Project Can-RISE Meeting 2026: Cancer Research Innovation towards South African Empowerment
Theme: Transforming Cancer Research through Empowerment, Innovation, and Equity in South Africa
Project Can-RISE is a two-day meeting focused on supporting early-career researchers working in cancer-related fields. The programme brings together scientific talks, mentorship, poster presentations, workshops, and an incubation component aimed at helping participants strengthen their research ideas.
The meeting is designed for researchers who are building their careers in cancer research and would benefit from technical input, feedback on their work, and opportunities to connect with researchers, clinicians, research leaders, and stakeholders across the South African cancer research landscape.
Project Can-RISE is supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the African Centre for Gene Technologies and The Company of Biologists.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The programme will include:
- Sessions on empowerment, innovation, and equity;
- Panel discussions on cancer research in the South African context;
- Poster presentations by early-career researchers;
- Mentorship and networking opportunities;
- Practical workshops;
- An incubation component linked to a pump-priming funding opportunity.
WORKSHOPS AND INCUBATION
A key feature of Project Can-RISE is the workshops and incubation component. Participants will be encouraged to move beyond discussion and actively develop their research ideas through pitching, feedback, networking, and collaborative concept development. Participants will also be equipped with training on skills applicable to their cancer work
Selected ideas emerging from this process may be considered for pump-priming support to help develop early-stage cancer research projects. This component is intended to encourage active participation and support researchers in taking practical steps towards future proposals, pilot studies, and collaborative outputs.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Project Can-RISE is aimed at early-career participants working in cancer-related fields, including: postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, clinician-scientists, laboratory scientists; public health researchers, health researchers and practitioners.
