Longfonds-Swierenga Grant 2026
Longfonds and the Swierenga Foundation are committed to advancing progress in the field of rare lung diseases. This 50,000 euro grant funds one-year exploratory projects, enabling early-career researchers to develop innovative ideas with potential for future breakthroughs.
Rare lung diseases are conditions affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 people in the Netherlands. Due to their low prevalence, these diseases are often poorly understood, underdiagnosed, and underfunded, making research especially important and challenging. The Longfonds-Swierenga Grant supports early-stage, exploratory research in this field. It is designed to help researchers test innovative ideas and hypotheses through small-scale studies that may lead to larger projects. More information about the Prof. dr. Jaap Swierenga Stichting.
Grant details
- Exclusively focused on rare pulmonary diseases; common conditions such as asthma and COPD are excluded. Lung cancer, in any form, is outside the scope of this grant
- The grant supports small-scale, exploratory studies aimed at testing novel ideas and paving the way for larger research projects
- Applicants should outline long-term research plans building on the anticipated outcomes of the pilot
- Maximum funding: 50,000 euro (smaller amounts possible)
- Project duration: up to 1 year
- Includes a midterm (online) progress meeting and a final report
- Longfonds serves as the main contact and supervisor
- The Longfonds-Swierenga Grant is made available annually between 2025 and 2029
Who can apply?
- Early-career researchers who have obtained a PhD or have a confirmed PhD defence date. Medical doctors, residents, or nurses with a proven track record in scientific research are also eligible to apply. Check the Requirements for our extension scheme
- Applicants must be affiliated with a Dutch institution, defined as a university (including affiliated academic medical centers, NKI, or KNAW institutes), hospitals linked to the Dutch Association of Top Clinical Teaching Hospitals (STZ), or general hospitals
- Each applicant may submit only one proposal per year
- Between 2025 and 2029, each applicant may submit a maximum of two project proposals
- The Longfonds-Swierenga Grant is awarded to an applicant only once. After receiving the grant, the applicant is not eligible to apply for or receive it again
- Each research team/department may submit a maximum of two project proposals per year
- A specific supervisor may fulfill this role for a maximum of two project proposals per year
- Applicants are encouraged to involve patients or patient representatives
Application procedure
Submit a compact application using our Application Form (see below), this includes: Applicant and project information; Research objectives and rationale; Methodology; Budget (max. 50,000 euro) and justification; Timeline (max. 12 months); Ethical considerations; Expected impact and future plans; Patient involvement.
Proposals will be assessed on
- Innovation
- Research question and hypothesis rationale
- Study plan of the pilot project, including potential for larger follow-up research
- Potential relevance to clinical practice or translational research
- Distinctiveness and added value
- Objectives and scientific justification
Review Process
An independent review committee, consisting of 4 members including a patient representative, will prioritize the submitted project proposals. The highest-ranked proposal is presented to the boards of Longfonds and Swierenga Foundation for approval and provision of the grant.
Note: There is no pre-proposal phase, and applicants are not required to pitch in person.
Contact
For any questions regarding the Longfonds-Swierenga Grant, please contact the Longfonds Research Team at research@longfonds.nl.