ANZGOG’s Fund for New Research Grant Program promotes the development of investigator-led studies from initial concept to full study.

ANZGOG’s Fund for New Research Grant program’s purpose is to fund studies which are most likely to lead to a clinical trial and help meet our strategic goals. With the valued help of our donors, ANZGOG has been able to have a pool of $200,000 for the Fund for New Research Grants in 2023. A maximum amount of $50,000 per project is available for a clinical project, pre-clinical or translational study in gynaecological cancer research.

The Fund for New Research was seed-funded by philanthropy and continues to seek private and public donations for innovative research projects in all gynaecological cancers.

Individual grants are awarded to researchers for amounts in the region of up to $50,000. Grant applications are assessed by ANZGOG’s Research Advisory Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

Focus this year will be:

  • Survivorship
  • Ovarian cancer – one project minimum to be awarded
  • Uterine cancer – one project minimum to be awarded
  • Cervical, vulval or vaginal cancer

Priority will be given to projects which complete the form correctly and describe how the project will lead to a larger study or clinical trial. The 2023 Fund for New Research applications must align with the current ANZGOG strategic plan (2018-2023). ANZGOG will be releasing information soon re the new five-year strategic plan.

Projects may include:

  • Quality of life and symptom benefit studies
  • Research that contributes to clinical trial design or refinement
  • Pilot or feasibilities of early Phase and large Phase III clinical trials of interventions, including surgical, medical and radiation oncology
  • Rare tumours research
  • Initiatives working on a drug therapy for molecular subtypes
  • New translational sub-studies of current or prior trials
  • Research activities to build capacity to answer translational questions using patient samples (Translational ANZGOG (TR-ANZGOG))

Grant applications are open from 4 August 2023 to 18 September 2023.

Email your grant application with all required attachments to Heshani Nesfield, hnesfield@anzgog.org.au.

DOWNLOAD GRANT APPLICATION FORM

  • ANZGOG members only
    (Early Career Researchers are encouraged to apply)
  • A maximum of one application by each member (including 1 for co-investigators) may be submitted.
  • No institutional overhead will be supported.

Research Projects and Priority

Priority will be given to projects which complete the form correctly and describe how the project will lead to a larger study or clinical trial. [Clinical, translational, pre-clinical and survivorship projects will be assessed separately]. The 2023 Fund for New Research applications must align with the current ANZGOG strategic plan (2018-2023). ANZGOG will be releasing information soon re the new five-year strategic plan.

Clinical projects may include:

  • Pilot or feasibility studies (if intended to generate data to support preparation for a larger research project).
  • Sub-studies of clinical studies already underway, such as clinical studies, QOL etc.
  • Projects that have commenced recruitment are not eligible.
  • Projects proposing a clinical trial in Australia and/or New Zealand led by international counterparts are not eligible.

Translational projects may include:

  • New translational sub-studies of current or prior trials.
  • Drug therapies for molecular subtypes.
  • Research that will contribute to clinical trial design or refinement.

Note:  Pre-clinical and translational concepts will be assessed on potential clinical application, considering the likelihood of findings either leading to a clinical trial, assisting in the design, or supporting the translational component of a clinical trial.

ANZGOG is seeking projects that have the potential to lead to a future clinical trial. Clinical and pre-clinical projects will be assessed separately.

  • Pilot or feasibility studies (if intended to generate data to support preparation for a larger research project).
  • Sub-studies of clinical studies already underway, such as clinical application studies, QOL etc.
  • Any clinical study that meets ANZGOG’s research priorities.
  • Initiatives working on a drug therapy for molecular subtypes.
  • Research that contributes to clinical trial design or refinement.
  • New translational sub-studies of current or prior trials.

NB: pre-clinical concepts will be assessed on potential clinical application or significance as relevant.

Submissions must:

  • Have direct alignment with ANZGOG’s Research Goals
  • Be clearly feasible and achievable within the budget and time-frame.
  • Be fully funded either by this ANZGOG grant or in combination with other funding. Proof of other funding is required before contracting. NB: If other funding required and not secured within 3 months of ANZGOG’s offer, the Fund for New Research Grant offer will be withdrawn.

Scientific review – by the ANZGOG Research Advisory Committee – at the 05 October 2023 meeting.

Funding and grant review – by the ANZGOG Grant Panel. This panel consists of ANZGOG members representing the major clinical specialities for gynaecological oncology and experienced investigators reviewing against set Fund for New Research criteria.

18 September 2023 Grant Applications close
Scientific review period
05 October 2023 RAC meeting
November 2023 Grant Panel review
[for research projects approved by the RAC]
23 November 2023 Board of Directors meeting
30 November 2023 Final applicant notifications
 January 2024 Contracting with successful applicants
2024 calendar year Grant funding period

The project will be noted as an ANZGOG study and will be recognised on all publications with the words “Research and funding collaboration with ANZGOG.”

The ANZGOG Board of Directors make the final decision on funds available and approves the grant panel recommendation.

Donor Grants

In recent years, three grants have been received from donors. The awarding of these grants will be based on an appropriate study being developed by a member and receiving Research Advisory Committee (RAC) assessment that the project contributes to gynaecological cancer research and ANZGOG future trials. No award will be made if a study does not meet the RAC criteria for an ANZGOG supported study (as agreed with the donors):

  1. The Ladybird Foundation, WA – $30,000 grant offered for a project which is primarily carried out in Western Australia with a WA Principal Investigator.
  2. Rochelle Fisher Grant – $30,000 grant for a study of leiomyosarcoma of the uterus
  3. Judith Meschke Memorial Grant – $50,000 grant for a study of clear cell ovarian cancer (see our case study below)

A Memorial gift

Judith Meschke 17.08.1966 – 21.04.2018

Judith Meschke was a well-respected NIDA fashion design graduate, a costumier for Opera Australia and many other Australian productions including; Moulin Rouge. Later in her career, Judith return to NIDA as a guest lecturer, passing on her expertise and skill to eager students.

Judith was 51 years old when she succumbed to ovarian cancer.  A rare clear cell ovarian carcinoma.

Judith Meschke – Photo credit: ©️ Liz Cotter

It was Judith’s wish to contribute directly to ovarian cancer research. Judith discussed her wish with her Medical Oncologist Professor Michael Friedlander AM. He spoke to Judith about the importance of supporting ANZGOG’s gynaecological cancer research program.

With great generosity, Judith left a $50,000 gift in her Will to ANZGOG. ANZGOG is grateful that Judith Meschke understood the importance her gift would make.

For more information about; the Fund For New Research, leaving a gift in will or a major donation to ANZGOG research, please contact Head of Fundraising and Development – Ms Karen Livingstone AM:

T: +61 4 3811 5524

E: development@anzgog.org.au

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