In short
Worldwide Cancer Research allows applicants to use generative AI but requires them to acknowledge or declare all use. The rule comes from the Application Handbook 2026 (section 5.11) and the Researcher FAQs. Peer reviewers are asked not to use generative AI, and a suspected AI-generated review will not be used.
Requires disclosure. Applicants may use AI and must say where they used it.
For applicants
- Applicants may use generative AI tools for their applications. They must acknowledge the use, whether it was for the scientific aspects or to aid in writing. [1][2]
- Applicants will be asked to declare if they have used AI to develop their application. The funder expects all such use to be declared. [1][3]
- Use AI tools responsibly and in accordance with relevant legal and ethical standards. Never input sensitive information or personal data without formal consent. [1][2]
- The 2025 handbook has applicants confirm that any generative AI outputs in the application have been acknowledged and used in accordance with relevant legal and ethical standards. [3]
For reviewers
Sources
Application Handbook 2026 (opens in a new tab)
5.11 Applicants may use generative AI tools for their applications but will need to acknowledge their use.
We also expect applicants to use AI tools responsibly in accordance with relevant legal and ethical standards.
Peer reviewers are asked not to use generative AI to review the applications.
If we suspect the review has been AI generated this review will not be used to assess the application and the reviewer may be barred from applying for funding from Worldwide Cancer Research.
Worldwide Cancer Research expects all use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for the development of the application be declared.
Applicants will be asked to declare if they have used AI to develop their application.
Researcher FAQs (opens in a new tab)
Yes, but we expect all use of generative AI tools in applications to be acknowledged whether this is for the scientific aspects or aid in writing.
Please be careful when using AI tools and never input sensitive information or personal data without formal consent.
All AI tools need to be used responsibly in accordance with relevant legal and ethical standards.
Application Handbook 2025 (opens in a new tab)
5.10 Peer reviewers are asked not to use generative AI to review the applications.
If we suspect the review has been AI generated this review will not be used to assess the application and the reviewer may be barred from applying for funding from Worldwide Cancer Research.
that any outputs from generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in this application have been acknowledged and if used, have been used in accordance with relevant legal and ethical standards.
See Worldwide Cancer Research's 1 open program
This page summarizes what the funder has published and is not legal advice. Policies change, and one solicitation can add its own rules. Confirm against the funding announcement before you apply.