LOOKING FOR RESEARCH FUNDING?
- Breakthrough Cancer Research funds researchers with projects that aim to improve cancer care and survival. We favour funding ideas which are patient focused and/or clinically linked and translationally oriented. We look for projects which fulfil our current research priorities. Bench projects are considered but should a have clear path to translation, however long, and researchers should be clear on the unmet need or clinical challenge the project seeks to address.
- We fund in a variety of ways including through our own fellowships and scholarships and also through joint funding and partnership schemes such as the HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme and the Irish Research Council's Enterprise partnerships.
- Additionally, individual project grants can be sought and the process is different depending on the level of funding sought. Our Scientific Advisory Board discuss potential awards at various intervals during the year so it is advised to make informal inquiries before applying to [email protected]
The Cancer Research PhD Scholarship applications are now open. There are three PhD Scholarships available this year:
- The Musgrave Breakthrough Cancer Research PhD Scholarship
- The Breakthrough- IACR PhD Scholarship
- The Attracta O’Regan PhD Scholarship
These awards aim to fund world-class cancer research in Ireland while educating the next generation of cancer research leaders. Three PhD Scholarships over 4 years are available, to take place at any University in Ireland currently engaged in cancer research.
Each Scholarship programme has a specific scope. Applicants can apply for more than one PhD scholarship programme if the scope is appropriate to their research proposal.
- Scope of Musgrave Breakthrough Cancer Research PhD Scholarship 2024
The Musgrave Breakthrough Cancer Research PhD Scholarship represents a partnership to fund world-class cancer research in Ireland while educating the next generation of cancer research leaders. This scholarship is funded up to a maximum value of €140,000, over 4 years. It can take place at any University in Ireland currently engaged in cancer research. The Scholarships are open to researchers in Clinical, Biological, Epidemiological, or Public Health fields, as long as they are patient-focused and with the ultimate aim of improving cancer care and increasing survival. Applications will be limited to those focused on pancreatic, oesophageal, ovarian, lung, brain, liver, or gastric cancer only.
- Scope of Breakthrough Cancer Research (Breakthrough) – Irish Association for Cancer Research (IACR) PhD Scholarship 2024.
The Breakthrough-IACR PhD Scholarship 2024 represents a new partnership to fund world-class cancer research in Ireland while educating the next generation of cancer research leaders. Funding for this 4-years PhD Scholarship is to a maximum of €140,000 and will be provided to take place at any University on the island of Ireland currently engaged in cancer research. The scholarship is open to researchers in Clinical, Biological, Epidemiologic, Health Services, or Public Health fields, so long as they are patient-focused and with the ultimate aim to improve cancer care and increase survival. Applications will be limited to those focused on low survival cancer only, that is cancer sites where the overall 5-year survival is <50% (NCRI_AnnualStatisticalReport_2023.pdf).
- Scope of The Attracta O’Regan PhD Scholarship in partnership with Breakthrough Cancer Research 2024
A major challenge in the clinical management of ovarian cancer is the late stage of diagnosis. Approximately 7 in 10 women are diagnosed at a late stage when clinical management is more challenging and survival is lower. In memory of Attracta O’Regan, who died from ovarian cancer, her family is fundraising to support cancer research aimed at improving earlier diagnosis and therefore outcomes for women with an ovarian cancer diagnosis. They are partnering with Breakthrough Cancer, to fund one 4-year PhD Scholarship to a maximum value of €149,000 to take place at any University on the island of Ireland currently engaged in cancer research.
The scholarship is open to researchers in Clinical, Biological, Epidemiologic, Health Services, or Public Health fields, provided they maintain a patient-focused approach and aim to improve the early detection of ovarian cancer.
For further details, please see the Breakthrough PhD Scholarship call document below.
