OCC and CRS co-fund top-ranked submissions focused on ovarian cancer

OCC initiated a partnership with the Cancer Research Society (CRS) in 2014, providing a granting framework for its largest ongoing research investment and established a dedicated category for ovarian cancer research in the annual CRS operating grant competition. In 2023, OCC started co-funding for Doctoral Research Awards, followed by Next Generation Scientist Awards in 2024.

In support of these competitions, OCC provides funding for top ranked submissions focused on ovarian cancer and the CRS matches this funding to effectively double the impact of research donations. CRS also provides arm’s length review of submissions to identify promising studies for joint funding. Funding is awarded to between 2 and 8 projects per year.

OCC and CRS join forces to increase investment in ovarian cancer research

Partnership updates:

July 2021: Expanding horizons in ovarian cancer research

December 2021: Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Cancer Research Society invest $2.25 million

December 2023: A strategic partnership of $1.2m for ovarian cancer treatments

April 2025: OCC and CRS Launch RISE Competition to Fund Patient-Defined Survivorship Research – Ovarian Cancer Canada

The Global Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium brings together leading organizations from the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Independent of each other, the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC) and Ovarian Cancer Action (OCA) recognized the need for international research collaborations and begun developing strategic plans to do so. In 2024, the four organizations established the Consortium, combining their forces, resources and determination to accelerate progress where it’s most needed. Learn more about the Consortium’s inaugural initiative, the $1 million AI Accelerator Grant.

Ovarian Cancer Canada is leading new research initiatives in Nova Scotia that will impact Canadians across the country. These projects will fill gaps in ovarian cancer treatment and access, identify novel treatment opportunities, and empower leading minds from Nova Scotia as part of Ovarian Cancer Canada’s nationwide network of researchers and physicians identifying more precise treatment opportunities. This work is funded by a $1 million commitment from the government of Nova Scotia.

Projects include:

• Ovarian cancer in Nova Scotian patients: a longitudinal study to define alterations permitting tumor relapse and identify novel opportunities for intervention, Dr. Jeanette Boudreau, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia
• Understanding ovarian cancer care and outcomes in Nova Scotia: an investigation using population-based linked data, Dr. Robin Urquhart, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia
• Ovarian cancer biobank, Dr. Stephanie Scott, Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), Nova Scotia

Read “Ovarian Cancer Canada leading new research initiatives in Nova Scotia that will impact Canadians across the country”

Ovarian Cancer Canada is leading research with great urgency to make the greatest impact in the shortest span of time. Thanks to a $1 million investment from the Government of Saskatchewan, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency are building on existing health care systems and programs to address ovarian cancer.

Projects include:

• Creation of biobank, tumour testing & ovarian cancer drug prediction program – Dr. Laura Hopkins, Saskatchewan
• Perspectives of ovarian cancer patients and obstetrics/ gynecology specialists in Saskatchewan -Dr. Shaina Lee, Saskatchewan
• Effect of iron supplement on survival in ovarian cancer, Dr. Maryam Al-Hayki, Saskatchewan

Read “USask researchers, Ovarian Cancer Canada and Province of Saskatchewan team up to improve testing and treatment options”

OCC’s OvCAN research initiative began as the result of dedicated and collective advocacy efforts from people living with the disease, family members, researchers and advocates from across the country, culminating in a historic $10 million investment in ovarian cancer research by Health Canada in 2019. This five-year funding has since grown with additional investments from provincial governments across the country, private sector partners, and dedicated donors.

Tremendous progress has been made in understanding this disease which has been under-researched for so many years. We have built a pipeline of discovery to address thousands of research questions with shortened timelines for new treatments.

We need to continue building on our momentum, taking a sustainable approach that supports long-term research investments to improve treatment options for those living with the disease.

We are ready to rise to the challenge. Real change is needed and there’s an urgency that underpins all our work and demands attention. We’ve come too far to stop or even slow down.