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Generet Award for Rare Diseases
This Prize funds a 4-year research project in the field of rare diseases.
Status
Open
20/04/2026
In association with
Objective
On the initiative of the Fund Generet, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, the prestigious Generet Award will be granted in 2026, for the 9th time in a row, to support a 4-year research project in the field of rare diseases in Belgium.
Features
The Award amounts to 1.250.000 EUR over 4 years. A first instalment of 750.000 EUR will be credited for 2 years. The second instalment of 500.000 EUR will be subject to the positive evaluation of a mid-term scientific, financial and communication report.
Rare diseases are considered to be life threatening or chronic conditions which affect no more than 1 person out of 2.000. Rare cancers and rare adverse drug events research projects are not eligible for this call.
Call timeline
- Opening of the call: 16 February 2026
- Pre-proposals deadline: 20 April 2026
- First Panel meeting: 27 May 2026
- Invitation for full proposals: following the first Panel meeting
- Full proposals deadline: 6 July 2026
- Second Panel meeting: 17 November 2026
- Start of the research: January 1, 2027
Profile and conditions
Eligible applicants
Applicants must be internationally established investigators with outstanding scientific achievements and multiple seminal contributions in the field of:
- rare diseases;
- common diseases, but who can demonstrate that their research will have a substantial added value for rare diseases and can accelerate research in this particular field.
Applicants must have a scientific seniority of minimum PhD + 10 years at the deadline of the call (career breaks, such as maternity leave or long-time illness, not included).
Applicants must be affiliated to a Belgian University, a Belgian University Hospital or an eligible Research Institute, until December 31, 2030 and not reach the retirement age limit during the project timeframe.
Former laureates cannot reapply to the Generet Award as Principal Investigator but can be partners in other applications (at the earliest 4 years after being laureate).
Eligible research project
The research project must be conducted in Belgium in the field of rare diseases.
The research project should aim at a better understanding of the processes underpinning rare diseases and translating fundamental discoveries into better prevention, diagnosis or treatment for patients. Research can encompass all stages from bench to bedside.
Eligible expenses
Eligible expenses encompass personnel costs, running costs and equipment. A maximum of 10% in overheads may be applied to this amount. These overheads are included within the prize money and are not added on top of it.
Up to 30% of the Award's amount can be outsourced for supporting international or intranational expenses (personnel and running costs) including the private sector if they charge at cost price.
Procedure
Pre-proposals, written in English, must be submitted via the online application system available on www.generetaward.be on 20 April 2026 at the latest.
Evaluation procedure
Proposals will undergo a two-step application procedure encompassing a pre-proposal phase (open to all) and a full proposal phase (accessible to shortlisted applicants from the first stage).
Applicants submitting a pre-proposal must fill in a brief administrative form, provide a letter of intent of max. 3 pages focusing on the scientific proof of concept of the research project and attach a relevant core bibliography and short CV information.
Regulations and downloads
Contact
Questions about the Award should be addressed via email to prix@frs-fnrs.be.