How we fund research

Cancer research is expensive. A scientist who operates a research lab could spend $50,000 to $500,000 each year on equipment and salaries. The cost of purchasing cancer cells for just 1 experiment ranges from $300 to $500. And cancer research is time-consuming – it can take years to complete a single study.

Every year, researchers working in hospitals and academic and research centres across Canada apply for funds through the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCSRI). They seek support for a variety of cancer research projects – from basic lab research to clinical trials to studies in cancer prevention, population health and quality of life. The CCSRI offers operating grants to individuals and to teams or groups of researchers.

Grant applications are subject to a strict national review process designed to make sure that only the best research receives funding. Unfortunately, because the Canadian Cancer Society has only so much money to spend on research each year, less than one-quarter of the projects judged to be worthy receive funding.

How grant applications are evaluated and chosen for funding

After a researcher has submitted an application for funds, a team of reviewers evaluates the application.

Our reviewers include scientists with special qualifications in the study area. The review team also includes non-researchers who contribute to the discussion but do not evaluate applications. These individuals are often cancer survivors.

Our review panel scientists assign a score to each application based on criteria that include scientific merit, feasibility and the potential impact on the burden of cancer. Applications that have merit are then presented to the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute Advisory Council on Research. The council makes the final decisions based on the panel’s recommendations and the availability of funding.

Our research policies

Stem cell policy

The Canadian Cancer Society will fund research using human embryonic stem cells when:

the research is deemed meritorious by an expert panel of reviewers through the grant review process managed by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute
the research holds the promise of offering important information that could reduce the burden of cancer
the research is in accordance with federal legislation governing the use of human embryonic stem cells in research, which prohibits cloning and the creation of embryos strictly for research purposes, but permits research on embryos no longer needed for reproductive purposes donated with full informed consent

Tobacco policy

The Canadian Cancer Society has a strict policy that it will not accept financial or other assistance from a manufacturer or wholesale distributor of tobacco products, nor will it knowingly accept financial or other assistance from any business if a substantial portion of the revenue of that business is derived from the promotion, distribution or sale of tobacco products.

The Canadian Cancer Society will not provide funds to any party which receives concurrent support from the tobacco industry (e.g. manufacturers, the Council for Tobacco Research or the Smokeless Tobacco Council or any other organization that acts on behalf of or is sponsored directly or indirectly by the tobacco industry) for the duration of Canadian Cancer Society funding. For the purposes of this policy, “support” includes, but is not limited to, receipt of a research grant or award, a contract for personal or professional services, a consulting agreement (paid or unpaid) or any other direct or indirect benefit, from the tobacco industry.

Host Institutions and investigators are required to ensure that any individual actively engaged in Canadian Cancer Society’s funded research does not receive “support” from the tobacco industry, as listed above, for the duration of the funding.