The Friends of Anchor charity is preparing to invest a considerable sum in pioneering cancer research projects.
It has made £90,000 available for early seed funding and is now seeking applicants to benefit from individual grants of up to £15,000.
The charity funds research into cancer and haematology every year and applications are now open for professionals working within NHS Grampian, the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University.
Professor Henry Watson, consultant haematologist and Friends of Anchor committee member, said: “Without funding such as this, the university scientist might be sitting on a potentially brilliant project but may not have access to the initial pilot funding to test their hypothesis.
“That is why for several years Friends of Anchor has provided this important resource.”
Pilot projects funded over the past year include studies into bowel cancer, leukaemia and sickle cell anaemia.
Ultimately, the hope is that the data from these pilot studies results in a higher rate of success in larger applications for external funding from a major funding body.
One of the most recent beneficiaries of Friends of Anchor’s support is Dr Ian Fleming, whose research has given scientists a better understanding of how new targeted cancer drugs could be developed to prevent the growth and spread of tumours.
He said: “The results of our pilot study uncovered the potential for further work that could lead to a new class of drugs to combat metastases.
“This could translate into a significant positive effect on survival outcomes in cancer patients.”
Applications for pilot research are open until April 1, 2020, and should be submitted to info@friendsofanchor.org.