TRACE: Translational Research in Action for Cancer in regional Ecosystem

Closing the cancer gap in Europe

Underserved communities in Europe struggle to access cancer care. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between research and healthcare to reduce these inequities. The EU-funded TRACE project will enhance cancer awareness and prevention programmes for underserved populations, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients and survivors by addressing their specific needs. The project will develop regional ecosystems in Portugal, Poland, and Serbia, aligning with the European Commission’s Mission on Cancer. By collaborating with universities such as UNL, GUMED, and FTN, the project will integrate cancer research with local healthcare systems and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This collaboration aims to create evidence-based prevention initiatives.

Objective

TRACE | Translational Research in Action for Cancer in Regional Ecosystems aims to bridge the research-to-practice gap in effective cancer awareness and prevention programmes, with a focus on underserved populations, for the improvement of the quality of life of patients and survivors, by collecting and analysing evidence on their needs.
TRACE will implement a translational research initiative to develop regional ecosystems in three countries: Portugal, Poland, and Serbia, aligning with the objectives of the EC’s Mission on Cancer. The project will focus on reinforcing the regional ecosystems around 3 Universities (UNL, GUMED and FTN) involving the quadruple-helix of stakeholders to integrate cancer research and data from universities and research institutes with local healthcare systems, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public services, and grassroots organisations towards evidence-based literacy and prevention initiatives.
By fostering transdisciplinary collaboration between higher education institutions and regional stakeholders, innovative, co-created approaches to cancer prevention can be tailored to the specific needs of each country and region. Citizen Science, public health programs in underserved areas, awareness campaigns, and Living Labs will bridge the gap between research and healthcare by ensuring new knowledge and evidence-based innovations are developed, tested, and implemented in real-world settings. This reduces inequities and benefits underserved communities that face challenges accessing cancer care. Additionally, the creation of a common data-sharing platform and cascade funding through an Open Call will involve industry, health, and social providers, ensuring the sustainability of the engagement model. This model will be implemented in 3 ecosystems, allowing the local, regional, and national layers to be enriched by transnational exchange and mutual learning between countries at different maturity levels, expanding ecosystem growth.

Keywords

Translational Research; Ecosystems; Quadruple-Helix Stakeholders; Health equity; Underserved Populations; Cancer Prevention; Citizen Science; Public Health; Living Labs.

Participants

• Coordinated by UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA – Portugal
• SHINE 2EUROPE LDA – Portugal
• F6S NETWORK IRELAND LIMITED – Ireland
• GDANSKI UNIWERSYTET MEDYCZNY – Poland
• UMOVI EVROPE – INSTITUT ZA NAUCNU IZVRSNOST I TEHNOLOSKI NAPREDAK – Serbia
• UNIVERZITET U NOVOM SADU FAKULTET TEHNICKIH NAUKA – Serbia
• Fundacja OmeaLife Rak piersi nie ogranicza – Poland

Partners

• MINISTERIO DA SAUDE – Portugal
• EIT HEALTH INNOSTARS EV – Germany