FFC Ricerca’s calls for proposals to fund innovative scientific projects related to cystic fibrosis open today. Applications will be accepted until February 2, 2026.

Researchers interested in applying can find full information and application details in the dedicated section of our website.

Three funding options are available:

• FFC Ricerca 2026 Classic Call for Proposals
• Gianni Mastella Starting Grant (GMSG)
• Gianni Mastella Research Fellowship (GMRF)

Further details on the main features of each funding opportunity are provided below.

The calls are open to Italian and international researchers. International researchers may participate as principal investigators (only within the FFC Ricerca Classic Call for Proposals), funded partners, or external collaborators.

Proposals may be submitted from December 15, 2025, to February 2, 2026 (noon Italian time), via the dedicated online platform.

For further information, please contact call@fibrosicisticaricerca.it

KEY FEATURES OF THE 2026 CALLS FOR PROPOSALS

1. FFC Ricerca Classic Call for Proposals 2026

Researchers may submit project proposals with a duration of 12, 24, or 36 months, with a maximum budget of €70,000, €130,000, and €200,000, respectively.
The project leader, coordinator, and any partners are required to hold a permanent position at a research institution.
It is also possible to submit projects involving foreign research groups; however, at least one partner or collaborator must be affiliated with an Italian institution.

2. Gianni Mastella Call for Applications

The Gianni Mastella Call for Applications, established in memory of Gianni Mastella—co-founder of the Italian Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation and a pioneer of Italian research in the fight against cystic fibrosis—is aimed at young researchers without permanent positions and supports those whose research focuses on cystic fibrosis.

The Gianni Mastella Call for Applications includes the following two funding opportunities:

• Gianni Mastella Research Fellowship (GMRF)

This fellowship is aimed at researchers aged 33 or under (born in 1993 or later).
A PhD is not required; however, applicants must have at least one publication in the field of cystic fibrosis. A letter of tutorship from a researcher or physician with expertise in cystic fibrosis, selected by the applicant, is required.
The total available budget is €100,000 for a three-year research project, allocated as follows:

• €25,000 per year for the fellowship
• €25,000 total for research expenses

• Gianni Mastella Starting Grant (GMSG)

This grant is aimed at researchers aged 40 or under (born in 1986 or later).
The call is open to young researchers already working in the field of cystic fibrosis who hold a PhD or a degree in medicine and have at least three scientific publications. A letter of mentorship from a researcher or physician with expertise in cystic fibrosis, selected by the applicant, is also required.
The total available budget is €180,000 for a three-year research project.

The Gianni Mastella Call for Applications aims to support the professional development and scientific independence of young researchers, contributing to progress in cystic fibrosis research through the funding of innovative projects.

FFC RICERCA RESEARCH AREAS

The 2026 calls for proposals support research in the following areas:

1. Understanding and treating the CFTR basic defect, with a focus on developing new approaches to correct the CFTR defect or compensate for its lack of activity. Projects may address, in particular: comorbidities, including those related to aging in people with cystic fibrosis; mutation-specific therapies; therapies supporting CFTR modulator drugs; research into alternative cellular targets; development of DNA- and RNA-editing therapies.
2. Personalised approaches, with a focus on identifying and validating new in vivo and ex vivo models and assays, such as theratyping, to predict and monitor the efficacy of therapies aimed at correcting the CFTR gene defect.
3. Airway infection in cystic fibrosis, with particular attention to the development of: new diagnostic methods for accurate diagnosis; new antimicrobial therapies to combat multi-resistant or difficult-to-treat pathogenic microorganisms.
4. Inflammation in cystic fibrosis, with a focus on innovative approaches to study and mitigate pulmonary inflammatory processes.
5. Clinical applications and epidemiological research, with particular emphasis on: post-marketing clinical trials (Phase IV); studies on comorbidities, including those related to aging; research aimed at improving outcomes of lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis; innovative diagnostic approaches to predict and monitor disease progression; research on the relationship between climate change, environmental factors, and the health of people with cystic fibrosis; studies analysing changes in the burden of care associated with new therapies and the potential for reducing therapeutic load.

In Italy, approximately 30% of people living with cystic fibrosis do not have access to effective treatments. The Italian Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation therefore maintains a strong focus on identifying alternative therapies to existing modulators, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for all.

Since 2002, 499 research projects have been selected and supported through FFC Ricerca calls for proposals, involving 1,052 researchers across nearly 205 research groups and institutes.