(Sept. 1, 2026 \/ Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF))\n <\/p>\n
Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) has announced $5.35 million in new cancer research grants for the 2026-27 funding year, supporting 38 research projects<\/a> led by scientists at institutions across Israel. These new commitments are being supported by ICRF International\/US, ICRF Israel and ICRF Toronto.<\/p>\n The new awards bring ICRF\u2019s lifetime investment to just under $109 million across more than 3,000 cancer research grants since 1975, supporting Israeli scientists whose discoveries have helped advance cancer research and improve patient care worldwide.<\/p>\n With 57 additional renewing grants, ICRF will support 95 active research grants during the 2026-27 funding year, representing $5.84 million in research funding. The new awards represent a $7.25 million total multiyear investment.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery grant we fund represents an investment in the scientists and ideas that can change the future of cancer,\u201d said Alan Herman, ICRF executive director. \u201cWe are proud to support Israel\u2019s extraordinary scientific community, from emerging researchers establishing their careers to internationally recognized leaders and to help turn bold ideas into discoveries that have the potential to improve the lives of patients around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Investing in the next generation of cancer research<\/p>\n The new grants reflect the breadth of cancer research taking place across Israel. ICRF-supported scientists are pursuing new approaches in artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, liquid biopsy, genomics and single-cell analysis, microbiome research, immunotherapy, precision medicine and the fundamental biology of cancer.<\/p>\n Among this year\u2019s awards are:<\/p>\n Lucio Frydman, Ph.D.<\/a>, Weizmann Institute of Science, Research Professorship Grant ICRF\u2019s Research Professorship recognizes accomplished investigators whose work has made significant contributions to our understanding of cancer. Frydman is using advanced MRI technologies to develop noninvasive methods for detecting and characterizing cancers at an earlier stage. His research integrates metabolic and structural imaging to identify high-risk lesions and potentially reduce the need for invasive biopsies.<\/p>\n Irit Ben Aharon, M.D., Ph.D.,<\/a> Rambam Health Care Campus, Research Professorship Grant Ben Aharon\u2019s research addresses an increasingly important clinical challenge: how to safely treat cancer during pregnancy while protecting both mother and fetus. Her work examines the short- and long-term effects of chemotherapy exposure in utero, including potential impacts on the heart, reproductive system, placenta and developing child. The research could ultimately help guide treatment and long-term care for children exposed to cancer therapy before birth.<\/p>\n Liran Shlush, M.D., Ph.D.<\/a>, Weizmann Institute of Science, Project Grant Project Grants support high-merit research led by established investigators. Shlush is developing a minimally invasive liquid biopsy approach using advanced single-cell technologies to analyze thousands of individual cells from a patient\u2019s blood. The goal is to identify leukemia cells, monitor how disease changes over time and potentially reduce the need for repeated bone marrow biopsies while enabling more precise diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIntegrated Metabolic and Microstructural MRI for Early Cancer Detection\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Utero Chemotherapy During Pregnancy: Studying Short- and Long-Term Effects from Epigenetics to Pathogenesis\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA Peripheral Blood Single-Cell Platform for Diagnostic and Mechanistic Analysis of Acute Leukemias\u201d<\/p>\n