Summer School in Translational Cancer Research
October 4 – 9, 2026 – Algarve, Portugal
About the Summer School
The Summer School in Translational Cancer Research was initiated in 2011 by the EurocanPlatform project, funded under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union, and performed four editions hosted by the EurocanPlatform. Since 2016, the Summer School has been hosted annually by Cancer Core Europe.
Over the course of one week, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and clinician-scientists from around the world are offered cutting-edge knowledge on topics covering the entire cancer research continuum, with a particular focus on precision cancer medicine. Participants and speakers are selected to represent a multidisciplinary group. The program and course format facilitate networking and intensive scientific exchange in a focused and collaborative setting—a concept which has proven successful over the years.
Already, Summer School has benefited over 520 preclinical and translational scientists, as well as clinician scientists from all over the world.
About the Summer School
The Summer School in Translational Cancer Research was initiated in 2011 by the EurocanPlatform project, funded under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union, and performed four editions hosted by the EurocanPlatform. Since 2016, the Summer School has been hosted annually by Cancer Core Europe.
Over the course of one week, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and clinician-scientists from around the world are offered cutting-edge knowledge on topics covering the entire cancer research continuum, with a particular focus on precision cancer medicine. Participants and speakers are selected to represent a multidisciplinary group. The program and course format facilitate networking and intensive scientific exchange in a focused and collaborative setting—a concept which has proven successful over the years. Already, Summer School has benefited over 520 preclinical and translational scientists, as well as clinician scientists from all over the world.
Venue & Location
The program is hosted in a location selected to support professional exchange and academic engagement, providing a focused environment for learning and interaction while ensuring that the primary emphasis remains on scientific content.
The Summer School takes place at a partner hotel in the Algarve, Portugal, chosen for its accessibility and capacity to accommodate all participants in one venue. The location is well connected to major transport links, facilitating travel for an international audience. Hosting attendees together for the five-day program supports interaction with experts, peer exchange, and multidisciplinary collaboration in a professional setting.
2025 Highlights
The CCE Summer School in Translational Cancer Research 2025 marked its ninth edition, bringing together 66 early-career researchers, clinicians, and scientists from 25 countries. On 2025 the program focused on bridging fundamental science, clinical innovation, and emerging technologies, with a special emphasis on artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance cancer diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
The program also featured participant oral presentations and poster sessions, providing a platform to showcase their research and innovation while fostering new collaborations across disciplines and institutes/ hospitals.
Venue & Location
The program is hosted in a location selected to support professional exchange and academic engagement, providing a focused environment for learning and interaction while ensuring that the primary emphasis remains on scientific content.
The Summer School takes place at a partner hotel in the Algarve, Portugal, chosen for its accessibility and capacity to accommodate all participants in one venue. The location is well connected to major transport links, facilitating travel for an international audience. Hosting attendees together for the five-day program supports interaction with experts, peer exchange, and multidisciplinary collaboration in a professional setting.
2025 Highlights
The CCE Summer School in Translational Cancer Research 2025 marked its ninth edition, bringing together 66 early-career researchers, clinicians, and scientists from 25 countries. On 2025 the program focused on bridging fundamental science, clinical innovation, and emerging technologies, with a special emphasis on artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance cancer diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
The program also featured participant oral presentations and poster sessions, providing a platform to showcase their research and innovation while fostering new collaborations across disciplines and institutes/ hospitals.
Previous Editions
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2019
From Our Participants
Apply to the 2026 Summer School
Thank you for your interest in our programme. Applications for the Summer School are now closed. We encourage you to apply for the next edition.
FAQ
Who can apply?
PhD/MD students, postdocs and researching clinicians with an interest in translational cancer research.
What do we offer?
The programme has a cost contribution of 1,100 Euros, and includes:
- A five-day scientific programme led by experts in the field.
- Accommodation in PortoBay Blue Ocean shared double rooms for five nights (same gender occupancy).
Note: Single rooms are available upon request, subject to availability, and incur an additional charge. Personal expenses (e.g., bar tabs, mini bar, telephone, etc.) are not included.
- Full meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee breaks.
- Shuttle service between Faro airport or Albufeira train station and the venue (available upon request).
- Abstract book.
- Certificate of attendance.
How to apply
- Complete the online application form, including the submission of a scientific abstract.
- All submitted applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Scientific Committee.
- Once evaluations are completed, applicants will be notified of their status by the Organising Team.
Scholarship opportunities
A limited number of scholarships covering the participation fee are available.
Important: Scholarships are highly competitive. We strongly recommend exploring other internal or external funding options in addition to applying.
Visa support
If you require a visa to enter Portugal, the Organising Team will assist by providing a visa letter. To ensure timely processing, please provide all required information as soon as possible.
