CCS: Results of the 2026 Challenge Grants Competition

The grants provided by the Canadian Cancer Society through the 2026 Challenge Grants Competition support cancer research projects across the cancer continuum and across disciplines, with an ultimate goal of solving a problem (i.e., a “challenge”) in cancer that is meaningful to people affected by or at risk of cancer. Applications from the four pillars of health research (biomedical; clinical; health services; and social, cultural, environmental, and population health) were welcomed.

ARCC is pleased to help celebrate and promote recipients of the 2026 competition – especially the 9 grants awarded in the Pillar 3 & 4 Space  read full details about their projects here:

• David Busolo | University of New Brunswick – Helping Arabic-speaking refugee women access breast cancer screening
• Kathryn Isaac | University of British Columbia – Using AI to improve equity and access to breast cancer care
• Nathan Lachowsky | University of Northern British Columbia and the Community-Based Research Centre – Improving HPV-related cancer prevention for 2S/LGBTQ+ people
• Kristin Campbell | University of British Columbia & Lauren Capozzi | BC Cancer – Kelowna – Implementing exercise programs to improve cancer outcomes
• Hallie Coltin | CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre & Léandra Desjardins | CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre – Supporting mental health in fathers of children with cancer
• Claudie Laprise | Centre de recherche du CHUM – Better cancer prevention for people who have had organ transplants
• Hsien Seow | McMaster University – Improving care conversations for people living with incurable cancer
• Janet Papadakos | The Institute for Education Research – UHN & Meredith Giuliani | Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – Helping caregivers access and engage with support resources
• Kednapa Thavorn | Ottawa Hospital Research Institute & Natasha Kekre | Ottawa Hospital Research Institute – Helping expand access to Canadian-made CAR T cell therapy in Canada

We are proud to see 6 ARCC members on this list, including longtime Program lead Hsien Seow and Co-Director Kednapa Thavorn!