Grant Programs
RTW Charitable Foundation works to improve opportunities for all people to live healthier, longer lives.
Scientific Research
Scientific Research
Advance research to develop therapeutics for rare diseases
Core to our mission, we support research in ultra-rare diseases with a special emphasis on projects that have the clearest potential to lead to a therapy. Our research grants provide up to $150,000 of funding per year, and we are open to proposals that involve any therapeutic modality, with a particular interest in nucleic acid–based treatments.
We welcome proposals on any ultra-rare disease. To help you decide whether your project falls within the scope of our funding priorities, these are a few of the questions that we consider when evaluating proposals:
- Is the condition in question a monogenetic, life-threatening disease that affects <2K people in the US?
- Are there no commercial programs for the development of therapies for this condition?
- Is there a high unmet medical need? What is the standard of care? Are there other treatments available?
- Is the benefit/risk ratio high enough to justify the use of the proposed therapeutic modality?
- Is there a clinically meaningful outcome that can be measured as clinical-trial endpoint?
- Does a therapeutic window exist to obtain such an outcome through the proposed therapeutic modality?
- Is there a viable path to patient recruitment for a first-in-human clinical trial?
If you think your research can indeed lead to the development of a new therapy or if you are not sure, follow the link below to send us a short description of your project, and we will be in touch with feedback as soon as possible. We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis.
Policy & Education
Policy & Education
Prove and articulate the value of medical innovation
The RTW Charitable Foundation supports initiatives that educate the public about the science behind the effective treatment of rare and not-so-rare diseases. The genomic revolution has brought about many opportunities for the treatment and prevention of otherwise debilitating or deadly conditions. Through our educational content, we hope to share our optimism for the power of science to truly alter the lives of many patients and their families.
Rare Disease Advisory Board
Seeking leaders and changemakers for rare disease advocacy
The vision of RTW Charitable Foundation is for a world free of rare diseases. RTW Charitable Foundation is selecting four individuals with a rare disease to be part of our Rare Disease Advisory Board to raise awareness for patients living with rare diseases. Members of the Advisory Board will have the opportunity to direct up to $20,000 towards a project for their rare disease of choice. Outline of the commitment is below:
- Develop a project of choice to raise awareness for rare diseases. RTWCF will support up to $20,000 towards the project. Project topics can include:
- Developing a patient registry
- Organizing a conference for a rare disease
- Starting a foundation
- Supporting research for improving quality of life for current patients (non-therapeutic research)
- Other ideas are welcome to be considered
- Advise the RTW Charitable Foundation on priority areas and co-create opportunities for education and policy with the voice of a person living with rare disease.
- Meet four times per year.
Deadline for RDAB applications are March 31, 2022. For more questions, please contact Nate Pelsma at nmp@rtwcf.org.
Community
Community
Fund science and health-based initiatives in NYC and abroad
Scope: Our 2022 Humanitarian Grant Cycle will continue to focus on the high unmet COVID response and recovery needs of our local New York City communities. We welcome grant applications in the range of $20,000 to $50,000 that aim to support COVID vaccine access and education, mental health support, and food security.
Eligibility: Charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) status are welcome to apply.
Deadline: March 31, 2022
