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I’m a cancer researcher

As Western Australia’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, our funding process ensures we support the highest quality cancer research. We focus on projects that have the potential to translate into practice, and result in real improvements for people impacted by cancer – locally, nationally and globally.

For more information about Cancer Council WA research funding, read about our grant opportunities, general resources, cancer research funding in WA and grant schemes:

Grant Opportunities

Cancer Council WA offers funding for cancer research across a number of schemes. The Strategic Priority Program – Capacity building and the Cancer Research Project Grants are co-funded by the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund and donations from the West Australian community. Cancer Council WA also offers schemes that are fully funded through community donations.

Strategic Priority Program – Capacity Building

Grant scheme Focus Maximum funding Frequency Application status
Early-career Fellowship To support cancer researchers in the early stages of their career, providing improved career stability and encouraging the best and brightest to continue in the discipline of cancer research. $75,000 per annum for three years. Annual 2025 applications closed
Mid-career Fellowship To support mid-cancer researchers to consolidate their research program by providing improved career stability and encouraging the best and brightest to continue in the discipline of cancer research. Up to $136,000 per annum for four years. Annual Open now
Senior-career Fellowship To support outstanding biomedical and health researchers working in the field of cancer, so they can undertake research that is of major importance. Up to $192,250 per annum for four years. Annual Open now
PhD Top-up Scholarships To support students with an outstanding track record in academic achievement, and the potential to pursue full-time PhD studies in cancer-related research. $12,000 per annum for up to four years. Annual Open now
Early-career Investigator Grants To help talented early career cancer researchers to develop the skills and necessary track record to advance their career. $40,000 per annum for one year Annual Open now
Mid-career Investigator Grant To help talented mid-career cancer researchers to consolidate their track record to advance their career. $61,000 per annum for one year Annual Open now
Clinical Capacity Building Grant To build research capacity in a clinical setting. $114,000 for 1-2 years Annual Open now
Honours/Masters Scholarships for Aboriginal Students To support early-stage Aboriginal researchers at Honours or Masters level to gain research experience within a major project. $60,000 each for one year Annual Open now

Cancer Research Project Grants

Grant scheme Focus Maximum funding Frequency Application status
Cancer Research Project Grants To support early-stage research projects which may then become more competitive for larger national funding pools.

Twelve grants will be awarded. Of these, funding will be prioritised for an eligible application in each of the four following streams: Aboriginal health; Rural and remote health; Clinical; and Public Health.

$140,000 for one year, with flexibility for some priority areas. Annual 2025 applications closed

Other funding opportunities

Grant scheme Focus Maximum funding Frequency Application status
Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme for EMCR To support early to mid-career research to engage in collaborative research projects. $65,000 for one year TBC TBC
Vacation Scholarships To expose talented young university students to cancer research, providing experience and an opportunity to progress their studies. $3000 over 6-10 weeks Annual Applications Open: 11 June
Research Excellence Awards To recognise and celebrate the achievements of Western Australia’s best and brightest cancer researchers. Up to $20,000 One in each of the three areas offered annually Applications Open:16 July
John Nott Cancer Fellowship Travel Support Fund To provide support for a national or international clinical cancer leader/researcher to visit WA to help provide further education in the area of clinical cancer management. Up to $10,000 Annual Open now
Enabling Grant Assist high achieving cancer research groups achieve the ‘new money’ requirement of the Cancer Research Trust (CRT) Grant funding opportunity. $50,000 Adhoc TBC

General resources

Community criteria – general guidance documents

There is increasing recognition of the benefits of involving community members (sometimes referred to as consumers) in all parts of the research process, including the allocation of research funding. Effective community involvement in our research funding decisions can help to provide a broader perspective to our decisions, improve accountability to our donors, ensure the research we fund is relevant to the WA community and improve how the results of the research are communicated to the wider community.

