KWF: open calls

Funds fundamental (Basic Research phase 1) and Credentialing (phase 2) cancer research, including biological mechanisms of cancer onset/progression and psychosocial impacts. Proposal types: Research Project, Consortium, and Unique High-Risk. Submitted via KWF GMS; participating institutes must register ≥6 weeks before closing. YIG proposals must use the separate 2026/YIG call.

Health~Holland PPP programme (KWF, NRG PALLAS, FAST, Oncode Institute) funding development of lead-212 production technology and enabling technologies for radiopharmaceutical cancer therapies. Proposals must include a private party (not in financial difficulty); TKI-LSH Budget Form and Consortium Agreement are mandatory. Projects embedded in Lead4Life governance structure and national TRT network.

Add-on to ongoing or recently completed KWF-funded projects (incl. KWF-PPP, TTW Technology for Oncology, KWF-NWO early detection). Innovation must be at TRL ≥3. Supports translational pathway definition, limited development/validation, and regulatory/implementation preparation. Applicants must collaborate with their institution's TTO. Applications submitted during the project or up to 1 year after end date.

Open cancer research call covering Creation of Modality, Preclinical, Clinical, or Implementation research phases. Proposals must include a development plan with steps, stakeholders, feasibility, and risks. Projects falling within scope of specific thematic calls (biomarker validation/implementation, PIPELINE, INTER-LOCAL, pancreatic screening) are excluded. Dutch summary and patient participation section required; PACO review weighted 30%.

For early-career oncology researchers within 5 years of PhD (extensions possible for clinical training or parental leave). Project leader must hold a PhD and be employed ≥0.5 FTE throughout. Covers all research phases from basic to implementation. Applicants must be affiliated with a KWF-registered institute (registration required ≥6 weeks before deadline). Proposals must be submitted exclusively to this call.

Clinical validation of known oncology biomarkers (TRL 5/6) for use in daily clinical practice. Requires multidisciplinary consortium of ≥4 parties, mandatory (early) HTA component, patient involvement, and robust statistical expertise. AI-component projects must engage AI4Health consortium. Discovery-phase (TRL 1–4) and side-effect biomarkers are out of scope.

Funds nationwide implementation of clinically validated oncology biomarkers (TRL 7–9) in the Netherlands. Requires a multidisciplinary consortium of ≥4 parties, an HTA specialist in the team, a KWF-approved steering committee, and structural embedding of the patient perspective. PhD candidates are strongly discouraged. Public/private collaborations encouraged if co-funding is in place.

Funds fundamental (basic and credentialing) cancer research covering biological mechanisms of cancer onset/progression and psychosocial impacts. Proposals must be submitted via KWF GMS; participating institutes not yet registered must request access at least 6 weeks before closing. Call 2027-1 is the final project-based Exploration call; from 2028 KWF transitions to Research Group Funding.

Funds fundamental (Basic Research phase 1) and credentialing (phase 2) cancer research, covering biological mechanisms of cancer onset/progression and psychosocial impacts. Applicants must submit via KWF GMS; unregistered institutes must register ≥6 weeks before closing. This is KWF's final project-based Exploration Call; from 2028 KWF transitions to Research Group Funding.

Funds academic-led clinical trials (Phase I–III) for new investigational medicinal products (originator drugs) addressing unmet cancer needs. Lead institute must be a Dutch medical centre or research institute. Patient involvement is mandatory. Repurposing of registered drugs and purely preclinical research are out of scope. Proposals must be submitted in English via KWF GMS.

Funds multidisciplinary research and infrastructure to identify, reach, and inform individuals with very high breast cancer risk (BRCA1/2 or PALB2 mutations) and to build a registry for high-risk families. Consortium of ≥4 partners required; patient/citizen participation plan mandatory; early HTA required. In-kind/matching contributions encouraged. Excludes exploratory risk-factor discovery, new screening technologies, and clinical trials.

Open to existing oncology infrastructure projects (biobanks, databases, facilities, platforms) seeking a viable business model. At least one partner must be a KWF-funded infrastructure. Funding is not for continuation of original infrastructure plans or personnel salary extensions. Dutch knowledge institutions implied; proposals submitted via KWF-GMS.