STICHTING HET NEDERLANDS KANKER INSTITUUT-ANTONI VAN LEEUWENHOEK ZIEKENHUIS

Their core work

The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI-AVL) is a dedicated cancer research hospital in Amsterdam that combines fundamental cancer biology with clinical treatment. Their research spans chromosome architecture, tumor immunology, and drug discovery — translating lab findings into therapeutic strategies for cancer patients. They operate major research infrastructure for structural biology (NMR, electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography) and serve as a European hub for preclinical oncology models including patient-derived xenografts. With 51 H2020 projects and over EUR 31 million in EU funding, they are one of Europe's most active cancer research centers in competitive grant programs.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), NKI-AVL had a broad portfolio spanning structural biology infrastructure (iNEXT, West-Life), foundational cancer biology, and initial immunotherapy projects — reflecting a research institute building European infrastructure while pursuing fundamental discovery. From 2018 onward, a clear consolidation emerged around chromosome and chromatin biology (GoCADiSC, CohesinLooping, BURSTREG) and cancer immunotherapy (SENSIT), with growing involvement in data standards and EOSC. The shift signals a move from broad infrastructure participation toward leadership in specific, well-funded research niches where NKI commands ERC-level grants.

NKI-AVL is concentrating its leadership in 3D genome organization and tumor immunology — expect future projects to combine these two strengths, linking chromatin dynamics to immune response in cancer.

How they like to work

NKI-AVL leads a significant share of its projects (19 of 51 as coordinator, 37%), particularly the high-value ERC grants where they are sole PI, indicating strong independent research capacity. As a participant, they join large multi-country consortia (483 unique partners across 43 countries), often contributing specialized cancer biology or infrastructure access. This dual pattern — independent leadership on fundamental science plus team-player roles in translational consortia — makes them a flexible partner who can either anchor a project or contribute deep domain expertise.

NKI-AVL has collaborated with 483 unique partners across 43 countries, making it one of the most connected cancer research organizations in H2020. Their network is pan-European with particularly strong ties to research hospitals, universities, and life-science infrastructure providers.

What sets them apart

NKI-AVL is rare in combining a dedicated cancer hospital with a world-class fundamental research institute — meaning their discoveries travel a short path from bench to bedside. Their concentration of four ERC grants on chromosome architecture (GoCADiSC, CohesinLooping, HAP-PHEN, BURSTREG) represents an unusual depth that few European centers can match. For consortium builders, they bring both scientific leadership credibility and access to clinical cohorts and preclinical infrastructure that pure universities cannot offer.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GoCADiSC
  Largest single grant (EUR 2.5M) — an ERC-funded project on genomics of chromosome architecture in single cells, representing NKI's flagship expertise.
• SENSIT
  EUR 2.4M coordinator grant on sensitivity of human tumors to T cell attack — anchors their immunotherapy leadership and directly informs clinical strategy.
• iNEXT
  Major European structural biology infrastructure project (NMR, EM, X-rays) demonstrating NKI's role as a transnational access provider, not just a research consumer.