The Mito Foundation and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) have officially launched their major 2026 annual grant round to support life-changing scientific breakthroughs.
This international partnership aims to fund primary mitochondrial disease research that provides tangible hope to patients and families living with these conditions.
The program is built around two primary strategic goals: accelerating lab discoveries into clinical care and nurturing the next generation of specialized researchers.
By bridging the gap between the laboratory and the clinic, the foundations hope to improve long-term outcomes for those impacted by the disease.
Innovation is being sought specifically in two key thematic areas: precision medicine approaches and clinical trial readiness.
These focus areas are designed to streamline the path toward effective treatments and enhance the scientific community’s ability to conduct rigorous human trials.
Funding and benefits
Successful applicants can secure significant financial support, with the 2026 grant round offering a total funding pool of up to $500,000.
This capital is intended to catalyze primary research projects that show high potential for clinical impact.
Following the evaluation of proposals, the foundations plan to announce the grant outcomes in June 2026.
Projects selected for funding are scheduled to begin as early as September 2026, depending on the execution of formal award agreements.
Beyond the direct funding, participants will be contributing to a global mission to build a more robust research infrastructure.
This initiative serves as a platform for scientists to gain international recognition while addressing urgent, unmet medical needs.
Application requirements and eligibility
The call is truly international in scope, with the foundations inviting applications from researchers based anywhere in the world.
This open-border approach ensures that the most innovative ideas are considered, regardless of their geographic origin.
Prospective candidates must submit their proposals through the official UMDF Online Grant Portal.
For those needing further guidance, a detailed “Request for Proposals” is available, outlining the specific scope, funding mechanisms, and review process.
Technical enquiries regarding the application or the submission platform should be directed to the grants administration team via email.
All applicants are encouraged to review the criteria thoroughly to ensure their projects align with the strategic pillars of precision medicine and lab-to-clinical transition.
Deadline
The window for submissions is strictly time-bound, with the portal closing on 27 February 2026, at 5pm EST.
For researchers in different time zones, this translates to 9am AEDT on 28 February 2026.
Visit the mitochondrial disease research call page to apply. Explore our global opportunities page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
