Cancer biology grants

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.

Health research funding for cancer-relevant projects submitted via Kreftforeningen as applicant organisation. Supports research promoting living conditions, health, coping, quality of life, or social participation in Norway. Max 7 applications via Kreftforeningen. User involvement required. Proposals in Norwegian via Damnett portal.

Funding for researcher projects in cancer research across thematic areas including free cancer research, breast cancer (Rosa sløyfe from 2025 campaign), genomic testing, young promising cancer researchers, and geographic distribution. Norwegian institutions. Proposals via SøknadsWeb.

Accelerates translation of laboratory discoveries into novel cancer therapeutics. Translational research focus; reviewed three times per year.

Add-on funding for ongoing or recently completed KWF-funded projects (incl. KWF-PPP, TTW Technology for Oncology, KWF-NWO early detection) that have reached at least TRL 3. Supports translational pathway definition, targeted development/validation, and regulatory/implementation preparation. TTO commitment letter mandatory; collaboration with TTO of applicant's research institution required.

Add-on to ongoing or recently completed KWF-funded projects (incl. KWF-PPP, TTW Technology for Oncology, KWF-NWO early detection). Innovation must be at TRL ≥3. Applicants must collaborate with their institution's TTO. Supports translation pathway definition, limited development/validation, and regulatory/implementation preparation. Dutch research institutions only.

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.

Accelerator-track childhood cancer research grant from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Opened March 2026; notification October 2026. Scope and eligibility details available on the applicants page.

Childhood cancer research grant from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Opened March 2026; notification November 2026. Scope and eligibility details available on the applicants page.

Action scientifique (scientific action) grant in cancer research. Open call closing 16 June 2026. Further eligibility details not specified on the listing page.

Late-phase (phase 2/3) international clinical trials on radiotherapy or surgery for rare cancers (incidence <6/100,000/yr) and/or hard-to-treat cancers (5-yr survival <25%). Consortium must include partners from ≥3 of 5 funding countries (BE, NL, ES, NO, SE). Five projects invited to full proposal phase; submission via Swedish Cancer Society's Grant Application System.

Supports projects harnessing biological and mechanistic insights to provide new targets and approaches for cancer primary prevention.

Funds exceptional science to drive transformational change in how and when early cancers and pre-cancerous states are detected and diagnosed.

Funds high-quality, hypothesis-driven research in primary cancer prevention and population research; welcomes applications including prevention interventional studies.

Modular scheme supporting high-quality clinical research, associated translational research, and collection of samples and data. Clinical and patient-sample focus; bold and creative applications encouraged.

For senior researchers (PhD + 10 years minimum) affiliated to a Belgian university, university hospital, or eligible research institute until 31 Dec 2030. Funds rare disease research (bench to bedside); rare cancers and rare adverse drug events excluded. Proposals must be submitted in English. Up to 30% may be outsourced internationally or to the private sector.

Add-on funding exclusively for ongoing or recently completed KWF projects to strengthen translational relevance of oncology drug development. Supports training, implementation, and validation of advanced preclinical models; outsourcing to academic service providers or CROs is allowed.

13th call for translational oncology research projects. Applicants must read 'What to consider before applying' before submitting a LOI or project outline. Submissions accepted in German and/or English per guidelines.

Funds academic-led clinical trials (Phase I–III) for new investigational medicinal products in oncology addressing unmet medical needs. Lead institute must be a medical centre or research institute in the Netherlands; public participating parties must be in Europe. Patient involvement is mandatory. Phase I/I-II budget: €1–2.5M; Phase II/III: €1–5M. Proposals must be in English. Public-private partnerships allowed; repurposing of registered drugs is out of scope.

Long-term support for broad, multidisciplinary programmes with transformative potential in primary cancer prevention and population research.

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 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

Funds long-term, integrated and potentially renewable programmes of exceptional science to drive transformational change in early cancer and pre-cancerous state detection and diagnosis.

