# INTER-LOCAL – International Call for Clinical Research on Rare and Hard-to-Treat Cancers

**Funder:** KWF
**Consortium:** Required — international collaboration across participating countries
**Application:** 2-stage: sketch/pre-proposal → full proposal
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** NL
**Official call:** https://www.kwf.nl/
**Last verified:** 22 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Joint call by five leading European cancer charities to accelerate clinical research on local treatment strategies for rare and hard-to-treat cancers. Aims to address urgent need for more effective treatments for patients with limited options. Full call text via KWF (Dutch Cancer Society).

## Summary

INTER-LOCAL is a joint European call from five leading cancer charities, including KWF, funding clinical research on local treatment strategies for rare and hard-to-treat cancers. The call requires international consortium participation and operates in two stages: sketch and full proposal. This one-off call addresses urgent clinical gaps where patients have limited treatment options.

## Who should apply

- Clinical research teams with expertise in rare or hard-to-treat cancers
- Researchers based at Dutch institutions (eligible countries: NL)
- Consortia spanning at least two participating European countries
- Projects focusing on local treatment innovation (surgery, radiation, or regional therapies)

## Key dates

- Sketch deadline: 22 January 2026 at 12:00 (verify current status on KWF website)
- Two-stage evaluation: sketch/pre-proposal → full proposal
- One-off call

## Tips for applicants

- Consortium building is mandatory and competitive; identify co-applicants from participating European countries early.
- The sketch stage filters on clinical urgency and unmet need, lead with patient impact, not technical detail.
- KWF coordinates this joint call; check their website for co-funder eligibility rules, which may vary by country partner.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is INTER-LOCAL a one-time call or does it recur?

INTER-LOCAL is a one-off joint call from five European cancer charities; there is no stated plan for future rounds.

### Do I need an international consortium to apply to INTER-LOCAL?

Yes, the call requires international collaboration across participating European countries; applications from single-country teams are not eligible.

### What types of cancers does INTER-LOCAL fund?

The call targets rare and hard-to-treat cancers with a focus on local treatment strategies (surgical, radiation-based, or regional approaches) where patients currently have limited options.

### What is the sketch deadline for INTER-LOCAL?

The sketch deadline was 22 January 2026 at 12:00; check the KWF website to confirm the current status of this call.

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