Grant schemes:

This Fellowship is:

  • To provide support for outstanding early career researchers considered to have the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of cancer research in Western Australia.
  • Awarded for up to three years.
  • Valued at up to $225,000.
  • Encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Eligibility requirements

  • The applicant must be an early-career researcher.
  • Applicants must hold a primary research appointment at a publicly funded, established Western Australian Higher Education and/or Medical Research Institutions.
  • Applicants must hold Australian and New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency or an appropriate visa to work in Australia.
  • The institution nominated to administer the grant (e.g. the Administering Institution), must be an NHMRC Approved Administering Institution in WA.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate Western Australian Higher Education Institutions, Medical Research Institutions and/or hospitals.

Applicants are ineligible to apply if they have been a previous recipient of a Cancer Council WA Postdoctoral Fellowship.

How to apply

For information and guidance please read the Fellowship Guide to Applicants and Community Criteria General Guidance Documents, and complete the Track record supplementary application (to be uploaded to your online application). You can also download the EMCR Fellowship Application Template for additional assistance with completing your online application.

All applications are to be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. Please see the Guidelines to Applicants for an easy ‘how to apply’ guide.

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Applications open 5-7 March 2025
Deadline for submission of the Full Application 7 May 2025
Interviews 4-8 August 2025
Outcome notification September 2025

Recipient requirements

Recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch for the duration of the Research Fellowship.
  • Submit annual reports for the first two years of the Fellowship, with a final report submitted in the final year, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years after the funding has finished.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “[name of Research Scholar or Fellow] was supported by a Future Health Research and Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA Strategic Prioirty Program – Capacity Building  Fellowship”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

This Fellowship is:

  • To provide support for outstanding mid-career researchers considered to have the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of cancer research in Western Australia.
  • Awarded for up to four years.
  • Valued at up to $544,000.
  • Encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Eligibility requirements

  • The applicant must be a mid-career researcher.
  • Applicants must hold a primary appointment at a publicly funded, established Western Australian Higher Education Institutions and/or Medical Research Institutions.
  • Applicants must hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency or an appropriate visa to work in Australia.
  • The institution nominated to administer the grant (e.g. the Administering Institution), must be an NHMRC Approved Administering Institution in WA.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate Western Australian Higher Education Institutions,  Medical Research Institutions, and/or hospitals.

How to apply

For information and guidance please read the Fellowship Guide to Applicants and Community Criteria General Guidance Documents, and complete the Track record supplementary application (to be uploaded to your online application). You can also download the EMCR  Fellowship Application Template for additional assistance with completing your online application.

All applications are to be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. Please see the Guidelines to Applicants for an easy ‘how to apply’ guide.

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Applications open 5-7 March 2025
Deadline for submission of the Full Application 4 June 2025
Interviews 15-19 September 2025
Outcome notification October 2025

Recipient requirements

Recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch for the duration of the Research Fellowship.
  • Submit annual reports for the first two years of the Fellowship, with a final report submitted in the final year, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years after the funding has finished.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “[name of Research Scholar or Fellow] was supported by a Future Health and Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA Strategic PriorIty Program – Capacity Building Fellowship”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

 

This Fellowship is:

  • Intended to fund outstanding researchers working in the field of cancer so they can undertake research that is of major benefit to Western Australian health and medical research.
  • Awarded for up to four years.
  • Valued at up to $769,000.
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Eligibility requirements

  • Applicants must hold a primary appointment at a publicly funded, established Western Australian Higher Education Institution and/or Medical Research Institutions.
  • The institution nominated to administer the grant (e.g. the Administering Institution), must be an NHMRC Approved Administering Institution in WA.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate Western Australian Higher Education Institutions,  Medical Research Institutions or hospitals.

How to apply

For information and guidance please read the Fellowship Guide to Applicants and Community Criteria General Guidance Documents, and complete the Track record supplementary application (to be uploaded to your online application). You can also download the Senior-career Fellowship Application Template for additional assistance with completing your online application.

All applications are be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. Please see the Guidelines to Applicants for an easy ‘how to apply’ guide.

