Leveraging functional genomics to reveal novel targets for cancer treatment

HORIZON-MISS is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action call funding projects that leverage functional genomics, multi-omics and advanced computational methods to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets for paediatric, rare, refractory and low-survival cancers. The topic has an indicative budget of €32,323,812 with expected EU contributions of €7,000,000 to €8,000,000 per project and a single-stage deadline of 21 September 2027 (17:00 Brussels time). Eligible consortia must follow Horizon Europe rules (typically at least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries, including at least one EU Member State) and proposals must plan to produce FAIR multimodal longitudinal data and share digital assets via the UNCAN.eu platform. Proposals should involve ESFRI life science infrastructures where relevant, include budget for cluster networking and, where clinical studies are proposed, provide the required clinical-study annex and robust ethics and regulatory arrangements.

Leveraging functional genomics to reveal novel targets for cancer treatment

Call and deadline

HORIZON-MISS-2027-02-CANCER-01 — single-stage

Horizon Europe Mission call Supporting the implementation of the Cancer Mission. Planned opening 10 February 2027. Deadline 21 September 2027 (17:00 Brussels time).

What it funds:Research and innovation projects (HORIZON-RIA) that use state-of-the-art functional genomics, structural biology, computational modelling and AI to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets by studying tumour temporal heterogeneity, multi-omics dynamics, tumour microenvironment and patient-specific factors.

Priority areas include paediatric and adolescent cancers, refractory, rare or low-survival cancers and tumour types with limited treatment options. Proposals may include mechanistic longitudinal studies, translational analyses, clinical proof-of-concept or observational studies and must plan to deposit interoperable FAIR multimodal data and tools on the UNCAN.eu research platform.

Who can apply:Consortia of research organisations, healthcare providers, SMEs, industry, EU research infrastructures and other relevant stakeholders across disciplines (medical doctors, AI and health-IT experts, solution providers). Participation rules follow Horizon Europe eligibility (EU Member States and Associated Countries; third country provisions apply).

1. 1Identify and validate new therapeutic targets using experimental models and functional genomics.
2. 2Investigate mechanisms linking dynamic multi-omics, microenvironment and patient factors, including adaptive resistance.
3. 3Integrate, analyse and share FAIR multimodal longitudinal patient data and digital assets via UNCAN.eu and register datasets in the EU dataset catalogue of the European Health Data Space.
4. 4Engage with ESFRI research infrastructures and large-scale initiatives (1+ Million Genomes, European Cancer Imaging) and coordinate with the UNCAN-CONNECT project and the Cancer Mission 'Understanding' cluster.

Type of action: HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions). Grants use the Horizon Action Grant (budget-based) model. Proposals must follow Horizon Europe application, eligibility, evaluation (thresholds: Excellence 4, Impact 4, Implementation 4) and data/ethical requirements. Include clinical-study annex where applicable.

Applicants should budget for networking and cluster activities; successful projects will be asked to join the Cancer Mission 'Understanding' cluster and to collaborate with UNCAN-CONNECT and relevant EU infrastructures and initiatives.

Leveraging functional genomics to reveal novel targets for cancer treatment

Topic identifier: HORIZON-MISS. Programme: Horizon Europe, Supporting the implementation of the Cancer Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2027-02). Type of action: HORIZON-RIA Research and Innovation Actions. Model Grant Agreement: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. Single-stage call. Planned opening: 10 February 2027. Deadline: 21 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time. Official topic page: EU Funding and Tenders Portal topic page.

Opportunity overview and scientific scope

This Research and Innovation Action supports the EU Cancer Mission objective to improve understanding of cancer initiation and progression by leveraging functional genomics and related disciplines to reveal and validate novel therapeutic targets. Proposers should focus especially on paediatric and adolescent cancers, cancers with limited treatment options, refractory cancers, rare cancers, or cancer types with low five-year survival rates. Activities may encompass exploratory mechanistic studies using longitudinal patient biosamples, clinical proof-of-concept studies, observational and translational studies using newly collected or existing data, and the development and application of advanced computational approaches.

