The Australian Government is delivering the first investment under the $300 million MRFF Australian Cancer Research Program (ACRP), to bring international CAR-T clinical trials to Australia for children and young people.
The Government is committing $5 million in grant funding over 5 years from 2027-28 to support Australian participation in the LifeArc Worldwide CAR-T Pathfinder Trial and Paediatric Cell Therapy Accelerator.
The ACRP is a landmark $300 million, 10-year MRFF investment to strengthen and coordinate cancer research nationally and includes the Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult (CAYA) Cancer Mission.
This will mark a significant first for Australia, helping to bring international CAR-T clinical trial capability closer to home for children and young people. The grant opportunity responds to priorities in Cancer Australia's Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Roadmap, released earlier this year as a national framework to improve outcomes and experiences for Australians aged up to 24 years affected by cancer.
The MRFF ACRP grant opportunity is forecast to open in June 2027. Further research priorities and funding intentions will be announced in the coming months.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP:
"Earlier this year, we announced the Australian Cancer Research Program, a landmark $300 million investment under the Medical Research Future Fund to drive a stronger, more coordinated national effort in cancer research.
"Now, we are taking an important first step in delivering that commitment through the first grant opportunity under the Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Mission.
"It will help bring world-class international CAR-T clinical trials closer to home for Australian children and young people with cancer.
"More families may be able to access promising new therapies in Australia, rather than facing the significant financial and emotional burden of travelling overseas for treatment."
Quotes attributable to Professor Dorothy Keefe PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Australia:
"Cancer Australia welcomes this important first investment under the Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Mission."
"The Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Roadmap provides national direction for improving outcomes and experiences, and this announcement demonstrates early progress in implementing its priorities."
"Together, we have an opportunity to build a more connected national childhood and young adult cancer system and deliver lasting improvements in care, research and outcomes."
Quotes attributable to Professor Brendan Murphy AC, Chair of Children’s Cancer CoLab:
“It is very encouraging to see the Australian Government investing in new treatment options for children and young people with cancer.
"This important and timely investment through the Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Mission, building on the Optimal Care Pathway in development, provides exciting opportunities to facilitate access to, and further local development of, novel therapies and best practice models of care.”