Best Grants for Rare Diseases in Wyoming

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible states by increasing the number of university researchers and institutions conducting relevant science and engineering research. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, this program will fund multiyear awards to promote research aligned with national security needs. Applications require a multi-stage submission process, emphasizing early registration and timely proposal submissions.

The ARS Resident Research Grant aims to foster innovative research in rhinology, supporting residents engaged in basic, translational, or clinical projects. Applicants must collaborate with a preceptor and obtain departmental approval. Eligible residents in U.S. or Canadian programs can apply, ensuring that their projects align with the standards of the American Rhinologic Society. This grant does not cover salary for the Principal Investigator but allows funding for assistants.

The Charles D. McArthur Memorial Scholarship recognizes outstanding third and fourth-year students in accredited respiratory therapy programs. Funded by the American Respiratory Care Foundation, this award honors Charlie McArthur's legacy as a dedicated educator in respiratory care. Recipients may receive up to $1,000, including a certificate, travel, and registration for AARC Congress. Preference is given to Native American students or those from Minnesota, fostering diversity in the field of respiratory therapy.

The NBRC Gareth B. Gish Memorial Postgraduate Education Recognition Award, offered by the American Respiratory Care Foundation, honors the legacy of Gareth B. Gish, a pioneer in respiratory care. This award supports respiratory therapists pursuing advanced degrees, providing up to $5,000 in funding, along with recognition, airfare, lodging, and Congress registration. Established in 1999, it seeks to nurture future leaders in the field, continuing Mr. Gish's commitment to education and excellence in respiratory care.

Respiratory therapists pursuing advanced degrees in respiratory care can receive up to US $5,000 for postgraduate education from the American Respiratory Care Foundation, open to applicants in Wyoming and nationwide. This award supports tuition and related educational costs for therapists focused on respiratory diseases and systems, including those working with rare respiratory conditions.

Respiratory researchers conducting university hospital studies in airway management or respiratory care, including work on rare respiratory diseases in Wyoming, may be eligible for this fellowship. American Respiratory Care Foundation supports respiratory diseases and systems by recognizing high-quality abstracts accepted for presentation at the AARC Congress with travel, lodging, registration, and a commemorative plaque.

Graduate students and other qualified investigators conducting respiratory care education or credentialing research, including work on respiratory diseases and systems, can apply for up to US $5,000 in support from the American Respiratory Care Foundation. With a mission to promote respiratory health, this U.S. grant may benefit Wyoming projects focused on lung health and related rare conditions.

Nonprofit organizations conducting respiratory care research in Wyoming can seek funding for projects involving respiratory therapists or technicians in a meaningful way. The American Respiratory Care Foundation’s Parker B. Francis Respiratory Research Grant offers up to US $10,000 to support investigations in respiratory diseases and related topics, which may include certain rare respiratory conditions.

Nonprofit organizations conducting respiratory care or cardiopulmonary medicine research, including work on respiratory diseases and systems, may be eligible for funding supporting original investigations involving respiratory therapists or technicians. The American Respiratory Care Foundation offers up to US $10,000 to supplement other research support; Wyoming rare disease projects with a respiratory focus may qualify.

Early-career respiratory researchers focusing on pediatric respiratory therapy can receive up to US $5,000 to support mentored research, hands-on experience, and initial project needs. American Respiratory Care Foundation supports respiratory health in Wyoming and nationwide; rare disease investigators in respiratory diseases and systems may be eligible if they meet the young investigator criteria.

Health care professionals outside the U.S. interested in respiratory care can access an intensive observational fellowship that includes site visits and conference attendance in Wyoming and other locations. Grants from American Respiratory Care Foundation help respiratory health practitioners deepen expertise through hospital, education program, and alternate care site visits plus AARC Congress participation.

Early-stage pulmonary fibrosis researchers focused on respiratory diseases in Wyoming and across the U.S. can seek $100,000 from the PFF Scholars Program to support mentored basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, or health services research. Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation funding helps emerging investigators advance interstitial lung disease research and build competitiveness for larger independent awards.

Postdoctoral fellows in the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research conducting biomedical research, including respiratory disease studies, can apply for the NHLBI Career Transition Award to support mentored and independent phases of their careers. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help eligible researchers move from intramural training to extramural faculty positions at institutions in the U.S. and territories, including Wyoming.

Research institutions and biomedical scientists working on leprosy and related skin or neurological diseases can access funding through The New York Community Trust’s Heiser Program, which supports projects in the U.S. Grants from The New York Community Trust help Wyoming rare disease researchers if their work focuses on leprosy diagnosis, treatment, or transmission prevention.

Early-career clinical or scientific investigators conducting sarcoidosis research at U.S. institutions can receive fellowship support to build skills and advance patient care. Foundation For Sarcoidosis Research supports respiratory and immune system disease research in Wyoming and beyond through two-year fellowships, providing US $150,000 per fellow for innovative, mentored projects following NIH early-career guidelines.