Apply via the Breakthrough Cancer Research Grant Management System
Breakthrough Cancer Research Grant Management System
Key Dates
Scholarship Announcement | 12th January 2024 |
Informal Inquiries | 15th March 2024 |
Deadline for submission of applications | 22nd March 2024 17:00 (Irish time) |
Deadline for submission of Supervisor and Referee forms | 29th March 2024 17:00 (Irish time) |
Interviews (Zoom may be used) | May/June 2024 |
Scholarship Commences | September/October 2024 |
Related Documents to Download
breakthrough-phd-scholarship-call-document-2024
breakthrough-phd-scholarship-faqs-2024
breakthrough-phd-scholarship-support-document-for-supervisors-and-referees-2024
The 2024 Breakthrough Cancer Research Summer Student Scholarship is now opened. This programme is an initiative to facilitate the partnership of students with research teams and to foster the education of the next generation of cancer research leaders. Funding will be provided for 4-6 individual Scholarships, for the period of 6-10 week and to the value of €3,000 each.
The scholarships are to take place at any University in Ireland currently engaged in cancer research. It is open to researchers in Clinical, Biological, Epidemiological, Public Health or Allied health fields.
Proposals must fulfil our research priorities, be patient-focused, with the ultimate aim to improve cancer care and increase survival. Applications will be limited to those focused on pancreatic, oesophageal, ovarian, lung, brain, liver or gastric cancer only.
Apply via the Breakthrough Cancer Research Grant Management System
Breakthrough Cancer Research Grant Management System
Key Dates
Scholarship Announcement | 27th November 2023 |
Informal Inquiries | 27th November – 25th January 2024 |
Deadline for submission of applications | 29th February 2024 17:00 (Local Irish Time) |
Interviews (Zoom may be used) | April 2024 |
Scholarship Commences | June 2024 |
Related Documents to download:
breakthrough-summer-student-scholarship-aib-call-document-2024
Introduction:
Breakthrough Cancer Research is a leading Irish Medical Cancer Research Charity focused on funding research leading to new treatments for cancers which do not respond or are poorly served by available treatments. Breakthrough is committed to funding research to improve cancer care and outcomes and we ensure patient benefit is at the core of our efforts. We emphasise clinically engaged projects, throughout the patient journey which will positively impact survival of patients with the toughest to cure cancers.
Breakthrough Cancer Research is now accepting EOI applications for the HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme 2023/2024.
The scope for applications to Breakthrough for this call are:
- Applications must be translational and/or applied research that seeks to produce outcomes that directly benefit people diagnosed with cancer, for example basic and translational science discoveries, including lab science, as well as bioinformatics and AI projects, with high potential of moving more quickly and efficiently into practice or clinical studies. Examples of research includes, but is not exclusive to;
- Early detection (lab-based and bioinformatics and AI studies exploring large datasets)
- Drug validation in pre-clinical animal models
- Drugs tested in pre-clinical animal models tested in phase 1 clinical trials
- Cancer sites within the scope of this call are: lung, ovarian, liver, pancreatic, brain and stomach only.
- Systematic evidence of need is required.
- Active and appropriate PPI involvement in the research application is essential.
- Further information on our Research Strategy can be found here
NB: Changes have been made by HRCI HRB for this call compared to previous years. Please read the following carefully before applying: HRCI-HRB-JFS-2024 Guidance Notes for Applicants
Application Procedure:
Please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) (2-3 pages max) to [email protected] by 1pm GMT on Monday 28th August 2023. The EOI application form can be found here
Following peer review, a shortlist of successful applicants will be notified for requests for their full application between: 11th-15th September 2023.
Applicants invited to submit a full application will be provided with all relevant documentation.
Related websites:
HRCI- https://hrci.ie/joint-funding-scheme/
HRB- www.hrb.ie
Funding Available: Funding of up to €300,000 will be provided, for projects from 12 up to 36 months.
