Supporting clinical research, trials and fellowships.
We give grants to New Zealand institutions from the funds we raise. They run clinical research, trials and fellowships with the goal of improving treatment for patients with gut cancers.
Who are our experts and how do we select which trials to fund?
Our Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) undertakes the critical review of clinical research, trials, and fellowships which GCF considers funding. When medical specialists and other health researchers submit funding proposals to GCF, SAC reviews the importance of the question posed in the trial, the design of the trial, and the ability of the trial to yield results that will have a positive impact on cancer treatments and the relationship between the study and GCF's research priorities:
improving access for New Zealanders to clinical trials
supporting clinicians to combine their clinical work with research projects
the development of a dedicated clinical research workforce for upper and lower GI cancers, with a focus on increasing Māori participation
supporting research and trials that increase equitable outcomes and access for Māori, and other underserved populations in Aotearoa New Zealand. SAC makes recommendations to the GCF Board of Directors, who have the final vote. They approve a sum for the institution running the research, trial or fellowship based on its costs and benefits.
From there, the Principal Investigator (the doctor running the research or trial) or the Fellow seeks approval from the institution’s health research ethics committee. The doctor’s team sets up the infrastructure to run the research or trial and recruit patients who meet the criteria. They monitor the patients and document, analyse and evaluate the results. Many research projects and trials are performed in collaboration with colleagues in Australia or other countries. Finally, the results are published in medical journals to help guide specialists to make the best treatment decisions.
For more information on clinical research and trials, download the REVIEW document here.
Clinical trial applications
Call for Applications – Gut Cancer Research Funding Round 2024
Call for Applications – Gut Cancer Research Pancreatic Cancer Funding Round. Applications must be received by email to info@gutcancer.org.nz by 5pm, Friday 11th October 2024
The Gut Cancer Foundation is calling for applications to a value of up to $100,000 (ex GST) in support of clinical or translational studies that aim to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand.
GCF will consider applications from clinician researchers and from scientists investigating how to improve detection, diagnosis, quality of life or survival for patients with pancreatic cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand.
GCF will consider both new research or existing projects with preference given to those applications most closely aligned with GCF’s strategic aims and current research priorities:
Improving access for New Zealanders to clinical trials
Supporting NZ clinicians to combine their clinical work with research projects.
The development of a dedicated clinical research workforce for upper and lower GI cancers with a focus on increasing Māori participation
Supporting research and trials that increases equitable access and outcomes for Māori, and other underserved populations in Aotearoa New Zealand
The GCF pancreatic cancer research funding round is available in (but not limited to) the specialty areas of cancer surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, palliative care, cancer genetics, radiology, anatomical pathology, nutrition, nursing, psychiatry, and public health.
General information
For clinical trials, awards will be distributed on a patient-by-patient basis. Successful recipients will be expected to invoice for each patient recruited to the trial.
Otherwise, awards will be distributed through 4 quarterly payments of $25,000.
Distribution of instalments may be subject to the successful completion of local and HDEC applications, with final decisions on distribution made by the GCF board, on the recommendation of GCF’s Scientific Advisory Committee.
All recipients will be required to acknowledge funding support from GCF in oral or written reports of their work. The successful applicant must be prepared to have a profile posted on GCF’s website www.gutcancer.org.nz and promoted through GCF’s marketing material.
Six monthly progress reports will be required using the provided accountability template. Successful applicants will be asked to report against the criteria outlined in the funding application forms, including reporting relating to equitable access and outcomes.
Applications must be received by GCF by email to info@gutcancer.org.nz by 5pm, Friday 11th October 2024. Please note that your host institution may have an earlier closing date and GCF strongly encourages you to adhere to the internal deadline. Please also ensure that you also fulfil any institutional requirements for submission.
The decision will be made by GCF’s Scientific Advisory Committee and ratified by the Gut Cancer Foundation board of directors. Applicants will be notified by Friday 29 November 2024.
If you have any questions please call us to discuss on 0800 112 775
Māori Cancer Researcher Awards 2024
Ka whati te tai, ka pao te tōrea (seize the opportunity that this could bring)
The Gut Cancer Foundation is proud to collaborate with Te Kāhui Matepukupuku o Aotearoa (The Cancer Society of New Zealand) and Hei Āhuru Mōwai (Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa) this year to award a Masters Scholarship to Māori Cancer Researchers.
The Māori Cancer Researcher Awards 2024 demonstrate our shared commitment to advance Māori aspirations in cancer research, and our recognition of the importance of representation in the research workforce in achieving this.
The deadline is 1 pm Friday 11 October 2024. If you cannot make this deadline please email research@cancer.org.nz
Eligibility
The Māori Cancer Researcher Awards 2024 are for researchers who are committed to hauora Māori, maximising Māori cancer health gains, addressing existing cancer inequities, and/or fostering Māori health aspirations. We value applications that include kaupapa Māori and mātauranga Māori.
To be eligible, you must:
Be of Māori descent
Be resident in Aotearoa New Zealand
Have academic supervision which includes at least one Māori supervisor. Those unable to identify a Māori supervisor are encouraged to get in touch prior to applying. Information on supporting Māori students through their studies can be found here: https://www.heiahurumowai.org.nz/rangahau
Intend to enrol or already be enrolled in a Research Master's or PhD. Those who have not yet enrolled for their proposed course of study but are intending to do so may apply for this scholarship. In this case any award will be conditional on the applicant’s successful enrolment in either a Research Master's or PhD at a University or Whare Wānanga in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Each Master's Scholarship will comprise the following components and will last for one year (12 months):
Stipend of $35,000
Tuition fees of $10,000
Part-time students are welcome to enrol, noting that for such students the scholarship would be pro-rated. The award will not be granted for a period longer than the equivalent of one year (Master's) or three years (PhD) fulltime.
How to apply
Applications will be through the Cancer Society Grant Portal. You can set up your Grant Portal Account here: https://cancersociety.app.tahua.io/users/sign_up
Master's Scholarship: https://cancersociety.app.tahua.io/grants/maori-cancer-researcher-awards-masters-scholarship
