Aboriginal cancer treatment is getting a significant funding injection with a new grant scheme and $9.6 million investment by the federal government.

On Wednesday, the government announced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and the research sector will conduct innovative, First Nations-led cancer research through the Partnerships for Cancer Research program.

Delivered by Cancer Australia in collaboration with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), up to 12 community-based grants will be awarded to projects up to three years, valued between $800,000 to $2.5 million.

The program will seek to improve cancer outcomes for First Nations people by generating knowledge to inform inclusive cancer care whilst also building the Indigenous cancer research sector.

The grants will fund community-based research projects in three areas: prevention and early detection, access to cancer care, and patient experiences and outcomes from diagnosis through to survivorship.

A current advisor for Cancer Australia and Deputy Chair of the Breast Cancer Network of Australia, Adjunct Professor Jacinta Elston said last year's $197 million in federal government funding to improve cancer outcomes via NACCHO last year was important— particularly for mob in rural, remote communities.

"So, we know that the system is being strengthened in the community-controlled sector context for that group," the North-West Queensland Aboriginal woman, who herself is a cancer survivor, told National Indigenous Times.

"But what we also need still is a focus of strengthening cancer care for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people in more urban settings."

Professor Elston said this was the genesis of the grant program; strengthening and contributing to Indigenous-led research connected to Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people.

"So, although the research might be done by cancer services and cancer groups and health services in a mainstream context, they won't be able to…get to the funding, unless they partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a very central way," Ms Elston said.

The grant funding is designed to support the establishment of new partnerships as well as strengthening the existing collaborations between organisations committed to improving cancer care for First Nations peoples—now and into the future.

Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Ged Kearney, said while cancer impacts all Australians, evidence shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often face worse outcomes.

"This program is about closing the gap by ensuring First Nations knowledge and voices are central to the research process and cancer care," Ms Kearney said.

"As a nurse I know the importance of lived experience in health research. We're including First Nations Australians and their unique lived experience to improve cancer outcomes and build the capacity of the First Nations cancer research sector.

"This grant opportunity presents a new and innovative approach to supporting cancer research in First Nations communities. I encourage interested organisations to seek out partners and make an application."

Outcomes of the partnership will include improved health and wellbeing of First Nations people by generating translational knowledge to inform equitable cancer care; building the research capacity and skills of the Indigenous cancer workforce; and establishing governance arrangements which will further enable shared decision-making and increased involvement of communities in research co-design.

The investment is part of a government commitment to improving outcomes for Indigenous communities as part of the $238 million Improving First Nations Cancer Outcomes program announced by Health Minister Mark Butler in the latest budget.

This includes $38.6 million provided to Cancer Australia to invest in First Nations-led cancer research, building the capacity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research sector and ensuring mainstream cancer care services are culturally safe and accessible.

With cancer being the leading cause of death for First Nations people, Ms Elston said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needed to be at the centre of the discussions—particularly in the context of the delivery of cancer care.

"We need our people to be there," she said.

Ms Elston said the absence of First Nations people in the cancer care system made it vitally important this partnership centred on Indigenous-led experiences.

"[The grants] are focused on trying to help strengthen what we know about what will make a difference to our mob and our cancer experiences, and the way that we navigate through the system as best we can," she said.

Applications are encouraged from partnerships that involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations collaborating with research groups and mainstream health services, working closely with communities.

Grant applications are open now and will close on Wednesday, 12 February 2025.

More information is available at canceraustralia.gov.au.