Early-career medical and health researchers at low- or middle-income country institutions conducting clinical trials can receive approximately US $140,000 for mentored career development and independent research. Focused on global health areas such as respiratory and other diseases, the Emerging Global Leader Award from the National Institutes of Health supports work that may intersect with rare disease priorities in Wyoming and beyond.

Early-career research scientists at low- or middle-income country academic or research institutions can seek approximately US $140,000 in mentored support for health-related research and career development, including respiratory disease topics, from the National Institutes of Health. Wyoming-based partners collaborating with LMIC investigators on rare or respiratory disease priorities may benefit.

Research institutions and investigators conducting basic or early translational nonmalignant hematology studies can pursue NIH R01 funding, available nationally including Wyoming. The US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports projects connected to diabetes, kidney, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, aging, and related blood system conditions, which may encompass certain rare disease research areas.

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

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) intends to release an Implementation of Findings From PCORI's Research Investments PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA) on Aug. 4, 2026, seeking to fund implementation projects that promote the uptake of peer-reviewed findings from specific PCORI-funded patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) in the context of the body of related evidence. This PFA is an open competition opportunity for principal investigators to propose implementation projects that move evidence toward practical use in improving health care and health outcomes. Applicants may propose projects with budgets up to $1.8 million in total direct costs.

PCORI seeks to fund implementation projects that incorporate active, multicomponent strategies that will lead to uptake and integration of evidence generated by PCORI-funded research in practice settings. Implementation should target specific end users with a clear interest in — and ability to benefit from — the evidence. Proposed implementation projects will adapt findings as needed to facilitate uptake in the proposed settings and accomplish scale-up to reach larger numbers and/or scale-out to reach broader populations and settings. Applicants must demonstrate commitment and buy-in — including from leadership as well as frontline staff critical to the success of the project — from proposed implementation sites across multiple health systems, such that they provide a supportive context and infrastructure for undertaking the proposed project. In addition, projects should involve regional and national stakeholder organizations positioned to extend uptake in broader venues.  

Applications must be guided by an established conceptual model or framework and, where possible, by evidence regarding effective strategies for implementing evidence-based practices and interventions. Additionally, applications must include a rigorous evaluation plan that documents the successful execution of the implementation approach and the impact of the project on health care and health outcomes as feasible and appropriate within the project scope.

The Childhood Asthma in Urban Settings Clinical Research Network (CAUSE) aims to enhance asthma prevention and treatment in economically disadvantaged pediatric populations. Funded by the NIH, CAUSE supports multi-site clinical studies to identify innovative strategies and treatment targets for asthma. Utilizing systems biology, the network seeks to discover specific disease endotypes suitable for new therapeutic approaches, addressing the high burden of asthma in urban settings.

The Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (AADCRC) program, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), aims to enhance research on asthma and related allergic diseases. This initiative fosters multi-center, multidisciplinary research to explore disease mechanisms and treatment responses. By promoting clinical trials and observational studies, the AADCRC seeks to advance understanding and improve interventions for conditions such as asthma and food allergies, ultimately benefiting public health.

The US Flu Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) Network aims to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines against influenza and other respiratory pathogens, which are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality. This funding opportunity invites proposals for surveillance studies, including annual VE assessments, acute respiratory illness tracking, household transmission research, and immunogenicity studies. Applicants can apply for either Component A or B, with the option to include additional components based on their primary selection.

Quality Improvement Grant Request for Proposals

Optimizing Maternal RSV Immunization Delivery: A Systems-Based Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Uptake, Equity, and Newborn Outcomes

Pfizer, in collaboration with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity to support independent Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives focused on advancing maternal immunization, with a specific emphasis on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination during pregnancy.

This initiative builds upon insights generated from the Maternal Immunization Needs Assessment (MINA) project, a multi-stakeholder collaboration that identified persistent clinical, behavioral, and system-level gaps in the delivery and uptake of maternal vaccines.

We seek to fund projects that implement measurable, evidence-based interventions to improve real-world delivery of maternal RSV immunization across healthcare systems and care settings. Proposed initiatives should aim to optimize access, strengthen provider–patient communication training and tools, enhance care coordination, and address structural and behavioral barriers impacting vaccine uptake and equity.

Pfizer Global Medical Grants (GMG) supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies. Pfizer’s GMG competitive grant program involves a publicly posted Request for Proposal (RFP) that provides detail regarding a specific area of interest, sets timelines for review and approval, and uses an expert review panel (ERP) to make final grant decisions. Organizations are invited to submit an application addressing the specific gaps in clinical practice or care as outlined in the specific RFP.

For all QI grants, the applicant (and ultimately the grantee) will be solely responsible for the design, implementation, and conduct of the proposed initiative. Pfizer will have no involvement in project development, execution, or outcomes.

The ARS New Investigator Research Grant aims to support innovative research in rhinology, including basic, translational, and clinical projects. The funding period is non-renewable and lasts up to 24 months. Eligible candidates include American Rhinologic Society members who have completed residency and lack significant prior funding. The number of grants awarded is contingent upon the merit of applications received, as determined by the ARS Board of Directors. This grant provides a unique opportunity for emerging researchers in the field.