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Research grants for Italian researchers
Open grants eligible for researchers at Italian universities and research institutes
254 open calls eligible for Italy-based researchers
Italian research funding runs through national ministries, AIRC (the major cancer research charity), Telethon (genetic diseases), and EU programmes. This page lists every open call that allows applicants from Italy.
Primary funders for Italian researchers
Open calls
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards
Average £3.5 million, up to £5 million
22 Mar 2026
Wellcome
Wellcome Career Development Awards
Usually below £250,000 annually (excluding applicant salary)
22 Mar 2026
ZonMw
ZonMw Off Road 2026
Curiosity-driven fundamental research 'off the beaten track'
24 Mar 2026
ZonMw
ZonMw Rubicon 2026-1
Postdoctoral research abroad
24 Mar 2026
ZonMw
Rubicon 2026-1
€3,145,000
24 Mar 2026
KWF
KWF Implementation of Biomarkers 2026
Up to €500,000
24 Mar 2026
HFSP
HFSP Research Grants – Early Career
26 Mar 2026
HFSP
HFSP Research Grant Program 2027
~€1,200,000 (up to $500k/yr × 3yr)
26 Mar 2026
HFSP
HFSP Research Grants – Program
26 Mar 2026
HFSP
HFSP Research Grants 2027 (Early Career & Program)
Fixed sums by team size (~$150K-$450K/year for 3 years)
26 Mar 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Exploration Call 2026-3
Variable (Research Project, Consortium, Unique High-Risk)
31 Mar 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Development Call 2026-2
Variable (Research Project, Consortium, Unique High-Risk)
31 Mar 2026
EMBO
EMBO Young Investigator Programme
€15,000 + up to €10,000 per year
1 Apr 2026
KiKa (Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij)
KiKa Research Programs 2026
Variable (larger program grants)
1 Apr 2026
Worldwide Cancer Research
2026 Grant Round
2 Apr 2026
Worldwide Cancer Research
Worldwide Cancer Research 2026 Grant Round
Up to £250,000 (~€295K)
2 Apr 2026
KWF
KWF Exploration Call 2026-1 (Full Proposal Phase)
Varies
7 Apr 2026
KWF
Call 2026 / YIG
7 Apr 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Young Investigator Grant 2026
~€750K-1M (typical YIG budget)
7 Apr 2026
KWF
KWF Young Investigator Grant 2026
Max €600,000
7 Apr 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Exploration Call 2026-1
Variable (Research Project, Consortium, Unique High-Risk)
7 Apr 2026
NWO
SSH Open Competition XS 2026 Round 2
Up to €50,000
7 Apr 2026
KWF
Exploration Call 2026-1
7 Apr 2026
Wellcome
Climate Impacts Awards: Unlocking urgent climate action making health
Up to £2.5 million per award
8 Apr 2026
European Commission - Horizon Europe
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND 2026
Up to €10 million per beneficiary
8 Apr 2026
NWO / ZonMw
NWO Talent Programme Vidi 2025 (ZonMw)
€800K
9 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Game Changer Grant 2026
Up to $600,000 (3 years)
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG New Investigator Grant
Up to $400K over 3 years (max $135K/year)
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Game Changer Grant
Up to $600K over 3 years (max $200K/year)
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Fellowship Grant
$200K-$300K over 3 years
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Game Changer Grant 2026
Up to $600K over 3 years ($200K/year)
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG New Investigator Grant 2026
Up to $400K over 3 years ($135K/year)
10 Apr 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Biomarker Validation 2026
€0.8-2M per consortium (total budget €4-6M)
14 Apr 2026
KWF
KWF Call for Validation of Biomarker Candidates 2026
Theme call - collaborative multidisciplinary studies
14 Apr 2026
Simons Foundation
Simons Graduate Fellowship in Ecology and Evolution
$55,000/year stipend + research
15 Apr 2026
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative / Wellcome / Kavli
CZI Essential Open Source Software for Science (Cycle 6)
2-year grants for open source software maintenance and development
15 Apr 2026
EIT Health
Certified Innovation Path: European Health Data Space
27 Apr 2026
Online certified education programme open to Master students, Master graduates, PhD students, and healthcare professionals in healthcare-related studies. Covers health data analytics, AI, FAIR principles, GDPR, EHDS, telemedicine, and precision medicine. Costs vary: EU students €1,000, non-EU students €2,000, EU professionals €2,000, non-EU professionals €4,000. Professional English required.
EIT Health
Certified Innovation Path: Digital Medical Devices
27 Apr 2026
Online education programme open to Master's and PhD students and working/healthcare professionals seeking to upskill in digital medical devices. Covers AI, cybersecurity, MDR/IVDR regulation, and personalised health solutions. Costs vary by applicant type (EU student €1,000 to non-EU professional €4,000 excl. VAT); professional English required.