Program
We are currently developing the program, which will cover a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Workshops addressing cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, and resilience strategies
- Cancer prevention and early detection
- Developments in fundamental cancer research
- Translation of scientific innovation into clinical trials
- Artificial intelligence in cancer research – a critical appraisal
- Advances in drug development and future therapeutic directions
- Patient participation in cancer research
- Technologies in Focus: proteomics and transcriptomics
Confirmed Speakers
Richard Baird
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre
United Kingdom
Eleonora Bruno
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori
Italy
Priya Chudasama
NCT Heidelberg/ DKFZ / DKTK
Germany
Stefan Fröhling
NCT Heidelberg/ DKFZ / DKTK
Germany
Narmin Ghaffari Laleh
TUD Dresden University of Technology, University Hospital Heidelberg, NCT Heidelberg
Germany
Anita Grigoriadis
King’s College
United Kingdom
Michael Hoffmeister
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), NCT Heidelberg
Germany
Markus Herrmann
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), NCT Heidelberg
Germany
Raj Jena
University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals
United Kingdom
Jakob Nikolas Kather
TUD Dresden University of Technology, University Hospital Heidelberg, NCT Heidelberg
Germany
Bruno Köhler
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), NCT Heidelberg
Germany
Cindy Körner
NCT Heidelberg/ DKFZ
Germany
Ola Larsson
Karolinska Institutet
Sweden
Janne Lehtiö
Karolinska Institutet
Sweden
Mate Maus
Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
Spain
Laurie Menger
Gustave Roussy
France
Daniel Mertens
Schiller & Mertens GbR
Germany
Natacha Naoun
Gustave Roussy, University of Paris-Saclay
France
Lara Nonell
Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
Spain
Simon Pacey
Cancer Research UK Cambridge
United Kingdom
Andri Papakonstantinou
Karolinska Institutet
Sweden
Srividhya Sainath
TUD Dresden University of Technology
Germany
Marjanka Schmidt
Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI)
The Netherlands
Laurianne Scourzic
Gustave Roussy
France
Josep Tabernero
Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron Hospital
Spain
Zuzana Tatarova
Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy Georg-Speyer-Haus, DKTK
Germany
Nick Tobin
Karolinska Institutet
Sweden
Tiziana Triulzi
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori
Italy
Michiel Van der Heijden
Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI)
The Netherlands
Wilbert Zwart
Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI)
The Netherlands
Meet the Scientific Committee
Bruno Köhler
Chair
NCT Heidelberg/ DKFZ Germany
Giulia Bertolini
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori
Italy
Priya Chudasama
NCT Heidelberg/ DKFZ / DKTK
Germany
Stefan Fröhling
NCT Heidelberg/ DKFZ / DKTK
Germany
Cindy Körner
Patient representative
NCT Heidelberg/ DKFZ Germany
Mate Maus
Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
Spain
Silvia Martín-Lluesma
Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
Spain
Thomas Mercher
Gustave Roussy / University of Paris-Saclay
France
Natacha Naoun
Gustave Roussy / University of Paris-Saclay
France
Simon Pacey
Cancer Research UK Cambridge
United Kingdom
Andri Papakonstantinou
Karolinska Institutet
Sweden
Nick Tobin
Karolinska Institutet
Sweden
Michiel Van der Heijden
Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI)
The Netherlands
Sophie Werkö
Patient representative
Karolinska Institutet Sweden
Support Summer School 2026
Become a part of something great by joining a vibrant network of people and centres that are advancing cancer research.
Join us in supporting our upcoming Summer School as a valued sponsor, and partner with us to expand access to this program for early-career scientists worldwide.
Over the past five years, we have served as an innovative, knowledge-rich hub for more than 500 early-career translational and clinician-scientists through in-person Summer Schools, and over 1,000 participants through virtual events. We are seeking like-minded organisations to support our efforts and help us continue advancing this mission.
2026 Sponsors & Supporters
Sponsors:
Supporters:
Previous Sponsors & Supporters
Why support us?
Accelerate Progress
You are directly promoting cancer research with your support.
Global Impact
Get in touch with a diverse group of first-class, global specialists willing to share ideas and advance cancer research. Your brand will be shown, enhancing your visibility in the field and your commitment to cutting-edge research.
Enrichement of Education
With your help, exceptional postdocs, clinicians, researchers and PhD students will be able to enroll in the most significant one-week program on translational cancer research in Europe.
Tailored Packages
We provide a variety of sponsorship packages that can be customised to meet the requirements of your organisation. In addition, there may be the possibility for some sponsors to attend and deliver a short talk.
Let’s Talk
For general information please email us at summerschool@cancercoreeurope.eu.
Financial aspects of the Summer School are managed by Gustave Roussy: cce@gustaveroussy.fr
#CCESumSchool26
Meet the Organising Team
Kate Donoghue
CRUK Cambridge Centre
United Kingdom
Anna Lück
National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg – DKFZ
Germany
Stefina Milanova
Karolinska Institutet
Sweden, Stockholm
Eva Navarrete Espuña
Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
Spain
Petra Oberrauch
National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg – DKFZ
Germany
Andrea Villa
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumor
Italy
With the support of:
Maialen Fernandez Serra
Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
Spain
Emma Pailler
Gustave Roussy
France
Graziella Zonnekynd
Gustave Roussy
France