Amplifying Impact 2025

Amplifying Impact 2025

Amplifying Impact 2025

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In 2025, the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) marked another year of impactful initiatives that supported Canada's cancer research ecosystem. As ICR continues to execute on its research priorities, we celebrate the Institute's milestones and achievements in its third year under the leadership of its Scientific Director, Dr. Fei-Fei Liu.

2025 By the Numbers

  • 19 ICR-supported funding opportunities
  • 8 unique external partnerships
  • 11 partnerships within CIHR
  • 700+ community members engaged via ICR events

Institute Highlights

A Shift Towards Cancer Survivorship

In 2025, ICR started to focus on its second research priority of cancer survivorship, leading significant community engagement to identify key areas for investment. As part of its engagement process, the Institute issued a survey for persons with lived and/or living experience (PWLLE) to share their input on this research topic.

In April 2025, ICR held its Bringing Biology to Cancer Survivorship Workshop to convene interdisciplinary researchers from both oncology and non-oncology disciplines, along with PWLLE, to discuss gaps and opportunities within cancer survivorship.

In November 2025, ICR and partners launched Beyond Treatment: Advancing Cancer Survivorship Team Grants. Informed by discussions at the workshop and survey responses, this funding opportunity aims to advance research on the late and long-term toxicities associated with cancer treatments as well as strategies to improve cancer survivorship.

Celebrating 60 Years of Impact at IARC

ICR collaborates closely with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)—the World Health Organization's specialized agency on cancer prevention research. IARC leads a number of flagship programs that play a critical role in informing cancer research and public health policies worldwide.

In September 2025, ICR hosted IARC's Director, Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass, for her week-long visit to Canada, strengthening connections with the research community and government leadership. Dr. Weiderpass' seminars attracted over 300 attendees, underscoring the significance and value of IARC's programs to the research community.

2025 also marked IARC's 60th anniversary, which ICR celebrated through a series of videos highlighting 60 years of impact in 60 seconds. Watch Canadian scientists describe the impact of IARC's flagship programs on research and policy in Canada:

More Institute Highlights

Canadian Health Research Data Workshop

In April 2025, ICR co-hosted the Canadian Health Research Data Workshop with Genome Canada and the CIHR Institute of Genetics to bring together data experts and leaders from over 16 data organizations or platforms across Canada to discuss the challenges and opportunities in leveraging Canada's vast health data resources and innovation to improve health outcomes.

  • Contact cihr.icr@uhn.ca to request a copy of the workshop 'What We Heard Report'

Capacity Building in the Canadian Cancer Research Landscape

Integral to its core mission, ICR continued its annual capacity building initiatives for trainees, PWLLE and early career researchers (ECRs) as well as supporting new initiatives.

In April 2025, the inaugural cohort of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)-CIHR Scholar-in-Training Awards (SITAs) attended the AACR Annual Meeting and presented their research in Chicago, Illinois. This initiative highlighted Canadian cancer research excellence at an international forum, and enabled trainees to further strengthen their research and connect with potential collaborators.

ICR also co-sponsored Canadian PWLLE in April 2025 to attend the AACR Scientist-Survivor Program. PWLLE had the opportunity to network, showcase their advocacy, and learn about new advancements in cancer research.

In November 2025, the Institute hosted its annual ECR Workshop in Calgary, Alberta in collaboration with our longstanding partners to support ECRs in developing their research programs successfully, and expand their professional network.

ICR also funded a number of other awards, fellowships and grants in 2025 to promote capacity building across all four pillars of cancer research, including:

  • 10 AACR-CIHR SITA trainees supported
  • 4 PWLLE from Canada attended AACR-SSP
  • 44 ECR Workshop attendees
  • 77% met a potential collaborator

"...I was able to meet other researchers and left conversations feeling inspired and appreciative of all the various disciplines within cancer research. From this, I gained important perspective about the big picture when pursuing my research."

2025 AACR-CIHR SITA recipient

Investing in Cutting-Edge Cancer Research

Thanks to its longstanding partnerships, ICR was able to continue creating and sustaining opportunities to support cutting-edge cancer research in Canada.

Highlights:

  • 15 CIHR funding opportunities
  • 4 partner-led funding opportunities

Recognizing Research Impact and Excellence

In May 2025, ICR launched its inaugural Sponsorship Awards Program to strengthen its partnership network and recognize the outstanding achievements of the cancer research community.

  • 6 new, upcoming partnerships via the Sponsorship Awards Program

Reporting period: January 1 - December 31, 2025; Funding opportunities launched during the reporting period were included.

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