The European Commission (EC) has issued a number of open calls for applications for research grants that are of relevance to the cancer research community.

The Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships, a series of three awards which aim to facilitate mobility of experienced researchers both within and outside the EU, have a deadline of 11 August 2011. These include the Marie Curie Intra European Fellowships for Career Development (IEF) intended for researchers who can demonstrate mobility from a member state or associated country to another member state or associated country.

The Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship is intended for researchers who can demonstrate mobility from a third country to a member state or associated country. Application for the award should be made jointly by the researcher and host organizations (which must be located in a member state or associated country) and should be active in research. The Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development is intended for experienced researchers from member states or associated countries who can demonstrate mobility to a third country.

For the first time this year the European Research Council (ERC) has launched a Proof of Concept (PoC) call that is intended to bridge the gap between research and the earliest stages of marketable innovation. The award, which is intended for researchers already holding ERC grants, aims to support them in the preparation of packages for presentation to venture capitalists or companies considering investment in the technology. The proposals will be evaluated according to three criteria: innovation potential, quality of the proof of concept plan and budget. The deadline for submissions is 15 June 2011.

The Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC) has also issued calls for three separate initiatives that all have a deadline of 27 May 2011. The first is for projects that will assist member states to develop action plans to reduce health inequalities. The EAHC has said that member states and regions where premature mortality exceeds 20% of the EU average (defined by under 65 years standardised mortality rates) will be prioritised.

The second is for projects that provide additional support according to needs arising in the communication on action against cancer; while the third is to provide support to European rare diseases information networks.


http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/