EIT Health
High Value Care Certified Innovation Path
27 Apr 2026
EIT Label-certified online education programme (up to 30 ECTS) open to Master students/graduates, PhD students, and healthcare professionals in healthcare-related fields. Professional English required. Costs vary: EU students €1,000, non-EU students €2,000, EU professionals €2,000, non-EU professionals €4,000 (excl. VAT). Focuses on high value care, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in healthcare.
ALSF
ALSF Crazy 8 Initiative – Pediatric Brain Tumors 2026
Multi-million $ collaborative grants
28 Apr 2026
ALSF
ALSF Crazy 8 Initiative – Pediatric Brain Tumors
Large collaborative grant (varies)
28 Apr 2026
ALSF
Crazy 8 Brain Tumor Grant – By Invitation Only
28 Apr 2026
Full proposal stage (by invitation only) for the Crazy 8 Brain Tumor grant targeting pediatric brain tumor research. Open since January 2026; notification in November 2026.
KWF
Lead4life Ppp Call 2026
5 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027
~€170,000 (3yr salary + research)
7 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships - Long-Term Fellowships (LTF)
12 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships - Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF)
12 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 (LTF & CDF)
Living + research allowances for 3 years (country-dependent)
12 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Long-Term Fellowship (LTF) 2027
12 May 2026
For postdoctoral researchers with a PhD in a biological discipline who wish to pursue frontier, interdisciplinary life sciences research in a new country. Applicants must change country, cannot work in their country of nationality or PhD country, and must have at least one lead-author publication. 100% FTE commitment required; for-profit host institutions ineligible.
HFSP
HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (CDF) 2027
12 May 2026
For postdoctoral researchers holding a doctoral degree in a non-biological discipline (e.g. physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) with little or no life sciences experience, wishing to transition into frontier life sciences research in a new country. Same mobility, publication, and host-institution rules as LTF; 100% FTE commitment required.
HFSP
HFSP Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) 2027
12 May 2026
For postdoctoral researchers with a PhD in a biological discipline who wish to pursue frontier, interdisciplinary life sciences research in a new country. Applicants must change country, cannot work in their country of nationality or PhD country, and must have at least one lead-author publication. Purely applied, clinical, or pharmaceutical projects are excluded. Full-time commitment required; 100% FTE.
HFSP
HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) 2027
12 May 2026
For postdoctoral researchers holding a doctoral degree from a non-biological discipline (e.g. physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) with little or no life sciences experience, wishing to transition into frontier life sciences research in a new country. Applicants must change country, cannot work in their country of nationality or PhD country, and must have at least one lead-author publication. Full-time commitment required; 100% FTE.
Swiss National Science Foundation
SNSF Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials 2026
Up to CHF 2 million (~€2.1M)
26 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Long-Term Fellowship (LTF)
31 May 2026
For postdoctoral applicants with a PhD in a biological discipline or prior life sciences experience. Must propose to undertake fellowship in an HFSPO member country and must not have previously worked/studied in the proposed host country or with the host supervisor. Excludes clinical, pharmaceutical, applied engineering/biotech projects. Preference for interdisciplinary training involving new methods or study systems.
HFSP
HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (CDF)
31 May 2026
For postdoctoral applicants with a PhD outside the life sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) who have never worked in the life sciences. Must propose fellowship in an HFSPO member country; mobility rule prohibits prior work/study in proposed host country or with host supervisor. Excludes clinical, pharmaceutical, and applied projects.
ZonMw
ZonMw Promising Medicines ME/CFS — Drug Repurposing
€500,000-€1,000,000
1 Jun 2026
KiKa (Children Cancer-free Foundation)
KiKa Childhood Cancer Research Projects - June 2026 Round
No budget limit; typically €400K-€800K per project (max 4 years)
1 Jun 2026
KiKa (Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij)
KiKa Research & Pilot Projects 2026 (Round 2)
Varies
1 Jun 2026
KiKa (Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij)
KiKa Research & Pilot Projects 2026
Variable (childhood cancer research)
1 Jun 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Proof of Concept 2026-2
Up to €150K (typical PoC)
2 Jun 2026
ZonMw
ZonMw Off-Road 2026
€100,000
3 Jun 2026
ALSF
Bio-Therapeutic Impact Grant
9 Jun 2026
Childhood cancer bio-therapeutic research grant from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Opened April 2026; notification November 2026. Scope and eligibility details available on the applicants page.
