In 2016, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) provided AUD $8 million in cancer research grants.
“Thanks to the generosity of our many supporters from around Australia we are able to award high-impact grants, allowing Australia’s best scientists to embark on ground-breaking research projects. These cancer research initiatives cover all types of cancer and speed up discoveries, ultimately working to save lives by saving time,” said Professor Ian Brown, CEO of Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
The recipients of the annual ACRF grants in 2016 are:
- ACRF Tumour Heterogeneity Program – $2 million to learn more about the mutation, internal variation, location and the impact of time on growth and treatment of tumours, awarded to
Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) - ACRF Tumour Metabolism Laboratory – $2.5 million to determine the differences in nutrient metabolism by cancerous and normal cells to improve cancer treatments, awarded to the Centenary Institute in New South Wales
- ACRF Cancer Ultrastructure and Function Facility – $2.3 million to provide microscopes that can see cancer cell behaviour and their response to drugs in order to stop the spread of cancer, awarded to the Institute of Molecular Biosciences University of Queensland
- ACRF Blood Cancer Therapeutics Centre – $1.2 million to develop a national program to improve patient outcomes for multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukaemia, awarded to Monash University in Victoria.
Each year, ACRF challenges the Australian cancer research community to propose projects that are bold and have potential to make a significant impact on cancer prevention, detection and treatment. This year, eleven projects were submitted from across the country and evaluated by ACRF’s esteemed Medical Research Advisory Committee who were impressed by the quality and vision of the applications.
Since its inception 32 years ago, ACRF has awarded $129.1 million in grants to Australian cancer research institutes across the country to pay for infrastructure and equipment.
Funding from ACRF has helped get some of the most successful cancer research projects get off the ground, including the early support of the research that led to the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical and head and neck cancers.
Cover image: Dr Sarah-Jane Dawson and His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales
