Advancing Equity and Innovation in Pancreatic Cancer Research
Overview
The Heather Cutler Foundation is proud to announce the planned launch of From Coast to Cure, an annual research grant supporting innovative pancreatic cancer research within Atlantic Canada. This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing equity in cancer care and prioritizing the inclusion of researchers from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Each year, we will award $10,000 CAD to an individual or team whose work aims to improve the understanding, detection, or treatment of pancreatic cancer. We believe that local researchers are vital to reshaping outcomes in underrepresented communities and regions.
Purpose of the Grant
The Atlantic Canada Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund was created to:
- Foster research that directly benefits patients in rural and underserved communities.
- Support early- to mid-career researchers working in or from Atlantic Canada.
- Encourage new approaches to diagnostics, treatment, quality of life, or survivorship.
- Promote collaboration across provincial and institutional boundaries.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be affiliated with an accredited Canadian institution (university, hospital, or research centre).
- Be conducting or proposing research with relevance to pancreatic cancer.
- Be a resident of, or conducting work that impacts, at least one of the Atlantic provinces (NL, NS, NB, PEI).
- Preference will be given to projects led by or including researchers based in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This grant is open to PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, clinical investigators, and early-career faculty.
Funding Details
- Amount: $10,000 CAD
- Duration: 12 months
- Use of Funds: May cover personnel, supplies, travel, participant recruitment, or publication fees. Overhead costs are not eligible.
Application Process
1. Application Timeline
- Opening Date: December 15, 2025
- Deadline: April 15, 2026
- Notification of Award: July 1, 2026
- Funding Disbursed: September 1, 2026
2. Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following as a single PDF file:
- Project summary (max. 300 words)
- Research proposal (max. 3 pages)
- Background, objectives, methodology, and anticipated impact
- Budget and justification (max. 1 page)
- CV(s) for principal investigator(s)
- Letter of institutional support (if applicable)
Submissions should be emailed to grants@heathercutler.ca with the subject:
From Coast to Cure Application – [Your Name]
Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by an independent review panel based on:
- Scientific merit and innovation
- Feasibility and clarity of the proposal
- Relevance to pancreatic cancer care in Atlantic Canada
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations
Reporting Requirements
Awardees will be expected to:
- Submit a mid-year progress update (July)
- Submit a final report outlining outcomes and expenditures (April the following year)
- Participate in a brief virtual presentation for the Heather Cutler Foundation community
Recognition and Impact
Recipients will be featured on our website, newsletter, and at annual events to highlight their contributions to pancreatic cancer research in Canada. The grant is funded through donations and advocacy efforts led by families impacted by pancreatic cancer, in honour of Heather Cutler.
Learn more and apply at: https://heathercutler.ca/from-coast-to-cure