Best Grants for Rare Diseases in Florida

Health-focused 501(c)(3) organizations improving care access, education, or public health for uninsured or underserved communities in Florida can apply for Qlarant Foundation’s grants, with awards up to US $50,000. Grants from Qlarant Foundation help Florida respiratory and other health programs fund high-impact projects over a 12‑month period.

U.S.-based 501(c) nonprofits running community programs in nutrition and food security, healthcare access, STEM education, or climate and nature can apply for the Community Solutions Challenge, with awards up to US $30,000. Grants from AstraZeneca Foundation help Florida organizations addressing health inequities, including respiratory and other health disparities among historically excluded communities.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in eligible low- or middle-income countries can apply for National Institutes of Health Emerging Global Leader Awards, offering approximately US $140,000 for mentored health research career development. Projects may include respiratory disease and other health priorities, which could interest Florida-based collaborators working globally.

Early-career medical and health researchers at low- or middle-income country institutions conducting clinical trials can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award to secure multi-year protected research time. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help support disease-focused research, including respiratory and other rare or complex conditions, which may benefit Florida-focused global health collaborations.

Early-career clinical and scientific investigators conducting innovative sarcoidosis research at U.S. institutions can receive US $150,000 over two years to support a fellowship compensation package. With a mission to advance understanding of sarcoidosis, Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research provides Florida and other researchers with support to build careers improving care for sarcoidosis patients.

Researchers and research institutions working on leprosy-related biomedical studies can apply for funding from The New York Community Trust’s Heiser Program, with awards of US $87,500 - US $250,000. Florida rare disease researchers focusing on skin, neurological, respiratory, or related systems may be eligible if their projects advance leprosy diagnosis, treatment, or surveillance.

Biomedical and clinical research institutions working on respiratory and related diseases in Florida can access funding through the National Institutes of Health’s NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22). This five-year award supports NHLBI intramural postdoctoral fellows as they move to extramural positions, with mentored intramural and independent extramural research phases that may include rare disease studies.

Early-stage pulmonary fibrosis researchers in Florida and across the U.S. can apply for Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation’s PFF Scholars awards of US $100,000 to support mentored basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, or health services research. Eligible applicants hold doctoral or professional degrees, are post-docs or junior faculty, and are building independent interstitial lung disease research careers.

Institutions that promote diversity and train predoctoral, health professional, or postdoctoral researchers in cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, or sleep disorders can apply for this U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health program. Eligible U.S. institutions, including those in Florida, may support trainees from underrepresented backgrounds, including work that may involve rare respiratory diseases within mentor-led clinical trials.

Biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research institutions in Florida can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support mentored career development for diverse early-stage faculty. This K01 award provides up to US $130,000 for research training in cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic diseases, respiratory conditions, sleep disorders, and related medical education, including projects that may address rare respiratory diseases.

Health care professionals focused on respiratory diseases and systems can access an international observational fellowship in the U.S., including Florida, to advance their clinical and educational expertise. American Respiratory Care Foundation covers on-the-ground U.S. expenses and AARC Congress registration, while fellows handle international and domestic air travel, insurance, and personal costs.

Early-career respiratory care researchers focusing on pediatric respiratory therapy can receive up to US $5,000 to support their first projects and professional development, including mentoring and hands-on experience. Grants from American Respiratory Care Foundation help Florida investigators and others working on respiratory diseases and related rare conditions build a foundation for ongoing research careers.

Nonprofit organizations conducting respiratory care or cardiopulmonary research in Florida can apply for the Jerome M. Sullivan Research Fund, which offers up to US $10,000 to supplement other project support. Focused on respiratory diseases and systems, it requires a respiratory care practitioner as principal or co-principal investigator and may benefit rare disease research involving respiratory conditions.

Nonprofit organizations conducting respiratory care research in Florida can apply for the American Respiratory Care Foundation’s Parker B. Francis Respiratory Research Grant, with awards up to US $10,000 to supplement other funding. Projects must involve respiratory therapists or technicians in a meaningful way and may benefit programs addressing rare or complex respiratory diseases.

Graduate students and other qualified investigators conducting respiratory care education or credentialing research can apply for grants from American Respiratory Care Foundation, including applicants in Florida. Awards up to US $5,000 support master’s theses, doctoral dissertations, or complete research proposals, and include recognition plus travel and registration for the AARC Congress.

