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Operating Grants in cancer

Cancer Research Society

Founded in 1945, the Cancer Research Society (CRS) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization
whose sole mission is to fund research on all types of cancer to help prevent, detect, and treat this
disease.
The Operating Grants competition is the principal means by which CRS fulfills its mission to support
fundamental and early translational research on all types of cancer.
The competition is held every year and is open to researchers across Canada. Both new and
established researchers are encouraged to apply. All valid proposals undergo a diligent peer-
review process and are scored based on scientific merit and originality.
Operating grants are usually awarded for a period of two years for a maximum amount of $70,000
per year.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Clear Cancer-Specific Focus (Mechanistic or Translational)

CRS funds projects exclusively related to cancer, from basic biology to translational and applied clinical questions.
Successful projects emphasize:

Cancer mechanisms (genomics, signaling, immune interactions)

Biomarkers, early detection, or therapy resistance

Treatment innovations (immunotherapy, targeted drugs, radiotherapy biology)

Prevention or environmental causes of cancer

Pediatric, rare, or high-mortality cancers

Predictor: Your proposal must show a direct and strong connection to cancer biology or patient outcomes.

2. Strong Preliminary Data (Critical for CRS Operating Grants)

Even though CRS grants are competitive mid-size awards (~CAD 120k–250k over 2–3 years), funded projects typically include:

Clear pilot data supporting hypothesis feasibility

Proof-of-concept for key methods

Evidence that aims are achievable within the grant term

Predictor: Solid preliminary data is one of the strongest contributors to success.

3. A Tight, Feasible, Milestone-Driven Plan

CRS reviewers value:

2–3 well-defined, realistic specific aims

Clear logic connecting preliminary results to proposed work

Feasible timelines and quantifiable milestones

Identification of risks + backup strategies

Predictor: A structured, NIH-style Specific Aims + timeline improves reviewer confidence.

4. High Potential Impact on Cancer Understanding or Treatment

Successful projects typically:

Address an important, unmet need

Advance a novel therapeutic or diagnostic angle

Propose something the field cannot currently do

Target cancers with poor survival or limited treatment options

Predictor: Show how your findings could ultimately improve cancer detection, treatment, or survival.

5. Appropriate Career Stage Match

CRS awards map to distinct career stages:

• Operating Grants

For independent investigators; requires a track record of publications and competence.

• Scholarships / Early Career Awards

For new faculty (<5–7 years); strong mentorship and emerging independence expected.

• Strategic Initiative Calls

Often disease-specific or theme-specific; require alignment with the sponsor’s priority.

Predictor: Apply to a mechanism that fits your experience, independence level, and publication track record.

6. Strong Research Environment

Successful applicants demonstrate:

Institutional support

Access to needed facilities (sequencing, imaging, bioinformatics, animal facilities)

Collaborators with complementary expertise

Protected research time (especially for early career researchers)

Predictor: Evidence that the institution can support completion of the project improves competitiveness.

7. Clear Budget & Justification

CRS budgets are modest but flexible. Competitive applications:

Provide lean, realistic personnel and supply costs

Prioritize feasibility within CRS’ funding limit

Avoid unnecessary salary requests for PIs

Match budget directly to aims

Predictor: A tight, purpose-driven budget helps avoid reviewer skepticism.

8. Track Record of Productivity and Momentum

For PI-level grants, past performance strongly influences scoring:

Recent high-quality publications

Demonstrated expertise in the cancer type or methods proposed

Evidence of sustained research activity

Clear trajectory toward becoming a leader in the field

Predictor: A publication record aligned with the proposal topic boosts application strength.

9. Strong Writing Quality & Clarity

Highly ranked CRS proposals share characteristics:

Concise, persuasive writing

Strong rationale and hypothesis statement

Clear presentation of preliminary data

Logical flow between aims

No jargon or ambiguity

Predictor: Reviewer-friendly writing is a major differentiator in a competitive field.

10. Alignment With Special Call Priorities (When Applicable)

CRS frequently partners with other foundations for targeted calls (ex: pediatric cancers, ovarian cancer, breast cancer metastasis, environmental links).
For these, successful proposals:

Explicitly align with the sponsor’s scientific priorities

Demonstrate relevance to the targeted cancer type or research objective

Predictor: For co-funded calls, direct, explicit alignment is crucial.

🏆 Summary Table

Success Factor	Why It Matters
Cancer-specific focus	CRS funds cancer research only
Preliminary data	Demonstrates feasibility
Focused aims & milestones	Enables realistic evaluation
High innovation & impact	CRS wants meaningful advances
Career-stage alignment	Ensures program fit
Strong environment	Supports completion
Realistic budget	Matches CRS’ funding limits
Publication & track record	Signals capability
Excellent writing	Improves reviewer enthusiasm
Priority-topic alignment	Critical for special calls

Key Dates
Call for proposals November 12, 2025
Letter of Intent submission deadline December 10, 2025, 11:59PM (ET)
Invitation to submit Full Proposal December 17, 2025
Full Proposal submission deadline February 11, 2026, 11:59PM (ET)
Update publication list deadline April 08, 2026
Review process completed, awards announced August 2026
Grant start date September 2026

Specialties

Cancer

Eligibility Requirements

CRS Operating Grants are intended to support Canadian researchers in their pursuit to advance
scientific knowledge in the following five (5) areas:
1) Fundamental/basic cancer research;
2) Prevention: Research to advance our understanding of the biological mechanisms
underlying cancer risk and development, with the aim of identifying new targets and
approaches for cancer prevention and risk reduction.
3) Early translational cancer research, including preclinical research, cellular or animal
models, biomarkers for diagnostics and prognosis, imaging and treatment;
4) Research studying the environmental causes of cancer including viruses,
pollutants, work environment, lifestyle and diet;
5) In collaboration with CIHR, ‘Cancer Survivorship Research’. Research to advance our
understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the risks and development of
toxicities and complications that arise after completion of cancer treatment, with the aim of
identifying more effective strategies to prevent or mitigate these adverse effects.

Please note - The following research areas are not eligible for Operating Grants:

• Clinical trials;
• Applied research for the development or improvement of tools such as instruments, medical
devices, software, questionnaires, information tools, patient registries, biobanks, TMA
collections, etc.;
• Psychosocial or social studies, etc. (this also applies to survivorship proposals);
• Health care economics, or any study aiming at measuring the use and costs of the health
care system;
• Any other type of research not included in the main five funded areas.

There must be only one main applicant, Principal Investigator (PI), and one host institution who
will be responsible for administering the grant, if awarded. All other applicants are considered co-
applicants.
Applicants and co-applicants must hold an academic appointment at a Canadian university or
accredited institution to be eligible to apply for a CRS Operating Grant. Applicants must have their
own laboratory and the possibility of hiring students and postdoctoral fellows.
Postdoctoral fellows, research associates, staff, and research scientists without an academic
appointment are not eligible to apply.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Cancer Research Society

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 625 President-Kennedy Avenue Suite 402 Montreal QC H3A 3S5

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