Apply for Research Project Grant Program (New Zealand)

Deadline: 05-Aug-2026

The Cancer Research Trust Research Project Grant provides funding of up to NZD 80,000 plus GST for innovative cancer research projects in New Zealand. The program supports early-stage, proof-of-concept research across the entire cancer continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care, with the goal of generating evidence that can attract future funding and improve cancer outcomes.

Overview

The Cancer Research Trust Research Project Grant supports high-quality cancer research with the potential to deliver meaningful improvements in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care.

The program is designed to act as an incubator for innovative research ideas by funding early-stage projects that generate preliminary evidence, establish feasibility, and create pathways for larger-scale research and future funding opportunities.

The Trust prioritizes research with strong scientific merit and clear potential to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer in New Zealand.

Funding Information

• Maximum funding available: NZD 80,000 plus GST per project
• Project duration: Up to 2 years
• Number of grants awarded: Up to 10 annually
• Funding location: New Zealand

Funding availability depends on:

• Quality of applications received
• Scientific merit of proposed research
• Available annual funding resources

Projects should be appropriately scoped for proof-of-concept or early-stage research activities.

Research Areas Supported

The program supports research across the full spectrum of cancer research.

Eligible research fields include:

• Cancer prevention
• Early detection and screening
• Cancer diagnosis
• Cancer treatment and therapeutics
• Palliative care
• Biomedical research
• Clinical research
• Basic cancer biology
• Cancer immunology
• Drug discovery and development
• Clinical trials
• Applied clinical research
• Public health research
• Epidemiology
• Psychosocial oncology
• Cancer risk factor research
• Health policy and health systems research
• Survivorship research
• Patient and caregiver experiences
• Research focused on the lived experience of cancer

Projects may address any stage of the cancer continuum, from prevention through end-of-life care.

Program Objectives

The Cancer Research Trust aims to:

• Support innovative and high-impact cancer research
• Encourage development of new research ideas
• Generate preliminary evidence for future studies
• Strengthen New Zealand’s cancer research capacity
• Improve outcomes for cancer patients and families
• Facilitate future investment in promising research areas
• Advance scientific understanding of cancer prevention and treatment

The program particularly values projects with strong potential for future development and larger-scale funding.

What Is a Proof-of-Concept Research Project?

Proof-of-concept research refers to early-stage investigations designed to test whether a scientific idea, intervention, method, or approach shows sufficient promise for further development.

These projects often:

• Generate preliminary data
• Demonstrate feasibility
• Validate innovative concepts
• Support future grant applications
• Reduce uncertainty before larger investments
• Identify pathways for translation into clinical practice

The Trust uses this funding model to help researchers develop innovative ideas that may later attract national or international funding.

Who Is Eligible?

Principal Investigator Requirements

The Principal Investigator (PI) must:

• Be a staff member of a New Zealand academic institution or New Zealand cancer-care organisation
• Hold primary responsibility for project design and management
• Lead preparation and submission of the application
• Oversee project implementation and reporting

Applicants should possess:

• At least a graduate-level qualification
• Relevant research expertise
• Appropriate scientific and project management capability

Most successful applicants are expected to hold:

• A PhD, or
• Equivalent research experience

Institutional Requirements

Applications must receive approval from:

• Relevant academic department head, or
• Research facility director, or
• Clinical service or clinic head

Institutional endorsement must be secured before application submission.

Application Participation Rules

Applicants may:

• Submit one application as Principal Investigator
• Participate as an Associate Investigator on one additional application
• Serve as a mentor on a Fellowship or Scholarship application

The Trust expects that:

• An individual will hold only one active Research Project Grant as Principal Investigator at any time

These rules are intended to promote broad participation and equitable distribution of funding opportunities.

Why This Grant Matters

Cancer remains one of the leading health challenges in New Zealand.

Many transformative scientific discoveries begin as small proof-of-concept projects that require initial funding to demonstrate feasibility and generate evidence.

This grant is important because it:

• Supports innovative research ideas at an early stage
• Encourages scientific innovation
• Builds national cancer research capacity
• Creates opportunities for future funding
• Advances patient-centered cancer research
• Strengthens evidence-based cancer care
• Improves long-term outcomes for people affected by cancer

By investing in emerging research concepts, the program helps accelerate progress across the cancer continuum.

How to Apply

Researchers should follow these steps:

• Confirm eligibility requirements.
• Identify a cancer research question aligned with program objectives.
• Develop a scientifically rigorous research proposal.
• Prepare a realistic budget and project timeline.
• Obtain institutional approval and endorsements.
• Demonstrate the project’s innovation and potential impact.
• Submit the completed application through the designated process.

Applicants should clearly explain:

• Research objectives
• Scientific rationale
• Methodology
• Expected outcomes
• Potential impact on cancer care or knowledge
• Future development opportunities
• Budget justification

Strong applications provide a clear pathway from proof-of-concept findings to future research or clinical impact.

Tips for a Competitive Application

Successful applications typically:

• Address an important cancer-related challenge
• Present innovative and original ideas
• Demonstrate strong scientific methodology
• Include achievable objectives
• Show clear potential for future funding and development
• Explain how findings may improve cancer outcomes
• Present realistic budgets and timelines
• Demonstrate appropriate expertise within the research team

Projects with strong translational potential are often highly competitive.

Common Application Mistakes

Common weaknesses include:

• Unclear research objectives
• Limited scientific rationale
• Insufficient methodological detail
• Overly ambitious project scope
• Weak evidence of innovation
• Poor alignment with program objectives
• Inadequate institutional support
• Unrealistic budgets or timelines

Applicants should ensure the project is appropriately scaled for a proof-of-concept grant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the maximum funding available?

Projects may receive up to NZD 80,000 plus GST.

How long can projects run?

Funding may be awarded for projects lasting up to two years.

How many grants are awarded each year?

Up to ten grants may be awarded annually, depending on available funding and application quality.

Who can serve as Principal Investigator?

The Principal Investigator must be a staff member of a New Zealand academic institution or a New Zealand cancer-care organisation.

What types of cancer research are eligible?

The program supports research across the full cancer continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care, biomedical science, clinical research, public health, epidemiology, and psychosocial research.

Can an applicant submit multiple proposals?

No. Applicants may submit only one proposal as Principal Investigator, although they may participate as an Associate Investigator on one additional application.

Does the program support early-stage research?

Yes. The grant is specifically designed to support proof-of-concept and early-stage research projects that can generate evidence for future development and funding.

Conclusion

The Cancer Research Trust Research Project Grant provides valuable support for innovative cancer research in New Zealand, offering up to NZD 80,000 plus GST for proof-of-concept projects with strong potential for future impact. By funding research across prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care, the program helps advance scientific knowledge, strengthen research capacity, and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer throughout New Zealand.

For more information, visit Cancer Research Trust NZ.