Grants-in-Aid funds high quality research focused on discovering and improving prevention, detection, treatment, and care for people affected by cancer. We are committed to funding research projects tackling all cancer types to achieve our vision for a cancer-free future.
2024 Key Dates
EOI: CLOSED
Full Applications open (via invitation only): 2 September
Full Applications close: 8 October
Outcomes advised: November/ December
Available funding
These grants support research teams to undertake research focused on improving prevention, detection, treatment and care for people affected by cancer. This year, there are eight grants available, each valued at maximum $360,000 ($120,000 p.a for up to three years):
- 7 general grants (no restrictions on type of research or cancer type)
- 1 targeted grant for a research project that (a) addresses the needs of people affected by cancer in rural/regional Victoria and that (b) is led by a regional research institution.
Eligibility
We encourage applications from researchers of varied backgrounds, including palliative care, allied health, epidemiology, health economics, behavioural science, and clinical research. We welcome applications from all types of research, including theoretical, applied, experimental, and observational clinical and basic research, with no eligibility restrictions.
Grant selection process and criteria
All applications are assessed against the criteria described below. The selection criteria are consistent for all application stages. Weighting is applied at all application stages. Further information on the grant selection process can be found in the Guidelines.
Criterion 1 Impact and Significance to Cancer The significance and potential impact of the project on the causes, prevention, diagnosis, supportive care or treatment of cancer [weighting 20%]
Criterion 2 Quality/Excellence of the research including design and methodology The appropriateness of the hypothesis, the scientific framework, study design, methods and analysis, and the associated milestones [weighting 50%]
Criterion 3 Expertise, collaborative capacity and feasibility Expertise, collaborative capacity and feasibility the research chief investigator team’s expertise (including track record, relative to opportunity) for the research to succeed within the proposed duration and with the described resourcing [weighting 30%]
Frequently asked questions and answers
Does the budget from the EOI need to match the final budget in the Full Application?
Yes, an applicant is able to apply for/ have already applied for funding however, this must be declared.
Can an applicant submit more than one application as a CIA?
No. An applicant is only able to be listed as a CIA on one application.
Can an applicant be listed as a CI (B-J) on more than one application?
No. A CI is only able to be listed as CI (B-J) on one application.
In accordance with the Guidelines “Salary requests for CIAs will be permitted provided the CIA’s PhD (or MBBS) was awarded < 13 years ago at the closing date for applications.”
This date refers to the closing date of EOI applications
Is an applicant who is listed as a CI (B-J) on an existing grant ending after 31 December 2023 still eligible to apply?
Yes. An applicant who is listed as a CI (B-J) on an existing grant ending after 31 December 2023 is still eligible to apply
Are references able to be included within the Research Plan?
Yes, in-test citations (e.g., Heggerty, 2021) are able to be included within the Research Plan. The reference list is excluded.
Which title should be included within the online EOI application form?
Please use the full title/ project title for the online form.
Does the EOI application need any breakdown of the specific costs? Or can an applicant just include a total for each of the three categories (Salary support, Direct research costs, Equipment)?
Budget does not require item breakdown at EOI stage.
