Research & Innovation

Monday 7th April: The Irish Cancer Society and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) have today announced a partnership that aims to support the establishment of a new Collaborative Cancer Research Centre (CCRC). The Centre, which will focus on unmet medical needs within the area of cancer, will be jointly funded by the Irish Cancer Society, SFI and industry to the value of €7.5 million. The CCRC will consolidate cancer research activities across higher education institutions and teaching hospitals by bringing together translational, clinical and population health researchers focusing on cancer and researchers from other disciplines to develop a truly inter-disciplinary approach to cancer research.

Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland, said “This new funding partnership with the Irish Cancer Society and industry underlines SFI’s commitment to funding excellent research that delivers real impact. This programme will help increase the number of cancer researchers in the fields of translational, clinical and population health and will also enable us to leverage the expertise of important researchers working in other relevant domains, such as ICT and engineering.”

Professor John Fitzpatrick, Head of Research, Irish Cancer Society said, “I am delighted to announce our partnership with SFI, which is a new and exciting venture that provides the platform for even greater collaboration in cancer research in Ireland, including industry and new research disciplines, which will allow more rapid translation of discoveries into benefits for cancer patients and the public. I am pleased to not only announce this new funding partnership with SFI, but to open the call for applications to the Collaborative Cancer Research Centre grant.”

The CCRC will establish important partnerships with industry and healthcare organisations to drive research towards the development of new approaches and advances that will help reduce the economic and social burden of cancer in Ireland. The Centre will provide a foundation for better integration of cancer research and care for the benefit of patients and the public. The call for applications is now open.

Mr John McCormack, CEO, Irish Cancer Society said, “The Irish Cancer Society’s mission, as the national cancer charity, is to eliminate cancer, and to achieve this we must focus on leading excellent, collaborative research in Ireland. I am therefore delighted that we are able to announce this new funding partnership with SFI, and look forward to the positive outcomes that will result for cancer patients.”

The Irish Cancer Society announced its intention to establish a series of CCRCs in 2013. The Irish Cancer Society-SFI CCRC will be the second such centre.