Development of a research capacity building programme on cancer with and for Ukraine HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-06

U-TRUST-ONCO: Ukraine–EU Training & Twinning for Trustworthy Cancer Research, Digital Data Capacity, and AI-Enabled Diagnostics

Developing a wide capacity-building programme between EU Member States/Associated Countries and Ukrainian cancer centres to strengthen R&I capacities and integration with cancer care, resulting in improved screening/diagnostics/treatments and increased participation in clinical trials.

Overall goal: Establish a sustainable EU–Ukraine Cancer Research Capacity Building Programme that delivers:

1. Joint training (incl. distance learning) for clinical trials, epidemiology, and digital research skills;

2. Twinning & staff exchange with targeted mini-projects and access to cutting-edge services;

3. Strengthened digital capacity for primary/secondary use of patient data, interoperability, and cancer registries—with a flagship track on AI-enabled imaging diagnostics (brain tumours as a high-impact, CAYA-relevant demonstrator), building directly on our published competence in transformer segmentation, explainable attention, multimodal fusion, and clinically meaningful biomarkers (tumour volume).

Programme concept and value proposition

A. Ukraine–EU Cancer Research Academy (blended training + micro-credentials)

A modular curriculum co-designed with Ukrainian centres after a rapid needs assessment. Training includes balanced theory and practice (simulations, case studies, group exercises, mutual learning, and on-site visits when possible) and prioritises staff safety and hybrid participation.

B. Twinning & Staff Exchange for targeted research projects

The call requires twinning research activities, staff exchange, and access to cutting-edge services. We will create Twinning Cells: each pairs a Ukrainian cancer centre with an EU Comprehensive Cancer Centre / research unit.