Researchers conducting university hospital studies in respiratory care and airway management can receive support for presenting high-quality abstracts at the AARC Congress, including travel, lodging, and registration. Grants from American Respiratory Care Foundation help Florida respiratory health researchers whose abstracts are accepted, and projects may use bench models, animal models, or human subjects.

The William F. Miller, MD Postgraduate Education Recognition Award, offered by the American Respiratory Care Foundation, provides up to $5,000 to support respiratory therapists pursuing advanced degrees. Established in 1992, this award aims to foster education and professional growth in respiratory care. Recipients also receive recognition, airfare, lodging, and congress registration. Eligible applicants must meet specific educational and recommendation requirements, ensuring that deserving candidates are selected for this prestigious award.

Research institutions and investigators conducting nonmalignant hematology studies, including work on respiratory and other related diseases, can apply for NIH R01 funding; projects are eligible in Florida and other U.S. locations. With a mission to advance hematology science, the National Institutes of Health support basic and early translational research relevant to NIDDK, NIA, and NHLBI.

Small biomedical businesses developing heart, lung, blood, or sleep technologies for rare diseases or young pediatric populations can seek up to US $3,500,000 to advance products toward regulatory approval and commercialization, including in Florida. With a mission to support innovative public health solutions, National Institutes of Health provides SBIR Phase IIB awards for projects previously funded under SBIR or STTR Phase II.

The NHLBI SBIR Phase IIB Bridge Awards aim to accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies targeting heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders. This funding supports small businesses in later-stage research and development, bridging the gap between SBIR Phase II awards and commercialization. Projects must align with NHLBI's mission and demonstrate potential for clinical relevance, emphasizing partnerships with investors to secure necessary funding for regulatory approval.

The Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships, offered by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, provides a $7,500 annual scholarship for doctoral students completing coursework at accredited institutions. Applicants may receive up to $15,000 in pre-candidacy scholarships and a total of $45,000 throughout their doctoral program. The Foundation encourages research in areas such as acute care, cardiology, pulmonary health, and PT education, fostering a new generation of skilled researchers in physical therapy.

The T32 Training Program aims to enhance the participation of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders research. This initiative, funded by the NIH, supports institutions committed to diversity and health disparity populations. By providing training opportunities for students and postdoctoral trainees, the program seeks to foster research that improves health outcomes for these communities. Note that appointed trainees cannot lead independent clinical trials but can gain experience in trials conducted by mentors.

The EMF/Fisher and Paykel High Flow Therapy Research aims to explore the use of high flow therapy as a first-line respiratory support in emergency departments. This research seeks to assess the number of patients with acute respiratory failure who may benefit from this therapy, understand the characteristics of EMS services, and identify patient outcomes. By analyzing these factors, the study intends to enhance patient care and inform effective health policies in emergency medicine.

The Hope APFED/AAAAI Grant Award aims to support innovative research projects related to Eosinophilic Disorders, excluding asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. This initiative encourages collaboration between the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, providing a platform for independent researchers to secure future funding. Applicants must be AAAAI members and hold relevant academic positions, ensuring a commitment to advancing knowledge in allergy and immunology.

The NHLBI Catalyze program aims to transition basic science discoveries into effective treatments for diseases under the NHLBI mission. This initiative supports early-stage product definition, prototype design, and assay development for HLBS disorders. The R61 phase focuses on initial designs and experimental setups, while the R33 phase extends support for prototype testing and user feedback. Successful completion prepares products for in vivo testing, enhancing health and societal outcomes with NIH and other support.

The IRSS RIFM Special Award for Inhalation Toxicology offers a $500 prize for trainees contributing to inhalation toxicology research. Sponsored by the Society of Toxicology, this award encourages innovative evaluations of inhaled toxicants, exposure science advancements, and risk assessment research. Applicants must submit a one-page summary of their work and a pending abstract for presentation at the SOT Annual Meeting, alongside a mentor's support letter. This award aims to promote excellence in the field.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Heidi Norris Scholarship

Auglaize, Shelby or Mercer County residents majoring in Respiratory Therapy or a closely related field who are one year removed from high school, surpassed college freshman status and, have maintained a college GPA of not less than 2.5, and who are pursuing an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree.

Selection based upon:

Financial need, academic ability, community and school service, and recommendations.

Awards

• One $1,500 scholarship