Further information
If you have any questions about this funding, please contact:
Research Governance Unit
grants@cancervic.org.au
Grants-in-Aid recipients
Projects commencing in 2024
Dr Driss Ait Ouakrim, Prof. Mark Jenkins, Prof. Nancy Baxter, Prof. Finlay Macrae, Prof. Carlene Wilson, Dr Louisa Flander, A/Prof. Belinda Goodwin and A/Prof. Jennifer McIntosh
University of Melbourne
Impact of a one-sample FIT in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (2024 - 2026)
Prof Paul Beavis, Dr Isabelle Munoz, Prof Phil Darcy, Dr Ian Parish, A/Prof Jane Oliaro
University of Melbourne
Generation of CAR T cells with improved metabolic fitness and persistence (2024 - 2026)
Prof Matthias Ernst
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute / La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine
Identification of therapeutic vulnerabilities that promote metastatic spread of pancreatic cancer (2024 - 2026)
Dr Mathieu Gaudreault, A/Prof Vanessa, Panettieri, Dr Katrina Woodford, Dr Jason Li, A/Prof Susan Harden, Prof Sandro Porceddu, and A/Prof Nicholas Hardcastle
The University of Melbourne, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
Next-generation radiation therapy treatment planning with deep learning (2024 - 2026)
Prof Karla Hutt, Dr Amy Winship, Prof Nicole La Gruta and Dr Pirooz Zareie
Monash University
Mechanisms of ICIassociated immune related adverse events in women with cancer (2024 - 2026)
Dr David Liu, A/Prof Nicholas Clemons, Prof David Watson, Dr Louise Jackett, Dr Margaret Lee and Dr Darren Wong
The University of Melbourne, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
Finding and understanding the optimal treatment for gastroesophageal cancers (2024 - 2026)
Dr Ian Parish, A/Prof Paul Beavis and Prof Mark Dawson
Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
Enhancing CAR T cell efficacy through modulation of IKZF transcription factors (2024 - 2026)
Dr Meena Rafiq, Prof Jon Emery, Prof Roger Milne, Dr Sibel Saya, A/Prof Robert MacInnis and Ms Allison Drosdowsky
University of Melbourne
PELICAN: Primary care and gEnomic date LInkage for CANcer research (2024 - 2026)
Prof Andreas Strasser, Dr Kerstin Brinkmann, A/Prof Gemma Kelly, Dr Sarah Diepstraten and Julie McMullen
WEHI (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
Improving the Clinical Use of MCL-1 Targeting BH3 Mimetic Drugs for Cancer Therapy (2024 - 2026)
A/Prof Kate Sutherland, Dr Jin Ng, Dr Nicholas Gherardin and Dr Hui-Fern Koay
WEHI (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
Projects commenced in 2023
Professor Helen Abud, Dr Rebekah Engel, Professor Paul McMurrick, A/Prof Ralf Schittenhelm, Dr Caroline Lum, Dr Stuart Archer
Monash University
Uncovering novel mechanisms of treatment resistance in lethal bowel cancers (2023 - 2025)
A/Prof Arun Azad, Dr. Heidi Fettke, Prof. Michael Hofman, Dr. Tu Nguyen-Dumont
University of Melbourne
Analysing “liquid biopsies” to improve prostate cancer treatment (2023 - 2025)
Prof Phillip Darcy, A/Prof Paul Beavis
University of Melbourne
Enhancing function and persistence of CAR T cells for cancer therapy (2023 - 2025)
Dr. Nicholas Gherardin, Prof. Jamie Rossjohn
University of Melbourne
Understanding T cell receptor biology to inform next gen cell therapies (2023 - 2025)
Prof Martha Hickey, Dr Antonia Jones, Dr David Wrede, Dr Frances Petry
University of Melbourne
Salpingectomy with delayed oophorectomy to prevent ovarian cancer (TUBA WISP II) (2023 - 2025)
Prof Axel Kallies, A/Prof Shahneen Sandhu
University of Melbourne
Improving cancer immunotherapy (2023 - 2025)
Dr Mitchell Lawrence, Prof Mark Frydenberg, Dr Susanne Ramm, Prof Anthony Joshua
Monash University
Using hormones to treat aggressive prostate cancer (2023 - 2025)
A/Prof Evelien Spelten,Prof Carlene Wilson, Dr Nienke Zomerdijk, Dr Eva Yuen, Dr Saskia Duijts
LaTrobe University
Supporting People with a Rare Cancer living in rural and remote communities (2023 - 2025)
A/Prof Renea Taylor, Prof Matthew Watt, A/Prof David Pook
Monash University
Targeting metabolism for prostate cancer therapy (2023 - 2025)
A/Prof Alison Trainer, Prof Sue Evans, Dr Maria Bechelli, A/Prof Stephanie Best, Dr Michael Bogwitz, Dr Ainsley Campbell,
Dr Rachel DelaHunty, Dr Marion Harris, A/Prof Yoland Antill
University of Melbourne
