A $5 million Cancer Institute NSW grant is powering the next generation of researchers to help drive more equitable cancer outcomes for regional NSW communities.
People with cancer in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW have lower survival rates and poorer outcomes than people living in metropolitan areas. Research shows better outcomes for people with cancer can be achieved through engagement and participation in research.
The NSW Regional Cancer Research Network, established in 2023, is a large collaborative network of researchers that has strengthened translational cancer research capacity across the geographical footprint of the University of Newcastle and the Central Coast, Hunter New England, Mid-North Coast and Northern NSW Local Health Districts.
University of Newcastle Professor Nikola Bowden has been awarded a $5 million Cancer Institute NSW 2025 Translational Cancer Research Capacity Building Grant to lead the network's expansion and increase its impact.
Building on the strong collaborative culture of the network, the expansion will foster the next generation of cancer researchers in regional NSW and create new partnerships with Cancer Voices NSW, the University of Wollongong, Illawarra Shoalhaven and Western NSW Local Health Districts.
Together, the expanded team will deliver capacity building initiatives including regional research fellowships and PhD scholarships, co-funding grant schemes, travel awards and training and education opportunities.
The network's long-term goal is to scale-up regional research capacity over the next five years to ultimately achieve the goal of equitable outcomes for people with cancer in regional NSW.
