Our strategy

Our mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.

The ICR Strategic Plan 2011-16 outlines our direction for the next five years, based on our three strategic goals:

1. Research and impact
   To be a world leader in fundamental research into cancer and the translation of research discoveries into improved outcomes for cancer patients.
   
2. Education and training
   To educate and train the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians. Find out more about our Learning, Teaching and Assessment strategy here.
   
3. Environment and infrastructure
   To deliver a world class and sustainable organisation to support cancer research and education for patient benefit.

Download the Strategic Plan (pdf)

Scientific strategy

The ICR Scientific Strategy sets out our research direction, which is based on three interlinked themes:

• genetics and epidemiology
• therapeutic development
• molecular pathology

These areas of research are essential for the development of personalised cancer medicine.

It also describes how our objectives will be delivered by:

• developing and exploiting the ICR and The Royal Marsden’s unique relationship to enhance cancer research
• ensuring the ICR has a balanced portfolio of basic and applied research
• developing treatment regimes to the genetic makeup of the patient and tumour
• attracting, developing and retaining the best staff across the whole spectrum of the ICR’s activities

The strategy aims to:

• develop key research areas while enhancing partnership affiliations
• strengthen interactions within the clinical and translational settings