Cancer Research KI
Cancer Research KI is an overarching umbrella organisation of cancer research at Karolinska Institutet, that includes more than 400 research groups. The aim is to combine cancer research with clinical oncology by bringing together top level cancer scientists from different disciplines, with the goal to aid generating new scientific discoveries that can be rapidly translated into clinical practice for the benefit of patients and society.
The Cancer Research KI missions
Educating
Resources
Photo: n/aEn dag för cancerforskning 2025
The recording of the 4th edition of En dag för cancerforskning (in Swedish, with English subtitles) is now available to watch here.
The program featured captivating popular science presentations by leading researchers and patient representatives, including Päivi Östling, Roelinde Middelveld, Ioannis Ioakeimidis, Luigi de Petris, Andreas Lundqvist, Mats Marshall Heyman, Karin Mellström, Mathias von Beckerath, Thuy Tran, and Adam Stenman. Moderated by Cancerfonden Ambassador Pamela Andersson Alselind.
Photo: CRKICancerworkshop för patientorganisationer - Cancerformer vanliga hos män (in Swedish)
Cancer Research KI and RCC Stockholm-Gotland hosted the eighth cancer workshop for patient organizations, focusing on cancer types commonly affecting men. The seminar featured presentations on testicular cancer by Gabriella Cohn Cedermark, prostate cancer by Mikael Benson, research on genes and lifestyle by Anna Plym, and prostate cancer screening by Lisa Jelf Eneqvist. The moderator was Oscar Wiklander from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital.
Photo: n/aWebinar: Clinical Treatment Studies
In this webinar organized by Cancer Research KI in collaboration with Cancerfonden, you will hear three insightful presentations from Karolinska Institutet scientists who were awarded grants from Cancerfonden's special call on Clinical Treatment Studies, aimed at promoting clinical research within cancer
Photo: Lindsten & NilssonTranslational Research: From Basic Science to Early Clinical Trials - Mattias Carlsten
Join Mattias Carlsten, Associate Professor and Head of Development, Education, and Innovation at the Cell Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST) unit, Karolinska University Hospital, as he delves into the latest advancements in translational research.
News
Photo: vet ejRadiumhemmet's Research Funds granted SEK 102 million to KI researchers in 2025
Radiumhemmet's Research Funds are distributing SEK 102 million to patient-centered cancer research in 2025. This is the largest distribution in the funds' 115-year history and an important step towards improved diagnostics, more accurate treatments and increased quality of life – both during and after the disease.
Read more here
Photo: Marco GerlingTumour cells exploit damaged tissue in the pancreas
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancer types. A new study from Karolinska Institutet, in collaboration with the Department of Pathology at Karolinska University Hospital, shows that tumour cells grow not only in the connective tissue–rich environment typical of the disease, but also in damaged parts of the pancreas where normal tissue is altered. The findings may provide new insights into tumour development and treatment.
The study is published in Nature Communications. Read more here
Photo: Getty Images.,Getty ImagesKarolinska CCC first in Sweden to renew accreditation
Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center will be the first center in Sweden to receive renewed accreditation. This milestone marks an important step in further strengthening the collaboration between Karolinska University Hospital and KI. Childhood cancer is now also part of Karolinska CCC.
Photo: N/ACancer Research KI PI Retreat 2025 Recap
During February 17th and 18th, 80 principal investigators from 13 departments at KI, both from the Solna and Flemingsberg campuses, participated in the Cancer Research KI PI Retreat in Djurönäset. The participating researchers covered pre-clinical, translational, clinical, and epidemiological research areas. The event featured research presentations, elevator pitches, and, for the first time this year, a session on Personalized Cancer Medicine and Clinical Trials, followed by a panel discussion. Additionally, a Fast-Track Collaboration Challenge was held to foster new collaborations among the participating PIs.
Events, Seminars and Workshops
Photo: Sånga Säby HotellCancer Research KI PI Retreat 2026
We are pleased to announce that the 3rd Cancer Research KI PI Retreat will take place at the beautiful Sånga Säby Conference Hotel on February 16-17, 2026. This exclusive 2-day meeting is open only to PIs leading research groups/teams within cancer research at KI.
More information can be found here.
Photo: N/AQ&A drop-in session with Cancer Research Horizons, 18 March 2026
The next Q&A drop-in session with Cancer Research Horizons will be held on 18 March, 12:30 - 13:30h, online.
During this session, you will get the chance to ask any questions on the grants or other opportunities to work with Cancer Research Horizons.
No registration is needed, just follow the link to join the meeting
Photo: CRKI10th CCE Annual Meeting & Karolinska CCC Days 2026
The 10th CCE Annual Meeting & Karolinska CCC Days 2026 will take place on March 23–24, 2026, at Aula Medica, Campus Solna.
Registration is now open, and the detailed program will be announced soon.
More information about the event here!
Photo: Liza SimonssonIndustry-Academia Collaborations Seminar Series: Healthcare data
The next Industry-Academia Collaborations Seminar Series will focus on Healthcare date. Information about the date, location and speakers will be available soon. Stay tuned!
Photo: Getty Images9th Cancer Workshop for Patient Organizations
The 9th Cancer workshop for patient organizations will be held online on 23 April 2026. More information and programme will follow soon and will be published here.
Photo: CRKIXXIII Cancer Research KI Retreat
Save the date for the upcoming XXIII Cancer Research KI Retreat, which will take place on 28-29 September 2026!
Grant Announcements
Photo: Getty ImagesTherapeutic Catalyst Grant
Cancer Research UK Therapeutic Catalyst Awards were launched in late 2021 and have been a great success. The scheme operates as a collaborative venture between research scientists and drug discoverers within Cancer Research Horizons to accelerate the translation of novel ideas for therapeutic discovery. Awards can be up to £250,000 to support a 12–18-month proposal. There are 3 rounds of applications per year held in February, June and October.
Next expression of interest deadline: TBA
Photo: Getty ImagesChildhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst
Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst accelerates the translation of discovery research into novel therapeutics. It seeks projects with strong potential to deliver novel therapeutics for children and young people with cancer. This scheme aims to de-risk early projects to facilitate further drug discovery research, funding, or partnering.
Successful projects will receive up to £250k for up to 18 months.
Next expression of interest deadline: April 2026