Here are the most recent rare diseases funding opportunities identified by RARE.Qc:
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Clinical Trials to Validate AI-Driven Drug Repurposing
- Supports Phase I/IIA clinical trials validating AI-driven drug repurposing for unsolved diseases, emphasizing rare conditions. Focuses on approved therapies, including drugs, biologics, and gene/cellular treatments, leveraging AI-generated preclinical data from diverse models to create innovative treatments.
- Amount : $100,000 USD
- Next deadline : LOI Deadline : June 26, 2026
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Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease (PATH) 2026
- The Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease program provides opportunities for assistant professors to bring multidisciplinary approaches to the study of human infectious diseases. It is specifically targeted toward work on the pathogenesis of infectious disease.
- Amount : $505,000 USD for 5 years
- Next deadline : LOI deadline : July 14, 2026
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GBA1 Parkinson’s Disease Research Catalyst Program
- The GBA1-PD Research Catalyst Program seeks to build a deeper, globally integrated understanding of GBA1-associated Parkinson’s disease by aligning efforts across geographies and maximizing the value of shared datasets and research assets. Funding will support hypothesis-driven projects with an emphasis on integrative, crosscohort analyses and the systematic characterization and standardization of models to enable broad use by the research community.
- Amount : $300,000 USD
- Next deadline : Application deadline : July 22, 2026
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CIHR : Knowledge Synthesis Grants: Allied Health and Genetics
- The goal of this funding opportunity is to synthesize the current knowledge base about practices in the allied health space regarding the delivery of genetic and genomic results to patients and the community and to provide implementation guidance to support best practices as related to the delivery of these results in this evolving healthcare context.
- Amount : The maximum amount per grant is $100,000 per year for up to 2 years, for a total of $200,000 per grant.
- Next deadline: Anticipated Registration deadline : August 6, 2026
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Uplifting Athletes Young Investigator Draft Grants
- Open to applicants in Canada. The goal of the Young Investigator Draft is to provide funding that will support the pursuit of new FDA-approved treatments and potential cures for the rare disease community. These seed grants are intended to support early-career investigators, who are still being mentored, and patient advocacy organizations that have an emphasis in supporting research within their disease state.
- Amount : The grant will be for a minimum of $20,000 USD ($10,000 USD from UAI and a matching $10,000 USD from the nominating advocacy organization).
- Next deadline: Anticipated application deadline : August 11, 2026
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FRQ Prix Relève étoile 2027-2028
- The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) aims to promote research careers and recognize the excellence of work produced by Québec’s emerging researchers. To this end, the FRQ continues its Relève étoile Award competition. Three awards are presented in tribute to three pioneers of Québec’s research community, in recognition of their outstanding careers and their contributions to the advancement of research.
- Amount : Three Prix Relève of $1,500 monthly.
- Next deadline: Application deadline : August 13, 2026 4pm EST
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D2R Commercialization Priming Program
- The D2R Commercialization Priming program, in partnership with Genome Quebec, aims to provide short-term financial support for early-stage efforts that test or validate the commercial potential of well-defined concepts, technologies, or inventions tied to the D2R Initiative’s priority areas.
- Amount : Between $50,000 and $100,000 for up to 12 months (non-renewable).
- Next deadline: Application deadline: August 15, 2026
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The Ehlers-Danlos Society Research Inner Circle
- Supporting diverse research on Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), with a focus on musculoskeletal, dermatological, hematological, and rare disease aspects to foster advancements in understanding and treatment of these conditions.
- Amount : There is no minimum or maximum funding limit.
- Next deadline: Applications Close: Friday, August 21, 2026
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AO Innovation Funding
- We support innovations that address unmet clinical needs in musculoskeletal care: Hardware medical devices (implants, fixation systems, instruments), Digital health technologies (apps, AI, surgical planning software), Biologic solutions and/or combination devices, Medical imaging solutions for AI applications, Strategic initiatives advancing MSK treatment or surgeon education
- Amount : Customized amounts and timelines matched to your project milestones
- Next deadline: Application deadline: August 31, 2026
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Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant : Data Analysis Using Existing CDN Databases and Cohorts (2026)
- Support projects that use data from existing Canadian-based cohorts, databases, cohort catalogues, and data platforms, to advance knowledge in human development, child and/or youth health with the goal to improve patient, population, and system outcomes.
- Amount : $75,000 per year for up to one (1) year
- Next deadline: Registration deadline : September 2, 2026
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European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA) (Phase 2) – Horizon Europe ‘Health’
- This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”:The EU strengthens its role as a global leader in rare disease research and innovation by aligning research policies, integrating data infrastructures, and fostering cross-border FAIR data use to improve knowledge generation and translation. This coordinated ecosystem enables more effective collaboration among researchers, funders, patients, and public–private actors, accelerating the development of cost-effective diagnostics and treatments. As a result, people living with rare diseases—especially underrepresented groups—gain more timely, equitable access to high-quality, innovative healthcare across Europe and beyond.
- Amount : EUR 91.3 million committed in annual instalments over the two years
- Next deadline : Deadline date : 15 September 2026, 17:00 (CEST)
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Clinical Studies of Orphan Products Addressing Unmet Needs of Rare Diseases (R01 Clinical Trials Required)
- Support clinical trials of orphan products in all phases of product development (phase 1, 2 and/or 3) for rare diseases with unmet medical needs. These clinical trials should evaluate safety and/or efficacy of medical products in support of a new indication or a change in labeling.
- Amount : $650,000 per year for 4 years
- Next deadline : LOI deadline: September 21, 2026
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European Respiratory Society (ERS)/ERN-lung joint fellowship
- This programme supports qualified clinicians/healthcare professionals who work in respiratory medical practice, with a specific interest in rare respiratory disease, to receive clinical training at a European institution outside of their home country.
- Amount : Clinical training fellowships include a living stipend, a child allowance and a travel grant. Clinical training fellowships’ duration is between 1 and 6 months maximum.
- Next deadline : Application deadline: October 1, 2026
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Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) Individual Investigator Research Award
- Supports innovative research targeting inherited orphan retinal degenerative diseases and dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD). Focus areas include genetic technologies, restorative therapies, novel medical treatments, clinical structure-function studies, genetics, and disease mechanisms, with emphasis on translational and groundbreaking approaches.
- Amount : Upper: $300,000 USD, Lower: $100,000 USD
- Next deadline : Anticipated LOI deadline : October 15, 2026