Contact: If you have any questions please email [email protected]
Documents for Applicants:
HRCI-HRB-JFS-2024 Guidance Notes for Applicants final
B1 HRCI-HRB 2024 Part B1 Application Form
C1 HRCI-HRB 2024 Part C1 Collaboration Agreement
C2 HRCI-HRB 2024 Part C2 Infrastructure Agreement
D1 HRCI-HRB 2024 Part D1 Lead Applicant Signature Page
D2 HRCI-HRB 2024 Part D2 PI Host Institution Signature Page
Timelines: (Please note some timelines are provisional and may be subject to change by the HRCI/HRB)
Expression of Interest Applications Open | 28th July 2023 |
Deadline for Submission of EOI to Breakthrough Cancer Research | 28th August 2023, 13:00 Irish time |
Applicants invited to submit a full application will be selected by peer and PPI review | The week of 11th to 15th September |
Deadline for Submission of Full Applications to Breakthrough Cancer Research | 20th October 2023, 17:00 Irish time |
Charity Peer Review | 20th October 2023 - 26th January 2024 |
Right to Reply Phase | 29th January- 9th February 2024 |
Submission of Shortlisted applications to HRB | 1st - 28th February 2024 |
HRB Board Meeting | June 2024 |
Applicant Notification | Post HRB Board meeting June 2024 |
Research Project Start | From 1st November 2024 - 1st January 2025 |
Breakthrough Cancer Research are partners in the Irish Research Council’s (IRC) Enterprise Partnership Scheme (EPS). Breakthrough will accept applications that align with our research strategy and research priorities.
The IRC EPS is a unique national initiative linking excellent researchers in all disciplines to enterprise; in the context of this call, enterprise partners can range from multinational corporations to SMEs, non-governmental organisations, and, where justified, public sector agencies. The scheme provides researchers with the opportunity to pursue research in collaboration with enterprise while based at an eligible higher education institution.
Through this co-funded programme, postgraduate researchers develop new, advanced knowledge and skills linked with industry and employer needs. The programme trains early-career researchers for the diversity of employment opportunities in industry, the public sector and the non-government sectors. For the enterprise partner, the scheme provides a low-risk, flexible route to research talent and innovation in an area closely aligned with its strategic interests.
With consideration to national and global challenges, the involvement of those organisations, both large and small, who seek technological, social and sustainable solutions and opportunities for people and planet is welcomed.
If you are interested in submitting an application with Breakthrough as a partner, please submit a 500 word lay summary of your proposal to [email protected] by October 3rd. For informal enquiries you can also email [email protected].
Enterprise Partnership Scheme (Postdoctoral) | Funding | Irish Research Council
Enterprise Partnership Scheme (Postgraduate) | Funding | Irish Research Council
Breakthrough Cancer Research are open to applications as partners in the Irish Research Council (IRC) New Foundations Funding Programme 2023. Applications must align with Breakthrough Research Priorities
New Foundations is a key driver in progressing the IRC strategic priorities by enabling awardees to pursue research, networking or dissemination activities within and across the diversity of disciplines. The scheme provides support for:
- research actions;
- the development of networks and consortia;
- conference and workshop development; and
- capacity building for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Since 2015, over 250 community, voluntary and charity organisations have engaged across our programmes with 423 funded projects. Through partnerships with researchers, diverse community organisations can bring new evidence and insights to enhance their services and impact for those that need them. The scheme also includes strands supported by government departments and agencies. In each of the past three years, a dedicated strand of the call has provided opportunities for researchers to work on important areas of policy, including global development, crime, creativity and children.
Please email [email protected] with an Expression of Interest by Friday 26th May at 4pm Irish time.
New Foundations | Funding | Irish Research Council
Call open | 25 April 2023 at 4pm (Irish time) |
Deadline for Submission of EOI to Breakthrough Cancer Research | 26 May 2023 4pm (Irish time) |
FAQ deadline | 30 May 2023 at 4pm (Irish time) |
Applicant deadline | 6 June 2023 at 4pm (Irish time) |
Endorsement deadline | 13 June 2023 at 4pm (Irish time) |
Outcome | September 2023 |
Project start date | 01 November 2023 |
Applied Partnership Awards 2022
Second cycle now open
Breakthrough are inviting researchers to submit proposals for the HRB Applied Partnership Awards (APA) addressing specific needs in poor prognosis cancers.
