#Sweden #Stockholm #Rare Diseases #EQT Foundation #Breakthrough Science

The EQT Foundation's Call for Innovation in Rare Diseases

The EQT Foundation has officially announced the opening of applications for its Breakthrough Science grant program, designed to support revolutionary research in the field of rare diseases. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the fight against conditions affecting over 300 million people worldwide, nearly half of whom are children. The foundation offers catalytic grants ranging from €25,000 to €100,000, aimed at accelerating promising scientific ideas with the potential to make a substantial impact on patient outcomes.

Supporting Bold Scientific Ideas

The foundation recognizes that the journey toward diagnosing a rare disease can often be long, uncertain, and fraught with challenges. Treatment options remain limited, which necessitates innovative approaches to research and patient care. The Breakthrough Science program is designed to target urgent challenges within this space, emphasizing the importance of translational research that is often overlooked by traditional funding sources.

Cilia Holmes Indahl, CEO of the EQT Foundation, stated, "Rare diseases often go unseen and unheard, leaving millions, many of them children, without effective treatments or timely diagnoses." By offering funding through this program, the foundation aims not only to bolster scientific research but also to support trailblazing scientists bridging the gap between lab discoveries and clinical applications.

Focus Areas for Research Proposals

The grant program seeks to categorize projects into several key areas of focus:

1. Novel Therapeutic Platforms: This includes gene and RNA therapies, enzyme replacement, and innovative delivery methods to broaden access to treatments.
2. Biomarker Discovery and Diagnostic Tools: Proposals that aim to enhance early detection and improve clinical trial design, particularly in underserved locations, are highly encouraged.
3. Trial Acceleration: Projects that utilize registries, digital biomarkers, and AI technology for a more efficient trial process are also welcome.
4. Access-Enabling Technologies: Solutions that minimize costs or complexities in deploying healthcare interventions in resource-limited settings are of particular interest.
5. Human-Relevant Disease Models: Creative concepts involving induced pluripotent stem cells or organ-on-chip platforms carry the potential to shed light on disease mechanisms.

Benefits Beyond Funding

Apart from monetary grants, selected researchers will gain access to EQT's extensive global network. This network offers invaluable connections with advisors, industry partners, and commercialization support tailored explicitly for translational science. This opportunity empowers researchers not just to conceptualize their innovations but also to bring them to market, thereby affecting real change in patient care.

Application Timeline and Process

Applications for the grant program opened on September 2, 2025, and will remain open until October 1, 2025, at 23:59 CET. Proposals will be meticulously evaluated by a panel of scientific and translational experts, and those shortlisted will be invited for interviews with the EQT Foundation team. Final decisions will be communicated promptly, allowing researchers to rapidly embark on their funded projects.

For those interested in applying, further details and application guidelines can be found at EQT Foundation's Grant Submission Page.

This initiative by the EQT Foundation is not merely about funding research; it embodies a commitment to transform how we understand and address rare diseases, paving the way for the next wave of medical breakthroughs in this vital field.