L’appel à projets Cancer Grand Challenges vise à mobiliser la communauté scientifique internationale autour des défis les plus complexes et les plus ambitieux de la recherche sur le cancer. Ce programme soutient des consortiums interdisciplinaires internationaux capables d’apporter des réponses innovantes à des problématiques majeures encore non résolues. L’initiative encourage le rapprochement de disciplines variées afin d’accélérer les avancées scientifiques et leur impact pour les patients. L’édition 2026 est consacrée à un défi ciblé portant sur les cancers gastro-œsophagiens.
In partnership with the Torrey Coast Foundation, Cancer Research UK launches two new targeted Cancer Grand Challenges, open to the global research community:
- Gastroesophageal transformation into cancer: Understand and reverse early tissue changes leading to gastroesophageal cancers
- Global variation in gastroesophageal cancer: Determine the biological mechanisms underpinning geographical variations in gastroesophageal cancer incidence
Eligibility
Cancer Grand Challenges invites global, interdisciplinary teams to tackle major challenges in gastroesophageal cancer research. Teams must include one Team Lead and up to seven Co-Investigators, with no more than 50% of investigators and funding located in a single country. Applicants are encouraged to submit a Letter of Interest before applying.
Important: Applicants are encouraged to submit a Letter of Interest at least two weeks before the deadline to allow the Cancer Grand Challenges office to assess eligibility and provide sufficient time for preparation of the full application
Funding
Selected teams may receive up to $34 million in funding to support ambitious, collaborative research programmes. The initiative expects to fund at least one team, with projects starting in May 2027.
Evaluation
Applications will be reviewed by the Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee based on scientific excellence and transformative potential. Shortlisted teams will be invited to interview in New York on 20 January 2027.
