What is HORIZON Europe?
- HORIZON Europe is the European Union’s key funding program for research and innovation, running from 2021 to 2027 with a budget of approximately €95.5 billion. It aims to drive the EU’s global competitiveness, create sustainable jobs, and boost economic growth by supporting groundbreaking research and innovative projects.
- It is designed to be a comprehensive program that addresses key scientific, societal, and economic challenges through innovative research and international collaboration.
Pillars of HORIZON Europe
- Excellent Science: Supports frontier research, fellowships, and scientific collaboration to enhance the EU’s science base.
- Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness: Focuses on societal challenges and industrial leadership, promoting interdisciplinary and collaborative projects.
- Innovative Europe: Aims to make Europe a frontrunner in market-creating innovation through the European Innovation Council (EIC) and supporting the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
iBeChange falls under the Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness pillar which focuses on societal challenges and industrial leadership, promoting interdisciplinary and collaborative projects.
Cancer Mission
- The Cancer Mission is one of the five key missions under HORIZON Europe, aiming to improve the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through better prevention, treatment, and survivorship.
- iBeChange focuses on the second objective – Prevention and Early Detection: Develop strategies and technologies for early detection and prevention of cancer & raise awareness and improve cancer literacy to encourage healthier lifestyles and preventive measures.
- Equity in cancer care – reduce disparities in cancer care and outcomes across different regions and populations of Europe. We want to ensure equitable access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care services.
Key Actions
- Research and Innovation:
- Fund interdisciplinary research projects to advance knowledge and innovation in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Support clinical trials and research infrastructures to facilitate the translation of research findings into clinical practice.
- Public Health Initiatives:
- Collaborate with public health organizations and stakeholders to implement effective cancer prevention and control programs.
- Promote the integration of cancer prevention and care into national and regional health policies.
- Patient and Public Involvement:
- Engage patients, survivors, and the public in cancer research and policy-making processes.
- Foster patient-centered approaches to improve cancer care and support systems.
- International Collaboration:
- Strengthen collaboration with international partners to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in cancer research and care.
- Participate in global initiatives to address common cancer challenges and leverage international expertise.
Expected Impact
- Reduction in Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Implementing effective prevention and early detection measures to reduce the number of new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths.
- Improved Survival Rates: Advancing treatment options and personalized medicine approaches to increase survival rates among cancer patients.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Providing comprehensive support and care to improve the well-being of cancer patients and survivors.
- Equitable Access to Care: Ensuring all individuals, regardless of their location or
- socio-economic status, have access to high-quality cancer care and support.
Project Synergies
Other projects in our cluster
MELIORA
MELIORA is an EU-funded project committed to advancing breast cancer risk reduction
through innovative, evidence-based approaches. Centered on Multimodal Engagement and
sustainable Lifestyle Interventions enhanced by Artificial Intelligence, the initiative seeks to
drive meaningful and cost-effective behavioural change to lower breast cancer risk.
Aligned with established nutritional and lifestyle guidelines, MELIORA aims to promote
healthier, more sustainable habits by tackling key obstacles such as limited awareness, low
levels of digital and health literacy, and socio-demographic inequalities. Through a
combination of personalised support and scalable interventions, MELIORA aspires to
empower individuals and communities to take proactive steps toward breast cancer
prevention.
SUNRISE
SUNRISE is a European Union-funded initiative dedicated to the primary prevention of
cancer by promoting sustainable behaviour change during adolescence—a pivotal life stage
in which many health-related habits are established. Recognising the considerable publi
health and societal burden posed by cancer across Europe, the project seeks to equip young
people with the knowledge and skills required to make informed lifestyle choices that reduce
long-term cancer risk.
The programme integrates a validated digital intervention for smoking prevention with a suite
of innovative strategies, including peer-led social media campaigns, advertising literacy
education, gamified learning, and the use of social robots. These components are designed
to engage adolescents in a way that is both effective and appropriate to their cultural, socio-
economic, and environmental contexts.