Spark Grants
Highlights of the program
Deadline dates
Program description @(Model.HeadingTag)>
Spark Grants will support preliminary research to establish proof of principle in novel cancer prevention and early detection approaches. The goal is to fund high risk, high reward studies, that provide sufficient rationale and/or preliminary data to convince reviewers of the novelty and feasibility of the proposed work. Spark grants are intended to support the development of new partnerships and the exploration of highly novel concepts, involving researchers from any research area, and particularly from non-traditional cancer fields, such as engineering, AI, robotics, physics, nanoscience, statistics, informatics, computer and data sciences, behavioural science, and any other discipline poised to seed the next generation of disruptive technologies in cancer control. These grants are not intended to support research that is the “next logical step” in a program of work, but rather provide the evidence for future larger grants that will serve as “game-changers” in the way we approach cancer prevention and early detection, disrupting existing methods and displacing the status quo.
The objective of this funding opportunity is to harness the power of new technologies and interventions to prevent the onset of cancer and/or reduce its severity through early detection when the disease is at its most treatable, including the early detection of recurrence and metastatic spread.
Scientific focus of the program @(Model.HeadingTag)>
Eligible research areas include, but are not limited to:
- Novel Imaging/mammography technologies, including computational imaging and bioinformatic algorithms for risk stratification
- Novel applications in AI, machine learning, nanotechnologies, robotics, software data science, and other promising technologies and systems
- Applications of liquid-based cytology and biopsies for detection of pre-malignant conditions and secondary screening for recurrence and spread
- Novel diagnostic biomarkers with clear disruptive potential
- Development and testing of new wearable technologies, such as a UV radiation exposure monitoring device
- Developing new mobile apps, such as virtual care delivery text messaging for screening follow-up, mobile apps/video games for health education and promotion, e.g. colonoscopy prep, mobile images to raise awareness about specific cancers,
- Creation of innovative web-based communications strategies, such as social media to target prevention in young adults, online decision support tools for symptom checking
- New tools to integrate and correlate complex, heterogeneous biological and health-related data.
Funds available
How to apply @(Model.HeadingTag)>
Download our application guide for step-by-step instructions on how to apply for this grant as well as other important information that you need to know.
Click here to apply for this grant. Please ensure you have read our application guide and eligibility prior to applying.