Funding Principles

At CoLab, we believe the people affected by childhood cancer should help shape the research agenda. We actively include the voices of individual with a lived experience of childhood cancer carers across all our Impact Programs.

In proposal development

Applicants are expected to involve individuals with a lived experience of childhood cancer in shaping their research. This helps ensure proposals address real, pressing needs rather than assumed ones.

In funding review

Members with lived experience of childhood cancer review plain language summaries of all proposals. They provide feedback that applicants must respond to in their final submission, and their scores contribute up to 20% of the total assessment score. CoLab provides clear guidelines and criteria to support these lived experience reviewers in their role.

CoLab is committed to a fair, open and well-governed funding process. Most of our funding is awarded through open, competitive calls. Infrastructure initiatives may use a targeted proposal process to engage organisations with proven systems and avoid duplication.

All proposals, whether open or targeted, are assessed by an independent, multidisciplinary expert panel. Clear conflict of interest policies are in place to ensure decisions are fair and unbiased.

Open and competitive funding

Funding opportunities are advertised publicly and assessed on merit. We notify potential applicants through all available channels, including our e‑newsletter, social media, and direct communication via institutional research offices. Every eligible proposal is treated equally, with consistent screening and assessment processes applied across the board.

Transparent throughout

All funding guidelines, evaluation criteria and grant conditions are made available to applicants before each funding round opens.

Targeted proposals for infrastructure initiatives

These proposals undergo the same rigorous review as open applications. Each must address key evaluation criteria, including utility, governance, value for money and long-term sustainability.

CoLab was built on the belief that collaboration produces better outcomes. We encourage applicants to draw on expertise across institutions, disciplines and locations.

Avoid duplication

Proposals should clearly show awareness of existing work in the field and explain how the project builds on or fills gaps in current knowledge. Duplicating existing systems or platforms wastes limited resources and holds back genuine progress.

Collaboration between institutions

Proposals should demonstrate meaningful involvement from at least one researcher or clinician based at another institution. This can include a named team member with a defined role, allocated budget, in‑kind support, or shared funding across institutions. Proposals that distribute funding across multiple institutions will be viewed favourably

Interdisciplinary collaboration

We actively encourage researchers from outside paediatric oncology to get involved. A key CoLab priority is attracting, developing and retaining talented researchers and clinicians in paediatric oncology, including people who bring fresh perspectives from other fields.

CoLab funds strategically. We focus on areas of greatest unmet need and actively avoid duplication. This is especially important in paediatric oncology, where funding is limited and collaboration is essential.

Childhood cancer must remain the focus

All proposals must show a clear pathway to outcomes for children and young people with cancer. Research adapting adult oncology approaches must demonstrate how these are appropriate for children and adolescents. Adult oncology groups must include at least one named paediatric oncology collaborator with an active role and allocated budget.

Supporting early-stage innovation

CoLab supports promising early-stage ideas that may not yet attract funding from larger traditional sources. We look for strong scientific rationale and potential to build the evidence base needed to compete for major national and international grants.

‍Partners in progress

We see funded researchers, clinicians and their institutions as partners in driving better outcomes for children with cancer. We expect the successes and breakthroughs of funded projects to be shared with CoLab so we can reinvest in new research and innovation. Funded individuals and teams are also expected to help raise awareness of childhood cancer by sharing achievements and insights through social media, case studies and public engagement.

Creating a connected ecosystem

CoLab's Impact Programs are designed to interconnect. Proposals should show how they align with and build on existing CoLab programs, data and resources, and how outputs will contribute to a shared knowledge base that benefits the whole community.

Cost-effectiveness and budget alignment

All proposals are assessed on the effective use of funds. Budgets should clearly align with the projected impact, and may be refined collaboratively following reviewer feedback.

Leveraged funding

Proposals that draw on funding from other sources will be viewed favourably. Securing additional support extends the reach and sustainability of paediatric oncology research.

CoLab funds in instalments tied to agreed milestones. This helps ensure resources are used effectively and gives us the ability to respond quickly when projects need to adapt.

Clear, measurable milestones

Applicants must propose milestones that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound, and that clearly connect to the project's goals and timeline.

Ongoing review, not rigid gates

All proposals must identify at least two critical review points during the project. These are structured opportunities for researchers and the expert panel to assess progress, identify challenges and agree on any adjustments. Significant changes are considered by the Scientific Advisory Committee before the project continues.

Tracking outcomes

All projects are monitored against agreed milestones. Outputs are also reviewed collectively to assess the broader impact of each Impact Program, using consistent metrics embedded in project reporting templates..

Accelerated support for strong progress

Projects that demonstrate exceptional early progress may be eligible for additional, subsequent fundings. This helps proven concepts build on their evidence base and compete for larger external grants.

Reinvestment of unspent funding

Projects that cannot meet their milestones and have no viable alternative path forward will be terminated early. Remaining funds are returned to CoLab's central pool for reinvestment in other promising projects. Researchers in this situation are encouraged to refine their approach and apply again in future rounds.