# Generet Award for Rare Diseases

**Funder:** FWO
**Budget:** €1,250,000 over 4 years
**Deadline:** 6 July 2026 (Full proposal deadline; pre-proposal deadline was 20 April 2026 (closed). Full proposals invited after first panel meeting.)
**Duration:** 4 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** 2-stage: pre-proposal (letter of intent, max 3 pages) → full proposal (shortlisted applicants only)
**Eligible countries:** BE
**Official call:** https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/all-calls/senior-researchersresearch-teams/generet-award-for-rare-diseases/
**Last updated:** 7 Jul 2026

## Eligibility & scope

For senior researchers (PhD + 10 years minimum) affiliated to a Belgian university, university hospital, or eligible research institute until 31 Dec 2030. Funds rare disease research (bench to bedside); rare cancers and rare adverse drug events excluded. Proposals must be submitted in English. Up to 30% may be outsourced internationally or to the private sector.

## Summary

The FWO Generet Award for Rare Diseases funds senior researchers in Belgium with up to €1,250,000 over four years to pursue translational research on rare diseases, from bench to bedside. Applicants must hold a PhD plus at least 10 years of research experience and be affiliated to a Belgian university, university hospital, or eligible research institute. This is a two-stage call; the pre-proposal deadline has passed, and full proposals from shortlisted applicants are due 6 July 2026.

## Who should apply

- Senior researchers with PhD and 10+ years of research experience
- Applicants based at a Belgian university, university hospital, or eligible research institute
- Researchers pursuing translational rare disease research (bench to bedside)
- Projects excluding rare cancers and rare adverse drug events

## Key dates

- Full proposal deadline: 6 July 2026 (shortlisted applicants only; pre-proposal stage closed 20 April 2026)
- Four-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- The pre-proposal stage is already closed; you can apply only if you received a shortlist invitation after the first panel meeting.
- Include a clear translational pathway: FWO emphasizes bench-to-bedside research, so link mechanistic work to patient relevance or clinical application.
- International or private-sector outsourcing is allowed up to 30% of budget; if you plan this, justify cost-effectiveness to the panel.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the FWO Generet Award for Rare Diseases provide?

Up to €1,250,000 over four years per project.

### Who is eligible for the FWO Generet Award for Rare Diseases?

Senior researchers with a PhD and at least 10 years of research experience, affiliated to a Belgian university, university hospital, or eligible research institute.

### What types of rare disease research does the Generet Award fund?

Translational research from bench to bedside on rare diseases, excluding rare cancers and rare adverse drug events.

### Can I outsource part of my Generet Award project internationally?

Yes, up to 30% of the budget may be outsourced to international or private-sector partners.

### Is the FWO Generet Award two-stage?

Yes, the pre-proposal (letter of intent, max 3 pages) deadline has closed; full proposals are now invited from shortlisted applicants only, with a deadline of 6 July 2026.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fwo-generet-award-for-rare-diseases-2026-07) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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