Despite the rate of incidence and the high levels of recurrence and mortality, bladder cancer has long been overlooked in terms of research spending.  It has lagged behind other cancers and there have been few advances in new treatments or improvements in survival rates over the past thirty years.  Other, less common cancers, have received support and resources and consequently have demonstrated a significant improvement in outcomes for patients.  We want the same for bladder cancer patients.

Encouraging and supporting research into bladder cancer is one of our core aims as a charity.

ABC UK Grants

As well as participating in and supporting research, we also actively encourage and fund research.

Our grants programme - ABC UK Improving Outcomes for Patients Programme 2025 is now open for applications.  The application window will be open until 15 March 2025.  Our view of what constitutes research is broad but is aimed at work that would directly improve patient outcomes and experience.  The programme focuses on small, innovative projects that can demonstrate clear outcomes and improve knowledge, enable change and have a direct impact on patient experience. This programme is aimed at encouraging work relating to bladder cancer by nurses, researchers, cancer specialists, and those in primary care. 

Find out more. 

Action Bladder Cancer UK is a National Institute for Health Research(NIHR) non-commercial Partner. This means the studies that we fund may be eligible to access NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) support.  You can find more details on the ABC UK Grants page.

Clinical Trials

There are various clinical trials into bladder cancer in the UK, you can find out more about trials and how to find a trial here - Clinical Trials 

We need to raise funding to support bladder cancer research - see how you can help.