On the initiative of the Generet Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, the prestigious Generet Award will be granted in 2025, for the 8th time, to support a 4-year research project in the field of rare diseases in Belgium.
Main Features
Amount: 1.000.000 € over 4 years granted in two instalments of 500.000 € (the second being 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.
Application Procedure
Proposals will undergo a two-step application procedure encompassing a pre-proposal phase (open to all) and a full proposal phase (accessible to shortlisted applicants from the first stage).
Applicants applying to the pre-proposal phase must fill in a short pre-proposal form, 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.
Eligable candidates
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, 2029 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).
Eligible research project
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
Eligible expenses encompass personnel costs, running costs and equipment. A max. of 10% overheads may be applicable (subject to negotiation and included in the Prize money).
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.
Call timeline
- Opening of the call: March 20, 2025
- Pre-proposals deadline: May 12nd, 2025
- First Panel meeting: End of June 2025
- Invitation for full proposals: Following the first Panel meeting
- Full proposals deadline: August 11th, 2025
- Second Panel meeting: End of November 2025
- Start of the research: January 1st, 2026
How to apply ?
Pre-proposals, written in English, must be submitted
via the online application system available on
www.generetaward.be on
May12nd, 2025 at the latest.The complete regulations of the Generet Award 2025 are available
here.
The list of the previous laureates is available
here.
Questions about the Award should be addressed via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Submit a pre-proposal
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