We have been fortunate to benefit from the generosity of the Freemasons for many years. The new Masonic Charitable Foundation (formed by the merger of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity and three other Masonic charities) seeks to further the causes about which Freemasons, and their families, are most concerned.

Advancing medical research remains as a key priority for their grant-making, with a particular focus on supporting PhDs. 

David Innes, Chief Executive of the Masonic Charitable Foundation said:

“Masonic charities have worked with The Institute of Cancer Research for many years, and this grant to the PhD studentship programme is the latest stage of our support.

“These research students will be making a real contribution towards the development of the next generation of cancer treatments.”

The Masonic Charitable Foundation PhD Award in Cancer Research

Our PhD students are the future leaders of the cancer research community, and one day they could make the discoveries to help us outsmart cancer for good.

Our PhD students’ training focuses on independent research, to give as free a rein as possible to their intellectual curiosity, creativity, talent and diligence, under the guidance of experienced mentors. Many are supported by prestigious research funders and philanthropic organisations. 

The first Masonic Charitable Foundation PhD Award in Cancer Research will be developing inhibitors of Tankyrase protein-protein interactions. Tankyrases are part of a family of proteins that function as enzymes, which modify other proteins, and they are involved in the control of many different cell functions.

They are implicated in the development of different types of cancer, including colorectal cancer. It is possible that we could design drugs that target specific functions of the Tankyrase proteins that lead to cancer.

“Funding for studentships is vital if we are to carry out our mission – to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. We are therefore delighted that the Masonic Charitable Foundation is investing in the future of cancer research by offering their support to our PhD studentship programme.”

Professor Clare Isacke, Academic Dean at the ICR

If you would like to get involved and support our childhood cancer research, please contact Thomas Bland, Deputy Director of Development (Trusts and Corporates), by phone on 020 8722 4200, or by email.

You can follow the ICR on Twitter for regular updates on our work.