Despite significant advances in oncology, many paediatric cancers have seen limited or no meaningful improvement in treatments over the past 40 years. To address these critical unmet needs, the FIGHT KIDS CANCER Programme Committee has decided to dedicate the 2026–2027 Call to research projects across all areas of paediatric cancer. 

FIGHT KIDS CANCER aims to catalyse and support pan-European leading-edge research initiatives in paediatric cancer to develop innovative approaches to improve outcomes for all children and adolescents with cancer. This call will cover the following non-exclusive objectives:

• realise meaningful impact on young patient improve survival rates and reduce toxicity to restore young patients to full health after treatment
• advance fundamental knowledge of paediatric malignancies
• support improved interdisciplinary research, methods and collaborations for tackling the issues of today
• strengthen collaboration and the development of scientific capacity across Europe

FKC aims towards overcoming the structural lack of research dedicated to paediatric cancers by ensuring a recurring endowment that will be granted to the best European research projects every year. An additional ambition is to foster closer working ties between clinical and laboratory researchers.

Practical Information 

The funding amount and grant duration for each application will be as follows (see guidelines for applicants for further details): 

• Clinical Trials 
  • Maximum funding: €5 000 000 
  • Maximum duration: 5 years 
• Clinical Trial Preparation Grants 
  • Maximum funding: €250 000 
  • Maximum duration: 2 years (non-extendable, non-renewable) 
• Translational Research Projects 
  • Maximum funding: €2 000 000 
  • Maximum duration: 4 years 

The maximum grant amounts listed above represent the ceiling FKC will fund per project. These are not target amounts. Applicants should only request funding amounts that accurately reflect their actual needs. 

Applicants should apply for what they need and not refrain from applying for smaller amounts or shorter projects such as pilot or preliminary studies. Each project will be evaluated on its own merits. Shorter, high-risk high-gain projects are as welcome as biology companion projects. Translational projects applying for longer duration or higher amounts are expected to foster collaboration across institutions and borders within Europe to meet the FKC selection criteria. 

The call, evaluation and selection process follow the structure and the provisional timeline below: