Driving breakthroughs in cancer care
In its inaugural edition, the program will invest up to $25 million to advance clinical trials across Canada.
INVESTIGATOR-INITIATED CLINICAL TRIALS
Clinical Research Designed by Researchers Focused on Patients
NEW PROGRAM
The Cancer Research Society (CRS) is launching its first-ever national program entirely dedicated to investigator-initiated oncology clinical trials in Canada.
Led by the CRS, with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Terry Fox Research Institute as co-leads, this program aims to empower Canadian doctors and researchers to design and conduct cutting-edge clinical trials.
This unprecedented collaboration also brings together Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation, Génome Québec, SickKids Garron Family Cancer Centre, Kindred Foundation, Childhood Cancer Canada, BioCanRx and Institut du cancer de Montréal, all committed to advancing clinical research and turning promising ideas into tangible results for patients.
The program aims to foster the development of innovative treatments, improve patient care, and address priority clinical questions, including those related to rare and understudied cancers.
Filling Critical Gaps in Cancer Research
Most cancer clinical trials are funded by the pharmaceutical industry, focusing primarily on developing and testing new drugs. While these trials are essential, many important questions remain underfunded and unanswered for patients.
Investigator-initiated trials are different. Designed and led by doctors and researchers, they address clinically relevant questions that may not be fully explored in industry-led trials. These trials allow researchers to:
- Explore innovative therapeutic approaches
- Play a vital role in advancing cancer care
- Investigate new methods to improve supportive and survival care
- Generate evidence in rare or understudied cancers
- Accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for patients
Program Objectives
This national program aims to:
- Advance new treatment options, particularly for rare, underserved and low survival cancers
- Evaluate innovative approaches to deliver more precise and effective care
- Improve patient outcomes and quality of life, including reducing treatment-related side effects
- Enhance early detection and diagnosis, enabling more timely interventions
- Strengthen prevention strategies aimed at reducing cancer incidence
Important: This program is intended for researchers and does not involve patient recruitment or facilitate connections with clinical trials. Thank you for your understanding.
Two Funding Streams
To reflect the diversity of investigator-initiated clinical research, the program will support two funding streams:
Proof-of-Concept Trials
$500,000 / 3 years
Early-stage exploratory clinical studies aimed at demonstrating feasibility and generating preliminary data.
Early-stage exploratory clinical studies aimed at demonstrating feasibility and generating preliminary data.
Full Clinical Trials
$2 million / 5 years
Advanced clinical trials with the potential to influence clinical guidelines or standards of care.
Advanced clinical trials with the potential to influence clinical guidelines or standards of care.
Key dates
Program Launch
April 22, 2026
Letter of intent deadline
June 4, 2026
Application deadline
September 16, 2026
Information Webinar May 1, 2026 – 12pm-1pm (ET)
Funding Decision
December 2026
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