About Stichting Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds voor de Nederlandse Kankerbestrijding
KWF is the Netherlands’ leading cancer charity and research funder, supporting the full continuum from prevention and early detection to treatment, implementation, and life after cancer. Its grantmaking is strongly science-driven and nationally focused, with a clear emphasis on turning oncology research into patient-relevant practice through clinical translation, implementation, and shared research infrastructure. It tends to fund Dutch universities, UMCs, cancer institutes, research consortia, and early-career investigators rather than broad community nonprofits.
Focus Areas
Cancer ResearchClinical Translation in OncologyImplementation Science in Cancer CareEarly-Career Cancer ResearchersHigh-Risk Exploratory Oncology ResearchCancer Research Infrastructure and Shared Platforms
Giving Approach
Competitive, program-based grantmaking with indicative budgets rather than open-ended awards. Grants are typically multi-year and can be substantial (often several hundred thousand euros), with separate calls for project research, implementation, young investigators, high-risk pilot work, consortia, and infrastructure; some programs are explicitly geared to national-scale adoption in the Netherlands.
How to approach this funder
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Trusted by mission-driven teams at organizations nationwide
Monitor KWF’s program-specific calls and apply through the relevant research or implementation track; eligibility is generally limited to Dutch-based institutions and collaborations. Tailor proposals to patient-relevant outcomes, demonstrate added value for oncology practice, and for implementation or consortium grants show readiness for national uptake, strong collaboration, and clear budget justification.
Notable grantees:
• LUMC
• Amsterdam UMC
• Oncode Institute
• Antoni van Leeuwenhoek / Nederlands Kanker Instituut
• kanker.nl
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Stichting Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds voor de Nederlandse Kankerbestrijding that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses Sep 1, 2026
Exploration Call
basic researchcredentialingcancer biology+5 more
Who can apply: Project proposals must fit the Basic Research or Credentialing phases; proposals spanning multiple phases must choose the phase that best reflects the central focus. Young Investigator Grant applications are handled in a separate call.
Deadline: Call 2026-3 / EXPL: pre-proposals close 31 March 2026; full proposals close 1 September 2026. Call 2026-1 / EXPL: pre-proposals closed 11 November 2025; full proposals closed 7 April 2026.
implementation researchclinical practice adoptionhealth services research+3 more
Who can apply: Projects must have a research focus and fit within regular funding types such as Research Project, Young Investigator Grant, or Unique High-Risk Project.
Deadline: No separate deadline; applications follow the relevant regular KWF call deadlines.
high-risk researchpilot studiesnovel hypotheses+1 more
Who can apply: Project leader must hold a PhD and be employed by a Dutch institute; project leader should have sufficient experience in the specific scientific area; duration is typically 1 to 1.5 years; main execution in the Netherlands.
Deadline: Can be submitted within the Exploration and Development calls; current relevant windows are 2026-3 Exploration and 2026-2 Development, plus future 2027 calls.
cancer researchtranslational researchbasic research+2 more
Who can apply: Project leader must hold a PhD and be employed by a Dutch institute during the project; at least one scientific researcher working 0.5 FTE per year is required; typical duration is 4 years; main focus must be in the Netherlands.
Deadline: Available through Exploration and Development calls depending on research phase; current windows follow those calls.
collaborative researchtranslational cancer researchcomplex research questions
Who can apply: Project must be hypothesis-driven with defined duration and final analyses; project leader must hold a PhD; at least one scientific researcher at 0.5 FTE per year; a project manager is required; collaboration agreement signed by lead institute and all participating organizations is required before starting.
Deadline: Available through Exploration and Development calls depending on research phase; current windows follow those calls.
creation of modalitypreclinical researchclinical research+2 more
Who can apply: Project proposals must fall within Creation of Modality, Preclinical, Clinical, or Implementation research phases. Young Investigator Grant applications are handled in a separate call.
Deadline: Call 2026-2 / DEV: pre-proposals close 11 November 2025; full proposals close 31 March 2026. Call 2027-DEV: pre-proposals close 6 October 2026; full proposals close 16 March 2027.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.