The awards are part of a £11 million investment by the charity that will fund seven of the UK’s brightest minds in establishing or developing their own independent research groups, attempting to find answers to some of the most fundamental problems in cancer.

Two promising junior researchers have been awarded Career Development Fellowships, providing the necessary funds and support to help them establish their own laboratory research groups.

A further five senior scientists have been granted Senior Cancer Research Fellowships. They have already shown great promise in their field and this fellowship will help them build on this success by allowing them to expand their research activities and develop their research group.

Dr David Scott, Cancer Research UK’s director of science funding, said: “With the promise of new targeted treatments on the horizon and progress in immunotherapy now picking up pace, it’s an incredibly exciting time to be involved in cancer research. Investing in the next generation of cancer researchers is crucial if we are to continue the tremendous progress in beating cancer. We’re delighted to be supporting these seven researchers in forging their careers in this important field.”

Professor Margaret Frame, director of the Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre and chair of the New Investigator Awards interview panel, said: “The quality of applications this year was exceptional and, although it was extremely difficult to choose, we’re confident that the individuals selected are truly outstanding.

“The next few years will undoubtedly be difficult for these researchers as they seek to establish themselves in this highly competitive field. But with the extra funding and support they will receive from Cancer Research UK I have no doubt these outstanding individuals go on to achieve great things in the future.”