Our challenge 

New discoveries in cancer diagnostics and treatment are being made every day. But turning those discoveries into real benefits for patients isn’t always straightforward. Complex laws and regulations, unclear rules for implementation, and a fragmented landscape of stakeholders often mean that innovations take too long to reach daily practice. As a result, patients may miss out on the best possible options.

In some cases, it even depends on where you live. The hospital a patient goes to can make a difference — a phenomenon sometimes called ‘postcode diagnostics and treatment’. And too often, tests or treatments are used that work for a large group of patients, but aren’t the best fit for an individual person. That can lead to over- or undertreatment, and sometimes unnecessary side effects.

At KWF, we believe every patient should have access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place — based on the latest scientific insights.

Our dream 

Everyone with cancer has access to diagnostics and treatment that are less burdensome, perfectly tailored to who they are, and available without delay. 
 

Our activities

• We work towards broad application of molecular diagnostics for precision oncology  
  Developments in molecular diagnostics have moved rapidly over the past 10 to 15 years, driven by significant investment and innovation. Yet the full potential of precision medicine and molecular diagnostics is still not being realized. Many promising applications are still in the pipeline, waiting to be translated and implemented in everyday care. After years of intense activity and change in the field, it’s time to take stock. What opportunities lie ahead? What obstacles still stand in the way? And — perhaps most importantly — what role can KWF play in making sure that these innovations truly reach patients? 
  
  In addition, we are developing a shared vision for an effective, sustainable, and future-proof approach to molecular diagnostics, which is ideally supported by an accompanying infrastructure including one that harnesses real-world data to be used in a learning healthcare system. To achieve this we are setting up a case for change with relevant stakeholders which maps the current status, creates the optimal future scenario and defines next steps to get there.
   
• We invest in sustainable data and research infrastructure in the oncology domain  
  In this track, we support oncological research infrastructures, including large-scale biobanks and databases, to increase their long-term viability. 
   
• We stimulate valorization of smart measurement technologies 
  In this track we encourage and support the further development of smart measurement technologies, so they can be implemented in healthcare settings and used in practice.  
  
  In 2024, KWF funded 3 projects in this track
  In 2023, KWF funded 4 projects in this track
  In 2022, KWF funded 4 projects in the first thematic call in this track.  
  
  Currently, there are no open calls in this track. We instead focus on additional valorization support for the granted projects to aid the further development of the inventions.
   
• We invest in evaluation and implementation research
  In our key area, we support the entire pathway to bring evidence-based interventions into everyday practice. It is equally important to evaluate existing medical care — to determine whether current practices are still appropriate, or whether they should be adjusted. We therefore invest in de-escalation studies, the development of risk models for patient selection that take both disease-related and patient-specific factors into account, and symptom-based monitoring wherever possible — for example, in cases of low-risk tumours. Together with scientific societies, we prioritise research questions that align with these goals. In co-creation with Zorgevaluatie en Gepast Gebruik (ZE&GG), these priorities are translated by researchers into project proposals for evaluation studies, which will then be funded by KWF. By choosing the right study design and involving all relevant stakeholders from the start, the results of these projects can be implemented in practice more quickly and effectively. We will launch this initiative in 2025, with the goal of funding the first projects by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
   
• We improve the diagnostic patient journey  
  Together with our partners in the National Cancer Agenda (NKA), we have the ambition to speed up diagnostics for rare tumours through initiatives such as the Accelerate study. At the same time, we are developing a shared plan to improve the patient journey in diagnostics - from the first test to the right diagnosis - and to create a shared vision for a learning healthcare system in which shared data and insights regarding diagnostics, treatment and patient outcomes are continuously used to improve the diagnostic journey.

Our targeted funding possibilities

For the most up-to-date overview, see www.kwf.nl/calls

Advancement of biomarkers into daily practice  
This track focuses on validation of biomarker candidates and implementation of biomarkers on a national scale. In order to achieve this, we stimulate working in multidisciplinary teams and to engage with relevant stakeholders that will support bringing your biomarker into the next development phase. We also expect researchers to make a detailed development plan. This will increase awareness of the steps required and the stakeholders to be engaged to move the biomarker into practice.

In 2023, we funded 5 projects in the call Validation of biomarker candidates.  
In 2024, we funded 4 projects in the call Validation of biomarker candidates.
In 2024 we funded 1 project in the call Implementation of Biomarkers - from clinical validation to daily practice.
 

Minimally invasive local therapies
In this track, we want to ensure that proven, effective, and minimally invasive local therapies are widely implemented in clinical practice — with a particular focus on rare and hard-to-treat tumors. To achieve these ambitious goals, we join forces with sister organizations and other partners abroad.  

We have 2 interesting funding opportunities coming up:

• INTER-LOCAL, an international funding call by five leading European cancer charities aimed at accelerating clinical research into local treatment strategies for rare and hard-to-treat cancers. This initiative is a response to the urgent need for more effective and accessible therapies for patients facing limited treatment options.  
   
• FORCE, an international funding call by 15 European partners aimed at setting up pragmatic studies. More details will be provided on our website in the second half of 2026.