# Early Detection Grant

**Funder:** Cancerfonden
**Budget:** Up to SEK 10M/year for 3-5 years, max SEK 30M per grant
**Duration:** 3-5 years (plus 12 months period of performance)
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant (PI), employed at a Swedish educational or healthcare institution
**Application:** Single stage
**TRL:** 4-9
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** SE
**Official call:** https://www.cancerfonden.se/forskning/for-forskare/sok-anslag-for-forskare/guidelines-early-detection
**Last updated:** 7 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funding for research into early detection of primary cancer (not metastatic/recurrent disease), covering new diagnostic methods (Category A) or validation of methods with existing proof-of-concept data (Category B, TRL≥4). Applicant must be an experienced PI who obtained PhD by 31 Dec 2021, employed ≥20% FTE at a Swedish institution; application in English.

## Summary

The Cancerfonden Early Detection Grant funds research into detecting primary cancer earlier, either through new diagnostic methods or validation of methods that already have proof-of-concept data, with up to SEK 10 million per year and a cap of SEK 30 million over 3-5 years. It targets experienced principal investigators employed at Swedish educational or healthcare institutions, applying individually rather than as part of a consortium. The call explicitly excludes metastatic or recurrent disease, focusing solely on primary cancer detection.

## Who should apply

- Experienced PIs who obtained their PhD by 31 December 2021
- Researchers employed at least 20% FTE at a Swedish educational or healthcare institution
- Projects on new diagnostic methods (TRL 4+) or validation of existing proof-of-concept diagnostics for primary cancer
- Individual applicants, not consortia

## Key dates

- Annual call, single-stage application
- Project duration of 3-5 years plus a 12-month period of performance

## Tips for applicants

- Clearly state whether your project is Category A (new method) or Category B (validation with existing proof-of-concept data and TRL≥4), the two tracks are evaluated differently.
- Frame the proposal strictly around primary cancer detection; work targeting metastatic or recurrent disease falls outside scope and will be screened out.
- Since only individual PIs apply (no consortium), the application must demonstrate the PI's own capacity to run the full diagnostic pipeline from discovery through validation.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the Cancerfonden Early Detection Grant provide?

Up to SEK 10 million per year for 3-5 years, with a maximum of SEK 30 million per grant.

### Who can apply for the Cancerfonden Early Detection Grant?

Experienced PIs who obtained their PhD by 31 December 2021 and are employed at least 20% FTE at a Swedish educational or healthcare institution.

### Can I apply as part of a consortium?

No, this call requires an individual applicant acting as principal investigator rather than a consortium submission.

### What kind of research does this grant fund?

It funds research into early detection of primary cancer, either new diagnostic methods (Category A) or validation of methods with existing proof-of-concept data at TRL 4 or above (Category B).

### How often does Cancerfonden run this call?

The Early Detection Grant call is annual with a single-stage application process.

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

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