Ovarian Cancer Action

Charity Number: 1109743

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Information not publicly available
  • Total Investment: £12.7 million since 2006
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies by programme (e.g., IMPROVE UK pilot grants from £1 million fund; OvarianVax £350,000+)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-based with international research partnerships

Contact Details

Website: www.ovarian.org.uk

General Phone: 0207 380 1730

General Email: info@ovarian.org.uk

Research Enquiries: research@ovarian.org.uk

Press Office: pressoffice@ovarian.org.uk

Overview

Founded in 2006, Ovarian Cancer Action is the UK's leading ovarian cancer research charity, having invested £12.7 million in research projects focused on prevention, early detection, and treatment. The charity operates primarily through strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives rather than open grant calls. Their flagship partnership is the Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre (OCARC) at Imperial College London, established in 2006 and refunded for 2022-2027, making it one of Europe's largest ovarian cancer research clusters. The organization is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and hosts the Helene Harris Memorial Trust International Forum every four years, bringing together global experts to set research priorities published in Nature Reviews Cancer. Under CEO Cary Wakefield's leadership since 2018, the charity aims to transform 10-year survival rates so that by 2032, at least half of all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer live beyond their diagnosis. Recent recognition includes their partnership in developing OvarianVax, the world's first preventative ovarian cancer vaccine.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre (OCARC)

Long-term institutional partnership with Imperial College London, refunded in five-year cycles. Current funding cycle 2022-2027 focuses on understanding how ovarian cancer adapts over space and time. Includes pilot grants to bring expertise from across the university.

IMPROVE UK

£1 million initiative funded by UK Government Tampon Tax Fund. Awarded six to seven one-year pilot grants to NHS Cancer Centres across the UK to tackle health inequalities in ovarian cancer care. Pilot grants addressed inequalities related to age, minority groups (BAME, LGBTQ+), and geographic location.

Strategic Research Grants

Project-specific funding for research aligned with organizational strategy. Recent example: £350,000+ to accelerate OvarianVax development at University of Oxford (Professor Ahmed Ahmed, funded for over a decade).

Application Method: No publicly available open grant calls. Research funding appears to be strategic, partnership-based, and invitation-focused rather than competitive open applications.

Priority Areas

Based on the Helene Harris Memorial Trust International Forum priorities published in Nature Reviews Cancer, the charity focuses on:

  • Prevention: Including vaccine development and genetic risk identification
  • Early Detection: Screening methods and biomarker development for high-risk populations
  • Treatment: Personalized approaches based on molecular drivers and histotype-specific treatments
  • Health Inequalities: Improving access and outcomes for underserved populations (older women, BAME communities, LGBTQ+, geographic disparities)

Research must demonstrate:

  • High quality with rigorous peer review
  • Patient-centered approach with clear patient impact
  • Innovation and potential to accelerate research progress
  • Alignment with nine priority areas identified at International Forum

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but funding model suggests:

  • Limited opportunities for unsolicited applications from individual researchers
  • Focus is on UK-based research with international collaborations, not standalone international projects
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Governance and Leadership

Senior Leadership

Cary Wakefield, Chief Executive

Joined 2018, bringing FTSE, public sector, and non-profit experience. Initially joined on interim basis to find new CEO but became permanent CEO. Leads strategy to transform 10-year survival rates. Studied Business Studies and French at Edinburgh University; background includes marketing at GSK and Quaker Oats, digital projects at BBC, and founded On Purpose Group media start-up.

Marie-Claire, Head of Policy and Research

Delivers impact strategy to improve outcomes for patients at risk of and those with ovarian cancer.

Board of Directors

Claire Gillis (Chair)

Pharmacologist and health economist, CEO of VML Health, MSc from Oxford University.

Dr. John Anson

Over 30 years in Life Science sector, former CEO of Oxford Gene Technology.

Professor Richard Hunt

Professor Emeritus of Medicine at McMaster University, gastroenterology specialist.

