Bringing Biology to Cancer Prevention Beginning-of-Grant Workshop
The CIHR Institute of Cancer Research hosted the Bringing Biology to Cancer Prevention (BBCP) Beginning-of-Grant Workshop in Toronto on July 28-30, 2026; bringing together researchers, funding partners, and collaborators from across Canada and internationally.
This Workshop marked an important milestone for the historic $41.5 million Bringing Biology to Cancer Prevention initiative, CIHR's and Canada’s largest single investment in cancer prevention research to date. Led by the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in partnership with CIHR's Institutes of Aging (IA), Gender and Health (IGH), Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD), and Population and Public Health (IPPH), as well as the Terry Fox Research Institute, Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Research Society, BioCanRx, and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), this initiative supports 19 interdisciplinary research teams working together to better understand the biology of cancer development in order to advance new approaches to prevention and early detection.
Attendees were welcomed by Dr. Fei-Fei Liu, Scientific Director of CIHR-ICR, and the Honourable Maggie Chi, Member of Parliament for Don Valley North and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, whose remarks underscored the importance of cancer prevention research to improve health for all Canadians.
Collaboration was a central focus of the Workshop. Through knowledge-sharing sessions and networking activities, researchers strengthened connections across the 19 funded teams, and explored opportunities to share expertise, data, resources, and scientific approaches. Researchers also engaged with representatives from partner organizations across Canada and internationally, including Mr. Shiro Takegami, Director General of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), fostering discussions to advance cancer prevention research efforts.
Throughout the Workshop, participants highlighted the breadth and diversity of research being supported through the BBCP initiative. Presentations from the 19 funded teams showcased innovative approaches to cancer prevention research spanning immunity, aging, genetics, metabolism, environmental exposures, microbiome science, and population health.
The Workshop also featured Keynote presentations from leading experts in cancer prevention and related fields, including Professor Marc Gunter (Imperial College London, UK), Dr. Kathy McCoy (University of Calgary), and Ms Victoria Smith (Digital Research Alliance of Canada). Their presentations stimulated discussions on emerging opportunities in cancer prevention, microbiome science, and national research data infrastructure.
In addition, panel discussions brought together experts from research, funding, and policy organizations to discuss open science, strategies for data and biosample sharing, and knowledge mobilization that translates research discoveries into meaningful benefits for patients, health systems, and economic prosperity.
ICR thanks the research teams, speakers, panelists, funding partners, and collaborators who contributed their expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment throughout the Workshop. ICR looks forward to following the progress of the funded teams as they continue to deepen our understanding of the biology of cancer, generate the knowledge needed to prevent cancer before it starts, and reduce the burden of this disease for future generations.
Explore highlights from the workshop in the photo gallery below.
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