FNR Luxembourg
INTER – EP PerMed Call 2026
9 Jun 2026
Thematic multilateral call on personalised medicine under the EP PerMed partnership. Budget cap per call and/or proposal applies. Luxembourg partner must submit INTER application at both pre-proposal and full proposal stage via FNR online system. Thematic call — no bottom-up funding.
ZonMw
ZonMw ValNAM 2026
€200,000-€500,000
15 Jun 2026 · 0d
European Commission
Horizon Europe 2026 Research Infrastructure Programme Calls
16 Jun 2026 · 1d
Horizon Europe Research Infrastructure programme calls open March 10 – June 16, 2026. Targets research infrastructure projects; EU consortium requirement applies. FCT coordinates Portuguese national participation. An EC info day was held March 18, 2026. Eligible entities include universities, research centres, and ERIC members.
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) + European partners
KWF INTER-LOCAL 2026 (International Rare Cancer Call)
Variable (multi-partner European)
18 Jun 2026 · 3d
Fundación BBVA
BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards – 19th Edition
30 Jun 2026 · 15d
International awards recognising outstanding contributions across multiple categories: Basic Sciences, Biology & Biomedicine, Climate Change & Environmental Sciences, Economics/Finance/Management, Humanities, ICT, Music & Opera, and Social Sciences. These are prizes for lifetime/career achievement rather than funded research grants.
FNR Luxembourg
INTER – EP BrainHealth JTC 2026, Call 2
30 Jun 2026 · 15d
Thematic multilateral call on neurodegenerative disorders under the EP BrainHealth partnership. Budget cap per call and/or proposal applies. Luxembourg partner must submit INTER application at both pre-proposal and full proposal stage via FNR online system. Thematic call — no bottom-up funding.
KWF
KWF Pipeline Call 2026
€1M-€5M
7 Jul 2026 · 22d
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
Kwf Pipeline 2027
€1-5M per proposal (indicative)
7 Jul 2026 · 22d
KWF
Pipeline
€1–5M
7 Jul 2026 · 22d
FNR Luxembourg
Inter – Erdera Call 2026
8 Jul 2026 · 23d
Thematic multilateral call under the ERDERA partnership (rare diseases). Budget cap per call and/or proposal applies. Luxembourg partner must submit INTER application at both pre-proposal and full proposal stage via FNR online system. Thematic call — no bottom-up funding.
Fondazione Telethon
ERDERA Joint Transnational Call (JTC) 2026
8 Jul 2026 · 23d
Joint transnational call under the ERDERA European rare disease research network. Requires international consortium across participating ERDERA member countries. Focus on rare/genetic diseases. Opened 10 December 2025.
EMBO
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships
10 Jul 2026 · 25d
Supports internationally mobile postdoctoral researchers; international mobility is a key requirement (host lab must be in a different country). Includes salary/stipend, relocation allowance, and childcare support. A first-author refereed preprint is accepted as equivalent to a publication. Max one candidate per host lab per selection round.
EMBO
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship (Autumn 2026)
~€100,000-120,000/yr (2 years)
10 Jul 2026 · 25d
EMBO
EMBO Young Investigator Programme
12 Jul 2026 · 27d
Fondazione Umberto Veronesi
Post-doctoral Fellowships 2027 - Experimental
17 Jul 2026 · 32d
Fondazione Umberto Veronesi post-doctoral fellowship in oncology (experimental / basic research track), funding cancer research in precision and translational medicine. Open to Italian and foreign researchers holding a PhD or medical specialisation, hosted at an Italian research institution. Early-c
Fondazione Umberto Veronesi
Post-doctoral Fellowships 2027 - Clinical
17 Jul 2026 · 32d
Fondazione Umberto Veronesi post-doctoral fellowship in oncology (clinical research track), funding cancer research in precision and translational medicine. Open to Italian and foreign researchers holding a PhD or medical specialisation, hosted at an Italian research institution. Early-career age li
Wellcome
Wellcome Early-Career Awards – July 2026 Round
21 Jul 2026 · 36d
For early-career researchers across biomedical, clinical, social science, and arts & humanities disciplines. Applications managed in English on the Wellcome Funding platform; administering organisation must approve and submit by 15:00 GMT/BST on deadline day. Global eligibility; researchers based in LMICs encouraged. Global Talent visa endorsement available for UK-based award holders.
Wellcome
Wellcome Career Development Awards
28 Jul 2026 · 43d
Supports researchers at the career development stage across a broad range of disciplines (biomedical, clinical, social sciences, arts & humanities, data sciences). Applications managed in English via the Wellcome Funding platform; host organisation must administer the grant. Global eligibility; UK-hosted awardees may access Global Talent visa endorsement.
