# Validation of Biomarkers 2027

**Funder:** KWF
**Budget:** €0.8M–€2M per proposal
**Deadline:** 20 October 2026 (Pre-proposal deadline: 20 October 2026, 12:00 noon. Full proposal deadline: 23 February 2027, 12:00 noon.)
**Duration:** 2–5 years
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 4 participating parties (multidisciplinary consortium; private partners allowed)
**Application:** 2-stage: pre-proposal (opens 25 Aug 2026, closes 20 Oct 2026) → full proposal (opens 15 Dec 2026, closes 23 Feb 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 verified:** 24 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Clinical validation of known oncology biomarkers (TRL5/6) for use in daily clinical practice. Requires multidisciplinary consortium of ≥4 parties including biostatistician and HTA expert; patient involvement mandatory. AI-component projects must engage the AI4HEALTH consortium. Public-private collaborations encouraged with co-funding. Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) call; host institutions likely Dutch-based.

## Summary

The KWF Validation of Biomarkers 2027 call funds clinical validation of known oncology biomarkers (technology-readiness level 5-6) for routine clinical use, with budgets of €0.8-2 million per project over 2-5 years. The call requires a multidisciplinary consortium of at least four parties, including a biostatistician and health-technology-assessment expert, plus mandatory patient involvement; public, private partnerships and co-funding are encouraged. This annual call emphasizes regulatory strategy, reimbursement pathways, and implementation planning alongside validation science.

## Who should apply

- Multidisciplinary teams of ≥4 parties: clinicians, researchers, biostatisticians, HTA specialists, and/or industry partners
- Researchers based at Dutch academic hospitals, research institutes, or eligible private-sector organisations
- Projects focused on clinical validation (TRL 5-6) of existing oncology biomarkers for diagnostic or prognostic use
- Teams with demonstrable patient and patient-association involvement in consortium planning
- Public, private collaborative consortia with co-funding are particularly competitive

## Key dates

- Pre-proposal deadline: 20 October 2026, 12:00 noon; full proposal deadline: 23 February 2027, 12:00 noon
- Two-stage process with shortlist interviews in May 2027 and funding decision in June 2027
- Project duration: 2-5 years

## Tips for applicants

- Consortium composition is gating: ensure your four-plus parties span clinical, statistical, regulatory, and HTA expertise; weak HTA or missing biostatistician will score poorly.
- Lead with the regulatory and reimbursement pathway as a co-equal pillar to the clinical validation science; KWF explicitly scores implementation readiness.
- AI-component projects must declare early engagement with the AI4HEALTH consortium; omission is a disqualifier, not a weakness to address in revision.

## Frequently asked questions

### What budget can I request for the Validation of Biomarkers 2027 call?

Projects receive €0.8-2 million per proposal. Consortium size, complexity, and the scope of the validation study determine where in that range your project sits.

### Is a consortium required for Validation of Biomarkers 2027?

Yes, you must assemble a minimum of four participating parties, including a biostatistician and HTA expert; public, private partnerships and industry co-funding are encouraged.

### Do AI-component projects have special requirements?

Yes, projects integrating artificial intelligence must engage the AI4HEALTH consortium early; this is a mandatory component, not optional.

### How long does a project last under Validation of Biomarkers 2027?

Project duration is 2-5 years, depending on the scope and complexity of the biomarker validation.

### What does the pre-proposal stage require?

The pre-proposal (due 20 October 2026) is a first competitive gate; shortlisted applicants receive feedback and are invited to submit a full proposal by 23 February 2027.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/kwf-validation-of-biomarkers-2027-2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.