Request for Applications

To accelerate translational cancer research so that precise, impactful and cost-effective treatments can benefit cancer patients, OICR has implemented the Clinical Translation (CT) Program.

The CT Program supports practice-changing research in biomarkers and therapeutics that will advance early detection and intervention research and have a clear path to the clinic and clinical impact. The CT Program focuses on primary-diagnosed cancer or early recurrent cancers.

OICR is currently inviting applications for a new CATALYST funding stream to support research that leverages existing biospecimens and clinical data to validate biomarkers, molecular signatures, immune correlates or other insights that can improve cancer detection, risk stratification or treatment stratification. The vision of the CATALYST funding stream is to honour patient contributions by accelerating discoveries from available clinical samples. No new sample collection is permitted under this funding opportunity.

OICR invites applications from investigators at Ontario academic centres, hospital research institutes, or other government research institutions. OICR funding is only tenable in Ontario. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. 

Funding available: The envelope for this funding opportunity is approximately $800,000, which is anticipated to support several eligible projects. While no minimum or maximum amount is required per project, all budgets must be sufficiently justified

Timeline:

Concept submission deadline: November 6, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. ET
Concept feedback to teams: Week of November 24, 2025
Prioritized concept meetings with selected teams: December 5, 2025
Full application deadline: January 6, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. ET
Notification of results: Mid-January 2026
Funding start date: February 1, 2026

Questions?

Visit the FAQ page before contacting the OICR Scientific Secretariat office at ScientificSecretariat@oicr.on.ca.

How to apply:

To access funding opportunity resources, including: data sharing, open access and retention, eligible expenses, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion tactics in research, Ontario First mandate, patient partner payment policy and ReportNet instructions, please visit the bottom of the Funding Opportunities website.