Extending the Cancer Registry role into the familial cancer testing process (2023 - 2024)
Dr Paul Yeh, Prof Jake Shortt, Dr Dineika Chandrananda
Monash University
ctDNA to monitor non-genomic evolution in Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (2023 - 2025)
Projects commenced in 2022
A/Prof Jeffrey Babon, Prof Warren Alexander, Dr Nadia kershaw, Dr Jason Brouwer
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
A new therapy for the treatment of Myeloproliferative Diseases (2022 -2024)
Prof Sarah-Jane Dawson, A/Prof Jessic Howell, Prof Alexander Thompson
University of Melbourne
Early Detection and Monitoring of Hepatocellular Carcinoma using Liquid Biopsies (2022 - 2024)
Prof Mark Dawson, Dr. Clare Gould, A/Prof Michael Dickinson, Dr Mary Ann Anderson, Prof Constantine Tam
University of Melbourne
Novel strategies to predict and monitor response to CAR T-cell therapy in DLBCL (2022 - 2024)
Dr. Omer Gilan
Monash University
Developing new combination therapies in acute leukaemia (2022 - 2024)
A/Prof Paul Gregorevic, A/Prof Sean McGee
University of Melbourne
Giving people the strength to fight cancer: Targeting muscle to enhance survival (2022 - 2024)
Dr Nicholas Hardcastle, Dr James Korte, A/Prof Sarah Everitt, A/Prof Tomas Kron, Dr Nikki Plumridge, Dr Susan Harden, Dr Kate Moodie, Prem Krishnan, Dr Elizabeth Pearson
University of Melbourne
Sitting up for Radiotherapy (2022 - 2024)
Dr Susan Harden, Prof Penelope Schofield, Prof John Zalcberg, A/Prof Rob Stirling, Mr Ewan MacFarlane
Monash University
Determining patterns of care and access to novel therapies for mesothelioma (2022 - 2024)
Prof Nicholas Huntington, Momeneh Foroutan, Dr Sebastian Scheer
Monash University
Enhancing Immunotherapy Response Rates (2022 - 2024)
A/Prof Thomas John, Prof Sean Grimmond, Dr Muhammad Alamgeer
University of Melbourne
A Precision Medicine program in Mesothelioma (2022 - 2024)
This project is funded through the generous support of the Lyall Watts Mesothelioma Research Fund.
Prof Ricky Johnstone, Dr Stephin Vervoort
University of Melbourne
New therapies for Multiple Myeloma (2022 - 2024)
Prof Laura Mackay
University of Melbourne
Targeting local immune cells to improve cancer treatments (2022 - 2024)
Prof Stephen Nutt, Dr Julie Tellier
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Targeting plasma cells to treat liver cancer (2022 - 2024)
Prof Joseph Trapani, Dr Laura Porter
University of Melbourne
Using anti-cancer drugs to stimulate an immune response to cancer (2022 - 2024)
Projects commenced in 2021
Dr Rishu Agarwal, Dr Philip Thompson, Prof Constantine Tam, Prof Sarah-Jane Dawson, Prof Mark Dawson
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Circulating tumour DNA and genomic markers of poor response to Ibrutinib-Venetoclax combination therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (2021 -2023)
A/Prof Ian Campbell, A/Prof Paul James, Dr Na Li
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Finding new genes that cause familial high grade serious ovarian cancer (2021 -2023)
A/Prof Prudence Francis, Prof Sherene Loi, Prof Sarah Jane Dawson
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Understanding response to neoadjuvant therapy in hormone receptor positive breast cancer; a correlative analysis of the ELIMINATE trial (2021 -2023)
A/Prof Marco Herold, Prof Tony Papenfuss
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Looking beyond the role of mutant DNMT3a in AML (2021- 2023)
Prof Brendan Jenkins, Dr Daniel Croagh, A/Prof Marina Pajic, Prof Yana Zavros
Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Uncovering the broad clinical utility of the innate immune pattern recognition receptor, Toll-like receptor 2, in pancreatic cancer (2021 -2023)
Dr Linh Nguyen, Prof John Hopper, Dr Gillian Dite, Dr Shuai Li, Prof Pam Bell, Mrs Gerda Evans, Prof Joohon Sung
University of Melbourne
Combining novel breast cancer risk factors to produce automated and accurate personalised breast cancer risk prediction at the time of mammographic screening (2021 -2023)
Prof Anthony Purcell, Prof Bruce Robinson
Monash University
Defining the antigenic landscape of malignant mesothelioma - new opportunities for immunotherapy (2021 -2023)
This project is funded through the generous support of the Lyall Watts Mesothelioma Research Fund.
