Role of Israel Cancer Research Fund in the funding ecosystem
Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) is a Toronto-based charitable foundation dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention and treatment of all forms of cancer by funding leading scientists working in Israel. Rather than building physical infrastructure, ICRF focuses its resources on competitive research grants awarded directly to investigators at Israel’s top biomedical centers, including universities, hospitals and specialized institutes. Over its history, it has awarded thousands of grants and contributed tens of millions of dollars, including support for Nobel laureates and many internationally recognized researchers.
Portfolio of grant programs and funding instruments
ICRF manages a structured suite of peer-reviewed programs that cover the full research career continuum. Large, multi‑year Professorship Grants and Research Professorship Grants support senior investigators with established laboratories who have made outstanding contributions to cancer research. Project Grants finance specific cancer research projects led by established investigators, while Annual Project Grants provide one year of focused support.
To develop the next generation of leaders, ICRF offers Clinical Research Career Development Awards (CRCDAs) and Research Career Development Awards (RCDAs) for promising oncologists and researchers transitioning to independence, as well as multi‑year Postdoctoral Fellowships for new MDs and PhDs apprenticing in senior laboratories. Acceleration Grants fund highly innovative, high‑risk projects that aim to transform thinking about cancer biology and therapeutics.
Beyond individual awards, ICRF supports Collaborative Funding Awards and a range of international collaboration grants that link Israeli teams with institutions in Canada and the United States. Named initiatives, such as the ICRF–City of Hope Cancer Research Scholars’ Program, the Max Ritvo / Alan Slifka / Desiree Dato Fund, and partnerships with Conquer Cancer (ASCO) and Israel’s Ministry of Science and Technology, target specific cancer types, fusion‑oncoprotein research, metastasis and clinician‑scientist development. Many awards can be named by donors in honor or memory of individuals.
Grant review, selection and oversight
ICRF’s grant-making process is modeled on the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Each year, applications are opened in the fall with deadlines in December. Applicants must submit a detailed research proposal, CVs and publication lists, descriptions of prior achievements, facilities, existing and pending support, and other documentation. Proposals are evaluated by the ICRF Scientific Review Panel (SRP), a body of 40–60 eminent scientists and oncologists from Canada and the U.S., who collectively donate thousands of hours to reviewing and discussing each application.
Under the oversight of the International Scientific Council, the SRP assigns primary and secondary reviewers and scores projects on scientific merit, originality, potential impact on cancer understanding or treatment, investigator qualifications, and institutional suitability. Separate tracks exist for basic research, clinical applications, and high‑level or special initiative grants. Multi‑year awards are reviewed annually, and continued funding depends on satisfactory progress reports, ensuring accountability and research quality.
Supported communities and global impact
ICRF funds research across a broad spectrum of cancers, including brain, lung, oral, hematologic and women’s and men’s cancers, as illustrated by its active grant portfolio and researcher spotlights. By leveraging Israel’s dense concentration of scientists and the relatively low overhead costs of conducting research there, ICRF aims to maximize the impact of every donor dollar. Its work benefits not only Israeli institutions but also patients in Toronto, across Canada and around the world through advances in diagnostics, therapeutics and translational clinical research.
With active chapters in several North American cities and Israel, the organization mobilizes community philanthropy through events, legacy funds, designated research grants and community partnerships. Donors can support broad research priorities or endow specific awards, while receiving regular updates from funded scientists and opportunities to visit laboratories in Israel.