Ireland Achieves Official Recognition as a National Cancer Mission Hub
The All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI) is delighted to mark a landmark milestone for cancer research and policy on the island of Ireland: National Cancer Mission Hub Ireland (NCMH Ireland) has today received official EU recognition, cementing Ireland's place in a growing pan-European network dedicated to conquering cancer.
About the ECHoS Initiative
This recognition comes through the ECHoS project (Establishing of Cancer Mission Hubs: Networks and Synergies), an EU-funded initiative supporting the implementation of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan through the development of National Cancer Mission Hubs across member states. ECHoS fosters collaboration between policymakers, researchers, healthcare providers, industry, and patients to ensure that national cancer efforts are coordinated, ambitious, and aligned with EU-wide goals.
Ireland Among a New Wave of Recognised Hubs
Ireland joins five other nations, Portugal, Norway, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Belgium, in this latest wave of Hub recognitions under the ECHoS project. This reflects Ireland's sustained commitment to the EU Mission on Cancer and positions it as an active and accountable partner in the pan-European cancer ecosystem.
National Cancer Mission Hubs are now established across a growing number of EU member states, with Ireland among the latest nations to receive official recognition.
NCMH Ireland: What It Is
NCMH Ireland is a national coordination and governance platform bringing together policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, citizens, and industry to advance cancer prevention, research, care, and innovation, aligning Irish priorities with the EU Mission on Cancer. It is led and hosted by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), with AICRI serving as a key stakeholder in its development and governance.
AICRI Co-Lead Prof. William Gallagher is among those acknowledged for their contribution to reaching this milestone, alongside colleagues at the NCCP, the Department of Health Ireland, and the European Commission.
As a partner in ECHoS II, the second phase of the ECHoS initiative, AICRI has been proud to contribute to the research infrastructure, intelligence, and stakeholder engagement groundwork that underpins this recognition.
Looking Ahead
AICRI is co-organising the NCMH Ireland Launch Symposium and ECHoS Summit, taking place in Dublin on 3–4 December 2026 as an Associated Event of the Irish EU Council Presidency. This event will formally celebrate the Hub's recognition and bring together leading voices from across the cancer mission community in Europe.
We extend our congratulations to all partners and stakeholders who have made this recognition possible, and look forward to the next chapter of Ireland's contribution to conquering cancer in Europe.
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