Expected outcomes:Deeper understanding of the functional effects of tumour heterogeneity during cancer initiation and progression to enable precise, novel therapeutic target identification. Improved knowledge and tools for discovering and developing next-generation genomically informed cancer treatments. Contribution to the UNCAN.eu research data platform by ensuring data interoperability and enabling sustainable access to new digital tools and models for multimodal clinical data analysis and management.

Mandatory activities to address:Identify and validate new targets for innovative therapeutic approaches by developing experimental models and technologies to assess the functional effects of tumour temporal heterogeneity on disease initiation, progression and relapse. Investigate mechanisms underlying the interplay between the tumour’s dynamic multi-omics characteristics, its microenvironment, and patient specific factors such as genetic background, immune status, age, sex, and comorbidities during disease initiation and progression; include elucidation of adaptive resistance to therapies using clinical data where appropriate. Apply state-of-the-art approaches, tools and models to integrate and analyse FAIR multimodal longitudinal patient data; ensure digital assets are made available through the UNCAN.eu research platform and that all datasets produced are described with metadata records in the EU dataset catalogue of the European Health Data Space.

Priority technologies and methodologies:Functional genomics and structural biology, including rapid gene sequencing, single-cell studies, spatial gene mapping, spatial transcriptomics, epigenetic profiling, liquid biopsies, and functional precision oncology pipelines. Computational methods including causal inference, computational modelling, and artificial intelligence for collection, visualisation, analysis and management of large, complex and heterogeneous datasets. Experimental models spanning in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo systems.

Synergies and platforms to leverage:Engage ESFRI life science research infrastructures such as biobanking resources where relevant ESFRI Life Science RIs. Build on data and experience from major initiatives including the European 1+ Million Genomes initiative 1+ Million Genomes and the European Cancer Imaging Initiative European Cancer Imaging Initiative. Establish collaborations with the UNCAN-CONNECT project implementing the UNCAN.eu research platform UNCAN-CONNECT CORDIS record.

Clustering, networking and coordination:Successful projects will join the Cancer Mission Understanding cluster to strengthen cross-project collaboration. Proposals should include budget for networking, meetings and joint activities such as workshops, best practice development, joint communications or citizen engagement with projects across Horizon Europe clusters and other EU programmes. The European Commission will facilitate coordination.

Who should apply and consortium composition

Eligible Applicant Types

Eligible applicants follow Horizon Europe rules. The topic text encourages participation from a broad, multidisciplinary mix including: universities; research institutes; SMEs; health-IT and solution providers; EU research infrastructures; hospitals and healthcare providers; medical doctors and clinical researchers; AI and data science experts; biobanks; innovation organisations; and other entities capable of contributing to the goals. Nonprofit organisations and NGOs with relevant expertise may join. Large enterprises can participate under Horizon Europe rules. Individuals are not direct beneficiaries but may be engaged through their host organisations.

Funding Type

Grant under Horizon Europe HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Action). The Model Grant Agreement is budget-based. Standard Horizon Europe RIA cost eligibility and reimbursement rules apply as per the HORIZON-AG MGA.

Consortium Requirement

Consortium. Horizon Europe RIAs generally require a minimum of three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Given the scientific and clinical scope, strong, multidisciplinary consortia are expected, including healthcare providers and data-intensive partners.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility)

EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible as per General Annex B. Some non-EU and non-Associated Countries are not automatically eligible but may participate with their own funding; specific national provisions may exist as described in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector

Cancer research and healthcare; genomics, functional genomics, multi-omics and systems biology; precision oncology; structural biology; AI and computational modelling; biomedical data platforms and FAIR data; imaging and liquid biopsy; life science research infrastructures; clinical translational research.

Mentioned Countries

Regionally framed as EU and Europe-wide. No specific countries are singled out within the topic text; references are to EU Member States and Associated Countries.

Project Stage

Research and development through validation and early demonstration. Includes exploratory mechanistic studies, target discovery and validation, integration and analysis of multimodal longitudinal clinical data, and may include clinical proof-of-concept or observational studies. Commercialisation is not the primary focus of this RIA.

Funding scale, budget, and call logistics

Application process and evaluation

Application Type:Open call, single-stage submission via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Use the application forms provided in the Submission System. Standard RIA templates apply. Applicants planning clinical studies must upload the dedicated clinical studies annex template.

