Background
National Cancer Research Institute’s strategic review identified the need to build research capacity in UK supportive and palliative care research. The Cancer Experiences Collaborative (CECo) developed a collaborative infra-structure, one purpose of which was to build research capacity through which individuals and teams could take forward supportive and palliative care research.

Aim
This paper identifies the ways in which CECo has developed UK research capacity in supportive and palliative care.

Design
Cooke’s (2005) framework, which identifies six principles of research capacity building initiatives, was used to assess the efforts of the CECo Collaborative.

Data sources
The sources of data are the Annual and Final Reports and other CECo records.

Results
CECo has developed research skills and confidence; supported research close to practice, establishing linkages, partnerships and collaborations to enhance research capacity building; ensured dissemination to maximize impact, built elements of sustainability and continuity, and invested in appropriate infrastructure to enhance research capacity building.

Conclusions
Questions remain about the value of collaboration in research. Nevertheless, as a direct result of CECo, the capacity of researchers has been increased, and the quality and volume of collaborative supportive and palliative care research has been enhanced. CECo has had wider influence on research, policy and practice within and beyond the UK, and the CECo model is being applied beyond the UK, including in Ireland and Australia.