On the occasion of World Cancer Day, NOVA Medical School announces the launch of the 3rd edition of the Ana Lázaro – Cancer Research Grant, an initiative aimed at fostering and supporting translational cancer research carried out by biomedical and clinical teams affiliated with the School.
As in previous editions, the grant is intended to fund research projects presenting innovative proposals in areas such as prevention and diagnosis, the development of new therapies, healthcare services and care, as well as the quality of life of people living with cancer and cancer survivors.
Eligible projects must have a maximum duration of 24 months and be submitted by internal teams composed of biomedical and clinical researchers from NOVA Medical School. Each team must designate a Principal Investigator (PI) and a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). The PI must hold a doctoral degree and have a contractual relationship with NOVA Medical School throughout the duration of the project. Researchers without an affiliation to NOVA Medical School may participate as collaborators or consultants, without allocation of budget. Only one original project per applicant will be accepted.
The Ana Lázaro – Cancer Research Grant thus aims to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in oncology, promote improvements in cancer-related healthcare and services, enhance the quality of life of oncology patients and survivors, and strengthen internal collaboration between biomedical and clinical teams at NOVA Medical School.
This initiative is funded by the family of Ana Lázaro, an acclaimed Spanish ballerina and choreographer who, as part of her legacy, allocated a portion of her estate to support the advancement of cancer research.
The grant has a total budget of €210,000, to be distributed among three research projects, each awarded €70,000, to be granted in 2024, 2025, and 2026, corresponding to one project per year.
For the submission of applications, please consult the information below.
Applications
Applications are open from February 4th, 2026, until May 11th, 2026.
Submit your application in English through the download of the form available here and send it to research.preaward@nms.unl.pt.
Important Dates
- Research grant launch: February 4, 2026 (World Cancer Day)
- Application Deadline: May 11, 2026 (5pm, Lisbon time)
- Eligibility assessment (by NMS services): to be confirmed
- Evaluation Period (jury): to be confirmed
- Deadline for Notification of Results (by email): to be confirmed
- Award Ceremony: to be confirmed
Regulations
See the regulations here.
Jury
- Paula Macedo (President), PhD, Vice-Dean for Research of NOVA Medical School, Portugal
- Susanna Chiocca, PhD, Unit Director, Viruses and Cancer, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Italy
- Susana Puig, MD, PhD, Director of IDIBAPS and Group Leader at Melanoma: imaging, genetics and immunology Research Group, Head of the Dermatology Service at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
- Vítor Veloso, MD, President of Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro, Portugal
- Inês Vaz Luís, MD, PhD, Director Cancer Survivorship Research Group, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, France
- Hugo Soares, PhD, Science Manager at AICIB and Co-coordinator of Portuguese National Cancer Hub and of the European project ECHoS
Contacts and information:
research.preaward@nms.unl.pt