The mission of the Indian Pediatric Hematology Oncology Group (INPHOG) is to improve outcomes of children with cancer in India through collaborative research. Our initial efforts (2015 to 2021) with limited formal funding managed to create an ecosystem where centres came together to participate in research studies resulting in recruitment of 13,182 children with cancer across 122 institutions in 24 INPHOG studies.

Formal funding over the last 3 years (2022-2024) from SIOP PARC and from other donors has allowed us build research capacity by hiring, equipping and training staff which has accelerated patient recruitment (more than 5,000 children with cancer per year). With renewed support from SIOP PARC and other ongoing efforts to increase funding, over the next two years (Oct 2025-Sept 2027), INPHOG aims to:

• Continue building research capacity by hiring, equipping and training more staff across a larger number of institutions
• Continue accelerating patient recruitment (more than 10,000 children with cancer per year).
• Promote the development of new studies by supporting investigator meetings
• Have frontline interventional studies for all six WHO tracer childhood cancers
• Initiate monitoring of INPHOG member institutions and studies
• Improve quality of science and research by creating a Scientific Committee and providing biostatistical support
• Increase stakeholder engagement with creation of a patient and parent advisory

The PARC-funded project (Round 2 – Oct 2025-Sept 2027) aims to significantly expand and strengthen research capacity across India’s network of childhood cancer institutions. Currently, 13 staff members—six funded through the first SIOP PARC grant-support research at 16 of 51 INPHOG member institutions. With confirmed funding for nine additional staff, coverage will extend to 25 institutions. The long-term goal is to reach 50 institutions within two years, with the next phase of the SIOP PARC grant funding three Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) to help achieve this target. This strategic expansion will ensure more comprehensive research support, moving from one staff member in 2022 to 50 by 2028, while gradually reducing dependence on SIOP PARC funding.

In parallel, the project will improve the quality of collaborative research—from study design to data analysis and dissemination. Prior feedback identified key areas needing attention: funding for CRAs, continuous training, better coordination, and improved communication. The plan includes regular subcommittee and investigator meetings, ongoing training for CRAs, and routine site monitoring visits. Enhanced communication will be achieved through structured newsletters and progress updates at three-, six-, and twelve-month intervals. By December 2026, the initiative will deliver a well-equipped, fully supported research network with improved study quality, robust data management, and consistent, transparent reporting across all INPHOG institutions.

For more information and future PARC Program Requests-for-Proposals, please visit the PARC page and read the SIOP Weekly Bulletins. The PARC Committee does not accept unsolicited proposals. To date, the PARC Programs have raised and invested 1 million EUR in strengthening childhood cancer research in Africa, Asia and Latin America through support to cooperative groups, early career development grants and advocacy.