Below is an official statement from the Department of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Cancer Research Funding.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis visited the University of South Florida, attended the Department of Health’s World Cancer Research Day Symposium, and presented the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund’s third year funding opportunity. The governor and first lady also highlighted Florida’s historic investment in cancer resources and treatment efforts.
“This week we were proud to announce that applications are open for the next round of cancer research projects through the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said. “These competitivenesses are open to a wide range of institutions and researchers with an emphasis on preventative nutrition and new treatment options for cancer patients. Investing in innovation today means saving lives tomorrow, so we will continue to work to make Florida a beacon of hope in cancer research.”
“The funding opportunity for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund this year is to strengthen our fight against cancer and support patients and their families across our state,” said Casey DeSantis, First Lady. “This focus on nutritional research and prevention strategies is directly in line with the work of the Florida Maha Committee, putting Florida at the forefront of discovering how what we eat can help us defeat disease.”
Founded through the Casey Desantis Cancer Research program, the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund is seeking to accelerate groundbreaking research, strengthen treatment models and eliminate barriers to life-saving medical advances. Since its inception, the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund has provided $80 million to support 95 researchers and institutions across the state, demonstrating Florida’s commitment to cancer innovation. This year’s funds will increase total investments to $140 million since the fund was launched.
The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund Project has already demonstrated the impact of the program, with the grant supporting early disease detection, expanding clinical trials in rural areas, and new surveillance technologies for data-driven precision medicine platforms. These initiatives demonstrate Florida’s commitment to leveraging technology and scientific advances to improve patient outcomes and establish new standards of care.
In the first year of the initiative, support was provided to a $300,000 researcher. That investment tripled in the second year, funding $60 million to 65 researchers.
“As we recognize World Cancer Research Day, Florida celebrates its third year of commitment to cancer research and dedicates $60 million to an approach focused on rapid and measurable outcomes for Florida patients,” state surgeon Dr. Joseph A. Radapop. “Through the steady leadership of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, we have laid a strong foundation for cancer research. The Cancer Innovation Fund represents our continued dedication to moving forward with Florida’s cutting-edge cancer research.
The funding opportunity was presented at the World Cancer Research Day Symposium event held at the Morsani School of Medicine at the University of South Florida. The event provided cutting-edge cancer prevention research experts with a platform to explore innovative approaches to reducing cancer risk through nutrition and food regulation reforms, highlighting the intersection of science, policy and prevention. The recent Florida Cancer Innovation Fund also featured a project, including promising research into fasting, diet and exercise interventions in cancer patients.
Fundraising opportunities are designed to directly address the health needs of citizens, while strengthening Florida’s position as a leader in cancer biomedical research. Applications are assessed based on scientific merit, innovation potential, collaboration strength, and ability to improve outcomes for all Florida patients. Prioritize translational studies, 12-month clinical trials, direct interventions with measurable results, and projects that serve rural and medically underserved areas in Florida. Additionally, nutrition-focused projects and the reuse of generic drugs such as ivermectin for cancer treatment will be prioritized. A joint project that brings together oncologists, researchers and cancer treatment centers to break down traditional silos and promotes rapid advances in cancer treatment will also be prioritized.
Interested researchers and institutions can access fundraising opportunities announcements and application materials on the Florida Cancer Innovation Funds page on the department’s website. The department encourages applications from interdisciplinary teams representing the full scope of cancer research and care delivery.
About the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund
The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund will transform Florida cancer care by accelerating research, improving treatment models and decomposing systematic barriers to innovation through the Casey Desantis Cancer Research Program, Section 381.915 Florida legislation. For more information about funding opportunities, see the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund.
