Generet Award for Rare Diseases

On the initiative of the Fund Generet, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, the prestigious Generet Award will be granted in 2024, for the 7th time, to support a 4-year research project in the field of rare diseases in Belgium.

Amount: 1.000.000 € over 4 years. A first instalment of 500.000 € will be credited for 2 years. The second instalment of 500.000 € will be subject to the positive evaluation of a mid-term 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.

• Proposals will undergo a two-step application procedure encompassing a phase of pre-proposal (open to all) and a phase of full proposal (accessible to shortlisted applicants from the first stage).
• Applicants participating in the pre-proposal phase must fill in a short pre-proposal form and 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.

• Candidates must be:
  • Internationally established investigators, with outstanding scientific achievements and multiple seminal contributions in the field of rare diseases.
  • Internationnaly established investigators, with outstanding scientific achievements and multiple seminal contributions in common diseases, who can demonstrate that their research will have a substantial added value for rare diseases and can accelerate research in this particular field.
• Candidates must have a scientific seniority of min. PhD + 10 years (career breaks, such as maternity leave or long-time illness, not included).
• Candidates must be affiliated to a Belgian University, a Belgian University Hospital or an eligible Research Institute, until December 31st, 2028 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).

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 encompass personnel costs, running costs and equipment. A max. of 10% overheads may be applicable (subject to negotiation).
• 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.

• Opening of the call: February15th, 2024
• Pre-proposals deadline: April 15th, 2024
• First Panel meeting: End of May 2024
• Invitation for full proposals: Following the first Panel meeting
• Full proposals deadline: July 8th, 2024
• Second Panel meeting: Mid-November 2024
• Start of the research: January 1st, 2025

Pre-proposals, written in English, must be submitted via the online application system available on www.generetaward.be on April 15th, 2024 at the latest.

The complete regulations of the Generet Award 2024 are available here.

The list of the previous laureates is available here.

Questions about the Award should be addressed via email to mailto:prix@frs-fnrs.be.