Cancer Australia Research Initiative Targeted Call for Research: Liver Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 2026

Cancer Australia established the Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI) to reflect the contemporary cancer research landscape and ensure alignment with the Australian Cancer Plan to fund cancer research in areas of unmet and emerging need. CARI is directed by Cancer Australia, jointly funded by Cancer Australia and NHMRC and designed in accordance with the NHMRC’s Targeted Calls for Research (TCR) model. CARI is delivered annually as a series of one-time grant opportunities, which commenced in 2025. Proposals will be asked to demonstrate translational potential and build capacity in the cancer research workforce, including through opportunities for early to mid-career researchers. This grant opportunity aims to support research that improves early identification of people at increased risk of liver cancer and effectively translates that risk identification into timely, equitable and evidence-based care pathways, to reduce the incidence and impact of liver cancer in Australia. Proposals should address at least one of the following research areas: • Identification of people at increased risk of primary liver cancer. • Risk stratification and prediction, including development or evaluation of tools and other data driven approaches to better define who is at highest risk and when intervention is warranted. • Translation of risk identification into intervention, including referral pathways for high-risk cohorts, shared care models, and system level mechanisms that support timely, effective and systematic surveillance and management. • Identification of health system and service level barriers and enablers to effective liver cancer risk identification and risk management (including surveillance). • Developing equitable, culturally safe, and community-led approaches to identifying, managing, and communicating liver cancer risk among priority population groups, with a focus on reducing stigma and access barriers.