Cancer Australia Research Initiative Targeted Call for Research: Early-Onset Cancer 2025

Overview

Cancer Australia has established the Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI), a new initiative designed to reflect the contemporary cancer research landscape and ensure alignment with the Australian Cancer Plan to fund cancer research in areas of unmet and emerging need. CARI is directed by Cancer Australia, jointly funded by NHMRC and designed in accordance with the NHMRC’s Targeted Calls for Research (TCR) model. CARI will be delivered annually as a series of one-time grant opportunities, commencing in 2025-26. Proposals will need to demonstrate translational potential, and build capacity in the cancer research workforce, including through opportunities for early to mid-career researchers. Early-Onset Cancers – Identified Priority Cancer Australia identified early-onset cancers (EOC) as a strategic priority due to its global rise and diverse tumour sub-types, requiring further research on environmental and genetic interactions. The first CARI TCR grant opportunity aims to: • Enhance understanding of EOC and develop novel clinical approaches for earlier diagnosis and innovative models of care to ensure effective management for those affected by EOC • Support programs that leverage existing, multidisciplinary, collaborative activities, and that are designed to link to enduring broader research initiatives, to inform policy and large scale, novel research for EOC in future. The first CARI TCR grant opportunity will be guided by strategic, long-term approaches to address the possible causes, pathogenesis, early recognition and diagnosis, as well as complexities of management and survivorship associated with EOC. Applications may focus on a single tumour sub-type or multiple tumour types. Proposals addressing cancers that have a greater burden of disease are encouraged.