The KWF PIPELINE Call is a dedicated funding mechanism by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) designed to bridge the gap between academic cancer drug innovation and clinical development, specifically for cases where industry has not yet pursued — or is unlikely to pursue — commercial development. The programme targets the bottlenecks academics face in advancing their discoveries to the clinic: insufficient collaboration, lack of resources, and underdeveloped development pathways. KWF collaborates with Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development (CDD) to support early Phase I/IIa clinical trials for academics who need expert support. Any EU-regulated medicinal product — including small molecules, biologicals, radiopharmaceuticals, and ATMPs — is eligible.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Be affiliated with an academic or research institution
- Propose clinical development of a new cancer drug originating from academic research
- Focus on cancer patients with unmet medical needs
- The drug must be regulated as a medicinal product within the European Union
- Collaboration with industry partners is allowed; however, market or ecosystem failure must be demonstrated as the rationale for academic-led development
Funding Details:
- Supports clinical trials and drug development activities
- Budget commensurate with development plan requirements (no fixed cap stated; reviewed per application)
- Optional access to KWF-CRUK CDD collaboration for Phase I/IIa trial expertise
- Regulatory and business development support available alongside financial support
Deadline:
- Pre-proposals open: 21 April 2026
- Pre-proposals close: 7 July 2026, 12:00 noon
- Full proposals open: 6 October 2026
- Full proposals close: 8 December 2026, 12:00 noon
- Funding decision: April 2027
Where to go for further information:
- Programme details.
- Contact: pharmaceuticals@kwf.nl