support innovative research ideas that could improve the lives of children with cancer and potentially extend their survival. Friends of Rosie is unique in its focus on paediatric cancer and it has the ability to substantially fund pump-priming grants. FOR funding “levers” national and international peer–reviewed funds into an important UK hub of cancer research, so increasing the quality of research and medicine in the North West (a population of almost eight million people).

What research/scientific policy issues have been identified and why

  • The types of research, scientific and medical areas the charity intends to support in paediatric oncology are determined by an independent Friends of Rosie UK Scientific and medical Advisory Board (SAB). This is constituted of three MD or MD/PhD paediatric oncologists working outside of the geographical area where grants are awarded. Funding priorities determined in 2020/21 are detailed in Annex 1 – Funding Priorities 2020/21. The SAB is chaired by an Emeritus Professor (PhD, DSc) from outside the region. All grant applications are refereed by two independent experts chosen by the SAB. These experts are either national or international (e.g. USA). Grants are scored and prioritized according to fixed criteria – Annex 2 – Score Sheet).
  • Policy issues highlighted the need to fund innovative projects at the stage where preliminary results require confirmation and consolidation in order that they could attract substantial and longer-term national or international funding (“pump-priming”) through grant applications. A gap in funding to obtain solid preliminary results to support high quality grant applications was identified by Friends of Rosie and is particularly relevant to early career scientists and clinicians.
  • Although “strategic fit” (see Annex 1) plays an important role in determining funding direction, the SAB is sensitive, in awarding funds, to the need to support innovative areas where risk may be higher. That risk is offset by the track record of the applicant.

How the charity plans to fund research – the types of grants

  • Funds of up to (currently) £70k are available for one year as part of our research strategy. Exceptional renewal for a second year, after an approved first year report, requires approval by the SAB. The funds cover the employment, through the University or Hospital, of suitably qualified staff to ensure the proper realization of the proposed work. Generally, these funds support a post-doctoral fellow or a research assistant. Provision is made for consumable costs. A limited travel budget to conferences may be requested. Small items of equipment may be considered for funding. Major capital expenditure on equipment is not within the scope of Friend of Rosie funding.
  • We are open to partnerships with other charities or research funders provided they share our objectives.

Who the charity will fund

  • Friends of Rosie funds academic researchers and clinicians with tenure or fellowships of five years or longer, who already have high quality records of scientific or clinical research. Funding is in universities, research institutes and teaching hospitals.
  • Qualifications are: PhDs, MD-PhDs or MDs

Where the charity will fund research

  • FOR funds research in universities, hospitals and research institutions with substantial research infrastructure. The charity has strong geographical links with the North West of England, including the University of Manchester and its associated hospitals, Salford University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Liverpool University and its associated hospitals, Liverpool John Moore’s University, Lancaster University and associated hospitals. However, grant awards are not restricted to this region or these institutions.
  • FOR funds applications primarily from the North West of England, where the charity is based; however, applications from any part of the UK are welcome and eligible for consideration.

When the grant will be awarded

  • Awards are normally made on an annual basis, according to available funds. An annual call for funds is targeted to the institutions named above. Grant applications are received, assessed by the SAB, which suggests appropriate evaluation (see Annex 2) by external referees. The SAB reviews external referee reports and decides on priorities for funding. This process takes a maximum time of 12 weeks. Anonymous criticism by external referees of applications for funding is fed back to all applicants, successful or not.
  • Funded applicants are followed after the termination of their Friends of Rosie grant to determine the impact of “pump-priming” on their subsequent grant funding and publication record. Normally, second awards to the same individual are unusual and must be for a novel project.
  • The SAB reviews this research strategy in terms of scientific priorities and medical needs (Annex 1) every three years. However, it is unlikely that the principle of funding “pump-priming” grants will evolve radically in the future.
Donate Today
Friends of Rosie

Useful Links

Legal

Contact Us

Helen Griffin
Communications Manager
07887 932293

Children’s Cancer Research Fund,
c/o Slater Heelis,
86 Deansgate,
Manchester M3 2ER

Twitter Linkedin Facebook Instagram Youtube

© 2025 Children’s Cancer Research Fund | Charity No. 1046278 | Website by ATTAIN.

