# Validation of Biomarkers

**Funder:** KWF
**Budget:** €0.8M–€2M
**Deadline:** 20 October 2026 (12:00 noon; Full proposal deadline 23 February 2027, 12:00 noon)
**Duration:** 2-5 years
**Consortium:** Required — multidisciplinary consortium of minimum 4 participating parties (may include private partners)
**Application:** 2-stage: pre-proposal (deadline 20 October 2026) → full proposal (deadline 23 February 2027) → interviews (May 2027) → funding decision (June 2027)
**TRL:** 5-6
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** NL
**Official call:** https://www.kwf.nl/en/forresearchers/funding/validation-of-biomarkers-2027
**Last updated:** 6 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds clinical validation (TRL5/6) of already-known cancer biomarkers via multidisciplinary consortia including biostatistician and HTA-expert; mandatory HTA component, patient involvement, and development plan for implementation. AI-component projects must involve the AI4Health consortium as partner or advisor.

## Summary

KWF's Validation of Biomarkers call funds the clinical translation of established oncology biomarkers (TRL 5-6) into daily practice, offering €800,000-€2 million over 2-5 years. Applicants must assemble a multidisciplinary consortium of at least four parties, including a biostatistician and health technology assessment (HTA) expert, with mandatory patient involvement; Dutch-based institutions lead the application. This is a competitive, two-stage call emphasising de-risked translational research with immediate clinical utility.

## Who should apply

- Multidisciplinary consortia of at least 4 parties (academic, clinical, industry, or diagnostic partner mix)
- Dutch-based lead institutions with biostatistician and HTA expertise on the team
- Researchers with known oncology biomarkers at technology readiness level 5-6 ready for clinical validation
- Projects with structured patient involvement and a clear pathway to routine clinical implementation
- AI-focused projects must commit to engagement with the AI4HEALTH consortium

## Key dates

- Pre-proposal deadline: 20 October 2026 at 12:00 noon; full proposal deadline: 23 February 2027 at 12:00 noon
- Two-stage review followed by interviews in May 2027
- 2- to 5-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Assemble your consortium early and ensure explicit letters of commitment from each party; KWF screens for genuine co-investment and clear role delineation.
- The HTA component is non-negotiable, include a health economist or HTA specialist in your core team, not as an afterthought, to show you understand cost-effectiveness alongside clinical validity.
- Patient involvement must be active and described in the pre-proposal; token representation will weaken your score. Specify how patients shape the research question and co-design validation endpoints.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the budget range for the KWF Validation of Biomarkers call?

€800,000 to €2 million per project over a 2- to 5-year period.

### Who must be part of the consortium?

A minimum of four participating parties, including a biostatistician and a health technology assessment expert; private partners are eligible. Patient representatives must be actively involved.

### What is the technology readiness level (TRL) requirement?

Projects must target biomarkers at TRL 5-6, meaning the biomarker is known and ready for clinical validation, not discovery-stage research.

### Are Dutch institutions required?

Yes, the eligible country is the Netherlands and Dutch-based institutions are expected to lead applications.

### When are the application deadlines?

Pre-proposal deadline is 20 October 2026 at noon; full proposal deadline is 23 February 2027 at noon. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed in May 2027.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/kwf-validation-of-biomarkers-2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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