$100,000 CAD available to Canadian researchers addressing key gaps in lung cancer care

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2026 /CNW/ -- The 2027 Lung Ambition Awards – a Canadian-based lung cancer research award program – is now open for submissions. For the fifth time, the program will grant $100,000 to research teams working to improve the lives of people with lung cancer. All Canadian clinicians and researchers working in the lung cancer space (across the multi-disciplinary spectrum) are encouraged to apply.

A joint initiative between Lung Cancer Canada and AstraZeneca Canada, the Lung Ambition Awards are designed to support research that addresses key gaps in lung cancer care and improves the patient pathway. Awards will be granted in any of the following key areas:

• Enhancing early detection – including research into methodologies like screening, incidental pulmonary nodules and blood-based testing, particularly for those individuals not meeting current screening criteria.
• Improving the timeliness and/or coordination of care – including ways in which institutions or healthcare systems can improve care along the patient pathway.
• Addressing disparities to improve equity – including identification of systemic barriers and ways to overcome them.

"Every person affected by lung cancer deserves timely access to the best possible care, regardless of where they live or their background," said Dr. Rosalyn Juergens, medical oncologist and President of Lung Cancer Canada. "The Lung Ambition Awards help Canadian researchers develop practical, evidence-based solutions to the gaps that continue to affect patients and families across the lung cancer journey."

Continued Support for Lung Cancer Research
Last year, the Lung Ambition Awards partners announced the initial program would be extended for another three years. This commitment will invest more into Canadian lung cancer research, build on the program's established success and contribute to better patient outcomes.

Since the program launched in the fall of 2022, a total of $400,000 has been granted to eight Canadian teams pursuing research across the continuum of lung cancer care, tackling the disease from end to end. This includes screening and early detection, diagnostics, surgery and metastatic disease.

• Dr. Anna McGuire of Vancouver General Hospital won a 2023 Lung Ambition Award of $50,000 for her team's research to advance lung cancer screening, focused on non-smoking risk factors.
• Dr. Alison Wallace of Dalhousie University won a 2023 Lung Ambition Award of $50,000 for her team's research to improve female patients' quality of life when undergoing lung cancer surgery.
• Dr. Fei Geng of McMaster University won a 2024 Lung Ambition Award for $50,000 for his team's work to revolutionize lung cancer screening via a new blood-based test aiming to detect more cancers earlier.
• Dr. Natasha Leighl of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre won a 2024 Lung Ambition Award of $50,000 for research that incorporates liquid biopsies (a simple blood draw) into care for patients with advanced lung cancer.
• Dr. Antoine Desilets of Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal won a 2025 Lung Ambition Award for $50,000 for research comparing DNA found in liquid biopsies with DNA from traditional tumour biopsies to test the sensitivity, specificity and concordance of the liquid biopsy.
• Dr. Emilian Olteanu of the BC Cancer Agency won a 2025 Lung Ambition Award for $50,000 for research testing the effectiveness of using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in lung cancer diagnosis.
• Dr. Christian Finley of St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton won a 2026 Lung Ambition Award of $50,000 for research that will map the geographic distribution of lung cancer cases to identify underserved populations and inform where additional support and resources may be needed.
• Dr. Daniel French from the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax won a 2026 Lung Ambition Award of $50,000 for research that will compare two types of delivery models for lung cancer care in rural populations: a community-based thoracic clinic in Cape Breton vs the traditional model in Prince Edward Island, where people travel to Halifax for care.

Videos of each Lung Ambition Award recipient discussing their work can be found here.

"No single organization can address the complexity of lung cancer alone, particularly if we are to achieve our goal to eliminate lung cancer as a cause of death," said Marc Zarenda, Therapeutic Area Lead, Lung Cancer, AstraZeneca Canada. "Through the Lung Ambition Awards, AstraZeneca Canada is proud to work alongside Lung Cancer Canada to support Canadian researchers whose work has the potential to create meaningful change for patients."

As the program secretariate, Lung Cancer Canada will manage and administer the granting of the awards. AstraZeneca Canada has committed to fund the research award in the amount of $100,000 per year for six years.

Submissions for the Lung Ambition Awards will be accepted from November 12^th, 2026 to February 12^th, 2027. The review of submissions and selection of winners will be adjudicated solely by Lung Cancer Canada's Research Committee, and two winners (awarded $50,000 CAD each) will be chosen based on scientific merit, feasibility, and relevance to the Canadian lung cancer community. The Lung Ambition Award winners will be announced in Spring 2027.

Complete information about the Lung Ambition Awards and application guidelines can be found at www.lccresearch.ca.

About Lung Cancer in Canada
Lung cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer in Canada (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) and is the leading cause of death from cancer in this country.^[i] In Canada, roughly two-thirds (70%) of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in stages III or IV where the disease has already spread locally or metastasized^[ii], resulting in poorer survival outcomes and the treatment goal is no longer curative (REF=1 Figure 11).^[iii] 

In Canada, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 22% - significantly lower than prostate (91%), breast (89%) and colorectal (67%) cancers.^[iv] Despite its devastating impact, on average lung cancer receives a small fraction of the research dollars of other cancers, in part due to stigma that compromises fundraising efforts.^[v]

About the Lung Ambition Awards Partners

• Lung Cancer Canada is a registered national charity that serves as Canada's leading resource for lung cancer education, patient support, research and advocacy. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Lung Cancer Canada has a wide reach that includes both regional and pan-Canadian initiatives. Lung Cancer Canada is a member of the Global Lung Cancer Coalition and is the only national organization in Canada focused exclusively on lung cancer.
• AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a focus on the discovery, development, and commercialization of medicines that transform lives. AstraZeneca's core areas of scientific focus are Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic (CVRM) disease; Oncology; Rare Disease; Respiratory & Immunology; and Vaccine & Immune Therapies.

SOURCE Lung Cancer Canada