Major Oncology Funding Opportunities: Horizon Europe and US Initiatives

This week brings significant funding opportunities in oncology research, with substantial investments from the European Commission and various initiatives across the United States. These range from seed grants for survivorship programs to large-scale collaborative projects under the Horizon Europe framework, signaling a continued commitment to innovation in cancer prevention, treatment, and care.

European Commission Announces €35 Million in Cancer Research Funding

The European Commission is providing €35 million in funding for cancer research in 2026 through the Horizon Europe program. Two key calls are particularly noteworthy:

Horizon Europe Mission Cancer: Virtual Human Twin Models for Cancer Research

This initiative funds the development and advancement of multiscale Virtual Human Twins (VHTs) to deepen our understanding of cancer onset, and progression. The EU Cancer Mission aims to improve the lives of over 3 million people by 2030 through better prevention, cure, and quality of life. The goal is to create VHT-based solutions that support researchers and healthcare professionals, ultimately leading to more personalized treatments. Data and models will be accessible via platforms like UNCAN.eu, adhering to open science principles.

• Action type: Research and Innovation Action (RIA)
• Total topic budget: €35.00M
• Expected EU contribution per project: €8.00M–€9.00M
• Indicative number of projects funded: 4
• Deadline: See Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal for details.

Horizon Europe Mission Cancer: Pragmatic Clinical Trials for Refractory Cancers

This call supports pragmatic clinical trials focused on improving immunotherapeutic interventions for patients with cancers that have proven resistant to treatment. The trials should focus on real-world effectiveness and evidence directly applicable to clinical practice. Randomized or cluster-randomized, academic investigator-initiated trials are encouraged, with endpoints including overall survival and patient-reported outcomes/quality of life, defined in collaboration with patients and their families.

• Action type: RIA
• Total topic budget: €22.19M
• Expected EU contribution per project: €7.00M–€8.00M
• Indicative number of projects funded: 3
• Deadline: September 15, 2026

US Funding Opportunities

Alongside the European investments, several US institutions are offering seed funding and venture competitions.

AIM-HI BRACE Award Venture Competition

The BRACE Award competition, part of AIM-HI’s annual oncology venture competitions, seeks to invest in innovative oncology startups addressing cancers prevalent in underserved populations. Winners may receive honorariums and be considered for further investment. AIM-HI provides seed funding, coaching, and network access.

• Deadline: March 15, 2026
• Further Information: AIM-HI BRACE Award

SickKids Meagan Bebenek Neuro-Oncology Fellowship

This fellowship offers 1–3 years of training in paediatric neuro-oncology within a major paediatric brain tumour program. Applications are open for the academic year July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028.

• Deadline: April 30, 2026
• Further Information: SickKids Fellowship

AIM-HI Women’s Venture Competition

This competition empowers women scientist-entrepreneurs in oncology, addressing unmet patient needs. It offers feedback from key opinion leaders and potential investment opportunities.

• Deadline: March 15, 2026
• Further Information: AIM-HI Women’s Venture Competition

Cancer Center at Illinois Seed Grant Program

The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) solicits interdisciplinary, team-based seed projects to develop new cancer-focused collaborations and generate preliminary data for external grant submissions.

• Proposal Due: March 11, 2026
• Award Notification: May 13, 2026
• Further Information: CCIL Seed Grant Program

University of Colorado Cancer Center Collaborative Pilot Grants

The University of Colorado Cancer Center is offering internal funding for innovative ovarian cancer research. Collaborative Pilot Grants are designed to stimulate multi-investigator function likely to lead to a national grant submission.

• Proposal Deadline: March 31, 2026
• Further Information: U Colorado Cancer Center Pilot Grants

UAMS COBRE Center Pilot Project Program

The UAMS COBRE Center is funding pilot projects aligned to understanding and minimizing adverse side effects of cancer treatment.

• Applications Due: March 15, 2026
• Further Information: UAMS COBRE Pilot Program

Markey Cancer Survivorship Research Initiative Pilot Award

This pilot supports research related to cancer survivorship, providing small funds to strengthen competitive extramural grant applications.

• Application: Rolling basis
• Further Information: Markey Cancer Survivorship Award

Looking Ahead

Mid-March presents a concentrated period for pilot and venture competition deadlines. Early consortium planning is crucial for those pursuing the larger-scale Horizon Europe initiatives. These funding opportunities represent a significant push towards advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes.