2026 - MCAS Biomarkers - Request for Proposals Grant Round
The Ehlers-Danlos Society’s 2026 MCAS Biomarkers grant funds research into objective diagnostic biomarkers for MCAS, with a focus on EDS and HSD patient populations.
Funder: The Ehlers-Danlos Society
Due Dates: August 14, 2026: Full application deadline
Funding Amounts: Total anticipated funding: ~$300,000 USD; individual awards vary by project scope; indirect costs capped at 5%.
Summary: Supports research into objective, clinically meaningful diagnostic biomarkers and tools for MCAS, with a focus on EDS and HSD populations.
Description
This grant opportunity, offered by The Ehlers-Danlos Society, seeks to accelerate the development, validation, and evaluation of objective diagnostic approaches for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), especially within populations affected by Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), and related multisystem conditions. The RFA emphasizes innovative, translational, and multidisciplinary research capable of identifying sensitive and specific diagnostics from accessible tissues (e.g., blood, urine). Projects may include pilot, early-stage, or confirmatory studies and should aim to improve patient stratification, support therapeutic development, and facilitate clinical trial readiness. Both U.S.-based and international applicants are welcome, and collaborations across disciplines are strongly encouraged.
