Cancer Foundation’s call for grant applications 2026
Cancer Foundation Finland opens call for applications for major, research and dissertation grants is open 1 July – 19 August 2026
Cancer Foundation Finland’s call for grant applications 2026
The Cancer Foundation Finland invites applications for grants for biological, clinical, epidemiological and psychosocial scientific research into cancer. Applications can be submitted between 1 June and 19 August 2026. A link to the application guidelines is given at the bottom of the page.
In the review of applications, particular attention will be paid to the scientific quality and feasibility of the research plan, the applicant’s scientific merits and the project’s relevance to cancer research.
The Cancer Foundation Finland’s grants are awarded to support research conducted in Finland.
Major grants
Applications are invited for three three-year major grants of 600,000 euros each. The major grants are non-targeted grants intended for cancer research.
Other research and dissertation grants
The research grants are awarded for scientific research into cancer for a period of one, two or three years. This year, as in previous year, funding decisions will prioritise longer funding periods. In addition, a similar grant may be awarded to a newly established research group if the leader of the group has completed a successful postdoctoral period and the research plan is particularly robust.
The dissertation grants are worth 4,000 euros each, and they are awarded only once to the same person. The dissertation grant is intended for researchers in the final stages of their dissertation work; it is awarded only to applicants who have already published relevant articles on the topic or who can otherwise demonstrate that their research is at an advanced stage.
Applications are submitted in the Cancer Foundation Finland’s electronic grant application system. A research plan and a list of the principal researcher’s publications from 2016–2026 shall be appended to the application. Applications cannot be supplemented after the deadline. Late applications will be rejected, as will applications that do not comply with the instructions.
Links to the application guidelines and the grant application system are provided at the bottom of the page.
The Cancer Foundation Finland does not award research grants to researchers or research teams that are funded by the tobacco industry. The tobacco industry includes any company or group of companies that derives a major portion of its income from the manufacture or marketing of tobacco products.
Awarded grants will be announced in December 2026.
Helsinki, 12 May 2026
Cancer Foundation Finland
Guidelines to major grant
Guidelines to major grant applicants and link to application system
Guidelines to reserach grant
Guidelines to reserach grant applicants and link to application system
Guidelines to dissertation grant
Guidelines to dissertation grant applicants and link to application system
The Cancer Foundation is the largest private funder of cancer research in Finland. Donations are also used to support cancer patients and their loved ones.