Rare Pediatric Diseases Research Grant Program

Rare Pediatric Diseases Research Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Florida Department of Health
Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Summary

The Rare Pediatric Diseases Research Grant Program is a groundbreaking initiative by the Florida Department of Health aimed at fostering innovative research and treatment solutions for rare pediatric diseases. With an annual funding pool of $500,000, the program seeks to enhance research capacities, explore novel therapeutic approaches, and address the needs of underserved populations. This grant is exclusively available to Florida-based institutions, emphasizing collaborative efforts to improve children's health outcomes in the state.

Overview

Rare Pediatric Diseases Research Grant Program This grant program aims to provide the first-ever funding opportunity to the state of Florida for innovative approaches to research and treatment for rare pediatric diseases. Funding is available exclusively to Florida-based institutions. Major Goals of Funding: These funds will be used to solicit innovative grant funding applications and distribute funds to successful grantees. A total of $500,000 in funding is available for the purpose of awarding a research grant(s) to support innovative research projects. This funding opportunity marks recurring funds annually for research specific to rare pediatric diseases. New ideas for improving the health and well-being of all children with a rare disease for the purposes of the grant are not defined, but open based on need. The Florida Department of Health (Department) is responsible for the procurement process and contractual management. The program shall provide grants to further the search for cures and treatment, by pursuing the following goals: Significantly expand research capacity in Florida. Investigate novel approaches in research and therapeutics.Reduce the impact on underserved populations.Reduce silos through diverse partnerships with nontraditional partners.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants:According to sections 215.5602(5) (a) and 381.922(3) (a), Florida Statutes, applications for biomedical research funding may be submitted from any university or established research institute in Florida. Each application must identify a Corresponding Principal Investigator. The Corresponding Principal Investigator is the individual designated by the applicant organization legally responsible to direct the grant project. The Corresponding Principal Investigator is responsible and accountable to the applicant organization officials for the project’s scientific and technical direction as well as the proper conduct of the project. There must be one designated Corresponding Principal Investigator. There may be multiple Principal Investigators on a project, but there must be only one Corresponding Principal Investigator. The Corresponding Principal Investigator must work at an eligible Florida-based institution and meet that institution’s criteria for serving as a principal investigator in addition to the eligibility requirements listed in this FOA. The Corresponding Principal Investigator must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; unauthorized aliens shall not be employed pursuant to §274A(e) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a), section 101 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and Florida Executive Order 11-02. Non-U.S. citizens can serve as Collaborators or members of a research team. Submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) is required prior to submission of an application.Eligible Institution: Any university, research hospital, Florida-based Veteran’s Administration, or established research institute in Florida.Established Research Institute: An established research institute eligible for Program funding is an organization that is any Florida nonprofit covered under Chapter 617, Florida Statutes, with a physical location in Florida, whose stated purpose and powers are scientific, biomedical, or biotechnological research and/or development and is legally registered with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. Allowed Direct Costs:Allowed direct cost expenses must be directly related to the project and may include:Salaries, including up to a three percent increase per year.Background Screening: Level II (if required) should be included under Other expense category.Tuition: To assure that the tuition waiver or reimbursement is related to the research project, a course description or class schedule must be submitted with the quarterly invoice that includes the tuition waiver or expenditure. Tuition waivers or support should be included in the approved Public Health Research Program Budget Template and the purpose of the tuition support must be included in the final Budget Narrative. Submitting class schedule or attestation of verification by the Principal Investigator with quarterly invoices is required for payment. Fringe benefits. Supplies.Equipment, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or other imaging systems, and improvements to existing systems. For the purposes of this FOA, “equipment” refers to items with a purchase price of over $5,000.00 and with a useful life of over one year. Lab Services.Consultant costs, provided they do not exceed 10 percent of the total budget. Patient-care costs. Animal-care costs.IRB or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee fees. Consortium or contractual costs. Domestic travel (Travel will be reimbursed at no more than the state of Florida travel reimbursement rates. Current state of Florida reimbursement rates can be found in section 112.061, Florida Statutes. In order to implement appropriations in the General Appropriations Act for state travel and notwithstanding section 112.061, Florida Statutes, costs for lodging associated with a meeting, conference, or convention organized or sponsored in whole or in part by a state agency or the judicial branch may not exceed $225/day.) If awarded, grantees must submit a travel voucher form in every quarter in which they will charge travel to their grant budgets. Travel is only approved within the U.S. The State of Florida Voucher for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses should be used for all travel-related expenses unless the research institution’s travel voucher/expenditure form has received prior approval from the Department of Financial Services (DFS). Support documentation for all travel-related expenses is needed, e.g., receipts for flight, hotel (up to $225/night), parking, rental car, gas, ground transportation, as well as registration, meeting agenda/schedule, and copy of any presentation(s) made. The State of Florida Voucher for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses may be found here. Grant Management Forms Library and Other Resources | Florida Department of Health (floridahealth.gov)Research Participant Incentives can be given in the form of cash, check, or gift card. Gift cards should not be purchased in bulk as tracking and inventory control can be difficult. Gift cards should be purchased as needed. If awarded, the original approved IRB protocol and consent form must be submitted to the Department before any participant incentive charges may be made to the grant. Each grant agreement executed will reference the approved IRB protocol in the method of payment section of each grant agreement.Indirect costs up to 15 percent may be included in direct cost categories for services, functions, or activities that are directly necessary for this grant.Allowed Indirect Costs:Indirect costs (also referred to as IDC, Finance, and Accounting, or administrative costs) may not exceed a total of 15 percent of the direct costs requested.

Ineligibility

Grant applications failing to meet the eligibility requirements will be rejected.Disallowed Costs:All direct costs must be specifically and directly related and allocated to the project, necessary for the project’s completion, adequately justified, and made during the active grant period. Any other costs are disallowed. Additionally, the following items shall NOT be paid for with grant funds:Florida Department of Health personnel salary. Construction, renovation, or remodeling.International travel (including Canada).Vehicles. Entertainment.Employment subsidies.Dues/membership fees.Lobbying.Meals/food (other than as part of travel costs).Malpractice insurance premiums.