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In September 2025, the European Commission (EC) closed the latest EU Cancer Mission calls with 116 proposals submitted across six call topics. These numbers confirm once again the strong mobilisation of the European cancer research and innovation community under Horizon Europe. From prevention and early detection to treatment optimisation and quality of life, the EU Cancer Mission continues to attract highly competitive, multidisciplinary consortia. The EC has now published the results of the 2025 EU Cancer Mission calls, and the numbers confirm an exceptionally competitive landscape. This blog explains the newly released EU Cancer Mission proposal statistics, which provide valuable insight into thematic pressure points and oversubscription patterns. 

Horizon Europe 2025 Cancer Mission submissions – digging into the numbers

Across six topics, 116 proposals were submitted, with only 13 projects funded overall. Success rates ranged from 6.9% for pragmatic nutrition trials in older cancer patients to 33% for the coordination-focused CSA on funder collaboration. In the large RIA topics on innovative surgery, paediatric clinical trials and environmental exposure, success rates fell below 10% to 17.4%, with funding thresholds between 14.5 and 15 points.

These EU Cancer Mission proposal statistics send a clear signal to applicants preparing for 2026. First, clinically oriented RIAs are heavily oversubscribed and evaluated at a very high-quality threshold. Second, even well-scoring proposals above 14 points may remain unfunded in crowded topics. For future applicants, incremental excellence will not be sufficient. Proposals must demonstrate sharp scope alignment, implementation credibility and a compelling Mission-level impact logic from the outset.

New this time: Summary of observer report

As published under the Cancer Mission call topics, two independent observers followed the evaluation of proposals, including briefings for experts that took place in this period. Below are their comments:

• The entire evaluation process was fully transparent and followed all applicable rules and guidelines. The latter were clearly communicated to experts at the start of the process, during general and topic specific briefings and, by the moderators, during central evaluation and the panel meetings as needed. The HaDEA staff involved, including quality checkers and call secretariat team, conducted the evaluation in an excellent and impartial manner, ensuring a high quality of the process.
• Achieving this high level was extremely difficult due to the high number of proposals to be processed in a limited time and with limited resources. Over 1,500 proposals were assessed through tremendous effort. Given the constant increase in proposal numbers and in view of not compromising the quality of the evaluation, it is highly recommended to consider adapting the process.
• The fast-track procedure and the use of recorders were both useful tools and should be continued. Some of the calls were part of a blind evaluation pilot. We advise against this practice, which had no visible advantage, but in some instances impaired the evaluation of scientific excellence, especially with respect to methodology.
• We see it as a weakness of the process that it focuses strongly on finding negative aspects but does not reward particularly exciting or highly innovative proposals. This is linked to the low weight that is given to scientific excellence, which is only 1/3. The observers are not aware of any other evaluation process that places such a low emphasis on scientific excellence. Increasing its weight would be in line with international practice and would allow to place more emphasis on genuine break-through concepts.

Looking ahead: 2026 Cancer Missions call topics

The Horizon Europe Missions Programme 2026-2027 is already available and outlines the next set of research and innovation priorities, building on the lessons and momentum of the 2025 calls. The Work Programme provides applicants with insights into upcoming topics, budgets and deadlines. For those considering a submission for the 15 September 2026, now is the time to review the Work Programme and start shaping partnerships and project concepts in line with the Commission’s forthcoming priorities. The following seven call topics are already open for submission in the Funding and Tenders portal:

• HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-01: Virtual Human Twin (VHT) Models for Cancer Research
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-02: Microbiome for early cancer prediction before the onset of disease
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-03: Pragmatic clinical trials to optimise immunotherapeutic interventions for patients with refractory cancers
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-04: Earlier and more precise palliative care
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-05: Boosting mental health of young cancer survivors through the European Cancer Patient Digital Centre (ECPDC)
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-06: Development of a research capacity building programme on cancer with and for Ukraine
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-07: Improve the Quality of Life of older cancer patients