Irish Cancer Society announces €7.5 million funding to establish first Collaborative Cancer Research Centre in Ireland

News Article | 19 Sep 2012

“The future of cancer research in Ireland is best served by collaboration,” said Professor John Fitzpatrick

Prof. John Fitzpatrick, Head of Research at the Irish Cancer Society today announced that the Society has taken a major step forward to deliver its vision for cancer research in Ireland, by allocating €7.5 million in funding to establish a Collaborative Cancer Research Centre in Ireland. This equates to €1.5 million in funding being allocated per year, for up to five years. The Irish Cancer Society Collaborative Cancer Research Centre aims to stimulate collaboration and enable sharing of resources, by linking together already established cancer research disciplines and institutions in Ireland that are working towards a common goal. It is expected the new model will provide a solid foundation for better integration of cancer research and cancer care in Ireland, for the benefit of the public and patients. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1189","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"480","width":"353"}}]] “The Irish Cancer Society believes the future of cancer research in Ireland is best served by collaboration, not only between institutions, but also between research disciplines,” said Prof. Fitzpatrick. “The purpose of the Irish Cancer Society Collaborative Cancer Research Centre is to strengthen and integrate research disciplines and programmes so that the Collaborative Centre is greater than the sum of its parts and, where possible, to capitalise on existing capabilities and resources in research institutions in Ireland.” “The quality of cancer care is dependent on the quality of cancer research being undertaken, and it is our intention at the Irish Cancer Society to introduce funding for a number of Collaborative Cancer Research Centres across Ireland that will deliver excellent research for the benefit of patients,” said Prof. Fitzpatrick. The main objectives of a Collaborative Cancer Research Centre include:
 

  • Stimulate collaborations in cancer research across disciplines and institutions
  • Achieve greater combined expertise across population-based, translational and clinical research
  • Share resources, rather than competing for the same funding
  • nitiate and develop innovative early-stage clinical studies
  • Engage with industry and/or relevant healthcare agencies to speed up the discovery and implementation process

 
Today the Irish Cancer Society is also calling on existing cancer research groups throughout Ireland, interested in collaboration, to make a joint pre-proposal submission by 3.00pm on Friday, October 26th 2012. To be eligible to apply, research groups must have one Principle Investigator and between two and nine Co-Investigators – all of whom must meet the relevant eligibility criteria available at www.cancer.ie/research/apply-for-funding.  The theme of the research may relate specifically to cancer of a single organ, or to specific mechanisms of disease, or survivorship in cancer.  John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said, “The Irish Cancer Society Collaborative Cancer Research Centre highlights the importance of joined up thinking in advancing quality cancer research in Ireland. We have made a substantial commitment to the Collaborative Centre, which we hope will encourage groups with a strong research ethos to submit a pre-proposal for funding before October 26th and take the first step in working together to improve outcomes for patients.”  The Irish Cancer Society has contributed more than €30 million to cancer research since 1963. During that period, more than 650 important research findings have been made.  For further information or for any questions about this funding, please contact the Irish Cancer Society research team on research@irishcancer.ie.   For further information on the Irish Cancer Society’s research programme, Collaborative Cancer Research Centre or to make a donation, visit www.cancer.ie or contact the Irish Cancer Society on CallSave 1850 60 60 60.