Grant Funding Round 2026

Change what’s possible for children with cancer

The Children’s Cancer Foundation is inviting health services across Australia to apply for grant funding. $500,000 is available for projects that make a measurable difference to cancer care and family support for children and adolescents – in our cities, regions and rural communities.

We’re looking for projects that create a step change, or something that hasn’t existed before, for children with cancer and their families.

Application Key Dates

Applications open: Friday 30 October 2026
Applications close: Monday 14 December 2026, 5pm AEDT
Application Outcomes: By the end of March 2027
Funding Available: 2027/28 Financial Year

Submit your interest in our Grant Funding here.

Read the Grant Funding Policy

What we fund

Projects must fit at least one of five focus areas:

Equipment for paediatric cancer care: essential medical equipment that improves diagnosis, treatment or palliative care.
Family welfare and family support: direct assistance, counselling or resources that improve the wellbeing of families affected by paediatric cancer.
Implementing research in clinical practice: putting research findings into everyday clinical care.
Clinical care improvement: better ways of delivering paediatric cancer care in hospitals, clinics or at home.
Regional and rural paediatric cancer support: bringing paediatric cancer care and family support closer to regional and rural communities.

Please note:

Discovery and translational research is funded separately through the Children’s Cancer CoLab.
Staff roles are a lower priority – if your project needs people, tell us how the work will continue after the grant.

Funding at a glance

$500,000 in total: One project may use most or all of it, and smaller projects are just as welcome. Impact matters more than size. Applications from $10,000 are welcome.
Who can apply: Australian health services in every state and territory, including regional and rural services.
How it’s paid: a one-off grant, which may be paid over more than one financial year as agreed milestones are met.

How to apply

Read the Grant Funding Policy and check your project fits a focus area.
Download the application form. Your proposal should total no more than about 1,550 words (around three pages, not counting tables) and include a one-paragraph, plain English explanation of the project.
Email your completed form as a Word or PDF file to [email protected] by Monday 14 December 2026, 5pm AEDT.

How proposals are assessed

Our vision is that by 2029, Australian children with cancer will have access to world-class treatment and support to survive and thrive. Our Grants Funding Sub-Committee reviews every proposal for how well it aligns with that vision and our focus areas, and its potential for meaningful impact. Proposals should show a measurable impact on cancer care delivery or family support services. All applicants will hear the outcome by the end of March 2027.

FAQ

Who can apply?

Australian health services in every state and territory, including regional and rural services. The lead applicant must be a health service with an ABN. Community organisations, NGOs and other partners are welcome to be involved as project partners.

What age group does this cover?

Children and adolescents receiving paediatric oncology care, and their families.

How much can we apply for?

Up to $500,000 is available in this round. We may fund one project that uses most or all of the funding, or several smaller ones, and smaller projects from $10,000 are just as welcome. The deciding factor is the expected impact, not the size of the request. Tell us what your project needs to succeed, and show how the budget is built.

Can we apply for research funding?

Discovery and translational research is funded separately through the Children’s Cancer CoLab, so this round doesn’t fund new research. We do welcome projects that implement research findings in clinical practice.

Can the grant pay for staff?

Staff roles are a lower priority. Where a project needs people, we can fund fixed-term roles that are essential to delivering it; please tell us how the work will continue after the grant. Capped at 25% of salary costs. We don’t fund ongoing positions or administrative staff.

What won’t you fund?

We don’t fund: ongoing or permanent positions; administrative staff; administration fees or levies charged by the host organisation; discovery or translational research (funded through the Children’s Cancer CoLab); or projects already funded by another charity. Projects must also be able to start within 12 months of the award. The full checklist is in the ‘Before you apply’ section of the application form.

Do we need co-funding?

It isn’t required, but it’s welcome.

Do we need to be registered for GST?

No, you do not need to be registered for GST to apply.

How do we apply?

Complete the Children’s Cancer Foundation Grant Application Form, including a one-paragraph, plain-English summary of your project. Word limits are shown for each question; together, the written answers should total no more than about 1,550 words (around three pages, not counting tables).
Email application form as a Word or PDF file to [email protected] by 5pm AEDT Monday 14 December 2026. Applications must be endorsed by your organisation’s CEO or an authorised executive.

How will applications be assessed?

The Children’s Cancer Foundation’s Grants Funding Sub-Committee first checks that each application meets the eligibility requirements (see ‘What won’t you fund?’ and the ‘Before you apply’ checklist). Eligible applications are then assessed against six broad criteria, which follow the sections of the application form:

– Need and fit: a clear, evidenced need, and alignment with our mission and focus areas (Sections B and C).
– Innovation: a step change, or something new, for children and families (Section C).
– Impact and evaluation: a clear, measurable difference for children and families, and a sound plan to measure it (Section E).
– Feasibility: realistic objectives, milestones and risk management, and a team with the right experience and partners (Sections D and H).
– Sustainability and scalability: a plan for what happens after our funding ends, and potential to extend or share the work (Section F).
– Value for money: a clear, well-justified budget (Section G).

Access and equity, including reach into regional and rural communities, is considered across all criteria. The committee includes independent experts and members with lived experience. Conflicts of interest are declared and managed. The Children’s Cancer Foundation Board makes the final decision.

When will we hear about the results?

We expect to notify all applicants by the end of March 2027. Funding for successful projects will be available from July 2027.

What happens if we’re successful?

We’ll prepare a funding agreement with your organisation. Key conditions include: ethics approval (where the project involves patients) before funds are released; payments linked to milestones with the payment schedule and milestones proportionate to the grant amount and project length; six-monthly progress reports and a final report; annual financial acquittal; acknowledgement of Children’s Cancer Foundation in project communications; working with the Children’s Cancer Foundation to promote the project, for example sharing updates, stories and images (with appropriate consent); the project starting within 12 months of the award; and unused funds being returned.

What if we’re not successful?

We’ll be in touch and offer brief feedback on request, and you’re welcome to apply in future rounds.

Who can we talk to about our application?

We’re happy to talk through your idea before you apply. Email [email protected].

Express your interest in our upcoming grant funding round

Share your details with us and we’ll be in touch when our next grant funding round is open.

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Change what’s possible for children with cancer

Application Key Dates

What we fund

Funding at a glance

How to apply

How proposals are assessed

FAQ

Express your interest in our upcoming grant funding round

How can you help?

Your application for the Family Counselling Support Program has been submitted!