Our Research Funding Program provides opportunities for support at every step of a cancer researcher’s career.
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.
Apply for Funding – Specific Guidance:
Research Excellence Awards
Applications for the Research Excellence Awards are *now closed*.
Commencing in 2013, the Cancer Council WA Research Excellence Awards were established to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Western Australia’s best and brightest cancer researchers.
The awards also serve to reinforce the importance of cancer research as an aspirational career choice and provide encouragement for the next generation of leading cancer researchers.
Please see the guidelines (114kb) and nomination form (65kb) for further information.
The three award categories are:
Early Career Cancer Researcher of the Year
This award of $10,000 recognises an emerging cancer researcher who has made a significant advance in cancer research within the last 18 – 24 months.
The achievement is judged in terms of impact of one or more peer-reviewed publications that advance our understanding of cancer biology, causes (aetiology), policy, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, management or treatment, health services, improvement of quality of life for cancer patients or palliative care.
An ‘early career’ cancer researcher is someone who has less than seven years of continuous experience in cancer research and who has no more than five years postdoctoral experience.
Cancer Researcher of the Year
This award of $20,000 recognises an individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to cancer research over the past 3 years.
The achievement may be a single and specific achievement – such as leading a ground-breaking or cutting edge piece of cancer research of international importance – or establishing a major initiative that will significantly advance a specific area of cancer research in Western Australia.
The contribution may relate to any topic of cancer research including biology, causes (aetiology), policy, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, management or treatment, health services, improvement of quality of life for cancer patients or palliative care.
Cancer Research Career Achievement Award
This award of $20,000 recognises a senior cancer researcher who has a history of significant achievement in cancer research and a strong record of leadership in administration, advocacy and promotion of cancer research. They will have mentored junior researchers and inspired the next generation to take up careers in cancer research.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Successful grants from previous years.
Research Project Grants
Expression of Intent open on 8 June 2022!
Expression of Intent close at 4pm, 11 July 2022.
The intention of the Research Project Grants is to support early-stage research projects which may then become more competitive for larger national funding pools.
Cancer Council WA is also committed to supporting the career development and progression of early career researchers, thus an early career investigator must be named as a chief investigator on all applications to be considered for funding.
One-year grants are to be offered, please ensure your budget request is for no more than $120,000. Applications for projects involving budgets that exceed $120,000 will not be considered.
The research project can be applied to any legitimate area of cancer research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of cancer.
Most of the research work (assessed as 75% or more) should be conducted in or through established Western Australian research institutions. This does not preclude funding the Western Australian component of a project involving interstate or international collaboration.
There are eligibility criteria set around chief investigator involvement so please read the Guidelines to Applicants (215kb, amended 18/06/2022) carefully before submitting an application.
How to Apply
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.
Further information can be found by viewing the Research Project Grants workshop, and accessing the Guidelines for the Research Project Grants.
Expressions of Intent and applications can be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. For easy to follow steps of how to apply, please click here.
Please note, the Research Project Grants offered by Cancer Council WA are no longer connected to the NHMRC funding round. For further information, please contact; Cancer Council NSW, or contact Cancer Council NSW Research Grant Management Team (research@nswcc.org.au).
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Successful grants from previous years.
Early Career Investigator Grants
Applications for the Suzanne Cavanagh Early Career Investigator Grants are *now open*.
Applications close: 4pm 22 August 2022
Our Early Career Investigator Grants are designed to help talented early career cancer researchers to develop the skills and necessary track record to advance their career. These awards have given, and will continue to give, many researchers their first step in their cancer research career.
Named to honour and remember the commitment and drive of a much respected and loved colleague, wife, mother and grandmother, Suzanne Cavanagh. Suzanne always believed in stewardship and supporting the next generation, her vision assisted many young people to grow and develop beyond their own expectations.
The Cancer Council Western Australia Suzanne Cavanagh Early Career Investigator Grants were developed along the same philosophy and aim to help talented researchers at the early stage of their career develop the skills and track record necessary to become competitive in national research grant processes.
How to apply
Please follow the guidelines outlined in the ECI Guide to Applicants (226kb). Information on how to apply can be accessed through the How to Apply guidelines. Apply through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal.
Supplementary Documents
Track Record Criteria template
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Research Fellowship
Applications for the Cancer Council WA Research Fellowship are *now open*
Applications close: 4pm, 15 August 2022
Our Research Fellowships fund outstanding biomedical and health researchers working in the field of cancer so they can undertake research that is of major importance. They provide a salary for up to four years with the aim of advancing the quality and impact of cancer research in WA, and promoting collaboration and partnerships, locally, nationally and internationally.
The Cancer Council Research Fellowship Program aims to provide opportunities for outstanding biomedical and health researchers with a proven track record in the field of cancer to undertake research that is of both major importance for cancer control and significant benefit to Western Australian health and medical research.
How to apply
For information and guidance please review the Research Fellowship Guide to Applicants. To apply please go to Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. For Guidelines on how to apply, click here.
SUPPLEMENTARY APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
For IMPORTANT information regarding recent changes to our funding and how to write a plain language summary please review the General Guidance Documents.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Successful grants from previous years.
