OUR ACTIONS
Funding of scientific projects
Our calls for projects (AAPs)
The Foundation For Rare Diseases supports excellent research to understand the causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of rare diseases, to develop new treatments, and to improve the lives of patients.
The Foundation has an active scientific policy and launches 4 to 6 calls for projects per year. It offers funding to winning research teams and access to innovative technologies such as new generation sequencing (exomes, whole genomes and new technologies of interest in this field), the development of animal models, and high-throughput screening of molecules with therapeutic potential. Expertise in these new technologies is provided by specialized technology platforms.
A registry of award-winning projects since 2012 is available
Current calls for projects
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
MODELS 2025" call for projects - Development of experimental models for rare diseases
The Fondation Maladies Rares is pleased to announce the launch of its 2025 call for projects, aimed at supporting the creation of new experimental models for rare diseases. These models, whether cellular or animal, are essential for understanding the biomolecular and pathophysiological mechanisms of rare diseases, and for validating preclinical proofs of concept, paving the way for future therapeutic developments.
Financing available for :
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he creation of animal models by our expert partner platforms.
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The creation of iPSC models by reprogramming patient cells or genome editing (under certain conditions) and their isogenic controls by our expert partner platforms.
Financing :
The costs covered concern only the services and consumables provided by the partner platform, on presentation of a quotation.
Submission deadline 08/01/2026, 5pm (Paris time).
JOINT CALL FOR PROJECTS
Call for projects from KAT6 France - " KAT6A and KAT6B syndromes
Due to the specificities of the rare disease field, the KAT6 France Association and the Fondation Maladies Rares (FMR) have agreed on a partnership to support and stimulate fundamental, translational and clinical research on KAT6A and KAT6B syndromes. All biomedical disciplines are eligible for this call for projects.
Maximum budget: 30 000 €.
Maximum duration: 24 months
Submission deadline 06/01/2026, 5pm (Paris time).
JOINT CALL FOR PROJECTS
Call for projects - " Wolfram syndrome
Given the specific nature of the field of rare diseases, the Wolfram Syndrome Association and the Fondation Maladies Rares (FMR) have agreed to form a partnership to support and stimulate basic, translational and clinical research. All biomedical disciplines are eligible for this call for projects, funded by the Wolfram Syndrome Association.
Maximum budget: €50,000 to €100,000
Maximum duration: 24 months
Submission deadline 02/10/2025, 5pm (Paris time).
JOINT CALL FOR PROJECTS
Call for projects AMARAPE - " Rare diseases of the peritoneum
Because of the specific nature of the field of rare diseases, the AMARAPE Association and the Fondation Maladies Rares (FMR) have agreed to form a partnership to support and stimulate fundamental, translational and clinical research on diseases of the peritoneum. All biomedical disciplines and human and social sciences are eligible for this call for projects.
Max budget: €30,000
Max duration: 24 months
Deadline for submission: 11/09/2025, 5pm (Paris time).
We draw your attention to the need to create an account on the application platform before any submission.
JOINT CALL FOR PROJECTS
Call for projects ALBI France - "LPAC - Low Phospholipid Associated Lithiasis
Due to the specificities of the field of rare diseases, the ALBI France Association and the Fondation Maladies Rares have agreed on a partnership to support and stimulate research on LPAC.
Max budget: €30,000
Max duration: 24 months
Deadline September 11th, 2025, 5pm (Paris time).
PARTNERSHIP RESEARCH GRANT
Research grant "Improving the quality of life of patients with sickle cell disease or β-thalassemia" with Novo Nordisk and MCGRE
The Fondation Maladies Rares and the Filière de Santé Maladies Rares MCGRE have once again joined forces with the financial support of Novo Nordisk to offer a Human and Social Sciences (HSS ) research grant to support a research project aimed at improving the life course of patients with sickle cell disease or β-thalassemia.
The winning research project should address the individual, family and/or social consequences specifically linked to sickle cell disease or β-thalassemia, in order to better understand the impact of these diseases on the quality of life of patients and their families. The aim of the winning project will be to improve the life course of patients suffering from sickle cell disease or β-thalassemia, and its valorization will make it possible to propose concrete avenues for improvement.
Where scientific evaluation is equal, preference will be given to projects whose results could be transposed to other hemolytic anemias.
Project duration: max 24 months
Financing: €30,000
Deadline: September 12, 2025, 12 noon (Paris time)
Partner platforms
For its Calls for Projects on high throughput sequencing, screening and the creation of animal models, the Foundation relies on partner platforms of expertise. We invite you to contact these platforms directly to set up your projects.
Rare Diseases and Pain Prize - APICIL Foundation
Since 2022, the APICIL Foundation has joined forces with the Foundation For Rare Diseases to reward an innovative project in the field of rare diseases and pain by offering a "Rare Diseases and Pain" prize of €15,000.
This prize, awarded to the project leader, enables a French research team to develop a research project on this theme that is so important for patients and is sometimes still too little studied.
Rare Diseases and Pain Award - ALNYLAM
Since 2020, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has been committed to the Foundation For Rare Diseases to reward innovative projects using RNA interference technology in the field of rare diseases.
Each year, a €20,000 prize is awarded to an established researcher, scientific leader of a team attached to a French research organization, who has contributed through his or her research to major advances in the field of rare diseases.