Researchers will receive $11.6 million in funding to find new treatments for cancer.
The government funding includes 12 early career fellowships and six career development fellowships, as well as a translational program grant.
More than $4 million will be given to investigate new treatments for cancers with poor survival rates such as pancreatic, lung, and ovarian cancers.
An additional $1.3 million has gone to three researchers working on treatments for leukemia. Two of these target acute myeloid leukemia, which has a five-year survival rate of 24 per cent.
The Children’s Cancer Institute will receive $1.3 million for their research into neuroblastoma, a cancer that accounts for one in six childhood cancer deaths.
Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard said despite NSW having some of the best cancer outcomes in the world, there is still much to be done to improve cancer survival rates.
“These grants are a vital investment to help researchers discover treatment options for these cancers,” Mr Hazzard said.
Fellowships have also been awarded to researchers working on cures for pancreatic, ovarian, colorectal and lung cancers, as well as metastatic melanoma.