# Virtual Human Twins for understanding cancer onset and progression

**Funder:** European Commission
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries (at least one in a Member State)
**Official call:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-miss-2026-cancer-01-01
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Develops dynamic multiscale Virtual Human Twins integrating AI and multi-omics, imaging and real-world data to model cancer onset and progression, validated with longitudinal patient data and shared via UNCAN.eu and the Advanced VHT Platform. Requires multidisciplinary consortium including clinicians and patient representatives; clinical studies require a dedicated annex.

## Summary

This Horizon Europe Cancer Mission topic funds research consortia to build dynamic, multiscale Virtual Human Twins that combine AI and FAIR multimodal data to understand cancer onset and progression and support personalised treatment. It targets multidisciplinary teams spanning clinicians, AI experts, patients and SMEs, and successful proposals must join the Mission's 'Understanding' project cluster. Proposals involving clinical research must include a clinical study annex.

## Who should apply

- Research consortia with partners from at least 3 EU Member States or Associated Countries
- Teams combining clinicians, AI/data scientists, patients and SMEs
- Groups working on computational modelling, multiscale simulation or AI applied to oncology
- Applicants able to contribute to or join the Cancer Mission 'Understanding' project cluster
- Projects with clinical study components prepared to submit a clinical study annex

## Key dates

- Topic reference HORIZON-MISS-2026-CANCER-01-01 under the EU Cancer Mission

## Tips for applicants

- Explicitly address how the project will integrate into the Cancer Mission's 'Understanding' cluster, isolated proposals score worse on expected impact.
- Include a named clinical partner and, where relevant, prepare the clinical study annex early since it is a distinct submission requirement.
- Show FAIR data management credentials and concrete AI/multiscale modelling methodology, not just a conceptual Virtual Human Twin framework.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Virtual Human Twin in this Horizon Europe call?

It refers to a dynamic, multiscale computational model integrating AI and FAIR multimodal patient data to simulate cancer onset, progression and treatment response.

### How many partners are needed for this grant?

A consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries, with at least one entity based in a Member State.

### Do I need a clinical study annex to apply?

Only if the proposal includes a clinical study component; otherwise it is not required.

### What is the 'Understanding' project cluster?

It is a grouping within the EU Cancer Mission that successful proposals under this topic must join, linking related funded projects on cancer understanding.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/european-commission-virtual-human-twins-for-understanding-cancer-onset-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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