FCAECC Fellowship programme for talented researchers in cancer

Project Information

AECC Talent

Grant agreement ID: 101081298

DOI

10.3030/101081298

EC signature date 10 October 2022

Start date 1 September 2023

End date 31 August 2028

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 4 298 400,00

Coordinated by

FUNDACION CIENTIFICA DE LA ASOCIACIÓN ESPANOLA CONTRA EL CANCER
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AECC Talent (FCAECC Fellowship programme for talented researchers in cancer)

Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Cancer is one of the most significant health challenges worldwide, and the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (FCAECC) is the leading private philanthropic entity funding cancer research in Spain. With a strong commitment to excellence, FCAECC currently supports over 750 research projects with a total investment of 143 million EUR, contributing to high-impact scientific output and improved patient outcomes.
To further strengthen Spain’s position in global cancer research, FCAECC has launched AECC Talent, a fellowship programme aimed at attracting experienced international researchers. This initiative supports transnational mobility and aligns with the Horizon Europe Mission on Cancer, focusing on key areas such as prevention, early diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment.
AECC Talent will fund up to 30 fellowships across two calls, offering researchers the opportunity to join one of the accredited host organisations known for their excellence and international collaboration. Fellows will be able to develop their own research lines within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to both scientific advancement and societal benefit.
By integrating global talent into Spain’s research ecosystem, AECC Talent is expected to accelerate innovation, enhance collaboration, and improve outcomes for cancer patients, reinforcing Spain’s leadership in cancer research at both national and international levels.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first reporting period, the AECC Talent programme successfully implemented two calls for applications, resulting in the recruitment of 27 experienced researchers across FCAECC-accredited cancer research centres in Spain. The process encompassed among others the preparation and approval of call documentation, the technical development and maintenance of the Grant Management System for submission and comprehensive monitoring of applications, and the coordination of evaluation phases with the Spanish Research Agency. Additionally, the programme addressed potential appeals and procedural incidences, ensuring transparency and compliance throughout the selection process.
Following the completion of the calls, the management of grant agreements with host institutions and awarded researchers constituted a key operational achievement. These activities were carried out in alignment with FCAECC’s internal quality standards and the requirements of the European Commission, ensuring the rigorous selection and onboarding of fellows, continuous reporting and submission of deliverables.
A significant milestone during this period was the initiation of the training programme for fellows selected in the first call. FCAECC delivered both a welcome session and the first structured training module, which addressed core topics such as Open Science (FECYT), Gender Equality, and Career Development. These sessions are designed to support researchers in establishing independent research lines and to promote adherence to best practices in scientific integrity and professional development.
In summary, the main achievements of this period reflect the successful execution of the programme’s foundational components, establishing a robust framework for the scientific activities and long-term impact of the AECC Talent fellows.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The AECC Talent programme has achieved results that improve current standards in cancer research talent development and internationalisation. Through two competitive calls, 27 experienced researchers have been recruited to FCAECC-accredited host institutions, reinforcing Spain’s leadership in oncology research and integrating international expertise into multidisciplinary teams.
A key innovation has been the implementation of a structured training programme for fellows,with modules that are designed to foster scientific integrity, enhance researcher autonomy, and align with European research priorities, thereby strengthening the long-term impact of the funded projects.
The research projects initiated under AECC Talent are expected to generate significant advances in oncology, particularly in areas such as cancer prevention, early diagnosis, patient monitoring, and therapeutic innovation. These outcomes will contribute directly to improving clinical practices and patient care, with the potential to benefit cancer patients not only in Spain but globally. By supporting independent research lines within high-performing institutions, the programme facilitates the development of novel approaches and technologies that address unmet medical needs.
To ensure further uptake and success, continued support is needed in areas such as advanced training, access to international research networks, and alignment with regulatory and open science frameworks. Additionally, mechanisms for intellectual property management, innovation transfer, and strategic dissemination will be essential to maximise the societal and clinical impact of the research – and for these reason these topics are also integrated in AECC Talent’s training portfolio.
In summary, AECC Talent is establishing a new benchmark for excellence in cancer research training, with the potential to deliver transformative results that improve outcomes for patients worldwide.