Application Stages:1 stage. Proposals are submitted once and evaluated against the criteria.

Evaluation criteria and thresholds:Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds follow Horizon Europe rules. Minimum thresholds per criterion: Excellence 4, Impact 4, Implementation 4. Cumulative threshold 12.

Proposal structure and page limits:Admissibility and layout per General Annex A and E. Proposal page limits and layout are defined in Part B of the Application Form in the Submission System. Use the standard RIA structure: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and efficiency of the Implementation, plus annexes as required.

Templates:Applicants envisaging clinical studies must complete and upload the Information on Clinical Studies template as a separate annex to Part B. The template requires, per study: title and identifiers; study rationale; state of the art and ongoing studies; level of evidence for mechanism of action; objectives (primary and secondary); study population characteristics; sample size and power; study design; type of intervention; schedule of procedures and participation duration; protocol development including regulatory and HTA advice, clinical and methodological guidelines, and patient involvement; regulatory and ethics arrangements across jurisdictions; sponsor and governance structures; operational feasibility including intervention availability, recruitment strategy and monitoring, sites and networks, performance evidence, additional supplies and logistics; data management plan and standards; safety and reporting obligations; outsourced sponsor responsibilities and oversight; milestone plan with realistic timelines for approvals, site initiation, recruitment, follow-up, analysis and reporting.

Success rates:Not specified in the topic or work programme extracts provided.

Financial conditions and co-funding

Legal and financial set-up follows Horizon Europe General Annex G. The granting authority may object to transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results up to four years after the end of the action, as per Annex 5. Horizon Europe RIA rules on cost eligibility and reimbursement apply under the HORIZON-AG model. Co-funding is generally not required for beneficiaries eligible for standard RIA funding rates; however, participants from non-eligible countries or additional activities beyond eligible costs must secure their own resources. Refer to the HE Programme Guide and MGA for full details.

Data, interoperability, ethics, and infrastructures

• FAIR data: Proposals must integrate and analyse multimodal longitudinal patient data under FAIR principles and make digital assets available via the UNCAN.eu research platform. All datasets produced must be described with metadata records in the EU dataset catalogue of the European Health Data Space.
• Interoperability and platforms: Ensure data interoperability and sustainable access to tools and models via UNCAN.eu, with collaboration to the UNCAN-CONNECT project implementing the platform.
• Use of infrastructures: Appropriately involve ESFRI life science research infrastructures, including biobanking, with roles reflected in the work plan.
• Leverage EU initiatives: Where relevant, draw on the European 1+ Million Genomes initiative and the European Cancer Imaging Initiative when designing data and imaging components.
• Clinical studies: If included, provide the dedicated clinical annex and ensure robust regulatory and ethics strategies across jurisdictions; register studies in WHO-compliant registries; plan mandatory deliverables such as study initiation package, midterm recruitment report, and report on posting results in registries.
• Security and eligibility note: Subject to restrictions for protection of European communication networks as per eligibility conditions.

Detailed categorisation answers

Eligible Applicant Types:University; research institute; SME; large enterprise; hospital or healthcare provider; comprehensive cancer centre; EU research infrastructure operator; nonprofit; NGO; government or public research body; health-IT and digital solution providers; AI and data analytics firms; biobanks; public-private partnerships represented by eligible legal entities.

Funding Type:Grant under Horizon Europe HORIZON-RIA.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium. At least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Associated Countries are typically required for RIAs. Multidisciplinary composition including healthcare professionals is expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Some non-EU or non-Associated Countries may participate with their own funding or under specific national provisions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector:Cancer; health and life sciences; genomics and functional genomics; multi-omics; precision oncology; structural biology; AI and computational modelling; biomedical data and platforms; imaging; biobanking; digital health.

Mentioned Countries:Region: EU and Europe. No specific countries explicitly mentioned in the topic text.

Project Stage:Research, development, validation and demonstration. May include clinical proof-of-concept, observational and translational studies using longitudinal biosamples and clinical cohorts.