A/Prof Erica Sloan, Dr Fiona Hegi-Johnson, Prof Robin Anderson, Prof Michael MacManus, Prof Scott Mueller
Monash University
Harnessing neural-immune communication to enhance the radiotherapy abscopal response (2021 -2023)
A/Prof Jeanne Tie, Prof Peter Gibbs, A/Prof Sue-Anne McLachlan, Dr Craig Underhill, Prof Niall Tebbutt, Prof Alexander Heriot, Dr Julie Chu, Prof Michael Jefford, Dr Tim Akhurst
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
RESOLUTE: Randomised phase II trial to evaluate the strategy of integrating local ablative therapy with first-line systemic treatment for unresectable oligometastatic Colorectal cancer (2021 -2023)
Dr Daniel Utzschneider, Prof Stephen Opat, Prof Constantine Tam, Prof Axel Kallies
Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne
Characterization and targeting of T cells for the treatment of leukemia (2021 -2023)
Dr Ajithkumar Vasanthakumar, Dr Bhupinder Pal, Dr Simon Tsao, Prof Axel Kallies
Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne
Targeting regulatory T cells in mammary adipose tissue to treat breast cancer (2021 -2023)
A/Prof Ilia Voskoboinik, Prof Joseph Trapani, Prof Constantine Tam
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
How to overcome tumour resistance to immunotherapy (2021 -2023)
Prof Ingrid Winship, Dr Khalid Mahmood, A/Prof Daniel Buchanan, Mr Peter Georgeson, Ms Emma Barrance, Ms Natalie Diepenhorst, Ms Julie Toner
University of Melbourne
What can tumour mutational signatures tell us about the cause of familial colorectal cancer? (2021 -2023)
Projects commenced in 2020
Dr Holly Barker, Dr Kristy Shield-Artin, Dr Cassandra Vandenberg and Dr Gayanie Ratnayake
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Identifying new treatment options for the rare and aggressive ovarian carcinosarcoma (2020 -2022)
Co-funded by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
Dr Paul Beavis, Prof Phillip Darcy, Prof Benjamin Solomon and Prof Sherene Loi
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Enhancing cell-based therapy of cancer (2020 -2022)
A/Prof Daniel Buchanan, Prof Mark Jenkins, Prof Ingrid Winship, Prof Finlay Macrae, Prof Alex Boussioutas and A/Prof Christophe Rosty
University of Melbourne
Why does colonoscopy fail to prevent cancer of the large bowel in people with Lynch syndrome? (2020 -2022)
Prof Suzanne Cory and Dr Gemma Kelly
The Walter and Eliza Hall institute of Medical Research
Testing a promising new therapeutic target (MNT) to improve treatment of diverse human lymphomas and other cancers driven by high levels of the oncoprotein MYC (2020 -2022)
Prof Paul Donnelly and A/Prof Carleen Cullinane
University of Melbourne
Diagnostic imaging and therapy of cancers with copper radiopharmaceuticals (2020 -2022)
Dr Debra Gook, A/Prof David Westerman and Prof Claus Anderson
The Royal Women’s Hospital
Eliminating leukemic cells from ovarian tissue for safe restoration of fertility (2020 - 2022)
Dr Ian Majewski and Dr Peter Valk
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
How does the DNA damage that accumulates with age influence cancer risk? (2020 -2022)
Dr Delphine Merino, Dr Melissa Davis and Dr Belinda Yeo
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute
Design new treatments for patients with aggressive breast cancer using sequencing and drug response prediction (2020 -2022)
Dr Ashley Ng, Dr Kira Behrens, Prof Warren Alexander, Dr Rebecca Feltham, Prof John Silke and Dr David Komander
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Drugging Undruggable Targets in Ph+ B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (2020 -2022)
