EQT Foundation opens applications for breakthrough research grant in rare diseases

EQT Foundation is launching a new call for proposals under its Breakthrough Science program. The program awards catalytic grants of €25,000 to €100,000 to researchers tackling urgent challenges in the field of rare diseases. Designed to accelerate bold scientific ideas with high potential for real-world patient impact, the program supports translational research that might be overlooked by traditional funders. The call is open to scientists affiliated with accredited nonprofit institutions globally.

More than 300 million people worldwide live with a rare disease, nearly half of them children¹. For most, the path to diagnosis is long and uncertain, and treatment options are limited or nonexistent. At the same time, the rare disease field has given rise to some of the most significant advances in medicine, from gene therapy to RNA-based modulation. This grant call aims to support the next generation of these breakthroughs, solutions that begin with the rare few but ripple across science and healthcare systems at large.

The program seeks research at the intersection of deeptech innovation and clinical application, with a focus on:

Cilia Holmes Indahl, CEO, EQT Foundation, comments: “Rare diseases often go unseen and unheard, leaving millions, many of them children, without effective treatments or timely diagnoses. Through this fast-track grant program, we’re not just funding research, we’re supporting bold scientists  to make the leap from lab to clinic. We believe breakthrough technologies can help improve treatments for rare diseases in cost-effective ways, representing an interesting new area for impact investors looking to improve quality-adjusted life years.”

In addition to funding, the grantees will benefit from access to EQT’s global network, connecting them with advisors, potential industry partners, and commercialization support tailored to the needs of translational science.

Applications open on September 2, 2025, and close on October 1, 2025, at 23:59 CET. Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of scientific and translational experts. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview with the EQT Foundation team, with final decisions communicated shortly thereafter.

To apply, visit: https://eqtgroup.com/eqt-foundation/grant-submission

^{1United Nations General Assembly, Addressing the Challenges of Persons Living with a Rare Disease and Their Families (A/RES/76/132), 2021}

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 266 billion in total assets under management (EUR 141 billion in fee-generating assets under management) as of 30 June 2025, within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
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About EQT Foundation

EQT Foundation is a philanthropic organisation and long-term shareholder of the global investment organization EQT, founded by partners at EQT. The Foundation supports scientists and entrepreneurs bringing breakthrough solutions from lab to market, combining EQT’s expertise with catalytic investments and grants. With a focus on supporting scientific progress in underfunded areas of climate and health, the Foundation provides a learning platform for EQT employees to develop and work collaboratively across the globe, while engaging in philanthropy and making a positive impact.

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