All funding options

Researchers affiliated with any scientific institute in the Netherlands can apply for financial support for research projects that clearly focus on childhood cancer. Support can be requested for fundamental, preclinical, clinical, epidemiological, or psychological research and should focus on one or more specific research questions. 

Data generated through any type of funding should be made publicly available unless they require specific protection. If confidential data are generated, a strategy for protecting these data should be described in the application.

KiKa has the following funding options for researchers working at scientific institutions in the Netherlands:

Research projects:

• A research project can have a maximum of two project leaders. If more than two project leaders are assigned, a proper justification must be provided in the application.
• Collaboration with international research groups is permitted for a research project if it clearly adds value. A maximum of 49% of the total requested budget can be assigned to the portion of the research conducted outside of the Netherlands.
• In principle, the duration of a research project is maximized at four years. Longer durations are possible if the necessity is properly justified in the application. In such a case, the budget tool for research programs can be used for the proposed budget instead of the budget tool for research projects.
• There is no limit to the budget that can be requested. However, the requested amount should correspond with the proposed work and necessary supplies. This will be evaluated by the Scientific Board.
• The recommended size for a research project is a maximum of 1 FTE scientific personnel and 1 FTE non-scientific personnel per year. It is possible to request more personnel, but this must be well justified in the application.

Pilot projects: 

• Pilot projects have the specific aim to explore the feasibility of an extraordinary, innovative research proposal (high risk, high gain). The aim of a pilot project is to determine if a research proposal offers viable opportunities. If successful, a pilot project can form the basis for a research project.
• A pilot project can have a maximum of two project leaders. If more than two project leaders are assigned, a proper justification must be provided in the application.
• A budget can generally be requested for a maximum of 1,5 years.
• There is no limit to the budget that can be requested. However, the requested amount should correspond with the proposed work and necessary supplies. This will be evaluated by the Scientific Board.
• The recommended size for a pilot project is a maximum of 1 FTE personnel per year. It is possible to request more personnel, but this must be well justified in the application.

Research programs: 

• This funding type is specifically designed for elaborate research proposals, consisting of multiple complementary work packages.
• Research programs for instance enable the tackling of multiple (multidisciplinary) research questions within an overarching research project and enable projects that require large or complex collaborations.
• The added value of a research program compared to multiple individual research projects should be demonstrated in the application.
• A clear plan for the valorisation and translation of the research findings generated by a research program should be included in the application.
• Collaboration with international research groups is permitted for a research program if it clearly adds value. A maximum of 49% of the total requested budget can be assigned to the portion of the research conducted outside of the Netherlands.
• A research program can have a maximum of two program leaders. If more than two program leaders are assigned, a proper justification must be provided in the application.
• A budget can be requested for a maximum of 6 years.
• A maximum budget of €3 million can be requested. 

The above funding options also apply to clinical research (phase I and II). The following conditions and considerations apply:

• Funding can only be requested for investigator-initiated phase I and II trials. It must be made clear in the application how the trial will be funded and why it will be funded in this way.
• If companies are also participating, either directly or indirectly, the application must clearly state the contributions and interests of those companies. A clear picture must also be provided of how the follow-up is expected to be financed and reimbursed (and what interests companies may have in this).
• To be eligible for funding, the urgency must be clear (e.g. no variant duplications of an existing therapy).
• A plan/strategy must also be drawn up for the potential next step (e.g. phase II/III or towards registration).
• If, because of the trial setup, a duration of more than four years if required, it is possible to submit a project with longer duration, as long as this is substantiated well in the application. In case of a duration of more than four years, the budget tool for research programs can be used for the proposed budget instead of the budget tool for research projects. In case of doubt, it is always possible to contact the KiKa research team beforehand via research@kika.nl.

Additionally, the following conditions apply specific to phase II clinical trials:

• The preliminary research (phase I) must be sound, complete, and highlighted in the application.
• It should be made clear why the phase II trial cannot be funded by other funding mechanisms.
• The application must also indicate how the path to further implementation is envisaged and how it will be ensured that the therapy can remain available to patients (at reasonable cost) after a successful study.

FIGHT KIDS CANCER:

Since 2023, KiKa has partnered with FIGHT KIDS CANCER (FKC). This is a collaboration between several European foundations: KickCancer (Belgium), Imagine for Margo (France), Fondation Kriibskrank Kanner (Luxembourg), CRIS Cancer Foundation (Spain), and KiKa. FKC aims to promote trans-European collaboration in childhood cancer research. To achieve this, FKC funds clinical and preclinical studies conducted by European research consortia. More information about FKC and their upcoming calls can be found here.

If you have any questions or doubts about submitting an application to KiKa, you are welcome to consult the KiKa research team in advance. Please get in touch via research@kika.nl.