The scope for this funding call is;
- Improving early detection or treatment of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer survival rate is approximately 10%. There is a need for more research to increase the number of people surviving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Breakthrough are calling for proposals to address this need.
- Improving early detection or treatment ovarian cancer. Compared to 7 other high income countries, Ireland had the worse ovarian cancer survival. We need more research to increase our understanding of the genetic aetiology of ovarian or uterine cancer beyond BRACA and Lynch syndrome, towards an earlier diagnosis and better treatments. Breakthrough are calling for proposals to address this need.
The Applied Partnership Awards are designed to bring knowledge users and researchers together to develop research projects that address a specific need within the Irish health or social care system. Research findings will have a direct impact on decision-making in the knowledge user organisation.
This is a rolling call and as such there will be one round launched in 2022 with two separate closing dates and associated peer review cycles. The closing date for Cycle 1 is 27 April 2022. The closing date for Cycle 2 is 1 February 2023.
For more information on eligibility, please see the link below.
APA Guidelines
Please submit a 1 page proposal, with the research title, the need being addressed, the team, the method of addressing the need, and proposed budget to [email protected] by 30th November 2022.
KEY DATES
Announcement | 24th January 2022 |
Informal Inquiries | 24th January – 10th March 2022 |
Deadline for Expression of Interest | 10th March 2022 |
Deadline for submission of applications Time | 27th April 2022 |
Related documents to download:
Breakthough Cancer Research, in partnership with ‘5 For The Fight’, is committed to investing in future leaders in cancer research. The purpose of these fellowships is to support two excellent early/mid-career-stage investigators to carry out independent research for a three-year period to the value of €300,000 each. All applications must align with our research priorities and strategy and show the promise of impact for cancer patients.
Two Fellowships are available:
- Cancer Immunology Research Fellowship 2023. This Fellowship is open to an early/mid-career researcher, with a proven track record. Applications should be focused on harnessing the immune system in the fight against cancer.
- Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Research Fellowship 2023. This Fellowship is open to an early/mid-career researcher, with a proven track record. Applications should be focused on Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer, in particular metastatic Colorectal Cancer Research
Apply via the Breakthrough Cancer Research Grant Management System
Breakthrough Cancer Research Grant Management System
Key Dates
Fellowship Announcement | 10th October 2022 |
Informal Inquiries | 10th October 2022 – 15th November 2022 |
Expression of Interest Deadline (to be submitted on our Grant Management system) | 24th November 2022, 12 noon Irish time |
Deadline for submission of proposals | 21st December 2022, 12 noon Irish time |
Interviews & Formal Offer | Jan/Feb 2023 |
Related Documents
5forthefight-cancer-research-fellowship-in-conjunction-with-breakthrough-cancer-research-2023
cancer-research-fellowship-expression-of-interest-faqs-2
cancer-research-fellowship-full-application-faqs
cancer-research-fellowship-mentor_collaborator-support-document
THE ALL-IRELAND – CANCER NETWORK (AllCaN) PROGRAMME GRANT
The All-Ireland – Cancer Network (AllCaN) Programme Grant is a new Breakthrough Cancer Research funding programme. This Programme Grant will fund networks of the best scientists/researchers at institutions across the Island of Ireland, to develop new and innovative approaches to improving cancer outcomes. Researchers will collaborate across disciplines, institutions, and as appropriate across the four pillars of prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship. The successful researchers will work together on a common goal, pooling their knowledge and resources to work together to eliminate barriers and to hasten the progression needed to improve patient outcomes.
One network will be funded to up to €1,000,000 for a maximum of 3 to 4 years
Related Documents - Programme Guidelines and Application Instructions
breakthrough-cancer-research-all-can-programme-grant-guidelines-and-call-document-june-2nd-2022