The UK and Japan have announced a major new research partnership aimed at developing innovative treatments for children, adolescents and young people living with cancer.
The funding opportunity, led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), will support international collaborative clinical trials focused on cancers where treatment options remain limited and outcomes need significant improvement.
The joint call will prioritise research into new therapies for solid tumours, haematological cancers and brain cancers affecting children and young people. The initiative seeks to address critical evidence gaps and accelerate the development of more effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Building on the strengths of both nations, the programme will bring together leading researchers, clinicians, patients and research infrastructure across the UK and Japan to advance paediatric and young people's cancer research.
The announcement follows a successful UK-Japan symposium held in Tokyo in February 2026. The event brought together researchers, clinicians and patients from both countries to identify priority areas for collaboration and explore opportunities to strengthen research capacity in childhood and young people's cancers.
Funding is expected to support up to two collaborative UK-Japan clinical trials, each lasting a minimum of three years. The Japanese elements of successful projects will be funded by AMED, while the UK components will be supported by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) through the NIHR.
The DHSC, through the NIHR, has committed £2 million towards the UK-based research activity. Applicants will be required to submit a single joint proposal through both the UK and Japanese application systems, with projects undergoing a unified assessment process.
Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of the NIHR, said:
"We are delighted to partner with the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development on this vital initiative. Despite significant progress, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease among children and young adults in England, and there is a need for more effective, targeted treatments.
"By combining the world-class expertise of the UK and Japan, we can accelerate the pace of discovery. This partnership aligns clearly with the Government’s National Cancer Plan. It breaks down barriers to clinical trials and brings us closer to delivering innovative therapies that will save and improve young lives."
The collaboration reflects a growing international commitment to tackling some of the most challenging cancers affecting children and young people, while strengthening global research networks and accelerating access to potentially life-changing treatments.
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