INSPIRE Research Challenge

Deadline Date: March 08, 2024

 Donor Name: World Cancer Research Fund International

 Grant Size: $10,000 to $100,000

World Cancer Research Fund International has launched the INSPIRE Research Challenge, in partnership with American Institute for Cancer Research, World Cancer Research Fund in the UK and Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds in the Netherlands.

The INSPIRE Research Challenge is aimed at Early Career Researchers and will prioritise innovative, bold, and creative proposals with the potential to catalyse rapid and impactful advances in cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship.

Scope

• INSPIRE Research challenge funding will accelerate novel research ideas that provide unique insights to challenge current conventions and longstanding dogma or take advantage of emerging themes and technologies. INSPIRE Research Challenge funding aims to support the development of new research ideas/concepts, the combination of research areas in innovative ways, the establishment of new collaborations, and/or the application of new innovative methods or technologies.
• Proposed projects must have direct relevance to cancer prevention, treatment or survivorship and may address any or all stages of the cancer journey. Proposals should address modifiable factors including both lifestyle, such as diet, nutrition, physical activity, and environmental factors such as pollution/contaminants and pathogens. Particular priority will be given to novel exposures including stress, sleep and host factors such as immune function.
• They anticipate that the greatest opportunities will present themselves at the intersection of previously independent ideas, approaches and topics that may not have previously been combined. Opportunities may also exist in the application of approaches or concepts adapted from other diseases or conditions that may not have yet been investigated with respect to cancer.

Funding Information

• They award £75,000 for up to 1 year for the INSPIRE Research Challenge.

Who should apply?

• The PI should be an early career researcher – defined as not less than 2 years but not more than 6 years post-doctoral degree (PhD or MD research). Extensions to this period due to career breaks eg for maternity or paternity leave will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must currently be employed on a research contract within a department at a research institution affiliated with a university or medical school.
• The INSPIRE Research Challenge accepts applications from anywhere in the world.
• The INSPIRE Research Challenge accepts applications from universities, medical schools, hospitals, research institutes and other academic centres. Applications from commercial organisations are not eligible.

Application Criteria

• The programme is open to early career individuals – defined as not less than 2 years, but not more than 6 years post-doctoral degree (PhD or MD research).
• Applicants must be employed on a research contract within a department at a research institution affiliated with a university or medical school.
• Proposed projects must have direct relevance to cancer prevention, treatment or survivorship and may address any or all stages of the cancer journey.
• Proposals should address modifiable factors including both lifestyle – such as diet, nutrition, physical activity – and environmental factors – such as pollution/contaminants and pathogens.
• Particular priority will be given to novel exposures including stress, sleep and host factors such as immune function.

For more information, visit World Cancer Research Fund International.