PIONEER-Spark

A Flagship Philanthropic Investment Advancing Precision Oncology in Switzerland

PIONEER: Patient Impact in Oncology through National Expansion, Evidence and Results

PIONEER-Spark supports bold, milestone-driven precision oncology projects that connect scientific excellence with clinical implementation and measurable patient benefit. The Foundation seeks to enable a new generation of large-scale initiatives capable of reshaping precision oncology in Switzerland.

With a total envelope of CHF 50 million (3 to max 5 projects with a running time of 6 years each), PIONEER-Spark represents one of the largest philanthropic investments in precision oncology currently available in Switzerland.

Supported research

PIONEER-Spark funds large projects in precision oncology, structured around two complementary pillars:

Pillar 1 – Clinically Oriented Precision Oncology

From clinically embedded research to tangible patient benefit: this pillar supports interventional, science-driven research. This may include investigator-initiated clinical trials, the development and validation of innovative diagnostics, and studies that uncover resistance mechanisms and disease evolution to guide better therapies and trial strategies.

Pillar 2 – Data-Driven and Computational Precision Oncology

From data to decision: this pillar supports computational and data-driven projects that advance precision oncology and enable clinical translation now or in the near future. This may include AI/ML and integrative analytics, tools that strengthen patient-healthcare interface and evidence generation and innovative trial designs or computational pipelines that accelerate translation.

Applicants may structure their projects around one pillar or span both, depending on the scientific rationale. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) is mandatory under both pillars.

Duration, volume and cross-project expectations

Duration: 6 years
Funding volume: CHF 8-16 million per project in total
Number of projects funded: 3-5
Geographic focus: Projects must be predominantly pursued in Switzerland
Collaboration and patient involvement: Projects are designed as stand-alone. They require meaningful patient and public involvement via Patient and Public Advisory Boards (PPABs). Synergies across projects and between the two pillars are encouraged where scientifically justified but are not mandatory. The Foundation will foster exchange across funded projects (e.g., joint symposia, researcher exchanges).
Potential follow-up phase: PIONEER-Spark is conceived as the first phase of a longer-term strategic initiative. Projects demonstrating scientific excellence, measurable patient relevance and effective collaboration may be considered for substantial follow-on investment beyond the initial six-year period.

Who can apply

PIONEER-Spark supports consortia of leading Swiss-based institutions that bring together complementary expertise across the full precision-oncology pathway.

Pillar 1

Projects must be led by a physician-scientist with clinical responsibility and a tenured full professorship at an eligible Swiss university hospital or Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), ensuring strong clinical anchoring and patient relevance.

Pillar 2

The Lead PI must hold a tenured full professorship at an eligible Swiss institution. At least one member of the project leadership (Directorate) must be a physician-scientist with clinical responsibility and hold a tenured full professorship at an eligible Swiss university hospital or EOC.

Consortia are expected to:

include complementary scientific and clinical expertise
include statistics, ethics and medical law expertise
operate under a clear governance structure with defined leadership and milestones
demonstrate proven experience in managing large collaborative projects.

Projects shall preferably involve at least two independent Swiss institutions and show strong institutional commitment. International expertise may be included within the consortium where scientifically justified.

Detailed eligibility criteria are specified in the call documentation below.

Evaluation process & criteria

The evaluation is conducted in a three-step evaluation by the Foundation and a committee of international experts. The three steps are:

1. Pre-proposal review
2. Full proposal review (by invitation from shortlisted pre-proposals)
3. In person hearings (selected from submitted full proposals).

Projects are evaluated and compared based on excellence along the following dimensions:

Unmet medical need (significance of the topic for research in Switzerland)
Clinical translation
Scientific originality
Interdisciplinarity and coherence of the team
Investigators’ track record
Feasibility
Budget justification and coherence
Endorsement and in-kind support by host institutions.

Deadlines and decisions

The submission deadline for the pre-proposal is Tuesday, 28 July 2026 (11:59 CEST).
Communication from HHF regarding selection for full proposal: within the first two weeks of October 2026.
The submission deadline for the full proposal is Tuesday, 12 January 2027 (11:59 CET).
Communication from HHF regarding selection for in-person hearings: March 2027.
The in-person hearings with the full consortium will be held in Zurich in April 2027; exact dates will be communicated with the invitation to submit a full proposal.
The projects shall start between July and December 2027.

Following the hearing stage, the Foundation will provide feedback on its decision summarising the consortium and proposal’s key strengths and weaknesses in relation to the evaluation criteria.

Structure of application

The application document must include the pre-proposal (template below), including the following annexes in a single PDF:

Curriculum Vitae of each co-applicant – it must be the official SNSF CV created and completed in the SNF system – mySNF/SNSF CV platform SNF Portal
Up to 10 most relevant publications of each co-applicant; please underline the ones relevant to the project
Declaration confirming that the host institutions of all co-applicants have been informed and commit to supporting the project for its full duration.

The Foundation is currently transitioning to an online application system. Applicants are kindly requested to consult the website for the most up-to-date submission instructions. Until further notice, submissions should be made via email:

The pre-proposal and annexes must be submitted as one PDF-document via email to applications@helmut-horten-stiftung.org.
Save the application document as PIONEER-Spark_FirstName_LastName.pdf (of Lead PI).
The email subject line must read: PIONEER-Spark First Name Last Name (of Lead PI).

PIONEER-Spark Programme