With the final review of the shortlisted applicants for Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s (ACRF) multi-million dollar grant program, the Foundation is set to announce the 2010 grant recipients in just one week.
All grant applications received by the Foundation are reviewed by the ACRF’s Medical Research Advisory Committee (MRAC) whose members are scientists of the highest national and global repute.
This leading Australian scientific committee make recommendations to the ACRF Board of Trustees after a rigorous review process. Assessment of applications is made by independent expert assessors, as well as an inspection of sites where grants will be applied to fund laboratories and house equipment.
Read about the five shortlisted applicants below:
The role of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) in assisting world-leading cancer research is set to increase with news that five shortlisted applicants will now progress to the second stage of the ACRF multi-million dollar grant program, with collaboration and world-class competitive research among the top priorities this year.
ACRF Chief Executive, Mr David Brettell, said the review process was extremely competitive this year due to the higher number of applications received.
“The variety of applications illustrates the increasing influence ACRF is having on cancer research and it represents some potential new directions for us,” said Mr Brettell, “we are looking forward to receiving the second stage applications.”
The five finalists, including one from New South Wales, four from Victoria, and one from Western Australia, have been carefully selected through a review process of thirteen grant applications from leading cancer research scientists across Australia.
The five finalists are:
1. St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research – ACRF CANCER STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY CENTRE
The proposed new facility, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation Cancer Structural Biology Centre, will feature three areas for research: (1) Target discovery and validation, (2) Proteomics, (3) Structure-based drug discovery.
The new Centre will provide cancer researchers and collaborators with the tools to progress basic cancer discoveries into promising lead molecules that will attract the interest of the Pharmaceutical Industry.
2. University of Melbourne – ACRF Cancer Immune Monitoring Facility at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
This application is for funds to provide essential immune monitoring facilities and associated capital fit-out located in the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (PDI) at the University of Melbourne.
The grant will build and equip a dedicated Cancer Immune Monitoring Facility primarily to support the research of these groups and to be housed in the PDI.
3. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), Melbourne
WEHI seek funding from ACRF to expand their two new cancer divisions – the Stem Cells and Cancer Division and Chemical Biology Division – that were established in January 2010.
The aim is to increase the capacity for independent biomedical research at WEHI with the establishment of new laboratory and office suites.
4. Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) – ACRF Cancer Imaging Facility
WAIMR seeks funding to maximise Western Australia’s capacity to promote innovation in cancer research, and ensure a high quality imaging hub to facilitate world-class cancer discoveries with direct relevance to clinical outcomes.
The grant is to cover core Imaging and confocal equipment and a component for installation.
5. Monash Institute of Medical Research – ACRF CENTRE FOR CANCER GENOMIC MEDICINE
The Institute seeks funding to introduce state-of-the-art genomic technologies to facilitate cancer genomic research, including microRNA expression profiles and DNA methylation analysis critical for cancer epigenetic research.
The key focus of this proposal is to facilitate innovative and internationally competitive research that translates to significant outcomes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has provided 38 grants totalling $62 million to Australian cancer research institutes since 1987 with $40 million awarded in the last five years.
Read more about ACRF’s Research Grantees & Cancer Research Projects.
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