Funding Amount:Expected EU contribution per project is €7,000,000 to €8,000,000. The topic’s indicative budget is €32,323,812 with approximately four grants expected.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage, via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Nature of Support:Money. Direct grant funding for eligible costs as per the Horizon Europe MGA.

Application Stages:1

Success Rates:Not provided.

Co-funding Requirement:Under Horizon Europe RIA rules, beneficiaries generally receive reimbursement for eligible costs according to the MGA; co-funding is not typically required. Participants from non-eligible countries or for ineligible cost items must ensure their own financing.

What evaluators will look for

1. 1Scientific excellence in functional genomics and target validation, including robust experimental models and longitudinal multi-omics data strategies.
2. 2Clear, justified selection of cancer types with high unmet need, including paediatric and adolescent cancers or low-survival malignancies.
3. 3Strong integration of computational approaches such as causal inference and AI for multimodal data integration, analysis and interpretation.
4. 4Concrete plans for FAIR data, metadata, and contribution to the UNCAN.eu research platform, with data quality, interoperability and governance clearly defined.
5. 5Appropriate engagement and roles for ESFRI research infrastructures and biobanks; access to clinically annotated cohorts and sample availability.
6. 6Clinically relevant endpoints and pathways for translating targets toward therapeutic concepts, including mechanistic rationale for resistance and microenvironmental interactions.
7. 7Ethics, regulatory and data protection compliance across jurisdictions for any clinical or patient data components, with robust consent and registry strategies.
8. 8Realistic, risk-managed implementation plan, milestones, and resource allocation including budget for clustering and coordination activities within the Cancer Mission.

Administrative and legal notes

• General conditions apply per Work Programme General Annexes A to G.
• Eligible countries and any restrictions are described in Annex B; participation is subject to specific restrictions for protection of European communication networks.
• The granting authority may object to transfer or exclusive licensing of results up to four years after project end, as set out in Annex 5 of the MGA.
• Evaluation follows the Online Manual and General Annex F; standard RIA evaluation form applies with necessary adaptations.
• For proposals with clinical studies, the clinical studies annex must be used; it standardises essential methodological, operational, and regulatory information for evaluator assessment. Template available here: Information on clinical studies template.

Key links and references

• Official topic page: HORIZON-MISS-2027-02-CANCER-01
• Cancer Mission work programme 2026-2027 Part 12: Missions WP 2026-2027
• UNCAN-CONNECT project: CORDIS
• ESFRI Life Science Research Infrastructures: ESFRI LifeScience-RI
• European 1+ Million Genomes initiative: 1+MG
• European Cancer Imaging Initiative: ECI

Comprehensive summary

This Horizon Europe Cancer Mission RIA funds collaborative, multidisciplinary research to discover and validate novel therapeutic targets by exploiting advances in functional genomics, multi-omics, and computational methods. It focuses on high-unmet-need cancers, including paediatric and adolescent cancers, rare and refractory tumours, and cancers with poor survival. Applicants must tackle three core tasks: develop and apply experimental models and technologies to interrogate temporal tumour heterogeneity; dissect the interplay among tumour intrinsic multi-omics features, microenvironment, and patient-specific factors to understand disease trajectories and resistance; and integrate and analyse FAIR multimodal longitudinal patient data with state-of-the-art tools and models, ensuring that resulting digital assets are accessible via the UNCAN.eu platform and discoverable in the EU dataset catalogue of the European Health Data Space. Proposals should leverage ESFRI research infrastructures and existing EU initiatives such as 1+ Million Genomes and the European Cancer Imaging Initiative, and must prepare for collaboration with the UNCAN-CONNECT project implementing UNCAN.eu. Selected projects will join the Understanding cluster to coordinate networking and joint activities, for which a dedicated budget line is expected. The call is single-stage, evaluated against Excellence, Impact, and Implementation with high thresholds, and anticipates 7 to €8 millioneuro per project across approximately four grants. The opportunity is open to consortia from EU Member States and Associated Countries, bringing together universities, research institutes, SMEs, large companies, hospitals and clinicians, AI and data experts, EU research infrastructures, and other relevant stakeholders. Where clinical studies are foreseen, applicants must supply a detailed clinical annex covering methodology, regulatory and ethics readiness, operational feasibility, governance, data management, and milestone planning. Overall, this topic aims to accelerate the path from functional insight into tumour heterogeneity to actionable, genomically guided targets and tools that underpin the next wave of precision cancer therapeutics, while building a pan-European, interoperable data and tool ecosystem through UNCAN.eu.