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Applications for our Postdoctoral Fellowships are *now closed*
Our Postdoctoral Research Fellowships provide support for cancer researchers in the early stages of their career, providing improved career stability and encouraging the best and brightest young researchers to continue in the discipline of cancer research. This fellowship provides funding to cancer researchers with up to five years postdoctoral experience.
The Cancer Council Postdoctoral Fellowships aim to provide funding for outstanding early career biomedical and health researchers considered to have the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of cancer research in Western Australia.
While providing financial support over three years, this appointment will also provide opportunities to meet and liaise with important public figures in the Western Australian research community, help raise the public profile of recipients and provide opportunities to present and participate in local Cancer Council Western Australia events and the potential to be involved in research decisions.
How to apply
Please follow the guidelines outlined in the Postdoctoral Fellowship Guide to Applicants for assistance with completing your application.
Applications can be completed online through Cancer Council WA’s online portal. Guildelines on how to apply can be found here.
For IMPORTANT information regarding recent changes to our funding, writing a plain language summary and checking you have covered each of the community criteria, please review the General Guidance Documents.
For information on details we collect, please see our Privacy Collection Statement.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
John Nott Cancer Fellowship Travel Support Fund
Applications for this fellowship are *now closed*
John Nott was a well known Perth pharmacist and a patient of Dr Dennis Kermode who was Head of Department of General Surgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Mr Nott was also treated for colorectal cancer. Prior to his death Mr Nott discussed the setting-up of a fund which would be managed by Cancer Council Western Australia in association with members of the Department of General Surgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Mr Nott’s prime interest was to help improve treatment of cancer by funding the visits of experts to WA to teach local clinicians and researchers.
The fund, which was set up in 1988, is to be awarded annually with a maximum of $10,000 for each funding round and with the main intention 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
Please follow the guidelines outlined in the General Information and Guidelines to Applicants (pdf 103 KB) and complete the application form (54 KB)
NB: If applications are to be delivered by hand please leave applications at Cancer Council WA Reception, Level 1, 420 Bagot Road, Subiaco.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Successful grants from previous years.
PhD Top Up Scholarship
Applications for our PhD Top Up Scholarship open: 10 August 2022
Applications close: 4pm, 31 October 2022
Our PhD Top Up Scholarships are available to applicants who have an outstanding track records in academic achievement, and the potential to pursue full-time PhD studies in cancer-related research.
Applications are open for students with research projects related to cancer control (including biological science, medicine, behavioural science and public health). These scholarships are available for highly ranked PhD students who have been awarded a Research Training Program (RTP) stipend or equivalent and include funding of up to $36,000 for up to three years full-time, with a maximum payable rate of $12,000 per annum:
- Cancer Council Western Australia PhD Top Up Scholarship
- The Baguley Family Melanoma PhD Top Up Scholarship for research into the understanding and/or treatment of melanoma.
How to apply
Please follow the guidelines outlined in the PhD Top Up Scholarship Guide to Applicants.
Please apply through Cancer Council WA’s online grant management portal. The How to Apply document provides important information for applying online.
All recipients are required to provide an annual report for each funded year of their PhD. Visit the ‘Recipient requirements‘ web page for report templates.
For IMPORTANT information regarding recent changes to our funding and how to write a plain language summary please review the General Guidance Documents.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Successful grants from previous years.
Paul Katris Honours / Masters Scholarships
Applications for our Paul Katris Honours/Masters Scholarships are *now closed*
Named in honour of a valued member of the Cancer Council WA family for more than 20 years these scholarships are available to applicants with an excellent track record in academic achievement, and who can pursue full-time Honours / Masters studies.
Applications are open for students to develop and advance cancer-related research whilst undertaking their Honours / Masters degree. The scholarships include funding of up to $7,500, consisting of a $6,000 stipend and $1,500 for research related costs.
These scholarships are available for research projects in any relevant cancer related research field such as laboratory, clinical, epidemiological, psychosocial and/or behavioural science. In memory of Paul Katris and giving consideration to the relevant criteria, and research excellence, one scholarship has been earmarked for a psycho-oncology research project.
How to apply
Please follow the guidelines outlined in the Paul Katris Honours Scholarship Guide to Applicants (132 KB) and complete the Application Form (75 KB)
All recipients are required to submit the final report within 6 monthsafter the completion of the scholarship – for the report template visit the ‘Recipient requirements’ web page.
For IMPORTANT information regarding recent changes to our funding and how to write a plain language summary please review the General Guidance Documents.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Student Vacation Research Scholarships
Applications for our Postdoctoral Fellowships are *now open*
Applications close: 4pm, 8 August 2022
These scholarships expose talented young university students to cancer research. We aim to help develop the skills of these future researchers to give them experience to progress their studies. Applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of the first two years of an appropriate degree course (three years for medical students) in the disciplines relevant to cancer control. Awards are for a period of four to ten weeks during the summer vacation period and are up to $3,000.00 each.
