#United Kingdom #Oxford #Rare Disease #Oxford-Harrington #Scholar Award

Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Issues Call for Proposals for 2025

The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC), a collaborative initiative between the University of Oxford in the UK and the Harrington Discovery Institute located in Cleveland, Ohio, is excited to announce the opening of its 2025 Rare Disease Scholar Award program. This award aims to propel groundbreaking discoveries from academic laboratories into clinical settings, particularly targeting innovative therapies for rare diseases.

The 2025 award seeks submissions that propose novel strategies for treating rare diseases, especially those concerning neurological, developmental, and metabolic disorders, as well as rare cancers. Additionally, applications that address other rare genetic conditions that present significant unmet medical needs are highly encouraged. The OHC is open to considering any therapeutic modality, emphasizing a commitment to fostering diverse approaches in the treatment landscape.

Awardees of the 2025 Rare Disease Scholar Award will not only receive substantial financial backing but also gain the advantage of business and drug development support from industry veterans. Successful applicants can expect:

• - Guaranteed Grant Award: Applicants based in the United States and Canada can secure a grant amounting to $100,000, while applicants from the UK are eligible for £100,000.
• - Development Support: A full year of project management and therapeutics development assistance, with the possibility of extending the support for a second year based on the successful achievement of designated milestones.
• - Core Facilities Access: Award recipients will gain access to specialized facilities and infrastructure, including capabilities for oligonucleotide synthesis, small molecule and protein platforms, as well as facilities for cell and gene therapy.
• - Competition for Additional Funding: Opportunity to vie for acceleration funds reaching up to $300,000 or £250,000, in addition to potential investment funds that could reach $1,000,000 based on specific project needs.
• - Symposium Presentation: Award recipients will be invited to present their work at platforms hosted by either the Harrington Discovery Institute or the Oxford-Harrington Centre, fostering greater visibility and collaboration.

The OHC's Scientific Advisory Council will evaluate the applications, with successful scholars set to be announced in October 2025. Up to ten exemplary proposals will be selected for this prestigious award.

As for deadlines, applicants must submit a complete application by March 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. Researchers hailing from the US, UK, and Canada are encouraged to participate.

To learn more about eligibility criteria, submission guidelines, and the application process, prospective applicants can visit OxfordHarrington.org/Award. The call for proposals represents a significant opportunity for researchers committed to making impactful strides in the treatment of rare diseases, aligning with the OHC's mission to drive forward innovative solutions in healthcare.

In a world where rare diseases often go overlooked, initiatives like the OHC's 2025 Rare Disease Scholar Award stand as a beacon of hope for those affected. By facilitating collaboration between academia and industry, the OHC is paving the way for transformative therapies that can truly change lives.