- Most cancer research funders now require evidence in grant applications that the applicant has engaged meaningfully with a consumer group / informed consumers in the development of their study, and intends to maintain this collaboration throughout project execution. This applies to all types of cancer research – from the laboratory to clinical through to psychosocial and epidemiological research. Involving consumers means that your research will have benefited from the essential perspective of the ultimate beneficiaries – people affected by cancer and more widely, the general population.