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Applications open 5-7 March 2025
Deadline for submission of the Full Application 4 June 2025
Interviews 15-19 September 2025
Outcome notification October 2025

Recipient requirements

Recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch for the duration of the Research Fellowship.
  • Submit annual reports for the first three years of the Fellowship, with a final report submitted in the final year, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years after the funding has finished.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “[name of Research Scholar or Fellow] was supported by a Future Health Research and Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA Strategic Prioirty Program – Capacity Building  Fellowship”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

These Scholarships are:

  • To provide support for outstanding students with an outstanding track record in academic achievement, and the potential to pursue full-time PhD studies in cancer-related research.
  • Awarded for up to four years.
  • Valued at up to $48,000.
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Eligibility requirements

  • Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD at the time the top up starts.
  • Applicants must have completed requirements for the award of an appropriate degree with a minimum of upper second-class Honours or a Medical Degree.
  • Applicants must be enrolled or be eligible to enrol as a full-time student in an approved post bachelor course at an eligible institution in Western Australia.
  • Applicants must have applied for or be in receipt of a three-year competitive postgraduate scholarship, such as an RTP.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75 per cent or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate West Australian Higher Education Institutions, Medical Research Institutions and/or hospitals.

Applicants are ineligible if they are the recipient of a stipend that exceeds the amount of $48,000 per annum. This can include an RTP Stipend or equivalent with or without an additional top-up scholarship.

How to apply

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Applications open 5-7 March 2025
Deadline for submission of the Full Application 30 September 2025
Outcome notification November 2025

Recipient requirements

Recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch for the duration of the Scholarship.
  • Submit annual reports for the first two years of the scholarship, with a final report submitted in the final year, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years after the funding has finished.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “[name of Research Scholar] was supported by a Future Health Research & Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA PhD Top Up Scholarship”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

These grants are:

  • To provide support for talented early career cancer researchers to develop the skills and necessary track record to advance their career.
  • Awarded for up to one year.
  • Valued at up to $40,000.
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Eligibility requirements

  • The applicant must be an early-career researcher.
  • Chief Investigator A (CIA) must hold a primary appointment at a publicly funded, established Western Australian Higher Education and/or Medical Research Institutions.
  • Applicants must hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency or an appropriate visa to work in Australia.
  • The institution nominated to administer the grant (e.g. the Administering Institution), must be an NHMRC Approved Administering Institution in WA.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate Western Australian Higher Education Institutions, Medical Research Institutions, and/or hospitals.

Applicants are ineligible to apply if they have been:

  • A previous recipient of a Cancer Council WA Early Career Investigator Grant
  • A CIA on a Cancer Council WA Project Grant (using the NHMRC application process)
  • A CI (CIA, CIB, CIC etc) on a NHMRC, Australian Research Council (ARC) or similar standard grant of an amount greater than $140,000 (this does not include Fellowships).

How to apply

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Applications open 5-7 March 2025
Deadline for submission of the Application 16 July 2025
Outcome notification November 2025

Recipient requirements

Successful recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch.
  • A final report submitted with an acquittal report on completion of the project, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years post project completion.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications:  “This research was carried out during the tenure of a Strategic Prioirty Program – Capacity Building Investigator Grant from the Future Health Research & Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

These grants are:

  • To provide support for talented mid-career cancer researchers to develop the skills and necessary track record to advance their career.
  • Awarded for up to one year.
  • Valued at up to $61,000.
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Eligibility requirements

  • The applicant must be an early career researcher.
  • Chief Investigator A (CIA) must hold a primary appointment at a publicly funded, established Western Australian Higher Education and/or Medical Research Institutions.
  • Applicants must hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency or an appropriate visa to work in Australia.
  • The institution nominated to administer the grant (e.g. the Administering Institution), must be an NHMRC Approved Administering Institution in WA.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate Western Australian Higher Education Institution  Medical Research Institutions and/or hospitals.

Applicants are ineligible to apply if they have been:

  • A CIA on a Cancer Council WA Project Grant (using the NHMRC application process)
  • A CI (CIA, CIB, CIC etc) on a NHMRC, Australian Research Council (ARC) or similar standard grant of an amount greater than $140,000 (this does not include Fellowships).