Angharad McKenzie

Career fundraiser, currently Director of Fundraising at Comic Relief.

Jacqui Owens

Senior commercial leader at Google with 20 years sales leadership, leads Retail business at Google.

Sally Williams

Chartered accountant with 30+ years experience, multiple non-executive director roles, personal connection to ovarian cancer.

Scientific Advisory Board

International panel of ovarian cancer experts providing impartial advice on research quality and funding decisions. Minimum 50% quorum required for decisions. Reviews ongoing research projects regularly.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: Ovarian Cancer Action does not appear to operate traditional open grant calls. Their funding model is strategic and partnership-based.

For Researchers Interested in Patient Involvement:

Contact research@ovarian.org.uk to involve people affected by ovarian cancer in research at any stage.

Review Process (for applications that are accepted):

  1. Peer Review: Applications sent to three expert peer reviewers worldwide who assess research quality and identify potential weaknesses
  2. Patient Network Review: Ovarian Cancer Action Research Network (nationwide virtual group of people affected by ovarian cancer) reviews applications from patient perspective, assessing potential patient impact and engagement
  3. Scientific Advisory Board: Makes final funding recommendations based on peer and patient reviews

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the strategic nature of funding and multi-stage review process, decisions likely take several months.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Research Quality Requirements

“High-quality research” is paramount - Only funds research that undergoes rigorous peer review led by Scientific Advisory Board.

Patient-Centered Approach

Strong emphasis on patient involvement throughout research process. Applications reviewed by Ovarian Cancer Action Research Network, which provides patient perspective on:

  • Potential patient impact
  • Quality of patient engagement plans
  • Relevance to patient priorities

Strategic Alignment

Research must align with priorities identified at four-yearly Helene Harris Memorial Trust International Forum, published in Nature Reviews Cancer. Current priorities include:

  • Disease classification using reproducible diagnostic methods
  • Subtype-specific clinical trial design based on molecular drivers
  • Genetic risk identification for early detection
  • Addressing health inequalities

Successful Projects

OvarianVax (Professor Ahmed Ahmed, University of Oxford): Over a decade of funding leading to £350,000+ for next phase; attracted additional £600,000 from Cancer Research UK. World's first preventative ovarian cancer vaccine.

BriTROC Trial: Analysis of 500+ patient samples breaking ovarian cancer into seven subgroups to inform personalized treatments.

Cell Discovery (Professor Ahmed, 2019): Discovery of six previously unknown cell types in fallopian tubes mirroring ovarian cancer subtypes.

AKT Inhibitor Research (OCARC, 2014): Found that AKT inhibitor drugs improve chemotherapy responses.

IMPROVE UK Pilots: Seven one-year grants addressing specific health inequalities (genetic testing in BAME communities, frailty assessment clinics, streamlined pathways for faster diagnosis).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strategic Partnership Model: Ovarian Cancer Action primarily funds through long-term strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives rather than open competitive grant calls. Not a typical funder for individual research grant applications.
  • Limited Public Application Information: Lack of publicly available application processes, deadlines, and eligibility criteria suggests funding is primarily invitation-based or partnership-focused.
  • Patient Involvement Critical: Unique dual review process includes both scientific peer review and patient network assessment. Strong patient engagement plans essential.
  • Long-term Commitment: Successful partnerships span many years (e.g., Professor Ahmed funded for over a decade; OCARC funded in five-year cycles since 2006).
  • Health Inequalities Focus: Recent strategic emphasis on addressing disparities in ovarian cancer outcomes for underserved populations.
  • International Forum Drives Strategy: Research priorities set every four years at HHMT International Forum, published in Nature Reviews Cancer - researchers should align with these published priorities.
  • Contact for Patient Involvement: Even if not seeking funding, researchers can contact research@ovarian.org.uk to involve Ovarian Cancer Action Research Network in research projects, which may build relationships for future funding opportunities.

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References