Cancer Research UK Open Lab Initiative

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Join our Open Lab Initiative

If you're looking for new opportunities to exchange ideas and interact more closely with other cancer research groups, then our Open Lab Initiative is for you.

Start connecting and find your ideal research collaboration.

Express your interest to join

What is the Open Lab Initiative?

The initiative connects research groups with shared interests to spark discussion, stimulate fresh ideas and generate new collaborations. The initiative is open to any research group based in the UK who is undertaking cancer-related research.

By joining the initiative, you will:

  • Be part of a growing virtual community of cancer research groups across the UK
  • Expand your network by connecting with others in the cancer research community
  • Easily find and develop your next research collaboration
  • Have access to expert match makers to connect you with like-minded or complementary research groups

Our Open Lab Initiative has:

  • Over 300 member groups
  • Made over 100 successful matches
  • 75% of matched groups meeting quarterly
  • Matched groups that have gone on to share reagents, protocols, models, develop grant proposals and shared PhD students
* As of February 2022

How do I join?

Step 1: Complete our expression of interest form. This should ideally be completed by your research group's Principal Investigator, but Laboratory Managers and senior postdoctoral researchers, or staff in similar positions, can also sign up.

Step 2: Once approved, you'll be given access to the initiative's SharePoint site where you'll be asked to provide details of your research group’s interests and expertise. You’ll also be asked to select your preferred match type:

Curated

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We'll match you to another research group based on mutual interests or complementary expertise.

Wild card

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We'll match you at random to another research group.

Open register

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You'll be listed anonymously on the Open Register. You can browse the register to select your own match.

Step 3: We’ll put you in contact with your matched research group so you can arrange a convenient time to hold a joint meeting. The format of the meeting is entirely your choice. You could present data, have an open discussion, or present published material in the style of a journal club.

Following your initial match you can return to the matching pool at any time to continue forming new collaborations.

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