Our research strategy

Find out about our approach to ovarian cancer research.

Target Ovarian Cancer’s medical research programme funds ovarian cancer-specific research across the UK. Our research strategy sets out our priorities for advancing research to benefit women with ovarian cancer.

Research is urgently needed to understand more about all forms of ovarian cancer, and to develop new prevention, early detection and treatment strategies so that more women survive this disease.  

Target Ovarian Cancer has funded life-changing research across the UK for over a decade, bringing together patients, scientists and clinicians to drive progress, with a focus on funding research to develop more effective treatments for ovarian cancer. Together with the research community, we have seen significant progress. There are now unprecedented opportunities to accelerate progress to achieve our ambition of doubling ten-year survival rates to over 70 per cent by 2050.

Our ambition

In order to take advantage of these opportunities, and drive further life-saving innovation, we need to see a step change in the ovarian cancer research effort.  

We need to fast forward ovarian cancer research. To radically shift the dial on ovarian cancer we need to harness the power of innovation and optimise existing treatment approaches:  

  • A dynamic, well-resourced infrastructure for ovarian cancer research that can unlock significant additional funding and get new treatments into practice as quickly as possible.  
  • Effective and funded paths for researchers to build their career in ovarian cancer research, whether in the laboratory or from the clinic.
  • The priorities of those affected by ovarian cancer to be at the heart of decision making.  
  • Strong partnerships and collaborations with other medical research funders, including industry, in the UK and internationally in order to scale up and accelerate progress in ovarian cancer research.  

Our strategy

Our research strategy has three areas for action that, together with our funders, supporters and partners in the research community, will help fast forward ovarian cancer research:

  • Put lived experience at the heart of research
  • Fund research that advances knowledge and understanding
  • Accelerate progress through cross-sector partnership.  

Read more about how we will do this in our research strategy.  

Our principles

  • Our research focus will be led by, and responsive to, the needs and priorities of those affected by ovarian cancer, researchers and the clinical community.  
  • Our funding will be open and accessible to researchers and clinicians across the UK.  
  • We will follow best practice guidance to determine and monitor all funding decisions.  
  • We will foster and encourage multidisciplinary collaboration. We will avoid duplicating existing efforts.

Research governance

We are a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC). Our research programme follows the AMRC’s best practice guidance across all aspects including peer review and open access publishing. All funding decisions are made subject to peer review and with the involvement of those affected by ovarian cancer. Our funding meets the eligibility criteria for the Charity Research Support Fund (CSRF).  

Our expert Scientific Advisory Board – a group of UK and international highly experienced scientists, researchers, and clinicians – oversee and advise on our research programme.  

Our panel of Research Champions – made up of women and families affected by ovarian cancer – bring their lived experience to our programme and are a vital part of our funding process.  

Our research strategy has been informed by a wide range of expert opinions, including many senior scientists, clinicians and people affected by ovarian cancer.  

Our research programme is reliant on the generous financial support from our community. We are grateful to the many supporters, funders and partners who make it possible.

Research support and advocacy

We help accelerate progress towards new treatments for ovarian cancer further by advocating at a national level for the most favourable environment for research and by supporting women with ovarian cancer and their clinical teams to access appropriate clinical trials.