Deadline: 14-Sep-2026
The Uplifting Athletes 2027 Young Investigator Draft supports promising early-career rare disease researchers in the United States and Canada. The initiative provides at least USD 20,000 for one year to advance research aimed at developing FDA-approved treatments and potential cures for rare diseases.
The programme also promotes patient advocacy partnerships and supports greater representation among researchers through its Underrepresented Researchers in Medicine Initiative.
Programme Objectives
The Young Investigator Draft aims to:
- Accelerate rare disease research and scientific discovery.
- Support current and aspiring young investigators.
- Advance research toward FDA-approved treatments and potential cures.
- Connect patient advocacy organizations with promising researchers.
- Encourage patient-focused research within specific disease areas.
- Increase representation of underrepresented researchers in medicine.
Funding Available
Each selected investigator receives a minimum of USD 20,000 for one year.
The funding consists of:
- USD 10,000 from Uplifting Athletes.
- At least USD 10,000 in matching funds from the nominating patient advocacy organization.
The grant is awarded to the selected investigator’s institution, and the investigator may use the funds at their discretion to advance their research.
Uplifting Athletes funding:
- Cannot be used for indirect costs, including tuition remission.
- Cannot be renewed.
- Must be awarded to a nonprofit institution, organization, or federal government laboratory operating in the United States or Canada.
Who Can Nominate a Researcher?
Nominations must come from eligible rare disease patient advocacy organizations.
The organization must:
- Be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
- Be located in the United States or Canada.
- Have a specific focus on rare diseases.
- Demonstrate an emphasis on research within its disease area.
- Be willing and able to provide at least USD 10,000 in matching funds.
- Have an established Medical and/or Scientific Advisory Board.
- Have advisory board members with advanced knowledge of the supported rare disease or diseases.
Who Is Eligible as a Young Investigator?
Eligible researchers must:
- Be clinical or basic researchers.
- Hold an MD, DO, PhD, or international equivalent.
- Be working in the United States or Canada.
- Hold a mentored academic position, such as a postdoctoral research position at an academic medical institution.
- Be within 10 years of obtaining their doctoral degree, or within five years of beginning rare disease research, at the time of grant submission.
- Be pursuing or planning a career in rare disease research.
- Work in a rare disease laboratory or clinical research setting.
Underrepresented Researchers in Medicine Initiative
At least one researcher will be selected through the Underrepresented Researchers in Medicine Initiative.
The initiative recognizes researchers from groups that have historically been underrepresented in scientific fields, including:
- Black or African American individuals.
- Hispanic or Latino individuals.
- American Indian or Alaska Native individuals.
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander individuals.
- Individuals with disabilities.
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Women from these backgrounds at the graduate level and beyond in scientific fields.
How the Young Investigator Draft Works
The programme follows a patient advocacy-led nomination model:
- A qualifying rare disease patient advocacy organization identifies a promising early-career researcher.
- The organization confirms that the researcher meets the Young Investigator eligibility requirements.
- The organization commits at least USD 10,000 in matching funds.
- The researcher is nominated for consideration through the Young Investigator Draft.
- Selected investigators receive funding through their eligible institution.
- The investigator uses the award to advance their rare disease research.
Why It Matters
Rare diseases often require specialized research and sustained investment to move potential treatments from scientific discovery toward clinical application. The Young Investigator Draft helps address this need by providing early-career researchers with dedicated research funding while strengthening collaboration between scientists and patient advocacy organizations.
The programme also creates a pathway for patient-focused organizations to directly support research priorities within their disease communities.
Application and Nomination Tips
Patient advocacy organizations should:
- Confirm their 501(c)(3) status and geographic eligibility.
- Ensure they have a functioning Medical or Scientific Advisory Board.
- Select a researcher whose work directly relates to the organization’s rare disease focus.
- Verify the researcher’s academic credentials and career-stage requirements.
- Confirm the researcher is working in the United States or Canada.
- Secure the required minimum USD 10,000 matching contribution.
- Clearly demonstrate how the proposed research could contribute to advancing rare disease treatments.
Researchers should ensure that their research programme is clearly connected to rare disease investigation and that their current academic position satisfies the mentored research requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does the Young Investigator Draft provide?
The initiative provides a minimum of USD 20,000 for one year, consisting of USD 10,000 from Uplifting Athletes and at least USD 10,000 from the nominating patient advocacy organization.
Who receives the grant?
The grant is awarded to the institution of the selected young investigator. The funds are intended to support the investigator’s rare disease research.
Can the grant be renewed?
No. The Uplifting Athletes award is a one-year, non-renewable grant.
Can the funding cover indirect costs?
No. Uplifting Athletes funds cannot be used for indirect costs, including tuition remission.
Can patient advocacy organizations nominate researchers outside the US and Canada?
No. Eligible patient advocacy organizations and young investigators must meet the programme’s geographic requirements for the United States or Canada.
How early in their career must researchers be?
Researchers must generally be within 10 years of obtaining their doctoral degree or within five years of initiating rare disease research at the time of grant submission.
Does the programme support underrepresented researchers?
Yes. Through the Underrepresented Researchers in Medicine Initiative, at least one researcher will be selected from eligible underrepresented groups in scientific fields.
Conclusion
The Uplifting Athletes 2027 Young Investigator Draft provides targeted funding for promising early-career researchers working toward better treatments and potential cures for rare diseases. By combining Uplifting Athletes funding with patient advocacy organization matching support, the programme strengthens connections between researchers and rare disease communities while also promoting greater diversity in medical and scientific research.
For more information, visit Uplifting Athletes.