There are a number of vacation scholarships available in this funding year:
- Up to four Cancer Council WA Vacation Scholarship are open to all research areas / fields, 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.
How to apply
For information and guidance please read the Vacation Scholarships Guidelines to Applicants (216kb) and Community Criteria General Guidance Documents.
All applications are to be submitted through Cancer Council WA’s online grant portal. For easy to follow steps on how to apply please click here.
Reporting
Reporting templates will be made available through the Online Grants Management System.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme
Expressions of intent for Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme are *now closed*
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.
In April 2021, four Collaborative Cancer Grants of $50,000 – $65,000 were awarded to early-to-mid career researchers to fund projects that involve collaboration across at least three institutions in WA.
The Collaborative Cancer Grant Scheme: Repechage Round is an opportunity for early-to-mid career researchers to apply for funding for one grant related to the implementation of the WA Cancer Plan 2020-2025 “Priority Two: Western Australians receive optimal care”.
To be eligible for funding, a research project MUST support one of the two strategy areas described:
a) Priority Two, Strategy 1: Implement Optimal Care Pathways to guide the delivery of consistent, safe, high quality and evidence-based care;
b) Priority Two, Strategy 4: Actively engage primary and community care practitioners as key care providers across the cancer pathway (for the CCGS, particularly in the area of management of the long-term effects of cancer and healthy lifestyle behaviours relevant to cancer survivors).
How to apply
There are three stages to the application process: 1. Expression of Intent stage; 2. Full application stage; and 3. Interview stage. Progression to Stages 2 and 3 is dependent on shortlisting.
Please follow the guidelines outlined in the CCGS Guide to Applicants – (227kb) for assistance with completing your application. Please download the application form – (140kb) to apply
Interview Stage:
Applicants shortlisted will be expected to attend a short interview. The expectation is that all CIs will be able to attend, in the instance where this is not possible an adequate explanation must be provided.
For IMPORTANT information on how to write a plain language summary and commplete the community criteria please review the General Guidance Documents.
For information on details we collect, please see our Privacy Collection Statement.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour
Applications for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour Initiative are *now closed*
This Initiative has been made available through the generous provision of the late Sandra O’Keeffe by including a gift in her Will to make this research possible.
What is the objective?
To direct funds into Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) research in order to advance the diagnosis and treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Cancer.
Who can apply?
Applications will be accepted from appropriately qualified researchers and /or clinicians and/or research teams who will be conducting the research at an administering institution in WA. The institution can be within a university, affiliated to a university or major hospital, or an appropriate independent medical or scientific research institute. The work should primarily be conducted in Western Australia; however this does not preclude funding the Western Australian component of research involving interstate or international collaboration.
Potential application of the funds
Researchers / research teams / institutions seeking the funding are at liberty to propose any viable model for the application of the funds. This may include but is not restricted to:
• The appointment of a new Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour research fellow, research postdoc, other level of researcher or buy-out of clinical time to undertake the research.
• The institution may wish to build a larger entity or program of work into which this funding might sit.
• Substantive contribution to national or international research collaborations in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour.
What funds are available?
$464,000 is available for the research with the expectation that funds will be expended over three years with a possible extension of one year. There will be no indexation of the amount awarded under the grant.
How to Apply
Please follow the guidelines outlined in the GIST Guide to Applicants (473 KB) and complete the Application Form (99KB).
Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the administering institution or the Chief Investigator A’s primary institution.
For IMPORTANT information on how to write a plain language summary please review the General Guidance Documents.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354
Prostate Cancer Research Initiative
Applications for Prostate Cancer Research Initiative are *now closed*
This Initiative has been made available through the generous provision of the late Alan Tuthill by including a gift in his Will to make this research possible.
What is the objective?
To direct funds to advance research in the understanding, prevention and/or treatment of prostate cancer.
Who can apply?
Applications will be accepted from appropriately qualified researchers and /or clinicians and/or research teams who will be conducting the research at an administering institution in WA. The institution can be within a university, affiliated to a university or major hospital, or an appropriate independent medical or scientific research institute. The work should primarily be conducted in Western Australia; however this does not preclude funding the Western Australian component of research involving interstate or international collaboration.
Potential application of the funds
Researchers / research teams / institutions seeking the funding are at liberty to propose any viable model for the application of the funds. This may include but is not restricted to:
- The appointment of a new prostate cancer research fellow, research postdoc, other level of researcher or buy-out of clinical time to undertake the research.
- The institution may wish to build a larger entity or program of work into which this funding might sit.
- Substantive contribution to national or international research collaborations in prostate cancer.
What funds are available?
Just over $483,000 is available for the research with the expectation that funds will be expended over three years with a possible extension of one year.There will be no indexation of the amount awarded under the grant.
How to Apply
Please follow the guidelines outlined in the Prostate Cancer Research Initiative Guide to Applicants (473 KB) and complete the Application Form (100 KB).
Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the administering institution or the Chief Investigator A’s primary institution.
For IMPORTANT information on how to write a plain language summary please review the General Guidance Documents.
For more information contact:
Research Admin Officer
Cancer Council Western Australia
420 Bagot Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9388 4354