Deadline: 19-Aug-2026
The Cancer Foundation Finland Major Grants 2026 provide three grants of €600,000 each to support senior-level researchers conducting high-impact, non-targeted cancer research in Finland. Each grant funds a three-year research project, helping advance scientific discoveries that contribute to cancer prevention, treatment, patient care, and public health.
About the Cancer Foundation Finland Major Grants 2026
The Cancer Foundation Finland Major Grants 2026 are prestigious research awards designed to support experienced researchers leading large-scale cancer research projects. The programme promotes scientific excellence and long-term innovation in cancer research while strengthening Finland’s research capacity.
The grants align with the Cancer Society and Cancer Foundation Finland Strategy (2026–2030), which focuses on:
- Promoting public health
- Preventing cancer
- Improving cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Supporting people affected by cancer
- Reducing the overall burden of cancer on society
- Advancing internationally competitive cancer research
The programme supports non-targeted cancer research, allowing researchers to pursue innovative scientific questions across the field of cancer research.
Funding Information
The Major Grants programme offers significant long-term research funding.
- Number of Grants: 3
- Grant Value: €600,000 each
- Funding Duration: 3 years
- Payment Schedule: Six instalments over three years
- Payment Frequency: Every six months
- First Payment: January 2027
- Maximum Overhead Costs: Up to 15% of the total grant for research site overhead expenses
The funding is intended to support ambitious research projects with the potential to make substantial contributions to cancer science.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Support world-class cancer research.
- Strengthen long-term scientific capacity.
- Encourage innovative and independent research.
- Improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Support research that benefits patients and society.
- Promote scientific collaboration among leading researchers.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a senior-level researcher.
- Lead a non-targeted cancer research project.
- Conduct research aligned with the Foundation’s objectives.
- Submit a scientifically rigorous research proposal.
- Demonstrate the expertise required to successfully lead the project.
The programme is intended for experienced researchers capable of managing large-scale research initiatives.
Who is Not Eligible?
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Research and product development projects conducted within companies.
- Applications that fail to meet the programme requirements.
- Incomplete applications or missing required documentation.
The programme focuses exclusively on academic and scientific cancer research rather than commercial product development.
Eligible Research Areas
The programme supports a wide range of cancer research fields, including:
- Basic cancer research
- Clinical cancer research
- Translational research
- Cancer biology
- Cancer genetics
- Cancer immunology
- Precision oncology
- Cancer prevention
- Early diagnosis
- Cancer treatment
- Public health research
- Cancer epidemiology
- Survivorship research
- Patient care research
Research Plan Requirements
Applicants must prepare a comprehensive research plan.
Formatting Requirements
- Maximum length: 5 pages
- References included within the page limit
- Minimum font size: 12 pt
The Research Plan Must Include
- Research background
- Scientific objectives
- Research methodology
- Project implementation strategy
- Project schedule
- Division of labour among research team members
- Budget and cost estimation
- Ethical considerations
- Expected scientific and societal impact
- Team expertise necessary to complete the project
A well-developed research plan demonstrates scientific quality, feasibility, and potential impact.
Publication Requirements
Applicants must include:
- Up to five key publications by the Principal Investigator.
- Publications from 2016–2026.
- Published or electronically available works.
- Articles accepted for publication (“in press”).
The following are not eligible:
- Submitted manuscripts that have not yet been accepted.
Applicants may provide an additional complete publication list separately if desired.
Clinical Trial Requirements
For clinical interventional studies or clinical trials, applicants must provide:
- A complete study protocol, or
- A study synopsis if the full protocol is not yet available.
This information enables reviewers to evaluate the scientific design and feasibility of the proposed clinical research.
Research Team Requirements
Applications must clearly describe the research team.
The proposal should include:
- Percentage of working time each team member will dedicate to the project.
- Division of responsibilities within the team.
- Expertise of team members essential for project delivery.
Only individuals who will contribute as authors to research outputs are considered research team members.
