NEW YORK, N.Y.- The Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) announced the establishment of 90 new grants, totaling $3,663,336, for the 2015/16 funding year. The announcement was made on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the Barbara S. Goodman Annual Scientific Awards evening at the Jewish Museum in New York City.

The mission of the Israel Cancer Research Fund is to harness Israel’s scientific talent to find a cure for cancer. It is the largest single source of private funds for cancer research in Israel. With the 2015/2016 grants, ICRF funding has now reached 2,205 grants totaling $56,025,000.

Among the areas of cancer research directly sponsored by ICRF in 2014/15 are: studies in bladder, bone, brain, breast, intestinal, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, pediatric, skin, and vascular cancers; anticancer drug mechanisms, drug resistance, and targeted therapy; development of new diagnostic imaging techniques; leukemia, lymphoma, blood cells, and tumor blood vessel growth.

ICRF grantees have earned distinguished honors including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the G.H.A. Clowes Award from the American Association for Cancer Research, the Gairdner International award, the Lasker Award in Basic Medical Research and the Israel Prize. ICRF-funded research has also helped lead to the development of life-saving drugs such as Gleevec, Doxil and Velcade; the discovery of the location and chemical nature of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene; and the identification of the “Philadelphia Chromosome,” the first abnormal chromosome found in leukemia.

“Israel has the world’s largest concentration of international scientists and physicians but insufficient funds to sponsor all of the vital cancer research projects. With ICRF’s continued support of all areas of cancer research, I believe that many of the cures for cancer will likely come from Israel’s outstanding scientific community,” said ICRF chairman Kenneth E. Goodman, the former President and CEO of Forest Laboratories, sponsors the annual awards.

ICRF has headquarters in New York City, with offices in Connecticut, Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal, Florida, Toronto, Israel, and Florida. For more information visit Icrfonline.org.