‘Proof-of-Concept’ grant for Ewing Sarcoma research: Warre’s Hope funds promising project by Marthe Boelens
Every six months, the Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG) awards so-called proof-of-concept grants to a number of young researchers. These grants allow them to launch innovative and promising cancer research projects and take the first crucial steps toward securing further funding and developing clinical applications.
In the 18th call (October 2025), the non-profit organisation Warre’s Hope made an additional grant possible, specifically aimed at research into the rare and aggressive Ewing Sarcoma; a malignant bone tumour that mainly affects children and adolescents.
After a thorough evaluation by the CRIG jury, the grant was awarded to Marthe Boelens, PhD student in the CRIG team of Prof. Kris Vleminckx and Dr. Thomas Naert. Marthe will develop a new frog model that more accurately reflects the biology of Ewing sarcoma and may contribute to a better understanding of the disease and the development of new treatments. (Read more about the project here.)
From research to hope
CRIG brought Marthe and her team together with Warre Thomas, founder of Warre’s Hope, for an open conversation about the project, the significance of the grant, and the future of cancer research. Warre himself was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma at the age of nine and has since been remarkably driven to raise awareness about childhood cancer through Hope_de_podcast and to raise funds for further research into rare paediatric cancers. (Listen to the podcast here.)
Marthe Boelens: “First of all, I want to thank Warre’s Hope for raising these funds. When you want to secure research funding, you first need to show that your project is feasible and worth the investment. A proof-of-concept grant helps lay that foundation: taking the first steps, testing methods, and building the groundwork for follow-up funding. We have one year to launch the project and deliver the first results.”
Dr. Thomas Naert (postdoctoral researcher): “Scientific research is more of a team effort than ever before. Marthe is in the final year of her PhD, but we are already expanding the team to generate new, promising data with this proof-of-concept project. This will help us build a sustainable research line focused on rare cancers, and Ewing Sarcoma in particular.”
With this proof-of-concept grant, the team of Prof. Vleminckx and Dr. Naert, together with Marthe Boelens, is taking an important step toward a better understanding of Ewing Sarcoma and toward new treatment options. A powerful example of how hope and research go hand in hand.