National Cancer Hub open to expressions of interest

The Agency for Clinical Investigation and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB) and the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) have launched a call for expressions of interest to join the Stakeholders Group of the National Cancer Hub. Participation in this group is open to the entire national community, both individually and representing national entities such as health institutions, academia, research institutes, scientific societies, professional associations, patient organizations, industry, civil society organizations, among others. The deadline for submitting proposals is February 28, 2022.

The National Cancer Hub is the national structure that brings together the relevant scientific, technological and social players in the fight against cancer, in order to successfully implement the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP) in Portugal. It is coordinated by the DGS and the AICIB, an entity that supports, funds and promotes clinical research and biomedical innovation in Portugal, and of which the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) is one of the founding members.

The operation of the National Cancer Hub is based on two groups of actors, the Policy Group and the Stakeholders Group. The activity of the latter, for which the period for expressions of interest is now open, will focus mainly on mapping funding opportunities in the area of cancer, including Mission Cancer, the EU4Health Program, the Digital Europe Program, among other European and national programs; setting up thematic working groups, dedicated for example to the issues of prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and/or survivors of the disease, in line with the National Cancer Plan 2021-2030; identifying national priorities in various relevant thematic areas; and promoting the participation of Portuguese entities in European Calls related to cancer. The group will operate during the development period of the European Cancer Plan, until 2030.

Through the creation of the National Cancer Hub and this group in particular, the DGS and AICIB seek to ensure that the Portuguese community maximizes its participation in European funding opportunities in the field of cancer, that the results of research, innovations and scientific evidence are incorporated into national health systems and policies, and that health care, quality of life and fair treatment for cancer patients and citizens are improved.

The submission form and additional information on how the group and the National Cancer Hub work are available on the website of the Agency for Clinical Investigation and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB).