· Cancer Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have announced the first 7 recipients of the inaugural $15 million Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI).
· The initiative supports research into early-onset cancers (typically diagnosed between ages 20–49), responding to rising rates among younger people in Australia and globally.
· Seven projects will receive $15 million over 3 years (Cancer Australia $8 million; NHMRC $7 million), including an additional $8 million boost due to the outstanding quality of applications.
· Funded research spans prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship across early-onset breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
· Consumer involvement is a core requirement across all projects, with people with lived experience helping to shape the research.
· Australia has the highest rate of early-onset colorectal cancer among 50 countries, underscoring the urgency for targeted research.
· Five of the 7 funded projects are led by female researchers, supporting women’s leadership and strengthening the national cancer research workforce.
· Projects are led by institutions across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, prioritising early- to mid-career researchers to build future capacity.
· Details of all funded projects will be published on GrantConnect.
The Australian Government is strengthening its investment in innovative health and medical research to address the concerning increase in early-onset cancers. Cancer Australia and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) today announce the 7 recipients of the inaugural $15 million Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI), a significant milestone in advancing critical research into early-onset cancers and the distinct challenges they pose.
Early-onset cancers, typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 49, are complex and likely arise from a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
Rising rates of cancer among younger people, including colorectal, pancreatic, thyroid, and breast cancers are an urgent global concern, with Australia having the highest rate of early-onset colorectal cancer among 50 countries.
Seven projects will receive a total of $15 million over 3 years, with Cancer Australia providing $8 million and NHMRC contributing $7 million. This funding includes an $8 million boost due to the outstanding quality of the applications submitted.
Projects span research across prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship in early-onset breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Consumer involvement is central to all projects, with people with lived experience helping to shape meaningful and impactful research.
Notably, 5 of the 7 funded projects are led by female researchers, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing women’s leadership in cancer research. CARI aims to strengthen the cancer research workforce across Australia, supporting projects led by institutions in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland and prioritises the development of early-to mid-career researchers to build the nation's future research capacity.
Among the projects receiving funding are:
- Associate Professor Erin Symonds of Flinders University will identify risk factors for bowel cancer in young people and offer simple tests for targeted, earlier detection screening to catch cancers early and inform prevention strategies for young Australians.
- Doctor Jie-Bin Lew of the University of Sydney will lead the STRIVE-EOC project which will identify and test the most effective, affordable, and fair interventions for early-onset bowel, breast, pancreatic and liver cancers.
- Associate Professor Tracy Putoczki of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research will identify whether there is an underlying interaction between genetics and environmental triggers that explain the rise in early-onset pancreatic cancer.
- Associate Professor Shuai Li of the University of Melbourne will lead the discovery of new causes of early-onset breast cancer and how multiple factors combine to determine risk.
Details of all funded projects will be published on GrantConnect at www.grants.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler MP:
“Too many younger Australians are being diagnosed with cancer at a stage of life when they should be planning their futures, not facing a life-threatening illness. This investment backs our best researchers to uncover why this is happening and to deliver earlier detection, better treatments and ultimately save lives.”
“We congratulate the recipients of the 2025 Cancer Australia Research Initiative. The strength and depth of applications we received was outstanding, and we’re proud to back more of this world-class research by doubling the investment and expanding the number of projects supported.”
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh:
“The jointly funded CARI provides a powerful, unique opportunity to drive research focused on early onset cancer and other emerging priorities in cancer research.”
“The findings from this research will help fill crucial gaps in our understanding of early onset cancer, with the goal of improving outcomes across a range of cancer types including bowel, pancreatic and breast.”
“This approach is vital for developing strategies to prevent increasing rates of early onset cancer and for supporting the health of Australians affected by these diagnoses.”
“I welcome the opportunity to partner with Cancer Australia on this joint initiative and congratulate all chief investigators and their teams receiving funding under this announcement – your research has the potential to save the lives of many Australians.”
Quotes attributable to Cancer Australia CEO, Professor Dorothy Keefe PSM:
“CARI is committed to strengthening the research workforce and we are pleased that the majority of projects will be led by female researchers and to see projects from institutions around Australia.”
“The Australian Cancer Plan emphasises that cancer research investment must be targeted, innovative, and aligned to areas of unmet and emerging need, ensuring the research system remains responsive to changing priorities across the cancer care continuum.”
“We are delighted to partner with NHMRC to bring together national expertise and investment, strengthening Australia’s capacity to respond to emerging health challenges like early-onset cancer.”
Contact details:
Cancer Australia
0437 706 033
National Health and Medical Research Council
+61 2 6217 9276 | 0422 008 512