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: n/aCancer Research KI PI Retreat 2026 Recap
On 16–17 February 2026, 80 principal investigators from 13 KI departments, representing both the Solna and Flemingsberg campuses, gathered at Sånga Säby Conference Hotel for the 3rd Cancer Research KI PI Retreat. The two‑day programme featured scientific presentations, rapid‑fire elevator pitches, and focused discussions on key themes shaping today’s cancer research environment: Patient perspective and involvement in research, Gender perspective: inequalities in research, Infrastructure at KI and SciLifeLab: leveraging existing strengths and planning future needs, Funding landscape and opportunities, with insights from Barncancerfonden, Cancerfonden, and Radiumhemmet’s Research Funds.
Photo: Rickard KilströmAnna Nilsson is the new vice-director on Cancer Research KI's board
Anna Nilsson, Professor of Paediatric Oncology at Karolinska Institutet (KI) and Senior Consultant at Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, has been appointed Vice Director of the Board of Cancer Research KI (CRKI). The organisation brings together cancer research from more than 400 research groups across the university and works to ensure that new knowledge benefits patients.
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
Events, Seminars and Workshops
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: 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: Liza SimonssonIndustry-Academia Collaborations Seminar Series on Implementing Healthcare data: From Access to Impact, 15 April 2026
On 15 April, Cancer Research KI, the External Engagement Office (EEO), KI Innovations, A Working Lab and KI Science Park invite you to a joint seminar on “Implementing Healthcare data: From Access to Impact”, part of the Cancer Research KI Academia–Industry Collaboration Series. Join us for this insightful session, Rebecka Rosenberg (TEF-Health), Fredrik Illerstam (Collective Minds), and Fadwa Benkessou (External Engagement Office) will discuss how healthcare data can be handled and implemented responsibly, with attention to compliance, ethics, and practical workflows.
Photo: Getty Images9th Cancer Workshop for Patient Organizations, 23 April 2026
The ninth edition of the cancer workshop for patients and patient organizations, organized by Cancer Research KI in collaboration with RCC Stockholm-Gotland, will take place online on 23 April at 13:00. This edition, titled “Livskvalitet när man lever med cancer”, features confirmed speakers Helene Rundqvist and Marco Gerling. Registration is now open, and the full program and speaker list will be announced soon.
The webinar will be held in Swedish, and a recording will be made available afterward through our channels.
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!
Photo: n/aSave the date: En dag för cancerforskning, 19 Nov 2026
Save the date for the 5th edition of En dag för cancerforskning will take place on 19 Nov 2026!
Information about the programme and speakers will appear here closer to the event
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