The Victorian Government is supporting the next generation of leaders in cancer research through a new $41.2 million initiative with Cancer Council Victoria, solidifying Victoria as a global leader in medical innovation and life sciences.
As part of a new four-year cancer research fellowship program, Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced that the Cancer Council Research Fellowships Victoria (CRFV) program will streamline all cancer research grants into a single initiative – making it easier to access support and expanding the capacity of Victoria’s cancer research workforce.
The fellowships will also accelerate the development of innovative treatments, diagnostic tools, and therapies that can directly improve patient care and outcomes.
Victoria’s deep pool of medical research and life sciences talent makes it a global leader in cancer research and innovation. With around 90,000 life sciences professionals, including experts in pharmaceuticals and biomedical research, the state has the skills and expertise driving initiatives like the CRFV program.
Importantly, the CRFV will also support Victorian-based researchers to increase access to philanthropic funding and increase the competitiveness of fellows to secure national funding.
The investment over four years will see fellowships awarded to up to 24 early career cancer researchers (six per year) and 40 mid-career postdoctoral researchers (10 per year) – with funding of up to $450,000 over three years, and up to $700,000 over four years, respectively.
CRFV is just one part of the Victorian Government’s Victorian Cancer Plan 2024–2028 – helping to focus on rapidly translating research into treatments and approaches that enhance clinical practice and patient care.
Launched in September 2024 – and the third plan to be legislated in Victoria – it aims to improve the cancer survival rate across Victoria by boosting access to care, treatment and support for all Victorians, having achieved the remarkable goal of saving 10,000 lives by 2025.
The five short-term goals established in the previous plan have been achieved, while Victoria is also on track to achieve its medium-term goal to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat ahead of schedule – thanks to a robust HPV vaccination program and renewal of the cervical screening program.
The new plan will build on this success, aiming to increase the one and five-year survival rates, halve the proportion of people diagnosed with preventable cancers, boost the proportion of women who rescreen for breast cancer and increase the number of new clinical trial enrolments in regional and rural Victoria.
The Victorian Government has invested more than $400 million to support Victorians fighting cancer, including $100 million for advanced cancer treatments, $50 million to build the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre, and $35 million for the Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium.
Expressions of interest for the first fellowships will open in May, with successful applicants to be notified by November. For more information, please visit cancervic.org.au/cancer-research-fellowships-victoria
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