Prof Richard Pearson
University of Melbourne
Combinatorial targeting of cellular “housekeeping” processes to treat cancer (2020 -2022)
Prof Andrew Perkins
Monash University
Towards a cure for myelofibrosis (2020 -2022)
Funded by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency
A/Prof Jake Shortt and Dr Lev Kats
Monash University
Determining the reasons why leukaemia and lymphoma become resistant to treatments that alter
the methylation of cancer DNA (2020 -2022)
Dr Lorey Smith and Dr Brendon Monahan
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Preventing Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Melanoma (2020 -2022)
Dr Florian Wiede
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Enhancing the immune system in combating liver cancer in obesity (2020 -2022)
Funded by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency
Projects commenced in 2019
Prof Robin Anderson, Prof Robert Parton
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute
Dr Nicholas Clemons, Prof Wayne Phillips, Dr Gang Chen, Dr Cuong Duong, A/Prof Sarah-Jane Dawson, Prof David Watson, Prof Reginald Lord, A/Prof David Wang
The University of Melbourne
Development of a simple blood test to guide treatment decisions for patients with oesophageal cancer (2019-2021)
Funded by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency
Dr James Dowty, A/Prof Daniel Buchanan, Prof Ingrid Winship, A/Prof Robert Waterland, Dr Jihoon Joo, Prof Mark Jenkins, Prof Melissa Southey
The University of Melbourne
Dr Moritz Eissmann, Prof Matthias Ernst, Prof Alex Boussioutas
La Trobe University
Testing antibodies inhibiting IL33-signalling against gastric cancer (2019-2021)
Funded by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency
A/Prof Thomas Gebhardt
The University of Melbourne
Dr Catherine Granger
The University of Melbourne
A randomised control trial to evaluate the effect of exercise and self-management on outcomes of people with operable lung cancer (2019-2021)
Funded by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency
Dr Lev Kats, Prof Ricky Johnstone
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Dr Simon Keam
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Prof John Mariadason
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute
Prof Neil O'Brien-Simpson, A/Prof Andrea O'Connor, Prof Michael McCullough, Dr Jason Lenzo
The University of Melbourne
Dr Lorraine O'Reilly, Prof Andreas Strasser, A/Prof Nicholas Huntington
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
A/Prof Louise Purton, A/Prof Carl Walkley, Dr Meaghan Wall, Dr Helene Jousset
St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research
Prof Andrew Scott, A/Prof Hui Gan, Prof Weisan Chen
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute
Prof Matthew J. Watt, Dr Renea A. Taylor, A/Prof Daniel Nomura
The University of Melbourne
Projects commenced in 2018
A/Prof Thomas John, Prof Andrew Scott, A/Prof Hui Gan
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute
New treatments for mesothelioma (2018-2020)
Projects commenced in 2017
Dr Peter Janes, Prof Andrew Scott, A/Prof Thomas John
Monash University (2017-2018); La Trobe University (2018-2019)
Targeted antibody therapy for malignant mesothelioma
Lyall Watts Mesothelioma Research Grant (2017-2019)
Projects commenced in 2016
A/Prof Kieran Harvey, Dr Nicola Waddell, A/Prof Kaylene Simpson
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
What causes mesothelioma and how can we treat it?
Lyall Watts Mesothelioma Research Grant (Sept 2016 - Aug 2019)