Nancy Dykes

Nancy Dykes

Nancy, 11, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma when she was just 2 years old. She was treated with Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) in Germany but unfortunately relapsed less than a year later. The family were then sent to Germany for a second round of PBT. Although treatment helped to cure Nancy’s cancer, she has been left with lots of lasting effects which will require ongoing treatment throughout her life. Here Nancy and her mum, Antonia, share their story in the hope it will help others, raise awareness, and raise more money for children’s cancer research.

Watch Story
Prof John Hickman

Prof John Hickman

Why I am a Trustee of CCRF
 
I am a relative of the Larkin family and knew Rosie Larkin ( Friends of Rosie, now CCRF) when she had and then died of neuroblastoma, aged six. At that time, I was a scientist and professor at Manchester University, actively working on the problem of why some cancers do not die despite intensive and toxic therapies.  Seeing Rosie during her unsuccessful therapy and then attending her funeral, besides being emotional, drove me to double down on my own research as well as to support the Charity as best I could as a cancer researcher. I spent over a decade as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the CCRF, when the Board moulded policies to ensure that funds raised for research into childhood cancers were distributed only to clinicians and researchers who had the brightest ideas that could impact of cancer medicine for children.
 
My role on the Board
 
As a Trustee,  I hope that my many decades of experience in cancer research and medicine can help the CCRF determine where best the funds that are raised can be invested in cutting edge research and medicine. I am also keen that the CCRF brings together UK and international experts in science and cancer medicine to brainstorm on how best to advance the treatment of childhood cancers.
 
My Background
 
I was a Professor of Pharmacology at Manchester University, working on drug resistance in cancer. I then moved to Paris, where I still live, to head cancer drug discovery at a French pharmaceutical company (Servier). I then headed an EU consortium for six years that brought together researchers from the pharmaceutical industry, universities and biotechnology companies, from all over Europe and the UK, to improve cancer drug discovery. I continue to be active in cancer health policy, publishing in the medical literature.
Katrina

Katrina London

Why I am a Trustee of CCRF

I have spent my professional career representing individuals and families affected by the devastating asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, which has no cure and for which there are only a limited number of palliative treatments available on the NHS.

I joined CCRF because I wanted to bring my understanding of the need to raise awareness of less well known cancers and passion for the need to secure improved funding for research to children facing a cancer diagnosis.

My role on the Board

I am responsible for oversight of our collaboration agreements with other charities to co-fund research into cures and treatments for childhood cancers. I also manage our challenge events and help with community fundraising. 

My Background

I am a Senior Associate at Irwin Mitchell LLP and specialise in Asbestos Disease Litigation, acting on behalf of victims of asbestos related diseases and their families.  Over the years, I have undertaken a number of fundraising challenges to raise money for cancer research, including a 1000 mile cycle ride from Glasgow to Southampton.   

Carla

Carla Nuttall

Why I’m a Trustee of CCRF
 
I became a trustee of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund because I believe every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and with everything to look forward to in life. Like many people, I’ve seen the impact cancer can have on families and I wanted to do something that could make a real difference. This started through my work as an ambassador for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, which supported young people and their families in finding strength, confidence, and joy through movement.
 
That experience shaped my understanding of the challenges families face and the importance of community-led support – but crucially, the clear need for that to go hand-in-hand with targeted research and long-term solutions.
 
This is why I’m so passionate about the work CCRF does and proud to contribute to a cause that gives children and their families, the greatest chance of living a life without limits.
 
My Role on the Board
 
I support CCRF’s mission by bringing my experience in brand, marketing, and communications to the board. My focus is on helping CCRF tell its story in a way that resonates with people – whether that’s families, researchers, donors, or the wider public. I work alongside an incredible team to strengthen CCRF’s voice, build trust, and grow awareness so that more children and families can benefit from the breakthroughs we’re helping to fund.
 
My Background
 
I’m the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing for The Growth Company, a social enterprise dedicated to helping people, businesses, and places to thrive through its market-leading insight, employment, skills and business support.
My passion is to help the organisations I work with to communicate with clarity, purpose, and integrity. That’s why I’ve spent my career in strategic communications supporting organisations that want to make a positive difference – CCRF could not fit my sense of purpose any better.