Revolutionary prostate cancer research programme announced

The Irish Cancer Society and Movember announce revolutionary prostate cancer research programme, "The Prostate Cancer Transformative Programme Grant".

The Irish Cancer Society, in conjunction with Movember, the men’s health charity, has announced an innovative and pioneering new programme to facilitate the research of prostate cancer in Ireland. With €750,000 worth of funding, the programme will see country-wide collaboration among the best minds working in prostate cancer research with a view to accelerating breakthroughs in the future.

The programme aims to fund one programme of novel, innovative prostate cancer research projects that has the potential to realise breakthroughs and transform the current understanding of this disease.  This grant opportunity targets the coming together of independently fundable projects centred on a common theme, within the Society’s core principle that collaboration in research across Ireland will increase the pace of discovery and results.  This is an exciting opportunity for the prostate cancer research community in Ireland to be part of a new funding programme and to come together to define the programme and create innovative project ideas.

Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 Irish men. For the first time ever in the field of prostate cancer research, this programme will bring together up to three independently funded projects which will allow important information to be shared among researchers in the prostate cancer field with a view to changing the way we understand the disease.

Research groups from all over Ireland can put their proposals forward to be considered with the three most innovative being chosen.  The call for applicants opened on Tuesday 17th of September and closes on October 30th.

Professor John Fitzpatrick, Head of Research at the Irish Canner Society, said “It’s a pleasure for the Irish Cancer Society to work with Movember and the prostate cancer research community in Ireland on this grant which aims to transform our understanding of prostate cancer through new and creative research ideas.  It is our hope that this grant will form the basis of a research programme that will lead to significant improvements for prostate cancer patients.”

Speaking about the launch of this innovative programme, Executive Director of Programmes at Movember, Paul Villanti said, “The Irish prostate cancer community is very well placed to make a strong contribution to transforming the clinical management of prostate cancer. Movember is delighted to make this significant investment through the Irish Cancer Society to support the Irish research community improve the lives of men diagnosed and living with prostate cancer.”

For full details about the Transformative Programme Grant, and how to apply, click here.