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.

Heartfelt hospital visit brings perspective for Swifts trio

03/04/2025
NSW Swifts players Sarah Klau, Grace Nweke and Paige Hadley were on hand last week for a tour of the Children’s Cancer Research Unit (CCRU) at Westmead Children’s Hospital, giving the trio the chance to connect with the dedicated scientists, researchers, and young patients benefiting from the work of The Kids’ Cancer Project.

Airwallex: Wrapped up in the cause

12/03/2025
The Kids’ Cancer Project’s storied list of partners are all intent on helping us realise our dream of no child dying from cancer.

Airwallex: Wrapped up in the cause

12/03/2025
The Kids’ Cancer Project’s storied list of partners are all intent on helping us realise our dream of no child dying from cancer.

Making a difference: Celebrating the women of The Kids’ Cancer Project

08/03/2025
On International Women’s Day – and every day – The Kids’ Cancer Project is proud to celebrate the array of talented women who continue to contribute in meaningful ways to help us achieve our dream of no child dying from cancer.

Ryan’s setting a course to change childhood brain cancer

06/03/2025
Ask Col Reynolds Fellow, Ryan Cross what he wanted to be as a child, and a smile will beam across his face.

Ryan’s setting a course to change childhood brain cancer

06/03/2025
Ask Col Reynolds Fellow, Ryan Cross what he wanted to be as a child, and a smile will beam across his face.

Ryan’s setting a course to change childhood brain cancer

06/03/2025
Ask Col Reynolds Fellow, Ryan Cross what he wanted to be as a child, and a smile will beam across his face.

Six ways to Fundraise Your Way

03/03/2025
Childhood cancer research is underfunded, so to ensure a 100% survival rate for kids with cancer, it’s up to us and our communities to dig deep for the three Aussie kids diagnosed each week.

Blue Sky Services are saying K’day to a better tomorrow for kids with cancer

05/02/2025
On 15 February, The Kids’ Cancer Project seeks to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer for K’day, coinciding with International Childhood Cancer Day.

New Funding Partnership Backs Innovative Paediatric Brain Cancer Treatment

03/02/2025
The Kids’ Cancer Project is proud to have joined forces with five other leading philanthropic organisations to form the TarGeT Collaborative – a pioneering partnership which has been established to fund critical clinical trials for targeted treatments in children and young adults diagnosed with high-grade gliomas, including Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

Kenny Ip: Utilising neuroscience for drug development

14/10/2024
Dr Kenny Ip, a molecular neuroscientist at the Children’s Cancer Institute, has carved out a career of note in a relatively short timeframe. In an eight-year period, he has released some 20 publications on complex brain circuits in an array of high-tier journals.

Behind the scenes: Dr Karin Plummer

01/10/2024
2023 Col Reynolds Fellow, Dr Karin Plummer, holds a joint appointment at Griffith University and the Children’s Hospital Queensland Department of Anaesthesia and Pain.

The Better Challenge: Funding exercise oncology research

09/07/2024
As we gear up for the Better Challenge, Accredited Exercise Physiologist Dr David Mizrahi reveals the magic of movement in kids’ cancer recovery, and the power of your donations in enabling greater knowledge.

Funding secured for Interfant-21 clinical trial

15/05/2024
Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) has had a very poor prognosis and survival has not improved significantly over the last two decades, with an event-free survival rate of less than 40%. The intensive chemotherapy treatment currently available necessitates high toxicity often leading to treatment related mortality.