Research at CCLG

But there is still more to do. Some cancers remain difficult to treat, and many existing treatments cause long-term and life-changing side effects. We need more research to improve survival rates, develop kinder treatments, and ensure the best possible quality of life for children and young people after cancer.

At CCLG, we fund and support research across the entire cancer pathway—from diagnosis and treatment to patient experience and survivorship. We make sure research meets the real needs of children and young people with cancer, their families, and those who care for them. In 2022, we identified the top 10 priorities for childhood cancer research, shaped by the voices of children, young people, parents, and professionals.

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We work with leading researchers and organisations to drive forward impactful studies, ensuring the best projects and brightest minds receive funding. We partner with other charities to maximise investment in research and use our expertise to support smaller charities in funding high-quality studies with real impact. 

We lead the Children’s and Teenage, Young Adult & Germ Cell Tumour Cancer Clinical Research Groups, shaping and overseeing clinical research across the UK. Our Special Interest Groups bring together experts to share knowledge and plan future research.

We create opportunities for discovery. We organise and support scientific meetings, ensuring vital research is shared, discussed, and developed. We empower our professional membership to be actively involved in shaping research. Our Early Career Research Network and dedicated funding for nurses, allied health professionals, and early-career researchers ensure the next generation of childhood cancer experts can continue to push boundaries and drive progress.

Our research strategy sets out our vision for the future of children and young people’s cancer research—because every child deserves the best possible chance.