Funding for the overarching coordination structure and leadership of the German Pancreatic Cancer Alliance (GPCA). Cancer research focus on pancreatic carcinoma. German-language call; applicants should be based at German institutions.

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.

Funds projects that have already completed a qualification process (kvalifiseringsløp) and are ready to take the next step toward verification and realisation of the solution. Applicants must apply via SøknadsWeb. Norwegian-based institutions expected.

Annual autumn call for major grants, research grants, and doctoral dissertation grants in cancer research. Awarded by the Board of the Cancer Foundation Finland. Includes dissertation (doctoral) grants making it relevant for early-career researchers as well. Finnish institution affiliation expected; largest private cancer research funder in Finland.

Three non-targeted major grants of €600k each for biological, clinical, epidemiological and psychosocial cancer research conducted in Finland. Grants will not be awarded to researchers funded by the tobacco industry. Results announced December 2026.

Research grants for 1–3 years for scientific cancer research in Finland; longer periods prioritised. Also available to newly established research groups whose leader has completed a successful postdoctoral period. No grants to tobacco-industry-funded researchers.

Action scientifique grant aimed at recruiting international leaders in oncology to French institutions. Open call with deadline 27 August 2026.

Funds fundamental (Basic) and Credentialing cancer research, including biological mechanisms of cancer onset/progression and psychosocial impacts. Open to Research Project, Consortium, and Unique High-Risk proposal types. Participating institutes must be registered in KWF GMS at least 6 weeks before closing. YIG proposals must be submitted under the separate 2026/YIG call.

Dedicated to basic research uncovering mechanisms driving cancer onset, growth, and spread. Intended for proposals within the Basic research and Credentialing phases. Aims to address knowledge gaps and identify new leads for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Stipend of NOK 200,000 for physicians during PhD work or continuing research after PhD. Priority given to cancer in children and young people. May be used for international stays or equipment. Norwegian applicants.

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.

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.

Cancer research stipend of NOK 200,000 for medical doctors during PhD work or continuing research after PhD. Priority given to cancer in children and young people. May be used for international stays or equipment. Full call text at onkologiskforum.org.

Funds fundamental (Basic Research phase 1) and Credentialing (phase 2) cancer research, including biological mechanisms of cancer onset/progression and psychosocial impacts. Proposal types: Research Project, Consortium, and Unique High-Risk. Submitted via KWF GMS; participating institutes must register ≥6 weeks before closing. YIG proposals must use the separate 2026/YIG call.

Cancer research stipend (NOK 200,000) for medical doctors during PhD work or continuing research after PhD. Priority given to cancer in children and young people. May be used for international stays or equipment. Full call text at onkologiskforum.org.

Supports group leaders to develop their research programme and build reputation as world-leaders in cancer research. Eligibility criteria changed: no longer accepting new outline applications from clinicians following the May 2026 committee review.

Supports new group leaders who do not have a salaried independent position to establish their independent research group in cancer research.

Supports clinician scientists to transition to research independence and leadership in cancer research. Restricted to clinician scientists; host organisation must contribute towards the fellow's salary.

Supports clinician scientists who have gained a higher research degree and some postdoctoral experience, ready to develop their own research niche. Restricted to clinician scientists.

Supports new group leaders who have a salaried independent position to establish their independent research group. Eligibility changed: no longer accepting new outline applications from clinicians following May 2026 committee review.

Horizon Europe RIA under the EU Cancer Mission supporting development of validated microbiome tools for early cancer prediction before disease onset, including AI risk modelling, longitudinal cohort studies, and comparison with liquid biopsy tests. Proposals must address multiple cancer types where possible and collaborate with large cohorts/registries. Lump sum grant; one grant expected.

Horizon Europe RIA under the Cancer Mission calling for development of advanced multiscale Virtual Human Twin (VHT) models integrating AI and multimodal patient data to understand cancer onset/progression and personalise treatments. Proposals must include multidisciplinary consortia (medical, AI, patient representatives, SMEs) and share data/models via UNCAN.eu and the Advanced VHT Platform under open science principles. Clinical studies may be included with a dedicated annex.

