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EU Missions under Horizon Europe

Cancer Mission: First-in-Human Trials for Rare Cancers

Funds €7–9M projects taking biomarker-guided rare-cancer treatments into first-in-human, multicentre phase 1 trials.

ScheduledEuropean CommissionEU

People with rare and very rare cancers often have advanced disease and too few opportunities to join appropriate early clinical trials. This topic funds the bridge from a promising biomarker-guided medicine or multimodal intervention to first-in-human evidence.

Projects may finish preclinical validation in relevant in vivo, ex vivo or in silico models, then test early safety and efficacy in multi

Completing preclinical validation where needed and testing the early safety and efficacy of biomarker-guided medicines or multimodal interventions in first-in-human, multicentre phase 1 trials for rare and very rare cancers. Projects must define safety, efficacy and patient-reported endpoints with patients and caregivers, include regulator advice, use appropriate patient and clinical data, and provide the required clinical-study annex.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.21 Sept 2027
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.22 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€24M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Source: ec.europa.eu