14th DKTK Joint Funding Call 2026

With this Joint Funding Call, DKTK aims to stimulate the interaction between DKTK partner sites, to bridge the gap between basic and clinical research, and to accelerate the translation and transfer of scientific discoveries in the areas of prevention, early detection, diagnosis and therapy into tangible outputs for patients. DKTK seeks to fund collaborative translational research projects that focus on the translation and transfer of preclinical research results into medical application by supporting critical steps for the successful preparation of a clinical trial or transfer activities (e.g., medicinal products). 
This DKTK Joint Funding Call will support translational cancer research projects, which are driven by strong preliminary results and established proof-of concept, for up to 2 years in two areas: 

  • Pillar 1: Therapeutic Innovations 
  • Pillar 2: Diagnostic Innovations & Molecular Prevention 

At least two DKTK partner sites must be involved in the proposed innovative project. Maximum budget that can be requested per research project is 1.5 Mio €. 

In total, 42 proposals have been submitted during this call. The following six research projects were selected for funding:

  • Target-optimized Bispecific BAFF Receptor/BCMA CAR-T Cell Therapy for Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma (B&B-CAR): B&B-CAR-T cell therapy aims to overcome resistance of Multiple Myeloma to currently available therapies, thus intending cure, if successful also applied early in the course of disease.

Overall coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Keller, Berlin
Participating DKTK sites: Berlin, Frankfurt/Mainz, Heidelberg

  • Development of an acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-selective chimeric antigen receptor T cell product (CARAMeL): Development of a well-characterized anti-CSF1R-CAR T-cell product and GMP-compliant manufacturing  process ready for first-in-human clinical translation.

Overall coordinator: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kobold, Munich
Participating DKTK sites: Berlin, Frankfurt/Mainz, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Munich

  • Next-generation CAR T-cells: Dual Antigen Recognition (CD19-BAFFR) with Cytolytic Enhancement for the Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory B-cell Lymphoma (DUET-19B): Development of a GMP-compliant dual CD19/BAFF-R armored CAR-T cell therapy enabling first-in-human Phase I/IIa trials for relapsed B-cell lymphoma.

Overall coordinator: Prof. Dr. Björn Chapuy, Berlin
Participating DKTK sites: Berlin, Essen/Düsseldorf

  • Translating melanocytic cell state signatures into routine immunohistochemistry for diagnosis of ambiguous melanocytic lesions (MEL-STATE): Development of a validated dual IHC assay, combining malignant and benign melanocytic markers, providing a simple and powerful translational framework for clinical implementation in routine dermatopathology.

Overall coordinator: Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Rajewsky, Berlin
Participating DKTK sites: Berlin, Essen/Düsseldorf, Tübingen

  • Trial-enabling development of a first-in-class anti-P2RY2 antibody to overcome immunotherapy resistance in solid tumors (RESIST-OFF): Development of a trial-enabling nonclinical and biomarker package for a first-in-class humanized anti-P2RY2 antibody, with a FiH Phase I concept in advanced NSCLC patients failing on anti-PD-(L)1-based therapies.

Overall coordinator: Dr. Chong Sun, Heidelberg
Participating DKTK sites: Dresden, Heidelberg

  • mRNA-LNP Immune Rejuvenation to Improve Revaccination Responses and Reduce Infection-Related Non-Relapse Mortality after ASCT and CAR-T (REVIVE): Development of a Phase I/II protocol, GMP manufacturing strategy, preclinical data package, and biomarker panel for mRNA-LNPs to enhance vaccine responses and reduce infection-related NRM after ASCT and CAR-T.

Overall coordinator: Dr. Mirco Friedrich, Heidelberg
Participating DKTK sites: Heidelberg, Munich