Results of the 2025 Disruptive Innovation Grants in Cancer Research

The Canadian Cancer Society and the Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation have committed a total of up to $4.0M over two years to jointly fund the Disruptive Innovation Grants in Cancer Research.

Disruptive Innovation Grants will support preliminary research to establish proof of principle in novel concepts and approaches with the potential to revolutionize cancer prevention, detection and treatment. These grants are intended to provide new insights and directions for future larger grants that will serve as “game-changers” in the way we approach cancer, disrupting existing methods and displacing the status quo.

2025 Disruptive Innovation Grant recipients and projects

Note Carefully: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the listing below, this list does not constitute an “official” notification. Successful applicants have been informed, in writing, with an official Notification of Award giving the details pertaining to their grant.

View full list of grant recipients

200 LOIs were received and 35 were invited to submit a full application. 34 full applications were received and 15 have been approved for funding, following review by an expert panel comprised of scientific experts and patients, survivors, and caregivers, leading to a 44% success rate. These projects total over $3.6 million in funding over the full term of these grants.

One expert review committee composed of diverse (gender, geography, career stage, race) scientists, end-users/decision-makers, and patients/survivors/caregivers was assembled.

Funding results of the 2025 Disruptive Innovation competition

Investment by goal

Investment by research area

Investment by cancer site

Results by Province

Results by gender identity

Early career, mid-career and senior investigators assumed their first independent academic appointment < 5, 5-15 and >15 years from the time of application, respectively, with time deducted for COVID-19 and personal absences.

Results by career stage

Man includes transgender. Woman includes transgender.

Projects relevant to underserved populations

Count is inclusive of grants that specifically work with underserved population(s) only. More than one underserved population can apply for any individual application. The 'Other' category includes but is not limited to caregivers and racial minorities.

Results of the Disruptive Innovation Grants in Cancer Research

We are pleased to announce the results of the 2025 Disruptive Innovation Grants in Cancer Research competition: