Funding Outcomes
Targeted Call for Research: Early‑Onset Cancer 2025
$15 million has been invested through the CARI Targeted Call for Research: Early Onset Cancer 2025.
Following a strong response to this first grant opportunity, the original $7 million funding allocation was boosted by a further $8 million, reflecting the high quality of applications received.
Seven projects will share the combined investment, with research areas spanning prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship across early‑onset breast cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and non‑Hodgkin lymphoma. Five of the 7 projects are led by female researchers, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing women’s leadership in cancer research.
Successful Funding Recipients: Round 1
| Chief Investigator A (Project Lead) | Administering Institution | State | Title | Funding amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Daniel Buchanan | University of Melbourne | VIC | Temporal Molecular Signatures as the Aetiological Drivers of the Increasing Incidence of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer | $2,576,382.70 |
| Professor Eliza Hawkes | La Trobe University | VIC | Intervening to improve risk and outcomes for Early-Onset Incurable non Hodgkin Lymphoma via immune mapping and manipulation: the iLIMM project | $1,981,900.15 |
| Professor Alexandra McCarthy | Griffith University | QLD | The METEOR trial: Transforming recovery options in early-onset colorectal cancer | $850,100.40 |
| Associate Professor Erin Symonds | Flinders University | SA | Next-Generation Screening: a risk-based model for the timely detection and prevention of early-onset colorectal cancer | $2,739,936.60 |
| Associate Professor Shuai Li | University of Melbourne | VIC | Finding the missing causes of early-onset breast cancer | $2,527,271.50 |
| Professor Tracy Putoczki | The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research | VIC | Understanding the drivers of early onset pancreatic cancer in Australia | $1,992,230.10 |
| Dr Jie-Bin Lew | University of Sydney | NSW | STRIVE-EOC: Strategic Targeting of Resources and InterVentions for Early-Onset Cancers | $2,183,831.70 |
More details on the funded projects can be found on the NHMRC website and GrantConnect.
2026 Grant Opportunity
A new grant opportunity will be announced in 2026. Further information will be published closer to the announcement.
Overview — Priority-Setting and Grant Funding
For each funding round, Cancer Australia brings together key stakeholders in a collaborative process to identify and set research priorities, ensuring support is directed toward impactful cancer research across Australia.
The following section outlines the key steps involved, from establishing research priorities to launching and managing grant funding opportunities under the CARI.
- Develop potential research topics and priorities through:
- Emerging evidence (such as recent peer-reviewed publications national cancer statistics).
- Consultations with key stakeholders, including Cancer Australia’s advisory committees (Advisory Council, Research and Data Advisory Group, etc.), Australian Cancer Plan Implementation Partners, funding partners, as well as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- The goals and strategic objectives of the Australian Cancer Plan
- Cancer Australia’s triennial national audit of funding to cancer research projects and programs (to be updated in 2026).
- Determine the annual priority:
- Prepare a discussion paper outlining a shortlist of proposed priorities to be considered by the advisory groups, which are appointed to provide expert advice to Cancer Australia on strategic and priority areas of focus in cancer research and data.
- The shortlist will be provided to both the Cancer Australia CEO, and the National Health and Medical Research Council CEO for approval.
- Brief the Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing on the research priority.
- Prepare the research question/s for the Grant Opportunity. Cancer Australia may seek expert advice to assist with this process.
- Publish a Grant Opportunity Forecast on GrantConnect.
- Draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines and obtain the appropriate approvals to progress.
- Publish the Grant Opportunity on GrantConnect.
- Assess and award grants.
- Administer grants post award.
