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Research Fund

The Breakthrough Research Fund

Support the Breakthrough Research Fund to make the next big cancer breakthrough a reality

Our Breakthrough Research Fund is dedicated to driving critical discoveries that can lead to better prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support for cancer patients.

In 2025, Cancer Council Victoria invested in:

  • More than $26 million in lifesaving research
  • 57 researchers  across 51 through our prestigious grant program
  • 9 research institutions and universities across the state


Researchers

The Breakthrough Research Fund is pivotal to maintaining momentum in reducing the impact of cancer on the community. It allows researchers to dedicate vital resources to innovative cancer research, which can lead to groundbreaking treatments, preventive strategies, and early detection methods.

Why your support matters

1 in 2 of us will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, research breakthroughs are key to improving survival and quality of life for all those who will be diagnosed.

Victoria is home to world-leading cancer researchers, working tirelessly to unravel cancer’s most complex challenges. Internationally, cuts to research funding risk slowing progress, just as new technologies are unlocking unprecedented opportunities to accelerate breakthroughs. We cannot afford to lose momentum now.

Every donation to the Breakthrough Research Fund drives discoveries forward while also nurturing the next generation of promising cancer researchers. With your support, we can continue to advance cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – locally and globally.  research.

How you can help

Researchers New technology is making it possible to accelerate breakthroughs in personalised cancer treatment. It’s an exciting time for cancer research but our researchers depend heavily on the generosity of donors to fund their projects. 

Your generous donation allows our researchers to pursue the most promising leads without the pressures of funding uncertainty.  

Join us today

With your help, we aim to raise $25 million to grow our research grants programs and keep up momentum for the most innovative, promising and impactful projects advancing cancer research.  

Contributions of any amount are welcome. Donations of more than $20,000 can be allocated to a specific research project within the program.  

Recognition

Donors to the Breakthrough Research Fund are recognised in several ways, with their permission, including:

  • Highlighting you as a significant supporter in our Annual Report   
  • Yearly impact reports   
  • Opportunities to tour research labs and meet cancer researchers   
  • Invitations to exclusive events   

Dr Meena Rafiq

"We've made the first ever data set in Australia that links primary care GP data with genetic data and cancer registry data to help improve cancer diagnosis. This work would not be possible if it wasn't funded by Cancer Council Victoria, and their very generous donors."
- Dr Meena Rafiq
Grants-in-Aid recipient 2024-2026

Todd Harper

"The Breakthrough Research Fund will have a transformative impact, ensuring our best and brightest researchers can make the next lifesaving discovery."
- Todd Harper AM
CEO Cancer Council Victoria

90 years of progress
powering what comes next

Injection

Cancer Council Victoria (originally the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria) is formed.

Calendar

Victorian Cancer Registry leads cancer data collection for cancer epidemiology and cancer control.

People

Professor Donald Metcalf’s ‘colony stimulating factors’ research makes a major breakthrough – going on to save 20 million lives and counting

Donate

The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study is set up to track participants and their health outcomes.  

Dollar

Following decades of science, advocacy, and pilot studies, the first stage of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is established.  

Microscope

Head of Epidemiology, Professor Roger Milne, co-leads a massive global study to confirm the risk of developing breast cancer.


If
you prefer to make a secure payment over the phone, or would like to donate via cheque or bank transfer, please call us on 03 9514 6485  or email partnerships@cancervic.org.au