The Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation funds local research projects that address any aspect of cancer from prevention to treatment to palliative care. These projects can be set in any discipline from basic laboratory investigations to psychological and sociological research as well as health services and population health research. All applications are reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee prior to approval by the Board of Directors.

The Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation provided a research grant to Dr. Lesa Dawson, Gynecologist/Oncologist, for "Cervical Cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador: a review of cytology history and clinical course." This research project reviewed the pap smear history of all women with cervical cancer to identify patterns of screening or under-screening and weaknesses in the system. The second phase of the study reviewed clinical data on these women to better understand the profile of the disease in the province and the costs to the health care system.