KWF

Young Investigator Grant

Up to €1,000,000 + up to approx. €400,000 for major expenses| Deadline: 6 October 2026 (23 days)|4 years (suggested)

12:00 noon; Pre-proposal deadline; Full proposal deadline 1 April 2027

Last updated: 6 Sept 2026

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This is the current call of the KWF Young Investigator Grant programme. The programme guide covers eligibility, budget, success rate and FAQ across every round.

The KWF Young Investigator Grant offers up to €1 million over four years (plus exceptional top-ups for major costs) for early-career oncology researchers establishing independent labs in the Netherlands. The call targets researchers within five years of their PhD, with extensions possible for clinical training or parental leave. KWF runs this annually, with a two-stage process: pre-proposals due 6 October 2026, then full proposals and consortium interviews in spring/early summer 2027.

Details

Funder	KWF
Budget	Up to €1,000,000 + up to approx. €400,000 for major expenses
Deadline	6 October 2026
Duration	4 years (suggested)
Consortium	No - individual project leader must lead and execute the project independently, though team may include additional scientific/non-scientific personnel
Application	2-stage: pre-proposal (deadline 6 October 2026) → full proposal (deadline 1 April 2027)
Frequency	Annual
Career stage	Early-career opportunity
Eligible countries	NL

Eligibility & scope

For early-career oncology researchers within 5 years of PhD (extensions possible for clinical training or parental leave) who must lead an independent research line and be employed ≥0.5 FTE/year on the project. Covers basic, credentialing, preclinical, clinical, and implementation research phases; Dutch summary required for Patient Advisory Committee review.

Who Should Apply

•Early-career oncology researchers within 5 years of PhD (extensions for clinical training or parental leave)
•Researchers employed ≥0.5 FTE and affiliated with a KWF-registered institute
•All research phases eligible: basic, translational, clinical, and implementation science
•Researchers building independent research groups in the Netherlands

Key Dates

•Pre-proposal deadline 6 October 2026 (12:00 noon CET); institution registration must be completed ≥6 weeks before this deadline
•Full-proposal deadline 1 April 2027 (12:00 noon CET), followed by consortium interviews in June 2027
•Four-year project duration (suggested)

Tips for Applicants

✓Register your institute with KWF at least 6 weeks before the pre-proposal deadline; late registration blocks submission.
✓The pre-proposal stage is highly competitive, use the 5-page format to demonstrate feasibility and independence from your PhD supervisor, not just novelty.
✓Consortium interviews in June 2027 are decisive; ensure all named co-investigators are available and briefed on the full proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding does the KWF Young Investigator Grant provide?

Up to €1 million over four years, with exceptional additional funding of up to ~€400,000 available for major costs in justified cases.

Who is eligible for the KWF Young Investigator Grant?

Early-career oncology researchers within 5 years of their PhD (with possible extensions for clinical training or parental leave), employed at least 0.5 FTE and affiliated with a KWF-registered institute in the Netherlands.

What is the pre-proposal deadline for the KWF Young Investigator Grant?

6 October 2026 at 12:00 noon CET. Institution registration must be completed at least 6 weeks in advance.

Is the KWF Young Investigator Grant a two-stage process?

Yes: pre-proposals are due 6 October 2026, shortlisted applicants submit full proposals by 1 April 2027, and finalists participate in consortium interviews in June 2027.

kwfcancer-biologyearly-careeryoung-investigatortranslational-researchnetherlandstwo-stageconsortium-interviews

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