# My First AIRC Grant

**Funder:** AIRC
**Budget:** ~€100k/year
**Duration:** 5 years
**Consortium:** No
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** IT
**Official call:** https://www.airc.it/fondazione/cosa-facciamo/cosa-finanziamo/my-first-airc-grant/
**Last updated:** 30 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Supports early-career researchers who have never received AIRC funding, enabling independent project leadership at an Italian research institution. Covers research costs, the grant holder's salary, and two dedicated staff. Projects selected by international peer review for cancer relevance, innovation, and feasibility. Host institution must be in Italy.

## Summary

AIRC My First Grant funds early-career researchers conducting cancer research at excellence institutions in Italy with approximately €100,000 per year over five years. The call supports researchers who have never held prior AIRC funding, covering research costs and dedicated personnel salaries. Projects are selected via international peer review for cancer relevance, innovation, and feasibility.

## Who should apply

- Early-career researchers new to AIRC funding
- Cancer researchers based at Italian excellence institutions
- Applicants seeking funding for research team salaries and project costs
- Projects with demonstrated cancer relevance and innovation potential

## Key dates

- Annual call cycle (verify next deadline on AIRC website)
- Five-year project duration
- International peer review evaluation

## Tips for applicants

- AIRC emphasises cancer relevance and translational potential, frame the clinical or public-health impact clearly.
- The grant covers two dedicated personnel salaries: specify roles (technician, postdoc, clinician liaison) and explain why each is critical to the project.
- Host institution prestige matters; apply through a recognised Italian centre of excellence to strengthen institutional support and review credibility.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does AIRC My First Grant fund?

Approximately €100,000 per year over a five-year project duration.

### Who is eligible for AIRC My First Grant?

Early-career researchers who have never previously received AIRC funding and are based at excellence institutions in Italy.

### Is AIRC My First Grant open to researchers outside Italy?

No, the host institution must be located in Italy.

### What does AIRC My First Grant cover?

Research costs, the grant holder's salary, and salaries for two dedicated personnel supporting the project.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/airc-my-first-airc-grant-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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