Horizon Europe RIA (lump sum) for academic investigator-initiated pragmatic clinical trials on immunotherapeutic interventions for refractory cancer patients. Proposals must include a clinical studies annex, disaggregate data by sex/gender/age, and engage patients in endpoint definition. Applicants must include diverse stakeholders and plan to join the EU Cancer Mission 'Diagnosis and Treatment' cluster. ~3 grants expected.

Horizon Europe RIA under the EU Cancer Mission call HORIZON-MISS-2026-02. One indicative grant of approximately €15M. Full topic description available in the Work Programme. Consortia must include eligible entities from at least 3 EU member states or associated countries.

Horizon Europe Innovation Action under the EU Cancer Mission call HORIZON-MISS-2026-02. One indicative grant of approximately €7M. Full topic description available in the Work Programme. Consortia must include eligible entities from at least 3 EU member states or associated countries.

Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action under the EU Cancer Mission call HORIZON-MISS-2026-02. One indicative grant of approximately €5M. Full topic description available in the Work Programme. Consortia must include eligible entities from at least 3 EU member states or associated countries.

Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action under the Cancer Mission 2026 call. Single grant expected at approximately €15M. Full topic description available in the call portal.

Horizon Europe RIA under the Cancer Mission. Requires development of multiscale AI-integrated Virtual Human Twins for cancer onset, progression and personalised treatment. Proposals must include clinical study annex if clinical studies are envisaged. Interdisciplinary consortia including healthcare professionals, patient representatives, AI experts and SMEs expected. Open science principles mandatory; data must be shared via UNCAN.eu and Advanced VHT Platform.

Horizon Europe RIA under the Cancer Mission (Supporting the implementation of the Cancer Mission call HORIZON-MISS-2026-02). Single grant expected. Full topic description available in the call portal.

Supports new and pioneering research ideas and pilot studies of high scientific risk to stimulate and develop the early cancer detection and diagnosis field.

Prix & récompenses (Awards) in oncology research. Category is prizes/awards — included as it may carry a funded research component. Open call with deadline 21 September 2026.

Health~Holland PPP programme focused on lead-212 (Pb-212) radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment. Two pillars: (1) Pb-212 production & supply chain; (2) enabling technologies for clinical introduction. Proposals must include a private party (not in financial difficulty) and comply with Health~Holland PPP requirements. Consortium Agreement required. Submission via KWF GMS; unregistered institutes must register ≥6 weeks before deadline.

Add-on to an ongoing or recently completed KWF-funded project (incl. KWF-PPP, TTW Technology for Oncology, KWF-NWO early detection). Innovation must be at TRL ≥3. Applicants must collaborate with their institution's TTO. Supports translational pathway definition, limited development/validation, and regulatory/implementation preparation. Dutch research institutions only (KWF-funded projects).

Add-on funding for ongoing or recently completed KWF-funded projects (incl. KWF-PPP, TTW Technology for Oncology, KWF-NWO early detection) that have reached at least TRL 3. Supports translational pathway definition, targeted development/validation, and regulatory/implementation preparation. TTO commitment letter mandatory; collaboration with TTO of applicant's research institution required.

Health~Holland PPP call for radiopharmaceutical research on lead-212 (alpha-emitting isotope) for cancer treatment. Two pillars: (1) Pb-212 production & supply chain; (2) enabling technologies for clinical introduction. Proposals must include a private-party partner not in financial difficulty (RVO declaration required). Dutch Summary reviewed by Patient Advisory Committee. Institutes not yet registered in KWF GMS must apply at least 6 weeks before closing.

Short-term funding for clinicians and other health professionals to get involved in research projects early in their career. Restricted to clinicians and health professionals; early-career focus.