How to apply

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Applications open 5-7 March 2025
Deadline for submission of the Application 16 July 2025
Outcome notification November 2025

Recipient requirements

Successful recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch.
  • A final report submitted with an acquittal report on completion of the project, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years post project completion.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “This research was carried out during the tenure of a Mid-career Investigator Grant from the Future Health Research & Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

This grant is:

  • To help build research capacity for clinicians in WA and promote local and national cross-institutional partnerships.
  • Valued at $114,000 over a period of up to 2 years.
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Eligibility requirements

  • The Chief Investigator A (CIA) must be a clinician working in, or affiliated with, a Higher Education Institution and/or Medical Research Institute within Western Australia.
  • The institution nominated to administer the grant (e.g. the Administering Institution), must be an NHMRC Approved Administering Institution in WA.
  • Applications must involve two or more institutions acting in collaboration.
  • Applicants must hold Australian citizenship, permanent residency or an appropriate visa to work in Australia.

How to apply

For information and guidance please read the Guidelines to Applicants and Community Criteria General Guidance Documents. You can also download the Grant Application Template for additional assistance with completing your online application.

All applications are to be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. Please see the Guidelines to Applicants for an easy ‘how to apply’ guide.

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Applications open 28 March 2025
Deadline for submission of the Application 23 May 2025
Outcome notification July/August

Recipient requirements

Successful recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch for the duration of the Research Grant.
  • Submit annual reports for the first year of the Grant, with a final report submitted in the final year, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years after the funding has finished.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “This research was carried out during the tenure of a Strategic Priority Program – Capacity Building Clinical Grant from the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

This scholarship is:

  • To provide support for Aboriginal Honours or Masters students to build cancer research skills.
  • Valued at $60,000 over a period of up to 2 years, with a minimum of 50% of the funds to be applied as a stipend.
  • Encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Eligibility requirements

  • The student must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and must physically reside in WA for a minimum of 80% of the period of the Scholarship.
  • An honours or masters student at a publicly funded, established Western Australian Higher Education Institution.
  • The research work detailed in the application must be part of the research work in an awarded Cancer Research Project Grant (CRPG).
  • The institution nominated to administer the grant (e.g. the Administering Institution), must be an NHMRC Approved Administering Institution in WA.

How to apply

For information and guidance please read the Guidelines to Applicants and Community Criteria General Guidance Documents. You can also download the Scholarship Application Template for additional assistance with completing your online application.

All applications are to be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. Please see the Guidelines to Applicants for an easy ‘how to apply’ guide.

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Applications open 28 March 2025
Deadline for submission of the Application 30 September 2025
Outcome notification November 2025

Recipient requirements

Recipient requirements

Successful recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch for the duration of the Research Scholarship.
  • Submit annual reports in each year of the operation of the Scholarship and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years after the funding has finished.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “This research was carried out during the tenure of a Strategic Priority Program – Capacity Building Honours/Masters Scholarships for Aboriginal Students from the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

Co-funded by Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund and Cancer Council WA

These grants are:

  • Intended to support early-stage research projects which may then become more competitive for larger national funding pools.
  • Awarded for up to one year, with flexibility for some priority areas
  • Valued at up to $140,000.
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.
  • Twelve grants will be awarded.  Of these, funding will be prioritised for an eligible application in each of the four following streams: Aboriginal health; Rural and remote health; Clinical; and Public Health.
  • For priority area criteria, please see Appendix 1 in the Guidelines to Applicants.

