Young Investigator Draft grants fund collaborative basic bench research in order to positively impact treatments and potential cures for the entire Rare Disease Community.

The Draft is the result of Uplifting Athletes’ ongoing commitment to cultivating resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare disease treatments and potential cures while celebrating the next generation of rare disease researchers. The grants fund research that is collaborative and translational.

The Young Investigator Draft stage provides a platform to recognize these scientists, spread awareness of their efforts, and highlight the importance of their research, along with its future impact on the rare community.

Goal

• 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.

Funding Information

• 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). It will be issued to the institution of the young investigative researcher with the caveat that the funds will be used at the sole discretion of the identified young investigator to move their research forward.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a specific focus on rare disease(s) and an emphasis on research within that disease state.
• Located in the US or Canada.
• Patient advocacy organization that is willing and able to match Uplifting Athletes $10,000 grant to the nominated and selected researcher.
• Has an established Medical and/or Scientific Advisory Board with advanced knowledge of the disease(s) that are the focus of the advocacy organization.

For more information, visit Uplifting Athletes.