Round four

Nine new challenges

$25m funding for global research teams to take on cancer's toughest challenges

91

days

Expressions of Interest open until 22 Jun, 2023

Dare to think differently

We have announced nine of cancer's toughest challenges for the global research community to take on. These are the obstacles that continue to impede progress against cancer and that no one scientist, institution, or country can solve alone.

Expressions of Interest are now open until 22 June 2023, with international teams invited to apply for up to $25m in funding. Click the 'Apply' button to find out more.

Discover the new challenges below

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Round four challenges

CHALLENGE:

Decipher the functional basis underlying the association between ageing somatic tissues and cancer

Focus:

Ageing  and cancer

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CHALLENGE:

Understand cancer cell plasticity and its contribution to the development of pan-therapeutic resistance in cancer

Focus:

Cancer cell plasticity

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CHALLENGE:

Understand the mechanisms through which genetics, biology, and social determinants affect cancer risk and outcomes in diverse populations, to motivate interventions to reduce cancer inequities

Focus:

Cancer inequities

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CHALLENGE:

Understand and prevent chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity and neuropathy

Focus:

Chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicities

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CHALLENGE:

Determine why the incidence of early-onset cancers in adults is rising globally

Focus:

Early-onset cancers

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CHALLENGE:

Determine the mechanisms through which obesity and physical activity influence cancer risk

Focus:

Obesity, physical activity and cancer

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CHALLENGE:

Understand the roles of retrotransposable elements in cancer

Focus:

Retrotransposable elements

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CHALLENGE:

Develop therapeutics to target oncogenic drivers of solid tumours in children

Focus:

Solid tumours in children (2023)

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CHALLENGE:

Decipher the T-cell receptor cancer-recognition code

Focus:

T-cell receptors

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Key dates

June 2023: Expression of Interest deadline

Complete your eligibility questionnaire by 15 June and submit your Expression of Interest by 22 June 2023.

July 2023: Scientific Committee review

All EOIs will be reviewed against the assessment criteria in the guidelines, by our Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee.

August 2023: Shortlisted teams announced and seed funding issued

Up to 12 teams will be shortlisted and will receive seed funding to help them build their full applications.

October 2023: Full application deadline

Shortlisted teams will submit a 20,000 word full application by 26 October 2023.

December 2023: Applicant interviews

Shortlisted teams will attend an interview with the Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee on 11-13 December 2023.

March 2024: Funded teams announced

Successful teams each receive funding to come together, think differently and take on one of cancer’s toughest challenges. See our currently funded teams.

Funding team science on a global scale

Our 'Apply' page has full details on how to submit your Expression of Interest. Applications are open until 22 June 2023, with shortlisted teams announced in August 2023.

Apply