The primary objective of this program is to address excellent hypotheses on basic biological mechanisms of tumorigenesis, progression, diagnosis, and therapy. For example, the proposed projects elucidate the molecular mechanisms of applied or new therapies, define potential target structures in tumors, identify oncogenic mutations, or serve model and method development to expand the repertoire of diagnostic assays, innovative technologies, and preclinical models. In the medium to long term, these projects can lead to a disease-specific clinical translation program.

D&D projects are advertised annually internally and funded by the FCI in the sense of a start-up aid. They should always demonstrate a long-term perspective, which will allow them to attract additional research funding in the future.