Research teams from the National Institute of Biology (NIB), Slovenia, and Swansea University, United Kingdom, have collaborated on an informal basis to foster the implementation of research and to go beyond the state of the art. A window of opportunity was the call for twinning and now the Twinning for excellence to strategically advance research in carcinogenesis and cancer (CutCancer) project provides an opportunity to formalise it. Opportunities for formal collaboration among research teams are scarce, so the importance of this collaboration is of vital importance for future collaborations. We envision not only the exchange of collaborators and students, but also the transfer of knowledge and the acceleration effect of cooperation between teams. Within CutCancer, the collaboration will enable the implementation of cutting-edge approaches and methods in the field of 3D cancer research. This will be done through the transfer of knowledge, exchange of best practises and the training opportunities for scientists. In addition, the collaboration will strengthen the research management capacity and administrative capabilities, including the Office of Technology Transfer, the Public Relations Office, the Library, and the Human Resources Office. Overall, the collaboration will significantly enhance the excellence of NIB at the regional level and internationally. Nonetheless, the project will promote excellence of both institutions. Prof. Dr. Bojana Žegur, National Institute of Biology