BMFTR – Gender-Sensitive Cancer Research

Funding is available for research consortia in medical oncology that focus on the challenges and obstacles of incorporating gender-sensitive aspects into oncological research. 

Within its ‘Health Research Programme’ (Gesundheitsforschung) and ‘National Decade Against Cancer‘ Programme (Nationale Dekade gegen Krebs), this funding initiative (Geschlechtersensible Krebsforschung) by Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR – Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space) aims to generate further evidence for precision oncology, which guarantees the best possible treatment for cancer patients in Germany.

Funding is provided for interdisciplinary collaborative research projects in medical oncology that demonstrate clear potential to overcome the challenges and obstacles involved in incorporating gender-sensitive aspects into oncological research. Research consortia should consist of a maximum of four working groups collaborating interdisciplinarily at the interfaces between basic and clinical research. Possible disciplines include biology, clinical oncology, metabolic research, immunology, endocrinology, epidemiology, pharmacology, public health and social sciences.

Possible approaches include:

• Elucidation of gender-related tumour biology (eg molecular mechanisms of gender-specific tumour development, epigenetic influences, immune responses) in tumours affecting all genders.
• Analysing the influence of sex and gender on treatment response, side-effect profiles, participation in clinical trials, and consideration of fertility preservation.
• Development of preclinical models that take sex-sensitive aspects into account.
• Investigation of the influence of sex and gender on prevention, diagnosis, uptake of screening, management of cancer, cancer outcomes or quality of life.
• Investigation of the influence of exogenous factors on gender-sensitive prevention or treatment of cancer including, for example, toxins, medication, hormones, physical activity, sleep, diet and stress.

The BMFTR has appointed the project management agency DLR Projektträger to administer the programme on its behalf.