The KWF Exploration Call supports fundamental research into cancer development, progression and spread, alongside its psychosocial effects. Projects may investigate new targets, biomarkers and mechanisms that could inform future prevention, diagnosis, treatment and supportive care. This is KWF’s final project-based Exploration call before its planned transition to research group funding in 2028.
Eligibility Criteria
- Project leaders must work at a Dutch organisation, with most research conducted in the Netherlands; international collaboration is permitted.
- Proposals must fit the Basic Research or Credentialing phases.
- For the standard Research Project route, the project leader must hold a PhD by the project’s start.
- Participating institutions must be approved in KWF-GMS; new registrations must be requested at least six weeks before the deadline.
Funding Details
- Funding amount: No fixed award amount is stated on the call page.
- Budgets and project duration depend on the research plan and applicable KWF funding rules.
- Eligible costs can include research personnel and project-specific materials; general overhead is not eligible.
Deadline
- Pre-proposal: November 3, 2026, at 12:00 noon.
- Invited full proposal: April 13, 2027, at 12:00 noon.
- Funding decision: August 2027.
- Only applicants with a positively evaluated pre-proposal may submit a full proposal.