Administrative, technical, and assisting staff are not considered members of the research team for this programme.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Five-page research plan
- Principal Investigator’s CV
- List of up to five key publications
- Optional complete publication list
- Clinical study protocol or synopsis (if applicable)
- Budget justification
- Research team workload allocation
Submitting complete documentation improves the overall quality of the application.
Grant Payment Schedule
Successful applicants will receive funding over three years.
The payment schedule includes:
- Six equal instalments
- Payments every six months
- First instalment released in January 2027
Researchers must submit their payment information through the grant application system after the funding decision.
If payment information is not submitted within one year of the award decision, the Foundation may withdraw the grant unless another arrangement has been approved.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure you are a senior-level researcher leading a non-targeted cancer research project that meets the programme objectives.
Step 2: Prepare the Research Plan
Develop a research proposal that includes:
- Research background
- Objectives
- Methodology
- Timeline
- Team expertise
- Budget
- Ethical considerations
- Expected scientific impact
Ensure the proposal complies with the five-page limit.
Step 3: Prepare Publication Information
Include up to five eligible publications by the Principal Investigator from 2016–2026.
Only published, electronically available, or accepted publications should be included.
Step 4: Prepare Additional Documents
If applicable, include:
- Clinical study protocol or synopsis
- Principal Investigator’s CV
- Research team workload allocation
- Budget details
Step 5: Review the Application
Before submission, verify that:
- All required documents are included.
- Formatting requirements have been followed.
- Publication details are accurate.
- Team expertise has been clearly explained.
- Budget calculations are complete.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Submit the completed application according to the official application guidelines before the application deadline.
Why This Grant Matters
Large-scale research funding enables experienced scientists to pursue ambitious projects that can transform cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The programme contributes to:
- Scientific innovation
- International research excellence
- Improved cancer therapies
- Better patient outcomes
- Stronger research infrastructure
- Long-term public health benefits
- Greater collaboration among leading researchers
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Present a clear and innovative research vision.
- Demonstrate scientific excellence and leadership.
- Clearly explain the project’s long-term impact.
- Provide a realistic implementation plan.
- Justify the proposed budget.
- Highlight the expertise of key team members.
- Follow all formatting requirements carefully.
- Review the application thoroughly before submission.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors:
- Exceeding the five-page research plan limit.
- Using a font size smaller than 12 pt.
- Including unpublished or unaccepted manuscripts.
- Omitting research team expertise.
- Failing to explain team workload allocation.
- Exceeding the 15% overhead limit.
- Forgetting to include a clinical study protocol when required.
- Delaying submission of payment information after receiving the award.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Cancer Foundation Finland Major Grants 2026 programme?
It is a competitive funding programme that awards three grants of €600,000 each to senior researchers conducting high-impact, non-targeted cancer research.
2. Who can apply?
Only senior-level researchers leading eligible cancer research projects may apply.
3. How much funding is available?
The Foundation will award three grants, each worth €600,000, for research conducted over three years.
4. Can company-led research projects receive funding?
No. Research and product development projects conducted within companies are not eligible for this programme.
5. What documents are required?
Applicants must submit a research plan, the Principal Investigator’s CV, a list of up to five key publications, and any additional documents required for clinical studies.
6. How are grant payments made?
Funding is paid in six instalments over three years, with payments made every six months beginning in January 2027.
7. What happens if payment details are not submitted after the award?
If payment information is not provided within one year of the award decision, the Foundation may withdraw the grant unless another arrangement has been agreed upon.
Conclusion
The Cancer Foundation Finland Major Grants 2026 represent one of the Foundation’s most significant funding opportunities for senior cancer researchers. By awarding three grants of €600,000 over a three-year period, the programme supports ambitious research with the potential to advance cancer science, improve patient care, and strengthen long-term research capacity. Researchers who submit a scientifically rigorous proposal, demonstrate strong leadership, and provide complete supporting documentation will be well positioned to compete for this prestigious funding opportunity.
For more information, visit Cancer Foundation Finland.