Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative

Every year in Canada there are nearly 1000 children diagnosed with cancer^{Footnote 1}. It is the most common disease-related cause of death among Canadian children. Although survival rates for many of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in children and youth continue to improve, approximately 15% of children experience a relapse within five years of diagnosis. Furthermore, two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors will have at least one chronic or long-term side effect as a result of their cancer treatment. In general, it is recognized that cancers in children act differently and are found in different sites than in adults, and that cancers in children tend to grow and spread throughout the body more quickly.

As a result of the funding announced in the Federal Budget 2021, CIHR will deliver the Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative through two main approaches:

1. Funding to catalyze the development of a multi-stakeholder Pediatric Cancer Consortium. The Consortium will bring together the pediatric cancer research community to advance research that can help inform policy and practice and build capacity for the next generation of pediatric cancer researchers through embedded training and mentorship opportunities, and capacity for people with lived and living experience to engage meaningfully in the research ecosystem.
2. Supporting excellent research proposals relevant to pediatric cancer, through Priority Announcements within CIHR’s Project Grant competitions.

ACCESS - Advancing Childhood Cancer Experience, Science & Survivorship
(formerly the Canadian Pediatric Cancer Consortium)

In 2022, the CIHR Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative provided $23M for the creation of a Canadian Pediatric Cancer Consortium that aims to advance pediatric cancer research and care for the 1,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year in Canada.

The consortium, now called ACCESS, was established to improve outcomes for children with cancer. It is a pan-Canadian pediatric cancer network advancing childhood cancer experience, science, and survivorship. The ACCESS network of researchers, healthcare providers, industry leaders and persons with lived experience believe in equitable access to scientific advances, diagnostic tools, innovative therapies, and supportive care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for children with cancer and their families.

By harnessing Canada's collective capacity for world-leading science and clinical programs, ACCESS aims to provide high-quality, equitable and sustainable systems of care for all children with cancer – and transform lives.

ACCESS work encompasses two areas:

• Establish and lead a multi-stakeholder pan-Canadian pediatric cancer network
• Support research in all phases of the pediatric cancer journey

For more information, visit the ACCESS website.

Closed competitions