# Biomarkers 2026 — Clinical Validation of Biomarkers

**Funder:** KWF
**Budget:** €0.8M–€2M per proposal (total call budget €4M–€6M)
**Duration:** 2–5 years
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 4 participating parties (multidisciplinary consortium; private partners allowed)
**Application:** 2-stage: pre-proposal (closed 2 Dec 2025) → full proposal (closed 14 Apr 2026) → interviews (Jun 2026)
**TRL:** 5-6
**Eligible countries:** NL
**Official call:** https://www.kwf.nl/en/forresearchers/funding/biomarkers2026
**Last verified:** 1 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Multidisciplinary consortium (≥4 parties) to clinically validate known cancer biomarkers at TRL5/6 for near-term clinical practice. Mandatory components: (early) HTA, patient involvement (PACO review 30% weight), FAIR data-sharing plan, project manager. For-profit partners >250 FTE must co-finance 10% of KWF budget. All cancer types in scope; biomarkers for treatment side-effects are out of scope.

## Summary

The Biomarkers 2026 call funds €0.8-€2 million per consortium over 2-5 years for clinical validation of cancer biomarkers at TRL5-6, moving known markers toward near-term clinical practice. Applicants must form multidisciplinary consortia of at least four parties (including academic, hospital, patient groups, and optional industry) based in the Netherlands. This is a closed call (deadline 14 April 2026, funding decision July 2026); KWF runs similar biomarker validation calls periodically.

## Who should apply

- Consortia of ≥4 parties: academic researchers, hospital clinicians, patient representatives, and optional industry partners
- Researchers and clinicians based in the Netherlands
- Teams with a known cancer biomarker at TRL5-6 ready for clinical translation
- Projects that include HTA, patient co-design (PACO), a data-sharing plan, and a dedicated project manager
- For-profit partners with >250 FTE must be prepared to co-finance 10% of the KWF budget

## Key dates

- Pre-proposal deadline: 2 December 2025 (closed)
- Full proposal deadline: 14 April 2026 (closed)
- Interviews: June 2026; funding decision: July 2026
- Project duration: 2-5 years

## Tips for applicants

- PACO (patient review) carries 30% weight, embed patient co-investigators and lived-experience input throughout the proposal narrative, not as an afterthought.
- The mandatory HTA (health technology assessment) must be credible from proposal stage; partner with someone experienced in Dutch HTA frameworks or ISPOR methods.
- Data-sharing plans must be FAIR-compliant and explicit about which data, when, and to whom; vague commitments fail review. Name the repository and governance structure.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Biomarkers 2026 call fund?

€0.8-€2 million per consortium, with a total call budget of €4-€6 million.

### What type of consortium do I need for Biomarkers 2026?

A multidisciplinary consortium of at least 4 parties, including academic, clinical, patient, and optionally industry partners; for-profit partners with >250 FTE must co-finance 10% of the KWF budget.

### Which biomarkers are eligible for Biomarkers 2026?

Known cancer biomarkers at TRL5-6 for any cancer type, focused on near-term clinical practice validation; biomarkers for treatment side-effects are not eligible.

### Is Biomarkers 2026 a rolling or annual call?

KWF runs periodic biomarker validation calls; Biomarkers 2026 is now closed. Check the KWF website for the next round.

### What is PACO and why is it important for this grant?

PACO is patient and caregiver co-review, which carries 30% weight in evaluation. Patient representatives must be meaningfully embedded in the consortium and research design.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/kwf-biomarkers-2026-clinical-validation-of-biomarkers) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.