Purpose and Objectives of the Call for Proposals
The primary objective of this call for proposals is to identify projects that undertake an ambitious proof-of-concept study, which will strengthen previously obtained research results in the field of cancer and initiate the validation process for their commercialization, while ensuring well-structured intellectual property protection.
This call for proposals involves the AECC Patient Advocacy Program, which is made up of cancer patients and their caregivers.
All aspects of the call for proposals will be managed through the Foundation’s grant management platform (Grant Management System, hereinafter the GMS platform), where you can find the relevant documentation.
Requirements
Researchers affiliated with public or private, nonprofit institutions (hereinafter, “Center”) that have a Knowledge Transfer Office or Innovation Unit are eligible to participate in this call for proposals. Only one application per institution is permitted; therefore, the KTO must first conduct an internal selection process for the proposed project and submit a report justifying the project’s suitability for participation in this call for proposals. The report must outline the assessment and evaluation criteria used by the KTO in selecting the project.
Consortia may not apply, even if they are composed of two or more centers.
However, projects may be submitted under this call for proposals if the intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, or know-how involved (hereinafter “IPR”) are held by the participating Center on a joint ownership basis with other for-profit or nonprofit entities or individuals, whether Spanish or foreign, provided that the provisions of section 10 of the call for proposals are complied with.
Furthermore, the intellectual property rights (IPR) involved in the project may be subject to exploitation agreements—such as licensing agreements—with other Spanish or foreign entities, whether for-profit or nonprofit.
Features of the Proposal
Any R&D&I project may be submitted, provided that the feasibility of the expected and/or demonstrable results is at least at TRL 3. These results must have the potential to lead to new opportunities or improvements in various areas of cancer research and across all types of cancer, provided they accelerate the transfer of results into clinical practice.
This call for proposals is open to all projects aimed at bringing research closer to patients and whose application of scientific and technical knowledge improves the prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of cancer patients.
Areas eligible for financial support:
— Development of new therapies, diagnostic methods, and biomedical technologies
— Medtech innovation for education and clinical practice
Features of the Grant
Duration
The grant will have a maximum duration of 2 years from the start date specified in the specific annex to the framework agreement that will govern the terms of the grant.
However, the research team must carry out the project within the number of months ultimately specified in the work plan set forth in the scientific report.
Financial Assistance
The maximum total amount of funding for the winning project is 180,000 euros.
The amount of the grant will be determined by the Foundation, based on the eligible costs documented in the application and depending on the specific needs and circumstances of each project.
Submission of Applications
Applicants must register on the GMS platform https://grants-fundacioncientifica-aecc.smartsimple.ie/s_Login.jsp
Documents will only be accepted through this channel; documents submitted through any other channel will not be accepted.
Deadline for submitting applications
The application period begins on November 13, 2025, and ends on February 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (Peninsular time).
The system will not accept submissions after the application deadline, and only those applications submitted within the application period will be evaluated.