NSW Aboriginal Community-Led Cancer Research Grant

Funding up to $100,000
Activities are expected to run from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2028
Applications close April 17th, 2026

The NSW Aboriginal Community-Led Cancer Research Grant provides seed funding to support Aboriginal organisations in NSW to lead the development and planning of community-identified cancer research projects. Administered by the Cancer Institute NSW, the program aligns with the NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategy and focuses on strengthening Aboriginal leadership, governance, and ownership in cancer research.

The grant supports Aboriginal Medical Services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to identify locally relevant cancer research priorities across the cancer continuum. Funding is intended to support early-stage research planning and scoping activities, rather than formal research implementation.

By enabling culturally appropriate consultation, co-design, and community-led decision-making, the program aims to build research readiness within Aboriginal communities and support the development of future Aboriginal-led cancer research initiatives that improve cancer outcomes and experiences for Aboriginal people across NSW.

Key Requirements

Aboriginal leadership and governance Projects must be led by an eligible Aboriginal organisation, with Aboriginal decision-making embedded throughout the project lifecycle, including planning, consultation, and governance.
Meaningful community consultation and co-design Applications must demonstrate culturally appropriate engagement with Aboriginal communities, ensuring community priorities directly inform the project approach.
Clear cancer focus and strategic alignment Projects must address a community-identified cancer priority and align with the NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategy across prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship, or end-of-life care.
Feasible project design and value for money Applicants must present realistic project goals, timelines within the two-year funding period, and a detailed budget linked to intended outcomes

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible activities include:

Community consultation and engagement activities
Co-design workshops and culturally appropriate engagement methods (e.g. yarning circles)
Scoping and planning of future cancer research projects
Development of research priorities and research questions
Activities that build research readiness within Aboriginal communities

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants must be NSW-based and include:

Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS)
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO)
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO)

Applicants may partner with universities or research organisations; however, the AMS, ACCHO, or ACCO must be the lead applicant, retain project governance, and be the funding recipient.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

Industry analysis presentation
Competitor Analysis Presentation
Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

This grant is open

Apply for this grant below:

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