Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Government acting through the Victorian Department of Health, are working together to deliver Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria. By combining resources, this collaboration strengthens Victoria’s cancer research landscape, fosters innovation, and accelerates the translation of research into improved outcomes for people with cancer.
Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria supports early-career and mid-career researchers to undertake high-quality translational cancer research that will improve the prevention, detection, treatment and care for people affected by cancer. Fellowships are available to researchers who have not previously received significant research funding, helping to establish them as future leaders in cancer research.
There are two Fellowship streams available for both Early-Career Research Fellowships and Mid-Career Research Fellowships: biomedical research and non-biomedical research.
Key dates
Expression of Interest: NOW OPEN
Expression of Interest close: 3/6/2025 17:00 (AEST)
Full Application open (via invitation only): 4/8/2025
Full Application close: 2/9/2025 17:00 (AEST)
Notification of outcome: October/ November
BACK ROW: Prof Jeremy Millar, Cancer Council Victoria Chair, Mr Todd Harper AM, Cancer Council CEO, Lauren McCambridge, Consumer advocate, Jordan Higgins, researcher
FRONT: Yasmin Lewis, Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas - Minister for Health, Dr Lauren Alesi, Ngoc Tho Tony Nguyen
Available funding
Early-Career Fellowships are available with a maximum of $150,000 available per year, per fellowship, for three years (maximum $450,000 per Fellowship). Applicants can apply for either the Biomedical Research Stream or the Non-Biomedical Research Stream.
In addition to general fellowships, targeted Biomedical fellowships are available for research:
- that supports the diagnosis and/or treatment of mesothelioma;
- into non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Special consideration will be given to applicants researching gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Mid-Career Fellowships are available with a maximum of $175,000 available per year, per fellowship, for four years (maximum $700,000 per Fellowship). Applicants can apply for either the Biomedical Research Stream or the Non-Biomedical Research Stream.
Application and assessment process
Assessment and selection are via a two-stage, competitive process comprising an Expression of Interest and Full Application.
Selection criteria for Early-Career Research Fellowships
- Criterion 1 Significance and scientific quality [weighting 30%]
- Criterion 2 Achievements, contributions and research impact [weighting 20%]
- Criterion 3 Potential for career development and research support [weighting 25%]
- Criterion 4 Impacts, benefits and involvement of people affected by cancer [weighting 25%]
Selection criteria for Mid-Career Research Fellowships
- Criterion 1 Significance and scientific quality [weighting 30%]
- Criterion 2 Achievements, contributions and research impact [weighting 20%]
- Criterion 3 Potential for leadership in cancer research [weighting 25%]
- Criterion 4 Impacts, benefits and involvement of people affected by cancer [weighting 25%]
See the Grant Guidelines for further details on the selection criteria.
Enquiries and feedback
Specific eligibility queries not listed here will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should contact Cancer Council through their Research Administration Office for eligibility queries or questions about the application process (see cover page of Grant Guidelines for closing dates).
Frequently asked questions
Are Fellowships offered annually?
The Victorian Government and Cancer Council Victoria have committed to a four-year partnership. During this four-year period, fellowship rounds will be offered annually.
Can I complete the Fellowship part-time?
Part-time fellowship requests, between 0.4FT and less than 0.8FTE, will be considered only by exception and supported in two cases: professional and personal.
Fellows must conduct research at a minimum of 0.4 FTE, with the fellowship salary adjusted pro-rata.
- Professional - Available to applicants who will hold clinical work, teaching or other academic responsibilities during the fellowship period that are directly relevant to their field of research. A suitable justification must be provided with your application with supportive endorsement from the employer.
- Personal - Available to applicants where for personal reasons (e.g., family responsibilities) the applicant is unable to engage in full-time employment. A justification must be provided with your application.
What is the period of funding?
The funding period is from 1 January 2026 for either 3 or 4 years, depending on the grant that you are applying for.
I was planning to apply for a grant and/or fellowship through the Victoria Cancer Agency. Can I still do this?
The functions of the Victorian Cancer Agency have been incorporated into a new team in the Department of Health called Research, Evidence, and Information.
The Cancer Research Fellowships Victorian program will replace the Victorian Cancer Agency fellowship scheme; however, the Research, Evidence and Information team will continue to support the administration of all past and existing fellowships that were funded through the Victorian Cancer Agency funding rounds.
Any queries regarding current grant opportunities available through the Research, Evidence, and Information team should be directed to cancer.research@health.vic.gov.au.
Do I need to declare other funding I have applied for?
Applicants are required to declare if they have sought or if they are seeking other funding for the project described in this application with the Grants Management System. If you are declaring this you will be asked to include details such as the funder, grant scheme, amount req. status and if there is a duplication or overlap of activities described in the application.
I’m interested in conducting research focused on one of the targeted research areas but don’t have experience in that area. Can I apply for a targeted grant?
Yes, there is no eligibility requirement that applicants have experience in a given cancer type. Past applicants have used targeted grants to facilitate a transition to a new area of research.
Can I request corporate services and infrastructure overheads?
No, these charges and overheads can't be requested in the budget. You can request up to 20% of salary support for salary on-costs. Applicants requesting corporate charges or infrastructure overheads will be deemed ineligible.
I’ve applied to become a permanent resident of Australia, am I eligible to apply?
No, applicants must be an Australian citizen, New Zealand resident or have permanent resident status at the time of EOI closure.
How do I claim career interruption?
The main place where you document your career interruption is within the CV. The CV template includes half a page where you can describe your career interruption. Reminder that a career interruption is a minimum 60-day interruption to a person’s capacity to work in research due to events such as pregnancy, illness, caring responsibilities or clinical, administrative or teaching workloads. The interruption must have directly resulted in reduced ability to work in research.
My Organisation isn’t listed in the system. How can I have it added?
Please contact grants@cancervic.org.au to request that your Research Administration Office and/or Research Organisation be added to the system.
Does a career interruption need to be 60 continuous days?
The minimum 60-day career interruption can be either a continuous period or accumulated within the same event period. For example, this could include a reduction in workdays (such as transitioning to part-time work) over an extended period due to the same circumstance. It does not need to be 60 consecutive days, as long as it relates to the same event.
Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria is supported by the Victorian Government and Cancer Council Victoria.