Networking for Cancer Equity Grant Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The Networking for Cancer Equity Grant Program supports innovative, collaborative models that strengthen networks and partnerships between cancer services to improve access to comprehensive cancer care for people living in outer-metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas across Australia. The program seeks to enhance equity in cancer care by activating the Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) and improving coordination between smaller cancer services and larger, more specialised cancer centres. It aims to support care closer to home and address persistent disparities experienced by priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities outside metropolitan areas.​

The Australian Government, through Cancer Australia, has allocated a total funding pool of $1 million for this program, with individual grants ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. Funding supports pilot initiatives and activities that demonstrate new and sustainable models of networked cancer care, aligned with the Australian Cancer Plan and the ACCN Framework, to deliver culturally safe, high-quality cancer care across jurisdictions.

The grant plays a broader role in strengthening Australia’s cancer care system by connecting services through the ACCN, enabling collaboration, knowledge sharing and system-wide innovation. This is intended to improve equity of access to high-quality cancer care and outcomes for people in geographically dispersed and underserved communities.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: From $100,000 to $250,000 (estimated grant value per project).
• Total funding pool: $1,000,000 available for the program, with 4–10 grants expected to be awarded.​
• Application open date: 10 December 2025.
• Application close date: 13 February 2026, 5:00 pm ACT local time.​
• Location applicability: ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT and TAS (national coverage).
• Eligible organisations: Outer-metropolitan, regional, rural or remote cancer services partnering with at least one larger cancer service.​
• Eligible organisation types: Cancer services and related health service organisations that are, or are willing to become, members of the ACCN (full details in guidelines).​
• Co-contribution: No mandatory co-contribution is stated in the GrantConnect summary; applicants should confirm any financial or in-kind contribution expectations in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Priority Sectors

• The program is focused on cancer services and organisations delivering or supporting comprehensive cancer care.
• Priority is placed on services supporting people in outer-metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities and priority populations identified in the Australian Cancer Plan, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.​
• Within health, the grant is open to a broad range of cancer-related service providers and networks rather than narrowly defined industry sub-sectors.​

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum per entity: Grants are expected to range from $100,000 to $250,000 per successful applicant.
• Total program allocation: $1,000,000 in funding available across all projects.​
• Funding structure: Open competitive program supporting pilot initiatives and activities that demonstrate innovative models of networked comprehensive cancer care and strengthened partnerships between smaller and larger cancer services.​
• Streams or categories: The guidelines describe funding in terms of pilot initiatives and networked models of care rather than separate streams such as feasibility or capital works; applicants should refer to the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for any specific categories or focus areas.​
• Project timeline: Funded activities must be delivered between April 2026 and June 2027.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet key eligibility requirements, including:

• Be an outer-metropolitan, regional, rural or remote cancer service.
• Be a registered member of the Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN), or be willing to become a member, and commit to the ACCN Standards of Excellence for networked comprehensive cancer care relevant to their service type.​
• Be able to form a partnership with at least one larger cancer service that undertakes a broader range of cancer services and related research activity than the lead organisation.
• Be located in Australia within eligible jurisdictions (ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT or TAS).
• Comply with all additional organisational, governance, insurance and financial requirements set out in Section 4 of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines (e.g. appropriate legal entity status, risk and quality frameworks).
• Apply to Can-Grant, Cancer Australia’s online grants management system, by the closing date and time.

(Applicants should refer to the Grant Opportunity Guidelines – GO8093 for full and definitive eligibility conditions.)

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The program supports activities that strengthen networks and partnerships to improve access to comprehensive cancer care, such as:

• Developing and implementing new or enhanced networked models of care between smaller regional, rural or remote cancer services and larger metropolitan or specialised cancer centres.​
• Initiatives that improve coordination, referral pathways and shared care arrangements to support cancer care closer to home for people outside metropolitan areas.​
• Activities that support culturally safe, high-quality care and address inequities for priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.​
• Network activation activities that align with the Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network Framework and the Australian Cancer Plan, including collaboration, knowledge sharing and system-wide innovation across services.

Specific eligible and ineligible cost items (e.g. staffing, travel, IT systems, evaluation, capital purchases) are defined in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and should be reviewed closely before preparing a budget.

Assessment Process

• Program type: Open competitive grant opportunity.
• Selection process: Applications are assessed against the published criteria in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, with only the highest-merit applications funded within the available budget.​
• Likely key assessment criteria include:
  • Project merit and strategic alignment with the Australian Cancer Plan and ACCN principles, including the extent to which the project improves equity of access and care for priority populations.
  • Strength and depth of partnerships between smaller services and larger cancer services, and the capacity to deliver high-quality, culturally safe care.​
  • Value for money, including efficient use of grant funding, realistic budgets and clear, measurable outcomes.​
  • Organisational capability, governance and readiness to deliver activities within the April 2026 to June 2027 timeframe.​

(Exact criteria and weightings are detailed in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines – GO8093.)

Recent Program Updates

• The Networking for Cancer Equity Grant Program is a new funding initiative announced by the Australian Government in December 2025 to support activation of the ACCN and implementation of the Australian Cancer Plan.
• A total of $1 million has been committed in this round, with grants up to $250,000 and activities scheduled from April 2026 to June 2027.​
• Applications for the current round opened in December 2025 and close on 13 February 2026 at 5:00 pm ACT local time; any addenda or clarifications are published on GrantConnect and should be checked regularly by applicants.

Application Tips

• Review the Grant Opportunity Guidelines (GO8093) thoroughly to confirm organisational eligibility, partnership requirements, funding rules and assessment criteria before investing time in an application.
• Ensure the lead organisation is an eligible outer-metropolitan, regional, rural or remote cancer service and that at least one larger cancer service partner is clearly identified, with roles and responsibilities defined in the proposal.
• Align the project proposal explicitly with the Australian Cancer Plan and the ACCN Framework, demonstrating how activities will improve equity of access, support care closer to home and benefit priority populations.
• Provide evidence of organisational capability, governance and partnerships, including existing networks, clinical expertise, cultural safety frameworks, and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and other priority groups.
• Develop a clear project plan and budget that links activities, timelines (April 2026 to June 2027), outputs and measurable outcomes, and show strong value for money within the funding range.​
• Prepare key documentation early, including partnership agreements or supporting letters, risk and evaluation plans, and any required policies, and ensure all information entered into Can-Grant is accurate and complete before submission.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact Pattens Group today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates and further information, visit the official website of the Networking for Cancer Equity Grant Program and relevant Australian Government resources, including GrantConnect and Cancer Australia’s ACCN grants page.