Luxembourg Institute of Health Researcher Awarded €250,000 EMBO Installation Grant for Cancer Research

Prestigious European Grant Boosts Cancer Research at LIH

Dr. Ángel Álvarez-Prado, Group Leader of the Translational Cancer Immunogenomics (TCI) group at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), has been awarded a highly competitive €250,000 European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Installation Grant. The award, reported on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, recognizes scientific excellence and aims to support the establishment and development of independent research groups across Europe.

The grant will provide €50,000 annually over five years, totaling €250,000. A significant portion of this funding, €35,000 per year, is co-financed by the Luxembourg Ministry of Research and Higher Education (MESR), underscoring Luxembourg's commitment to fostering internationally competitive biomedical research.

Advancing Immunotherapy for Aggressive Brain Cancers

Dr. Álvarez-Prado, who joined the LIH in January 2025, leads the TCI group, which focuses on translational cancer immunogenomics. His research combines cancer biology, immunology, and genomics to investigate how genetic alterations in cancer cells influence the immune microenvironment of tumors, thereby affecting disease progression and response to immunotherapy.

A primary focus of his work is on primary and metastatic brain tumors, including glioblastoma and brain metastases originating from breast, lung, and skin cancers. The EMBO Installation Grant is expected to provide crucial support to consolidate and expand this research program.

Strategic Investment in Research and Collaboration

The funding will facilitate several key initiatives, including:

• The development of advanced experimental models.
• The integration of multi-omics approaches.
• The strengthening of international collaborations.

Ultimately, the research aims to identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities and inform more effective, personalized immunotherapy strategies for patients battling aggressive brain cancers.

In addition to the financial support, the grant offers Dr. Álvarez-Prado the opportunity to join the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. This membership provides access to EMBO's extensive scientific infrastructure, targeted training opportunities, and participation in a selective network of leading early-career researchers, designed to accelerate scientific independence and enhance international visibility.