Cancer Research · Professional Society · UK
British Association for Cancer Research
BACR
SpecialtyCancer Research
Travel GrantsYes
Research PrizesYes
The British Association for Cancer Research (BACR) is a professional membership association for all those working and studying in cancer research within the United Kingdom and beyond. Founded in 1960, it provides educational and training opportunities, organises scientific conferences and workshops, and offers meeting bursaries and fellowships.
Dr Robert BaxterSOCIETY PROFILE Society Profile \u00B7 MedicMess Intelligence
Specialty
Cancer Research
Abbreviation
BACR
Student Cost
£25
Trainee Committee
No
Travel Grants
Available
Research Prizes
Yes
Country
United Kingdom
MEMBERSHIP Membership Details
| Membership Type | Eligibility | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full Membership | Professional members working and studying in cancer research | £65 |
| PhD Student Membership | Those undertaking a full time PhD and clinicians in full time research posts working towards a higher degree. Free for up to one year depending on time of joining; fees of £25.00 per annum up to maximum 4 years collected annually each October | £25 |
| Masters Student Membership | Those undertaking full time Masters degree and not in full time employment (not eligible for BACR Awards or Fellowships & Bursaries) | Free |
| BSc/Undergraduate Medical Student Membership | Free membership for duration of course (not eligible for BACR Awards or Fellowships & Bursaries) | Free |
BENEFITS Key Member Benefits
Travel and Career Bursaries
Opportunities to apply for a variety of travel, meeting and career bursaries including student awards, non-student travel awards, travel/exchange fellowships, and mid-career fellowships
Research Awards
Opportunities to apply for prestigious awards including AstraZeneca Young Scientist Frank Rose Award, Student Impact Award, Hamilton-Fairley Young Investigator Award, and Early Career Award
Reduced Conference Fees
Reduced fees for BACR Special Conferences and Workshops
Networking Opportunities
Opportunities for networking and establishing collaborations with leaders in cancer research from both academia and industry
Research Presentation Platform
A platform to present original clinical and experimental data
Regular Communications
Regular Newsletters and email alerts to notify members of upcoming events and awards deadlines
Interactive Website
Dedicated interactive website for up-to-date information on activities
Job Advertising
Opportunities to advertise jobs/meetings (free for academic members) on the website with email alert to membership
EACR Affiliation
Full Members and PhD student members receive free and full membership of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), including reduced registration fees for Congresses and Conferences, free webinar access, and eligibility for EACR bursaries
EVENTS Events & Conferences
25 March 2026
Webinar: Autophagy in cell death, inflammation and cancer: issues we need to digest.
Teams · Webinar
8 - 10 July 2026
Tumour Microenvironment meeting and 3D Cancer Modelling workshop
The University of Nottingham, School of Medicine, Nottingham · Workshop/Conference
26 - 27 November 2026
Trailblazers in Cancer Research
Pendulum Hotel, Manchester · Conference
TRAINEE Trainee Opportunities
BACR Student Awards
Awards to help student members attend scientific meetings relevant to cancer research. Maximum award: £500 for National Meeting, £1,000 for European Meeting, £2,000 outside Europe. Available to students who have been BACR members for one year. May apply for up to 2 bursaries, at least one of which must be UK-based.
Non-Student Travel Awards
Awards to help non-student members attend scientific meetings relevant to cancer research. Maximum award: £500 for National Meeting, £1,000 for European Meeting, £2,000 outside Europe. Available to members with one year standing. May apply for second award at least 3 years after initial award.
Travel/Exchange Fellowships
Fellowships to enable BACR members to visit other institutions for lecture tours, courses, or collaborative work. Maximum award: £2,000. Preference given to junior researchers with less than 5 years post-doctoral experience. One full and one student member awarded per funding round.
Mid-Career Fellowships
Fellowships to support travel to a laboratory to advance ongoing programmes or facilitate collaboration. Maximum award: £3,000. Available to members with at least 15 years continuous BACR membership.
Hamilton-Fairley Poster Prize
Prize of £300 to recognise and encourage talents of more junior cancer researchers. Eligibility: clinically or scientifically qualified individuals at most five years post PhD/MD who have been BACR members for at least one year. Award based on quality of abstract and presentation at BACR meeting.
BACR/AstraZeneca Young Scientist Frank Rose Award
Prize of £1,000 to recognise and reward achievements of individuals whose work has made significant contributions to translational cancer research. Eligible applicants: PhD holders up to 15 years post-PhD with track record in cancer research. Must be BACR member.
BACR Early Career Award
Prize of £750 to recognise achievements of early career cancer researchers. Winner receives cash prize and opportunity to present research at BACR event such as Trailblazers in Cancer Research meeting. Two runners-up receive £250 each. Eligibility: no more than 5 years active research post-PhD, must be BACR member.
BACR Student Impact Award
Prize of £250 for well-rounded PhD students demonstrating success in citizenship activities in addition to research achievements. Activities may include science communication, student-led activities, peer support/mentoring, supervising students, or committee membership. Open to BACR student members registered for PhD with at least one year membership.