Funding innovative approaches in cancer research
External calls for proposals
Here you will find current external calls for proposals for funding programs in oncology
Do you need the knowledge of patient experts?
Are you involved in research in Bavaria or do you manage a project and need a suitable patient expert?
We can help.
Please fill out the service request and send it to geschaeftsstelle@bzkf.de.
Please also note the checklist for working with patient experts.
External tenders
DKTK Joint Funding Program
The 14th Call for Proposals within the DKTK Joint Funding Program is open. With this Joint Funding Call, DKTK aims to stimulate the interaction between DKTK partner sites, to bridge the gap between basic and clinical research, and to accelerate the translation and transfer of scientific discoveries in the areas of prevention, early detection, diagnosis and therapy into tangible outputs for patients.
- Pillar 1: Therapeutic Innovations
- Pillar 2: Diagnostic Innovations & Molecular Prevention
Timeline:
- Submission of a Short Proposal by February 17, 2026 (13:00 CET) via the DKTK Application Portal (DKFZ UserID required for login)
- Applicants of positively evaluated Short Proposals will be invited to submit a Full Proposal by May 12, 2026 (13:00 CET)
- Start date for selected and funded projects: Q1 2027
Else Kröner Medical Scientist Kollegs 2026
The call for proposals takes place in two stages. The draft proposals can be submitted by April 22, 2026 by e-mail toantrag-wissenschaft@ekfs.de can be submitted.
Information on the call for proposals
Funding priority 'Cancer Prevention Graduate School' (CPGS) - 2nd call - Priority Program 'Cancer Prevention Graduate School' (CPGS) - Second Call
Application deadline: 01.02.2026
Information on the call for proposals
Guidelines for the funding of research networks on the topic of ageing and cancer - National Decade Against Cancer, Federal Gazette of 05.12.2025
The aim of the funding measure is to develop innovative approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of age-related cancers as well as for the social management of cancer in old age.
Application deadline: 20.02.2026
Information on the call for proposals
Gilead funding program: Science
In 2026, Gilead will fund research projects in the following areas
- Virology
- Breast cancer
- Bronchial carcinoma
Application deadline: 31.03.2026
Information on the call for applications
Vision Zero Inno Award
Vision Zero is sustainably committed to reducing the number of preventable cancer-related deaths to zero - with a clear focus on the needs of patients.
Application deadline: 28.02.2026
Information on the call for applications
German Society for Radiation Oncology - DEGRO Awards
Every year, DEGRO prizes are awarded for outstanding scientific achievements at the DEGRO Annual Congress. The winners are selected by a jury responsible for the respective prize.
Information on the competition
Guidelines for the funding of data utilization projects in the field of eHealth
With this funding guideline, the BMFTR supports data usage projects for research into health-related issues using high-quality and multi-center data sets from existing national GFDI. These pilot projects are intended to promote the future "transfer to clinical application and public health research, including in the area of prediction, more precise diagnosis and treatment of diseases, stratification of patients and prediction of disease progression" and to exploit the potential of the established GFDI for clinical-epidemiological and biomedical research.
Application deadline: 27.02.2026
Information on the call for proposals
Guidelines for the funding of interdisciplinary research for a better understanding of the development, manifestation and treatment of menopausal symptoms
The menopause is a natural part of the life course. It refers to the transitional period before, during and after the last spontaneous menstruation in a woman's life, during which hormonal changes occur (primarily a decrease in oestrogen and progesterone). In 2025, around nine million women in Germany will be going through the menopause. Around 80 percent of women experience symptoms during this phase, around a third of which are so severe that their quality of life is severely restricted. Particularly during the perimenopause, the symptoms are often not perceived as menopause-related. The menopause is a key factor that contributes to the development of non-communicable diseases in women. This is particularly true of its impact on cardiovascular, bone and cognitive health. Research to improve the treatment of women with menopausal symptoms and to reduce health risks during menopause is underrepresented worldwide.
In the first stage of the procedure, project outlines in written and/or electronic form must be submitted to the project management organization by 15 April 2026, 12:00 CEST at the latest.
Information on the call
BMBF call for proposals - Guideline for the funding of projects on the topic of reducing the gender data gap in clinical research
Application deadline: 10.03.2026
Information on the call for proposals
Current calls for proposals from German Cancer Aid
Funding priority "Translational oncology" for the further funding of cooperative, translational cancer research projects at Interdisciplinary Oncology Centers of Excellence and Comprehensive Cancer Centers.
Mildred Scheel Postdoctoral Program for projects in the field of prevention, diagnosis or therapy of cancer.
Mildred Scheel Doctoral Program for carrying out excellent scientific doctoral theses in cancer research in a designated research laboratory.
Max Eder Junior Research Group Program for the promotion of young scientists in the field of clinical/clinical oncology.
Milred Scheel Professorship: Promotion of young scientists for basic clinical oncology research/clinical cancer research.
Short Term Fellowship for short-term national and international research stays.
Call for proposals Emmy Noether Groups "Methods of Artificial Intelligence"
Information on the call for proposals
Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation
The CNV Foundation supports outstanding female scientists in the fields of the experimental natural sciences and basic medical research who are also raising children.
Apply until November 30th each year
Information on the call for applications
DKK scholarship for young scientists
The German Cancer Congress Young Investigator Fellowship opens doors to a unique young investigator program, direct exchange with experts, workshops and the opportunity to help shape the future of oncology.
Application deadline: February 21, 2026
Information on the call for applications
Fellowships and Grants by Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds
Programs for junior scientists: Travel Grants, PhD and MD fellowships
Information on the call for applications
