beyondblue has partnered with Cancer Australia to fund strategic research into Cancer and Depression through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS).
The Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS) is a collaboration of funding partners aiming to:
- provide a coordinated approach among funding organisations to fund cancer research in priority areas,
- foster collaboration between research groups and individuals on a single research project
- lessen duplication and fragmentation of research effort at the national level.
In 2009, Cancer Australia partners are:
- beyondblue: the national depression initiative
- The Cancer Council Australia
- Cure Cancer Australia Foundation
- National Breast Cancer Foundation
- National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers
- Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia
- Canteen
- Leukaemia Foundation
- Meat & Livestock Australia
- Radiation Oncology Section of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
- Starlight Children's Foundation
The PdCCRS offers funding for project grants in priority areas identified by Cancer Australia and its funding partners. These projects must be:
- Priority-driven (relate specifically to a research priority area specified by Cancer Australia or a funding partner).
- Outcome/impact focused (projects will improve outcomes in cancer control and/or impact on populations with poorer outcomes within the community).
- Collaborative (projects are cross-disciplinary, national or multi-state and/or key researchers are part of the grant application).
- Engage consumers (consumers are involved in the design and ongoing conduct of the research project).
- Incorporate record of impact (Applications should describe how in the past, key researchers on the application had research findings translated into clinical practice, policy or further research.
Applications for the 2009 round of the PdCCRS are now open. Closing date for applications is 17 March 2009.
Grant applicants are eligible to apply for funding of up to $600,000 (GST exclusive) over three years, with a maximum in any one year, of $200,000 (GST exclusive).
However, all project grant applications ranging from one to three years, with a budget ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 per annum, will be considered.
beyondblue's research priorities are collaborative research to achieve increased recognition of the co-morbidities of cancer and depression leading to an improvement in psychosocial care for people affected by cancer.
This means applied research which is practical, involves multi-disciplinary teams, has specific application and clearly defined pathways to care from primary to tertiary settings.
This may include:
- the development of pathways to care and delivery of well-evaluated tools to diagnose and addressdepression/anxiety and psychosocial distress in people with cancer in various settings;
- the development and dissemination of evidence-based, well-evaluated therapeutic guidelines for people with cancer and their families that leads to improved wellbeing and mental health outcomes;
- research to identify, create and institute robust pathways to care, recognising the psychosocial impact for people with cancer and their families, broadly applied to a number of settings;
- trials of interventions which improve the psychosocial mental health of people with cancer, their families and carers in hospital and outpatient settings;
- other relevant studies which lead to improvement in quality of care and quality of life for people with depression and cancer, including childhood cancers.
Research supported by this program must demonstrate a multidisciplinary team approach with collaboration between researchers, consumers, carers and stakeholders.
beyondblue is interested in creating strong new collaborations to improve psychosocial care for people affected by cancer therefore, all projects supported will be co-funded by beyondblue and other cancer agencies or funding bodies.
For further information, Application form and/or Guide for applicants:
