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Funding Programs

Thanks to your donations, we support hundreds of researchers, all dedicated to making significant advances in outsmarting cancer.

Through its funding programs, the Cancer Research Society plays a leading role in advancing research in Canada. By supporting more projects each year, it fosters innovation, supports the next generation of scientists, and helps explore promising avenues to outsmart cancer.

Annual programs

Each year, the Cancer Research Society funds promising projects through its three annual grant programs, each tailored to key stages of the scientific journey. By supporting today’s and tomorrow’s researchers, it actively contributes to advancing knowledge to better understand, prevent, detect, and treat all types of cancer.

Operating grants

The Operating Grants program is the primary means by which the Cancer Research Society fulfills its mission of supporting fundamental and early translational research for all types of cancer.

Next Generation of Scientists Awards

This unique program aims to support the most promising postdoctoral fellows to become the next generation of cancer researchers in Canada.

Doctoral Research Awards

This program is open to doctoral students conducting cancer research projects at a Canadian university.

Targeted programs

Thanks to partnerships, major gifts, and various initiatives, the Cancer Research Society occasionally launches targeted programs. These programs provide grants to support research in specific areas, such as rare or particular types of cancer, and to address emerging scientific priorities.

International partnership with Worldwide Cancer Research

The Cancer Research Society established its first international partnership with the British organization Worldwide Cancer Research. This collaboration aims to support exploratory and translational research in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Brain Cancer Research Grants

The Cancer Research Society, in partnership with Brain Canada and the Kindred Foundation, announces the launch of a national program to fund translational brain cancer research. This program is supported by an exceptional investment of $2 million.

Prostate Cancer Research Grants

The Cancer Research Society, in collaboration with PROCURE, is proud to launch a program aimed at advancing cutting-edge translational research in prostate cancer. This partnership will provide a total of $2 million in funding to support four innovative research projects.

Research Impact in Survivorship and Engagement

The Cancer Research Society (CRS) and Ovarian Cancer Canada are proud to announce the launch of the RISE competition. This partnership will invest up to $200,000 to support two innovative projects focused on ovarian cancer survivorship, based on priorities identified by patients and caregivers.

Past programs

Lung Cancer Translational Research Grants

In Canada, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, yet it remains one of the most underfunded in terms of research. To address this major issue, the Cancer Research Society is aiming to invest at least $2 million to fund translational research projects on this disease.

Bridging the Gap for Ovarian Cancer Treatments Grants

The Cancer Research Society is proud of its partnership with Ovarian Cancer Canada, which has made it possible to co-fund 3 research projects aimed at prolonging survival and improving the quality of life of women with the disease.

DECRYPT : Pediatric Embryonal Brain Tumour Research Grant

The Cancer Research Society is proud to partner with several Canadian charities to fund the DECRYPT (Defeating Embryonal Cancer in Young People Together) program. This grant supports a research project on rare forms of brain cancer in children.

Upcycle: Drug repurposing Grants

The Cancer Research Society has launched the UpCycle competition to fund research projects aimed at accelerating the development of cancer treatments by studying the anti-cancer properties of off-patent drugs approved for other diseases.

OCC/OvCAN-CRS Strategic Partnership Grants

The Cancer Research Society and Ovarian Cancer Canada are co-funding 10 ovarian cancer research projects to improve quality of life and prolong survival for women with ovarian cancer.

100 Years of Cancer Research Grants

The Cancer Research Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation are co-funding 2 research projects targeting metastatic breast cancer to support research and women affected by this disease.