Looking back at 2025, Radboudumc researchers were highly competitive across national and international funding schemes. From prestigious personal grants to large-scale collaborative projects and targeted thematic funding, the year combined individual excellence with strong team science. In total, Radboudumc secured approximately €85 million in research funding in 2025. Beyond the financial scale, the results reflect a research ecosystem in which curiosity-driven science, clinical innovation and societal relevance increasingly reinforce one another.
Strong performance in prestigious personal grants
At the level of individual excellence, 2025 was an exceptional year. Radboudumc researchers were awarded six NWO Vidi grants and three NWO Vici grants in a single year, a rare achievement for a Dutch university medical center. These awards support researchers at different career stages and confirm strong competitiveness in national talent-based funding. In addition, two NWO Veni grants were awarded, supporting early-career researchers. “These personal grants show that our researchers are competitive across different career stages,” says Eric Caldenhoven, Head of Grant Support at Radboudumc.
€70 million in collaborative and international team science
In 2025, Radboudumc researchers attracted approximately €70 million in collaborative funding through national and international consortia. The funded projects span areas including cancer, gene and cell therapy, infection research and population health.
Highlights included participation in a €5.4 million Wellcome-funded longitudinal study, six multidisciplinary projects funded through the ZonMw Open Competition, and international infection research projects supported by EDCTP and JPIAMR, two European programs focused on accelerating clinical research and combating antimicrobial resistance.
A particularly notable achievement was Radboudumc’s participation in one European Innovation Council Pathfinder project, selected with a success rate of just 2% and awarded a perfect evaluation score. The project received over €3 million in total funding, with €550,000 allocated to Radboudumc, and focuses on breakthrough immunotherapy technology. “Grant writing has become a structural part of academic work,” says Caldenhoven. “These results show that researchers are increasingly strategic and well supported in navigating complex funding schemes.”
Clinical research was supported through five ZonMw Clinical Fellowships, bringing €1 million to Radboudumc to strengthen research embedded in clinical practice.
Thematic funding with clear societal impact
Several large grants in 2025 focused on direct application in healthcare. Radboudumc receivedthree grants from KWF and Alpe d’HuZes, including a €3 million immunotherapy project and two high-risk innovation projects.
Paramedical care was reinforced through four ZonMw grants within the Paramedical Care program, totaling €1.1 million, supporting research by dietitians, occupational therapists and speech therapists.
A major milestone was the award of €10 million from the National Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund to support the development of gene therapy for the rare childhood kidney disease cystinosis, in collaboration with national partners.
In oral health, Radboudumc coordinated the public–private ORANGEHealth program, which received €3.45 million from Health~Holland and connects seven universities and universities of applied sciences with healthcare partners to accelerate innovation in dental care.
In 2025, Radboudumc research also received recognition through international and national awards. These included the Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson’s Research, the Science and Innovation Award, and the Klokhuis Science Award, reflecting impact in clinical practice, innovation and public engagement.
Well positioned for uncertain times ahead
Overall, 2025 reflects a research environment with strong personal grants, substantial collaborative funding and applied research with societal relevance. At the same time, funding conditions remain uncertain at both national and European levels.
“With a diversified funding portfolio, strong success rates and experienced support structures, Radboudumc is well positioned to navigate more challenging funding conditions ahead,” Caldenhoven concludes.
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Article by Hasan Erkan - Editor @ Radboudumc Research Institute for Medical Innovation
Infographic by Eline Zwijgers