Eligibility requirements

  • Chief Investigator A (CIA) must hold a primary appointment at a publicly funded, established Western Australian Higher Education and/or Medical Research Institutions.
  • The CIA may only submit one application to the current round and may appear on up to two other applications as CI.
  • Any CI who is not a CIA may appear on up to four applications in the current round.
  • No changes to the Chief Investigators are to be made between the EOI and Full Application.
  • A CIA awarded a Cancer Research Project Grant (previously known as a Research Project Grant) in 2024 for the 2025 funding year is not eligible to apply for funding as a CIA in the 2025 Application year.
  • It is strongly encouraged that early or mid-career researcher/s be named as chief or associate investigators on the application.
  • The institution nominated to administer the grant (e.g., the Administering Institution), must be an NHMRC-Approved Administering Institution in WA.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate Western Australian Higher Education and/or Medical Research Institutions.
  • NOTE: for the priority area applications, eligibility requirements may be different, please see Appendix 1 in Guidelines to Applicants for details.

How to apply

For further information and guidance, please read the Guidelines to Applicants and Community Criteria General Guidance Documents.  You can also download the Project Grant Application Template  for additional assistance with completing your online application.

The application process is in two stages. The first stage requires the submission of an Expression of Intent from which a select number of applicants will be shortlisted to submit a full application.

All applications can be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. Please see the Guidelines to Applicants for an easy ‘how to apply’ guide.

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Advertising and promotion commence February 2025
Deadline for submission of the Expression of Intent 30 April 2025
Full application notification by 11 July 2025
Deadline for submission of the Full Application 27 August 2025
Outcome notification November 2025

Recipient requirements

Successful recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch.
  • A final report submitted with an acquittal report on completion of the project, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years post project completion.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “This research was carried out during the tenure of a Cancer Research Project Grant from the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund and Cancer Council WA”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

Cancer Council WA, WA Department of Health, Cancer Research Trust, Charlies Foundation for Research, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, The University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute have come together in partnership to fund collaborative, competitive research led by early to mid-career cancer researchers.

See our generous funders here.

This Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme (CCGS):

  • Intended to provide support for early- to mid-career cancer researchers in WA and in particular to encourage collaboration.
  • Aims to improve research quality and increase the competitiveness of this group of researchers by helping them to obtain preliminary data and build collaborative networks.
  • Valued at up to $65,000.
  • Grants to be offered every 2-3 years.
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.
  • One grant will be allocated to a research project related to the implementation of a WA Cancer Plan 2020-2025 priority area

Eligibility requirements

  • All Chief Investigators (CIs) must be early- to mid-career researchers (see definition below).
  • Early-mid career investigators who hold or have held (as Chief Investigator A (CIA) at the time of submission an NHMRC, Australian Research Council (ARC) or similar standard grant of an amount equal to or greater than $250,000 are ineligible to apply for the these grants.
  • Researchers can hold no more than one Collaborative Cancer Grant as CIA in any three year period.
  • The CIA and at least one other CI must be from a funding partner organisation(s).
  • At least one CI must be a WA public health system clinician.
  • Each application must have at least one CI from a minimum of three different organisations in WA.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate Western Australian Higher Education and/or Medical Research Institutions.

How to apply

  1. Expression of Intent stage
  2. Full application stage
  3. Interview stage.

Progression to Stages 2 and 3 is dependent on shortlisting. The expectation is that all CIs will be able to attend the interviews.

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Advertising and promotion commence TBC
Deadline for submission of the Expression of Intent TBC
Full application notification TBC
Deadline for submission of the Full Application TBC
Interviews TBC
Outcome notification TBC

Recipient requirements

Successful recipient teams will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch.
  • A Final Report submitted on completion of the project, and brief follow-on reports submitted 12 months and five years post project completion.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications: “This work was [fully/partially] funded by the Western Australia Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

These Scholarships are:

  • Intended to expose talented university students to cancer research.
  • Valued at up to $3,000.
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

The vacation scholarships available for funding in this funding year:

  • Up to eight Cancer Council WA Vacation Scholarship are open to all research areas and fields, as the projects must broadly relate to cancer.
  • Up to two Vacation Scholarships are offered by the James Crofts Hope Foundation (JCHF). As the Foundation is committed to the advancement of research in the area of brain cancer these scholarships will be awarded to research projects that relate directly to brain cancer research.
  • Up to two Vacation Scholarships offered by the Abbie Basson Sarcoma Foundation. As the Foundation is committed to the advancement of research in the area of sarcoma, primary bone and soft tissue tumours, these scholarships will be awarded to research projects that relate directly to sarcoma research

Eligibility requirements

  • Students enrolled full-time in the year when the application is received.
  • Students who have completed two years of an appropriate course work degree and are enrolled in at least the third year of the course work degree in the disciplines relevant to cancer control or treatment (when the application is received). Alternatively, medical students currently at the end of their third year or post graduate medical students who have not already completed a research degree are eligible.
  • Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through legitimate Western Australian Higher Education and/or Medical Research Institutions.

