Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials Program
The Cancer Research Society (CRS), with the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI), are launching a new funding opportunity dedicated entirely to investigator-initiated oncology clinical trials in Canada.
With partners - the Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation, Génome Québec, Kindred Foundation and Childhood Cancer Canada - this program aims to enable Canadian researchers to lead groundbreaking trials that can reshape the cancer landscape in Canada and worldwide.
In collaboration with:
Alongside:
Background & context
CCS has historically demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing research aimed at saving and improving lives. Clinical trials play a critical role in translating research findings into practical care and viable treatment options.
CCS‘s Strategic Plan (2026-2031) calls for clinical trials for more effective cancer prevention, detection and treatment, with the goals of stopping cancer before it starts and increasing cancer survival. Concurrently, priority 7 of CCS’s Clinical Trials Action Plan (CTAP) aims to establish robust and sustainable cancer clinical trial funding in Canada. Therefore, CCS is extremely proud to partner on this inaugural, national program.
For this funding opportunity, CCS and its partners will fund early-stage clinical trials (from proof-of-concept to Phase II) focused in the following areas:
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Low survival and high incidence cancers, specifically: lung, esophageal, stomach, brain*, liver, ovarian, pancreas, prostate, breast, and/or colorectal cancer – with a goal of developing novel detection approaches/modalities and/or treatments.
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Prevention of cancer, especially for high incidence cancers such as prostate, breast, colorectal and/or lung cancer.
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As a result of partnership funding, trials utilizing gold – as a diagnostic, drug delivery vehicle, and/or therapeutic enhancer – with a strong potential to improve patient outcomes, influence clinical practice, or advance therapeutic pathways.
*Specific partnered funds are available for trials focused on glioblastoma
Successful applicants funded by the Canadian Cancer Society must adhere to CCS’s research funding policies. More information is available here.
Competition timelines:
Funds available
To reflect the diversity of investigator-initiated clinical research, the program will support two funding streams:
- Proof-of-Concept Trials: Early-stage exploratory clinical studies aimed at demonstrating feasibility and generating preliminary data
- Full-Scale Clinical Trials: Advanced clinical trials with the potential to influence clinical guidelines or standards of care
In its inaugural edition, the program will invest up to $25 million to advance clinical trials across Canada. CCS has a tentative funding envelope of $9 million for the program.