# Microbiome tools for early prediction and prevention of cancer before the onset of disease

**Funder:** European Commission
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 3 entities from 3 EU member states
**Official call:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-miss-2026-02-cancer-02
**Last updated:** 6 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Development and validation of microbiome-based tools for personalised cancer prediction and prevention prior to disease onset, using large longitudinal cohorts, AI risk modelling and comparison with liquid biopsy tests. Successful proposals must join the EU Cancer Mission 'Prevention and Early Detection' project cluster and budget for networking activities.

## Summary

This European Commission call funds consortia developing and validating microbiome-based tools to predict and prevent cancer before symptoms appear, combining large longitudinal cohort data with AI risk modelling and benchmarking against liquid biopsy tests. It targets multidisciplinary research teams spanning microbiome science, oncology, and computational modelling, with a minimum of three partner entities from three EU member states. Funded projects are required to join the EU Cancer Mission's "Prevention and Early Detection" project cluster and budget separately for networking activities.

## Who should apply

- Consortia with at least 3 entities across 3 EU member states
- Research teams working on microbiome science, oncology, or cancer risk prediction
- Groups with access to large longitudinal patient cohorts
- Teams with AI or computational risk-modelling capabilities
- Projects able to benchmark against existing liquid biopsy diagnostics

## Key dates

- Consortium requirement: minimum 3 entities from 3 EU member states
- Funded projects must budget for and join Cancer Mission cluster networking activities

## Tips for applicants

- Budget explicitly for cluster networking activities as a separate line item, this is a stated requirement, not optional overhead.
- Position the proposal's liquid biopsy comparison clearly since the call names this as an explicit benchmarking criterion.
- Secure letters of commitment from all three member-state partners early, since the consortium composition is a hard eligibility gate.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many partners are required for this EU Cancer Mission microbiome grant?

The consortium must include a minimum of three entities from three different EU member states.

### What does this grant fund?

It funds the development and validation of microbiome-based tools for predicting and preventing cancer before disease onset, using longitudinal cohorts, AI risk modelling, and comparison against liquid biopsy tests.

### Do funded projects need to join a cluster with other grants?

Yes, successful proposals must join the EU Cancer Mission 'Prevention and Early Detection' project cluster and budget for networking activities.

### Who funds this microbiome and cancer prediction call?

The European Commission funds this call under the EU Cancer Mission.

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

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