Leveraging Functional Genomics to Reveal Novel Targets for Cancer Treatment

This Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) call HORIZON-MISS supports the EU Cancer Mission by advancing understanding of cancer initiation and progression through functional genomics. It focuses on identifying precise therapeutic targets, particularly for paediatric, adolescent, rare, refractory cancers or those with low survival rates.

Key Dates and Budget

Planned opening:10 February 2027

Deadline:21 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission)

Total indicative budget:€32,323,812

Expected EU contribution per project:€7,000,000 to €8,000,000

Indicative number of projects:4

Funding is provided under Horizon Europe Mission on Cancer, using HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG) Model Grant Agreement. For RIA actions, up to 100% of eligible costs can typically be funded, subject to standard Horizon Europe rules.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

Proposals must contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Deeper understanding of tumour heterogeneity effects during cancer initiation and progression, enabling precise novel therapeutic targets.
• Improved knowledge and tools for discovering and developing genomically-informed next-generation cancer treatments.
• Contributions to the UNCAN.eu research data platform with interoperable data, digital tools and models for multimodal clinical data analysis.

Scope and Required Activities

The call targets cancers with limited treatment options, including paediatric/adolescent (age 0-19 at diagnosis), refractory, rare cancers or low five-year survival types. Proposals may include mechanistic studies with patient bio-samples, proof-of-concept or observational/translational studies.

Applicants must leverage advances in functional genomics (transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, metabolomics) and structural biology, such as rapid gene sequencing, single-cell studies, spatial transcriptomics, epigenetic profiling, liquid biopsies and precision oncology pipelines. Use of causal inference, computational modelling and AI for complex data is encouraged.

All proposals must address these activities:

1. 1Identify and validate new targets via experimental models and technologies assessing tumour temporal heterogeneity effects on initiation, progression and relapse.
2. 2Investigate tumour multi-omics, microenvironment and patient factors (e.g. genetics, immune status, age, sex, comorbidities) interplay, including adaptive resistance mechanisms using clinical data.
3. 3Integrate and analyse FAIR multimodal longitudinal patient data with state-of-the-art tools, making assets available via UNCAN.eu. Datasets must be catalogued in the European Health Data Space.

Proposals must involve ESFRI life science infrastructures (e.g. biobanking) and leverage initiatives like European €1M+ Genomes 1+ Million Genomes Initiative and European Cancer Imaging Cancer Imaging Initiative. Collaboration with UNCAN-CONNECT UNCAN-CONNECT is required. Successful projects join the Cancer Mission 'Understanding' cluster, budgeting for networking ¹.

Clinical studies require a dedicated annex using the provided template Clinical Studies Template.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Standard Horizon Europe rules apply: consortia of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different eligible countries (at least 1 EU Member State). Eligible countries per General Annex B. Mix of stakeholders encouraged: medical doctors, health-IT experts, researchers, AI experts, solution providers, academia, research institutes, EU research infrastructures, SMEs ². UK entities eligible as Associated Country.

• Admissibility: Page limits/layout per Annexes A/E.
• Other conditions: Restrictions for European communication networks protection.
• Financial/operational capacity: Per Annex C.
• Evaluation: Excellence/Impact/Implementation thresholds of 4 each (cumulative 12), per Annexes D/F.
• Legal/financial set-up: Per Annex G; up to 4 years post-action objection to results ownership/licensing transfer.

Application Process

Submit via EU Funding & Tenders Portal Funding Portal. Use Submission System forms. Reference Work Programme 2026-2027 (Missions) WP Document. Partner search available on portal.

Additional Considerations

Interdisciplinary collaboration across sectors is essential. Data must be FAIR and interoperable for UNCAN.eu. Proposals should plan for cluster networking and Commission-facilitated coordination.

Footnotes

1. 1Budget for workshops, best practices, communication, citizen engagement with other Horizon Europe projects.
2. 2ESFRI infrastructures: Life Science RI.