The Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI) is a new initiative led by Cancer Australia, and jointly funded with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The CARI has been designed to reflect the current cancer research landscape and ensure alignment with the Australian Cancer Plan to fund cancer research in areas of unmet and emerging need.
Commencing in 2025-26, the CARI will be delivered annually as a series of one-time grant opportunities.
2025-26 grant opportunity
Invitation to Apply for the Cancer Australia Research Initiative Targeted Call for Research: Early-Onset Cancer 2025, is now open.
Cancer Australia invites NHMRC-approved Administering Institutions to apply for funding under the Cancer Australia Research Initiative Targeted Call for Research: Early-Onset Cancer 2025.
The first grant opportunity aims to support research into the rising incidence of early-onset cancers. The grant opportunity aims to:
- enhance understanding of early-onset cancer and develop novel clinical approaches for earlier diagnosis and innovative models of care to ensure effective management for those diagnosed with early-onset cancer; and
- support programs that leverage existing, multidisciplinary, collaborative activities and that are designed to link to enduring and broad-based research infrastructure initiatives that will inform policy and large scale, novel research for early-onset cancer in the future.
Funding available
Grants will be available for projects lasting between 1 and 3 years, with a funding allocation of $7 million. (This may be supplemented by additional contributions from potential funding partners.)
How to apply
Applications must be submitted via NHMRC’s Sapphire by the closing date and time.
Applications close: 10 September 2025 at 5:00pm (AEST)
Questions close: 10 September 2025 at 1:00pm (AEST)
For further information, including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and draft funding agreement, visit: GrantConnect.
