Research

The Kids’ Cancer Project funds bold, innovative research with the greatest potential to improve survival rates and reduce the long-term treatment impacts for children with cancer.

Our mission

To provide scientists with the funding they need to make discoveries, translate pioneering research, advance treatments and build support programs that will improve survival rates for all young people with cancer and allow them to thrive after treatment.

Our research strategy

Our research investment

The Kids’ Cancer Project’s investment into research has helped advance precision medicine, expand access to life-saving clinical trials, and accelerate discoveries that are changing the way childhood cancers are diagnosed and treated.

By backing bold ideas, world-class researchers and collaborative partnerships, we are building a stronger research ecosystem that is delivering better outcomes today while significantly impacting the future of childhood cancer care.

A research project’s feasibility is assessed and determined by The Kids’ Cancer Project’s Research Advisory Committee, with projects deemed to be worthy of funding recommended to The Kids’ Cancer Project’s Board of Directors before being formally approved. 

76 million
30+ years

Our FY'26 impact

 In FY’26, The Kids’ Cancer Project invested $3.34 million into childhood cancer research across Australia, supporting 38 projects and 47 researchers across 21 institutions – driving progress across all aspects of the translational research pipeline.

3.34 million
38
47

Our collaborations

Collaboration is essential to accelerating breakthroughs in childhood cancer research. 

By co-funding research alongside governments, philanthropic organisations, research institutions and like-minded partners, The Kids' Cancer Project can invest in larger, more ambitious studies that may not be possible through a single funding source alone. 

Learn more

CEO and collaborator shaking hands in a lab wearing protective gowns

The Col Reynolds Fellows 

Col Reynolds Fellow, Dr Evangeline Jackson

Recipient: Dr Evangeline Jackson Institute: University of Newcastle Funding: $510,000 October 2024 - September 2027 Early-Career

Col Reynolds Fellow, Dr Michelle Tennant

Recipient: Dr Michelle Tennant Institute: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) Funding: $508,299 September 2024 - August 2027 Early-Career

Col Reynolds Fellow, Dr Ryan Cross

Recipient: Dr Ryan Cross Institute: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Funding: $618,000 January 2025 – December 2027 Mid-Career

Col Reynolds Fellow, Dr Emmy Fleuren

Recipient: Dr Emmy Fleuren Institute: Children’s Cancer Institute Funding: $616,293 April 2025 – April 2028 Mid-Career

Latest Research News

People Behind the Progress: Jasmine Jin

07/08/2026
Meet the passionate researchers whose curiosity, dedication and discoveries are bringing hope to children facing cancer every day.

Meet the inaugural Josh McCarroll PhD Excellence Award recipient

24/07/2026
Jasmine Jin named recipient of the Josh McCarroll PhD Excellence Award.

Recipients announced for The Kids’ Cancer Project’s latest funding grant round

07/07/2026
The Kids’ Cancer Project is pleased to announce the five successful recipients of its latest funding grant round, which will see $1.87 million invested in FY’27 into research to improve outcomes for patients suffering from low survival paediatric cancers.

Rare Cancer Awareness Day: Closing the gap for childhood cancer

26/06/2026
On Rare Cancer Awareness Day, we explore why rarity creates inequity for children with cancer and how collaboration is helping drive research, access and hope for families across Australia.

See the latest childhood cancer research projects you could be involved in

07/06/2026
The Kids’ Cancer Project funds 53 research projects across Australia, with many of them requiring help from families and patients who have experienced treatment for childhood cancers.

The Kids’ Cancer Project and Children’s Cancer Institute Australia launch Josh McCarroll PhD Excellence Award

26/05/2026
The Kids’ Cancer Project and Children’s Cancer Institute Australia are pleased to today announce the launch of the Josh McCarroll PhD Excellence Award.

A sector-wide solution to a worldwide problem: The Roadmap to 100% survival for kids with cancer

23/05/2026
The Kids’ Cancer Project is proud to be an ongoing partner with the Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Mission – a collaborative initiative bringing together government and non-government partners with a shared vision to improve outcomes and experiences for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer.

Next steps announced in The Kids’ Cancer Project’s funding grant round

19/05/2026
The Kids’ Cancer Project’s vision is to see a 100% survival of kids with cancer with no long-term serious effects – a vision it executes by funding pioneering Australian research projects that have the greatest chance of successful impact.

Why beating brain cancer is just the beginning

14/05/2026
For many people, survival rates are a source of hope. That as that number increases, we can be excited about advances in research and all that comes with it.

The AI Pirate: How Dr Joseph Yang uses modern solutions for age-old brain cancer problems

01/05/2026
AI has been heralded as a difference maker in modern medicine, with many people optimistic about its abilities to assist in finding more effective, less harmful treatments for kids with brain cancer.

A new chapter awaits as Write a Book in a Day 2026 begins

01/05/2026
1 May 2026 marks the launch of The Kids’ Cancer Project’s 'Write a Book in a Day’, regarded as Australia’s most inspiring writing challenge for schools and writing groups, all while raising vital funds for childhood cancer research.

Understanding the familial financial fallout of childhood cancer

28/04/2026
Side effects dictate much of The Kids’ Cancer Project’s remit. The determination to create more effective, less harmful treatments informs much of the charity’s funding, as does the desire to ensure children with cancer both survive and thrive.

Pirate Day 2026: Dr Aaminah Khan on research, breakthroughs and difference-making donors

17/04/2026
Col Reynolds Fellow, Dr Aaminah Khan, does work that is admirable. The early-career researcher has achieved so much in so little time, with clinical trials on the horizon as she looks to tackle medulloblastoma relapse head on, which is currently incurable.

Captain Australia crosses the line to complete Big Lap for kids with cancer

10/04/2026
Community Champion Captain Australia has completed his Big Lap, walking the entirety of mainland Australia in support of children with cancer.

PhD top-up funding brings new insights for genetic testing

25/03/2026
Jacqueline Hunter, a Col Reynolds Fellow based at the University of Melbourne, has played a leading role in authoring an Australian paper that has been published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Breaking barriers: How technology and empathy is changing childhood cancer care

Dr Michelle Tennant reflects on her journey and research project with The Kids' Cancer Project – one which she won't shy away from despite the challenges that come operating across technology, allied health and clinical care.