Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Breast Cancer Society of Canada (BCC)

Role of Breast Cancer Canada in the funding ecosystem

Breast Cancer Canada (BCC) is a national charity dedicated to accelerating progress against breast cancer through research funding. Since 1991, the organization has raised money to invest directly into scientific and clinical projects across Canada, with a strong focus on precision oncology and personalized care. Donations are converted into competitive research grants, signature projects, matched grants and scholarships that support both established investigators and emerging clinical scientists.

Funding themes and research pillars

BCC structures its portfolio around four core pillars: basic science, screening and detection, treatment, and patient-reported outcomes. Funded basic science projects explore the biological mechanisms that drive breast cancer, laying the groundwork for future therapies. Screening and detection grants support development of new technologies such as genomic blood tests, advanced imaging and AI-assisted diagnostics. Treatment-focused funding backs targeted therapies, immunotherapy, combination regimens and other precision-medicine approaches tailored to different breast cancer subtypes. Patient-reported outcomes projects capture real-world experiences of people living with and beyond breast cancer to improve quality of life and guide clinical decision-making.

Grant, scholarship and matched funding programs

Through its Scientific Advisory Board, BCC identifies and funds research teams across Canadian universities, hospitals and cancer centres. Portfolio examples include Signature Research Projects at major institutions, Precision Oncology Research Grants, Screening and Detection Research Grants, and Matched Grant initiatives that leverage partner funding to expand impact. The charity also supports trainees via scholarships and launched the Canadian Breast Cancer Clinical Scientist Fellowship Program, a multi‑year, $1M investment to train the next generation of medical, surgical and radiation oncology leaders.

Beneficiaries and impact

Funding recipients include scientists, clinicians and PhD students at institutions such as London Health Sciences, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Dalhousie University, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, McGill University, Université de Sherbrooke and many others nationwide. Projects span from novel imaging systems and sensor-based screening devices to new drug targets, genomic risk stratification and culturally relevant care models. In parallel, BCC develops national patient registries and digital tools like PROgress Tracker and Progress CONNECT, ensuring that research insights translate into better, more equitable care for people affected by breast cancer in Canada.