# Research project Kom op tegen Kanker

**Funder:** FWO
**Budget:** €1,645,000 yearly budget (overhead excluded); €50k–€145k/year per institution for staff/consumables; max €150k equipment per project
**Duration:** 4 years (minimum 2 years)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage with rebuttal phase (10–21 September 2026)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2027-01
**Eligible countries:** BE
**Official call:** https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/all-calls/senior-researchersresearch-teams/research-project-kom-op-tegen-kanker/
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Patient-oriented cancer research improving quality of life of (ex-)cancer patients, conducted in co-creation with patients. Applicants must be based at an eligible Flemish host institution; non-Flemish partners may receive up to 10% of budget. Evaluated jointly by scientific experts and a patient committee (KOTK). Rebuttal to patient committee must be submitted in Dutch.

## Summary

Kom op tegen Kanker funds patient-oriented cancer research projects conducted in co-creation with patients, with a maximum yearly budget of €1,645,000 per project (€50k-€145k per institution for staff/consumables, €150k max for equipment). Eligible researchers must be based at a Flemish institution; the call prioritizes projects that improve quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. Proposals are evaluated jointly by scientific experts and a patient committee, with a mandatory rebuttal phase allowing applicants to respond to patient feedback.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at an eligible Flemish academic or research institution
- Projects with a clear quality-of-life focus for cancer patients and survivors
- Teams committed to genuine co-creation with patients from design through dissemination
- Applicants prepared to respond to patient committee feedback in Dutch during the rebuttal phase
- Multidisciplinary consortia where up to 10% of budget may go to non-Flemish partners

## Key dates

- Deadline: 01 April 2026 at 5 pm (now closed; next call expected January 2027)
- Single-stage application with mandatory rebuttal phase: 10-21 September 2026
- Project duration: 2-4 years

## Tips for applicants

- Patient co-creation is not an add-on: the patient committee evaluates your proposal alongside scientific reviewers, and rebuttal responses to patient feedback are mandatory. Frame your methods and dissemination in patient-centred language.
- Rebuttal submissions must be in Dutch; even if your proposal is in English, prepare Dutch responses to patient committee comments well in advance.
- The budget structure is granular (€50k-€145k per institution for operations, capped equipment at €150k): align your multi-site breakdown clearly with the overhead ceiling to avoid delays in assessment.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the budget for Kom op tegen Kanker?

The yearly maximum is €1,645,000 per project (overhead excluded). Individual institutions receive €50k-€145k/year for staff and consumables, with a separate cap of €150k for equipment across the whole project.

### Who can apply for Kom op tegen Kanker?

Researchers based at an eligible Flemish institution. Non-Flemish partners may participate but can receive up to 10% of the total project budget.

### How is Kom op tegen Kanker evaluated?

Proposals are reviewed by both scientific experts and a patient committee; applicants must submit a rebuttal response to patient feedback in Dutch between 10-21 September 2026.

### How long can a Kom op tegen Kanker project run?

Projects must last a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years.

### When is the next Kom op tegen Kanker deadline?

The next call is expected in January 2027; FWO runs this programme annually.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fwo-research-project-kom-op-tegen-kanker-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.