Funder: Uplifting Athletes
Due Dates: 2026 cycle closed | October 2026 (announced next-cycle opening) | 45–120 days before travel (request window)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,450 per travel reimbursement
Summary: Travel support helps early-career rare disease researchers and doctoral students connect in person with the rare disease community.
Key Information: Applicants must reside in the United States or Canada and meet the student or postdoctoral eligibility requirements.
Description
Uplifting Athletes’ Researcher Connection Program assists with travel expenses so early-career researchers and doctoral students interested in rare diseases can meet the rare disease community face to face. It supports attendance at patient advocacy organization events, including family conferences, scientific meetings, and symposia, to foster collaboration and communication. The program funds travel connections rather than research projects.
Health equity is an explicit priority: at least 20% of recipients are reserved for researchers from underrepresented backgrounds, using the NIH definition. Conferences that are not disease-specific may also qualify when applicants identify the patient advocacy organization or community they will meet and explain why that particular conference is necessary.