Open to scientists, clinicians or healthcare workers based in UK universities, medical schools, hospitals or research institutions. Supports ambitious, long-term programmes in basic or early-stage translational cancer research. Applicants must hold a post fully funded by a national Higher Education Funding Council, NHS or equivalent; collaborative teams and multidisciplinary approaches are encouraged. Closed scheme — contact required before applying.

Long-term support for established researchers pursuing ambitious, creative programmes addressing key cancer questions. Encourages collaborative teams and multidisciplinary approaches.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration. Total pool of €950,000. Applications submitted via NCU's own portal. Questions to ncu@kreftforeningen.no.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration, funded by Nordic Cancer Union with Norwegian Cancer Society contributions. Total budget €950,000. Information and application portal on NCU's website. Questions to ncu@kreftforeningen.no.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration. Total budget €950,000. Application portal and full information on NCU's website. Questions to ncu@kreftforeningen.no.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration. Total budget €950,000. Applications submitted via NCU's own portal. Nordic cross-country collaboration is required.

For mid-career researchers at UK universities, medical schools, hospitals or research institutions with a salaried independent position. Applicant must be funded by a Higher Education Funding Council, NHS or equivalent; award cannot fund applicant salary. Closed scheme — prior contact required. Supports cancer biology research; excludes clinical trials, drug discovery as sole function, early detection/prevention, and pure technology development.

Open to multidisciplinary consortia (min. 4 parties) implementing clinically validated oncology biomarkers into nationwide routine care at TRL 7–9. Mandatory components include an HTA specialist in the team, a KWF-approved steering committee, and embedded patient perspective. Public-private collaborations encouraged with co-funding. Proposals submitted via KWF GMS; unregistered institutes must register ≥6 weeks before closing.

Clinical validation of known oncology biomarkers (TRL5/6) for use in daily clinical practice. Requires multidisciplinary consortium of ≥4 parties, mandatory early HTA, patient involvement (PACO review = 30% of score), and biostatistics expertise. AI-component projects must engage the AI4HEALTH consortium. Dutch host institutions implied; public-private collaborations encouraged with co-funding.

Funds fundamental (basic and credentialing) cancer research covering biological mechanisms of cancer onset/progression and psychosocial impacts. Proposals must be submitted via KWF GMS; participating institutes not yet registered must request access at least 6 weeks before closing. This is KWF's final project-based Exploration Call; from 2028 KWF transitions to Research Group Funding.

Open to researchers at Dutch universities, university medical centers, KNAW/NWO institutes, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (Nijmegen), NCB Naturalis, ARCNL, and Princess Máxima Center. Funds feasibility studies for commercial application of innovative knowledge. Submitted via ISAAC. All scientific fields eligible.

Open to researchers with a tenured or tenure-track position at Dutch universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Max Planck Institute Nijmegen, Naturalis, ARCNL, or Princess Máxima Center. Co-funding required (min. 25%) if total project costs exceed €700k. Not intended for clinical trials, contract research, or predominantly investment-focused proposals. User committee of ≥4 knowledge users required.

Fellowship award supporting the next generation of cancer researchers. Targeted at young talent. No further eligibility details (e.g. career stage, institution type) specified on this page.

Accelerates conversion of promising scientific discoveries into cancer therapeutics. Translational/drug discovery focus. Open to investigators at academic institutions globally. No explicit eligibility restrictions stated.

Postdoctoral fellowship supporting early-career cancer researchers. Part of The Mark Foundation's investment in the next generation of cancer research talent. No further eligibility details specified on this page.

Supports the transition of distinguished postdoctoral researchers into independent tenure-track investigators in cancer immunotherapy. Targets researchers at the postdoc-to-faculty transition stage.

For mid-career cancer immunotherapy researchers: tenure-track assistant professors (≥3 years in role) or associate professors (≤3 years in role) with MD, PhD, or MD/PhD. Minimum 80% time commitment to research. Open internationally; research may be conducted at medical schools or research centers worldwide, but NOT at for-profit institutions. No citizenship restrictions. Unrestricted, flexible funding for high-risk, high-reward cancer immunotherapy research.