Maintaining cancer as an EU research priority
The European Union (EU) plays an critical role in driving oncology research in Europe, mainly through the EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation - the largest EU schemes providing public funding for research, across areas and sectors.
Horizon Europe is the 9th and current EU Framework Programme, running from 2021-2027 with a total budget of €95.5 billion and the basis for the Research and Innovation Mission on Cancer, which aims at “Improving the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through prevention, cure and for those affected by cancer including their families, to live longer and better.”
Horizon Europe will be succeeded by the 10th EU Framework Programme which will run from 2028-2034.
With cancer being a major disease burden in Europe - with an estimated 2.7 million new cases in the EU in 2020 (ECIS), projected to increase to 3.6 million cases by 2040 (GCO) - ESMO strives to keep cancer a top priority of the EU’s Framework Programmes, with robust EU funding allocated to those oncology-related areas that would benefit the most from public research investments, including multi-omics profiling of solid tumours, multidimensional causes of cancer, personalised therapies, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for clinical decision-support.
Information on calls for proposals under Horizon Europe and specific funding opportunities for organizations can be accessed on the EU’s Portal for Funding & Tender Opportunities.