Aims:
People living in regional and rural Australia experience poorer cancer outcomes than metropolitan counterparts. Translational cancer research in regional Australia is constrained by funding inequities, workforce shortages, limited research infrastructure and competing clinical demands. The aim of the NSW Regional Cancer Research Network (NSWRCRN) place-based model is to strengthen cancer research capacity and accelerate translation. The aim of this study was to evaluate translational cancer research outcomes achieved by the NSWRCRN since its establishment in 2023.
Methods:
Spanning four regional Local Health Districts (LHDs), the NSWRCRN delivers targeted funding programs, career development pathways, intensive research mentorship, collaborative research facilitation, education and training, and partnership brokering. A mixed methods evaluation of Network activities over 2023 -2025 used administrative datasets, a membership survey, and semi-structured interviews. Outcomes examined included participation, workforce development, research outputs, collaboration, and impact.
Results:
The Network established a regional cancer research collaboration connecting more than 400 clinicians, researchers, consumers, service providers and research support personnel. Members reported increased confidence in conducting research, and enhanced access to research mentorship and expertise. The Network facilitated the creation of 48 cancer research positions across regional NSW and leveraged $3.6 million in competitive funding for early-career regional researchers. Importantly, Network-supported projects resulted in sustained changes in clinical practice and health policy. Recipients of Network grants subsequently shared research knowledge and skills with approximately 310 colleagues, demonstrating broad dissemination of research capability. Key enablers included cross-sector collaboration, consumer involvement, locally relevant research priorities, and dedicated regional research facilitation.
Conclusions:
A connected, cross-organisational Network model can overcome structural barriers to research in regional settings and strengthen translational cancer research capacity at scale. The NSWRCRN model has expanded in 2026 to include six regional LHDs covering the majority of NSW, two regional universities and Cancer Voices NSW.