Applicants are ineligible if:

  • They are enrolled in or have completed a research degree (e.g. Honours).
  • They are enrolled part-time in the year when the application is received.
  • They have not completed two years of an appropriate degree course when the application is received.
  • They are previous recipients of a James Crofts Hope Foundation Student Vacation Research Scholarship, an Abbie Basson Sarcoma Foundation Student Vacation Research Scholarship or a Cancer Council WA Student Vacation Research Scholarship.
  • They are current recipients of a full-time scholarship intended to provide an equivalent stipend/salary of an amount equal to or greater than $3,000 may be ineligible (assessed on a case by case basis).
  • Students who are currently employed in the area (e.g. third or fourth year student working as a part time research assistant).

How to apply

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Advertising and promotion commence May 2025
Deadline for submission of the Full Application 3 September 2025
Outcome notification November 2025

Recipient requirements

Recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch.
  • Submit a Final Report no later than 30 April of the project end year.
  • Acknowledge Cancer Council WA funding at events and in publications:
    • “[name of Research Scholar] was supported by a Cancer Council WA Vacation Research Scholarship”.
    • “[name of Research Scholar] was supported by a James Crofts Hope Foundation Vacation Research Scholarship”.
    • “[name of Research Scholar] was supported by an Abbie Basson Sarcoma Foundation Vacation Research Scholarship”.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.

These awards are intended to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Western Australia’s best and brightest cancer researchers.

There are three award categories

  • Early Career Cancer Researcher of the Year (valued at $10,000)
  • Cancer Researcher of the Year (valued at $20,000)
  • Professor Bruce Armstrong Research Career Achievement Award (valued at $20,000)
  • Applications are encouraged from any area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

How to nominate

For information and guidance please read the Research Excellence Awards guidelines.

All applications are to be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. Please see the Research Excellence Guidelines for an easy ‘how to apply’ guide.

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Advertising and promotion commence June 2025
Nominations Open 16 July 2025
Deadline for submission of the nomination 4.00pm 5 November 2025
Outcome notification February/March 2026

Recipient requirements

Recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch.
  • Funds to be applied to a cancer research area of interest.
  • A brief update on where the funds have been applied.
  • Engage in events and/or media organised by Cancer Council WA.

This Fellowship is intended to provide support for a national or international clinical cancer leader/researcher to visit Western Australia to help provide further education in the area of clinical cancer management.

How to apply

  • For information and guidance please read the John Nott Travel Grant Guidelines.
  • All applications are to be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. Please see the John Nott Travel Grant Guidelines for an easy ‘how to apply’ guide.
Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Advertising and promotion commence January 2025
Deadline for submission of the Full Application No deadline
Outcome notification No deadline, Notification of outcome within 6 months of submission

Recipient requirements

Recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch.
  • Report on activities. All reporting to be completed via the Online Grants Management System.
  • You may be asked to engage in events and/or media.

This grant is intended to assist high achieving cancer research groups achieve the ‘new money’ requirement of the Cancer Research Trust (CRT) Grant funding opportunity prior to submitting the Expression of Intent to CRT.

How to apply

Key dates and deadlines
Stage Date
Advertising and promotion commence TBC
Submission deadline TBC
Outcome notification TBC

Recipient requirements

Recipients will be required to:

  • Attend the Annual Research Awards Lunch for the duration of the funding.
  • Report on activities. All reporting to be completed via the Online Grants Management System.
  • You may be asked to engage in events and/or media