Oncode Institute in partnership with KiKa are launching a new funding call focused on pediatric cancer research.
We are pleased to launch the Pediatric Synergy Call, an initiative by Oncode Institute in partnership with KiKa. The aim of this call is to mobilize the Oncode research community to prepare research proposals that address key challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of childhood cancer, as defined together with experts in the field of pediatric oncology.
Through this initiative, Oncode Institute aims to:
1. Fund and support innovative ideas that address challenges faced in pediatric oncology clinical practice.
2. Enable Oncode Investigators to contribute their unique expertise, whether in biology, technologies, or model systems, to advance pediatric cancer research.
3. Facilitate new research initiatives; collaborations between researchers primarily focused on non‑pediatric oncology and those specializing in pediatric oncology (basic, translational or clinical).
This call for proposals is the first of its kind within Oncode Institute. It invites applications from Oncode Investigators, specifically those whose primary expertise is not in pediatric oncology, to apply their knowledge and innovative approaches in pediatric cancer research.
Scope
Oncode is seeking innovative, curiosity-driven research proposals in pediatric oncology, including the development of novel concepts, technologies, models, tools, and approaches that can advance the field. Proposals must be anchored in a clearly defined challenge or unmet need arising from pediatric oncology clinical practice and must explicitly link this clinical challenge to one of the three research topics listed below. Projects must be based on collaboration between different groups, demonstrating genuine scientific synergy and should enable outcomes that would not be feasible for a single group alone. While projects may build on insights from broader oncology research, including adult oncology, they must clearly demonstrate how the innovation is expected to ultimately lead to meaningful impact for childhood cancer. Projects should focus on one of the following research topics:
Research topics:
• Difficult to target drivers: uncovering new strategies to functionally disrupt hard-to-target molecular targets and open therapeutic avenues for children.
• Epigenetic deregulation: understanding, and routes towards correcting, the mechanism of epigenetic deregulation to enable more precise and less toxic therapeutic interventions for young patients.
• Immunotherapy: children’s immune landscape differs significantly from adults. Understanding these differences and translation of new insights to develop tailored immunotherapeutic approaches in the pediatric setting.
Key Information
| Collaboration | 2-4 independent research group leaders across at least 2 institutes |
| Budget | Up to €1,000,000 total (We aim for max. 2 projects) |
| Duration | 3-4 years |
| Deadline | 24 September 2026, 14h |
| Expected start date | January 2027 |
Documents
Information session & workshop
A dedicated workshop for researchers and potential collaborators will take place on 22 June 2026.
During the workshop, participants will further explore the research themes, discuss unmet clinical needs in pediatric oncology and connect with researchers across the network.
How to apply
Submit your complete proposal via: [email protected]
Submission deadline: 24 September 2026, 14h.
Questions?
For questions related to the call or application procedure, please contact: [email protected]