PERIFORMANCE is a pioneering European initiative designed to transform how society engages in cancer research. Coordinated by the Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC) and supported by 12 institutions across nine countries, the project places ethics and inclusivity at the heart of cancer research and innovation, and the implementation of new technologies.
Ethics from the Start
PERIFORMANCE ensures that advances in cancer research—particularly those involving cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the European Health Data Space (EHDS)—are implemented ethically, transparently, and equitably. Through targeted stakeholder engagement, the project aims to strengthen public trust and guarantee fair, socially responsible progress in the fight against cancer.
The EU Cancer Mission, together with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, seeks to improve millions of lives through prevention, early diagnosis, innovative treatments, and better quality of life. Achieving these goals requires genuine representation of diverse populations and the active involvement of patients, professionals, and citizens in research processes. PERIFORMANCE is is committed to integrating these essential new perspectives throughout the research process.
PERIFORMANCE: Driving Change Through Engagement
PERIFORMANCE stands for Public Engagement in Research Infrastructures for Mission Cancer: managing complexity of emerging technologies. The project addresses the ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) in biobanking and cancer research, focusing on four key priorities:
- Promote good practices in participation, transparency, and governance, with biobanks playing a central role as bridges between research and society.
- Assess the impact of AI and EHDS on trust and social engagement in research.
- Support local initiatives through open calls for participatory pilot projects.
- Deliver training and workshops to foster inclusive, sustainable approaches.
This three-year effort brings together universities, hospitals, biobanks, policymakers, and patient associations to create a European reference framework for inclusive, ethical, and needs-driven research—ultimately improving prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for people affected by cancer.
PERIFORMANCE is more than a research project; it is a commitment to advancing science while reinforcing social trust, equity, and citizen participation.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or [name of the granting authority]. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
