Purpose and Objectives of the Call for Proposals
The purpose of this call for proposals is to support emerging research groups (as defined in the “Definitions” section below) in consolidating their lines of research through financial grants awarded by the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (hereinafter, the Foundation) to high-quality cancer research projects with a clear translational focus that are conducted entirely in Spain.
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.
Features of the Proposal
The research project must have a translational focus, with a solid foundation of basic research to support the hypothesis presented in the proposal (studies ranging from basic and translational oncology to preclinical studies).
Requirements
Group leaders applying for this call must:
• Hold a Ph.D.
• Be contractually affiliated with a public or private nonprofit organization authorized to conduct scientific research in Spain, or be committed to becoming so within 6 months of applying for the grant. This organization must be the one where the project is carried out and the one listed on the application.
In addition, the applicant must demonstrate that they are an independent group leader of an emerging group (as defined in point 1) and, to do so, must:
• Submit a sworn statement signed by the applicant setting forth the criteria by which their candidacy should be considered an AECC Lab profile, including the date from which the applicant has been an independent group leader. If applicable, they must provide a letter signed by the center’s legal representative expressing a commitment to provide the successful candidate with dedicated space and resources within 6 months of the application.
Features of the Assistance
Duration
The grant will have a maximum duration of 4 years, starting from the start date indicated in the specific annex to the framework agreement governing the specific conditions of the grant awarded.
However, at the end of the initial two-year period, the Foundation will conduct an interim review; failure to pass this review may result in the early termination of the grant, at the Foundation’s sole discretion.
Financial Assistance
This grant has a maximum total of 400,000 euros (gross) over 4 years, at a maximum of 100,000 euros (gross) per year, for the implementation of the Project. The eligible expense categories are detailed in the Annex “Guide to Eligibility and Justification of Expenses,” available in the documentation section of the call for proposals.
The Foundation offers an additional 3,000 euros on top of the total grant amount to cover any project-related expenses associated with protecting the research results.
This includes patent registration and applications, technical reports on patentability, drafting business plans, reports to third parties regarding the proper development of the project, regulatory roadmaps, licensing agreements, etc.
Others
In addition to the above, the Foundation will consider offering an EMBO course to help promote a solid research career for the awardees.
Submission of Applications
Applicants must register on the GMS platform at https://grants-fundacioncientifica-aecc.smartsimple.ie/s_Login.jsp
. Documentation will only be accepted through this channel; documentation submitted through any other channel will not be accepted.
Deadline for submitting applications
The application period begins on November 13, 2025, and ends on January 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (mainland Spain time).
The system will not accept submissions after the application deadline, and only those applications submitted within the application period will be evaluated.
Complete guidelines for the call for applications
https://www.contraelcancer.es/sites/default/files/ayudas/2025-11/Bases_Proyectos_LAB%20AECC_2026.pdf