Leveraging functional genomics to identify, validate and translate new targets for cancer treatment. This briefing highlights the opportunity at a practical level; the official topic conditions remain binding.
Functional genomics for novel cancer-treatment targets
Leveraging functional genomics to identify, validate and translate new targets for cancer treatment.
Core intervention logic
- 1Discover vulnerabilitiesUse functional genomics to reveal actionable cancer vulnerabilities
- 2Validate targetsValidate targets across relevant models and patient contexts
- 3Connect to patient biologyBuild a credible route towards therapeutic translation
- 4Prepare therapeutic translationUse functional genomics to reveal actionable cancer vulnerabilities
How the action works
Discover vulnerabilities
New, evidence-backed targets that can expand future cancer-treatment options.
Who is it for?
Cancer-biology and functional-genomics researchers; Clinical, computational and translational teams; Biotechnology, pharmaceutical and patient partners. The strongest consortia will connect these capabilities around a clearly defined need rather than assemble partners only to satisfy formal eligibility.
What does the call support?
Use functional genomics to reveal actionable cancer vulnerabilities.
Validate targets across relevant models and patient contexts.
Build a credible route towards therapeutic translation.
What are the key requirements?
- Robust functional evidence and clinically relevant cancer contexts
- Integration of experimental, computational and translational expertise
- Target validation, data quality and a clear exploitation pathway
- Action type: Research and Innovation Action (RIA).
A competitive proposal must connect the topic’s expected outcomes to a focused intervention logic, credible partners, measurable results and a convincing route to uptake. Scope, eligibility and all special conditions should be checked against the official topic text before consortium commitments are made.
Timeline and next steps
The topic is scheduled to open on 9 February 2027 and the deadline is 21 September 2027. Prospective applicants should use the preparation period to confirm fit, shape the core concept, identify the capabilities required and build the work plan around the expected outcomes.
EXELIXIS can support call interpretation, concept positioning, consortium architecture, proposal development, impact pathways and coordination of partner contributions.
Official sources
This briefing is an original summary prepared from official EU sources. It is provided for orientation and does not replace the binding call text, General Annexes or Funding & Tenders Portal conditions.