The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
Emerging Leader Award
$1,000,000 USD over 4 years ($250,000/year)
30 Jul 2026 · 45d
For early-career independent investigators (lab established 3–8 years prior to Dec 31, 2026; i.e., 2018–2023). Open worldwide to non-profit academic/research institutions. Single PI only; no co-investigators. Applicants must have multi-year independent funding active in 2027. Proposals must be in English and distinct from the applicant's main research portfolio. Indirect costs capped at 10% of direct costs.
NWO
NWO Weave with Partner Agency 2025/2026
Up to €400,000 (Dutch part)
31 Jul 2026 · 46d
NWO
NWO Open Competition Domain Science M
Up to €800,000 (M-2) or €400,000 (M-1)
1 Aug 2026 · 47d
ERC
ERC Advanced Grant 2026
€2,500,000 (5 years) + up to €1M start-up
27 Aug 2026 · 73d
NWO
Test Grant
€100,000
1 Sept 2026 · 78d
Cancer Research Institute (CRI)
CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
$74k–$78k/year stipend + $5k/year institutional allowance
1 Sept 2026 · 78d
Open to postdoctoral researchers with a doctoral degree and <5 years of mentored research experience (M.D. applicants exclude residency years). Research must be in immunology or cancer immunology at a non-profit institution worldwide. No citizenship restrictions. Sponsor must hold assistant professor rank or higher. Only 1 fellow per sponsor per round.
Cancer Research Institute (CRI)
CRI Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship
$74k–$78k/year stipend + $5k/year institutional allowance
1 Sept 2026 · 78d
Open to early-career scientists worldwide (<5 years mentored research post-PhD at award activation) at non-profit institutions. Supports dual training in cancer immunology and computational biology/data science. No citizenship restrictions. Must be conducted under a sponsor holding assistant professor or higher rank. Proposals must be hypothesis-driven in basic or translational cancer immunology.
NWO
NWO Open Technology Programme 2026
Up to €950,000
2 Sept 2026 · 79d
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Fellowship Grant 2026
$200,000-$300,000 (3 years)
2 Sept 2026 · 79d
ERC
ERC Plus Grants 2026
€7,000,000 (lump sum)
2 Sept 2026 · 79d
ZonMw
NWO Talentprogramme Vici ZonMw 2026
Up to €1,500,000
8 Sept 2026 · 85d
KWF
KWF Lead4Life PPP 2026
€5,000,000 total
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
European Commission
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
European Commission
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) 2026
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
European Commission – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
€399.05 million (total); ~1600 projects expected
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
Open to postdoctoral researchers of any nationality with max 8 years post-PhD experience. European Fellowships require a host in an EU/associated country; Global Fellowships require EU/associated country nationals or long-term residents working in a third country then returning to Europe. Researchers must not have resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years (standard MSCA mobility rule). Open to all scientific fields including Euratom research.
European Commission
HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships (HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF)
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
Postdoctoral fellowships for researchers of any nationality hosted at institutions in EU Member States or Associated Countries. Researchers must hold a PhD and have ≤8 years full-time research experience at the deadline. MSCA mobility rules apply: applicants cannot have resided in the host country for >12 months in the 3 years prior to the deadline. Full-time commitment required as a rule.
European Commission
HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships (HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF)
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
Global Fellowships for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Associated Countries, involving an outgoing phase at a non-EU/Associated Country partner and a mandatory return phase. Researchers must hold a PhD and have ≤8 years full-time research experience. MSCA mobility rules apply to both outgoing and return phases. Full-time commitment required as a rule.
REA (Research Executive Agency)
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships (HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF)
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
Postdoctoral fellowships for researchers of any nationality hosted at EU Member State or Associated Country institutions. Researchers must have a PhD and ≤8 years full-time research experience at deadline. Mobility rule applies: applicants cannot have resided/worked in the host country for >12 months in the 3 years before the deadline. Full-time employment required as a rule.
REA (Research Executive Agency)
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships (HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF)
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
Global Fellowships for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Associated Countries, involving an outgoing phase at a non-EU/Associated Country host and a mandatory return phase. Researchers must have a PhD and ≤8 years full-time research experience at deadline. Mobility rule applies. Full-time employment required as a rule.
REA
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 - European Fellowships
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
Postdoctoral researchers of any nationality, max 8 years full-time research experience post-PhD at deadline. Mobility rule applies: researcher must not have resided/worked in the host country for >12 months in the 3 years before deadline. Full-time commitment required. Host must be an eligible organisation in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
REA
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 - Global Fellowships
9 Sept 2026 · 86d
Restricted to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, max 8 years post-PhD. Outgoing phase at a non-EU/non-Associated Country organisation, with mandatory return phase to an EU/Associated Country host. Full-time commitment required; mobility rules apply.