European Commission

Microbiome tools for cancer prevention and early detection

Last updated: 7 Sept 2026

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This Horizon Europe topic, part of the EU Cancer Mission, funds consortia developing and validating microbiome-based tools for early cancer prediction and prevention, using large patient cohorts and AI risk modelling benchmarked against liquid biopsy tests. It targets multi-partner research teams spanning at least three EU member states rather than individual investigators. Funded projects must join the Mission's 'Prevention and Early Detection' cluster, linking their work to other Cancer Mission projects rather than operating in isolation.

Details

Funder	European Commission
Consortium	Required — minimum 3 entities from 3 EU member states

Eligibility & scope

Topic under the EU Cancer Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-02) targeting development and validation of microbiome-based tools for early cancer prediction/prevention using large cohorts, AI risk modelling, and comparison with liquid biopsy tests; successful proposals must join the Mission's 'Prevention and Early Detection' project cluster.

Who Should Apply

•Consortia of at least three legal entities from three different EU member states or associated countries
•Research teams combining microbiome science, oncology, and AI/computational risk modelling expertise
•Groups with access to large patient cohorts for prediction and prevention studies
•Applicants able to commit to joining and coordinating within the Cancer Mission's project cluster

Key Dates

•Topic listed under call HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-02
•First listed on Grantsby 6 September 2026, verify exact submission deadline on the EU Funding and Tenders portal

Tips for Applicants

✓Emphasize cohort scale and data-sharing plans; the topic explicitly calls for large cohorts, so proposals with access to established biobanks or population studies score better.
✓Position your microbiome tool against liquid biopsy performance directly in the proposal, the call frames this as a comparative benchmark, not a standalone validation.
✓Plan for cluster coordination costs and activities upfront, since joining the 'Prevention and Early Detection' project cluster is mandatory, not optional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the EU Cancer Mission microbiome tools call (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-02)?

Consortia of at least three legal entities from three different EU member states or associated countries working on cancer prevention, microbiome science, or AI-based risk modelling.

What does this Horizon Europe topic fund?

It funds development and validation of microbiome-based tools for early cancer prediction and prevention, including AI risk modelling and benchmarking against liquid biopsy tests.

Is a consortium required for this Cancer Mission call?

Yes, proposals must include a minimum of three entities from three EU member states.

Do funded projects work independently or join a wider network?

Successful proposals must join the Cancer Mission's 'Prevention and Early Detection' project cluster to coordinate with other funded projects.

cancer-missionhorizon-europemicrobiomeearly-detectionai-risk-modellingconsortium-requiredliquid-biopsytranslational-research

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