For the purpose of this call, we consider a rare genetic disease if it falls within either the European Union definition or the US definition of a rare disease. The European Union definition is a disease affecting no more than 1 in 2,000 individuals. The US definition is a disease affecting fewer than 200,000 individuals.

Yes, these projects are eligible and will be considered.

£100,000 (UK) or USD$100,000 (US and CA) guaranteed grant award.

Opportunity to qualify for acceleration funds up to £250,000 (UK) / USD$300,000 (US, CA) and investment funds according to project requirements.

The grant period is two years. Scholars will receive £50,000 (UK) / USD$50,000 (US & Canada) in year one and £50,000 (UK) / USD$50,000 (US & Canada) in year two.

Drug development and business development support from Harrington's Therapeutics Development Center is guaranteed for one year, with the potential to renew for a second year based on milestones achieved.

Notification of award is in October each year and the grant period begins immediately thereafter.

Up to ten projects will be funded each year.

The focus of this award is therapeutic development. Any rare genetic disease will be considered, but the emphasis of this program is on rare neurological diseases, metabolic and developmental diseases, and childhood cancers. The target should be well validated and meet the rare disease definition. There should be a clear unmet need (e.g. there is no well-established therapy available). Any therapeutic modality will be considered, and there should be clear rationale for the chosen modality with preliminary data for a lead/candidate molecule.

The OHC typically funds a project at a stage between lead optimisation and clinical trials.

Any therapeutic modality is eligible.

OHC is seeking to fund projects that will deliver new therapeutics. Co-development of devices, diagnostics or biomarkers could be part of the proposal, but would not be funded as stand-alone projects.

Yes, but only if there is a clear path to new IP associated with the indication.

The Principal Investigator (PI) must hold a faculty position at an accredited academic medical centre, university or research institution in the US, UK or Canada, and conduct the majority of their research at that institution.

A post-doc is not eligible to apply as the PI. If the award is to be used for part of a post-doc or technician salary, the individual must be identified in the application and in place at the start of the project term. The team member should be identified in the budget submitted with the application.

Yes, but only one Principal Investigator is recognised as the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Scholar and will have responsibility for project oversight and financial management.

No, we can only support projects in which the asset and ensuing IP are under full control of the Principal Investigator's not-for-profit institution.

No, IP rights are retained by the Principal Investigator and their institution. This is a philanthropically-supported award.

Funds can be applied to direct costs only (no institution overhead or indirect costs). They can be used for salary of the Principal Investigator (up to 10% of total award amount) and collaborators in a proportionate amount to the time spent on the project. Award funds cannot be used to pay students and cannot be used for travel costs, professional fees or publication fees. In addition, no more than 10% of the grant can be used for capital expenditures or equipment.

Yes, the award may be used to cover salaries for post-docs (or junior faculty or clinical doctors) equivalent to the percentage of effort devoted to the project.

The post-doc must be identified and in place at the start of the project term. The post-doc team member should be identified in the budget submitted with the application.

No issue.

Yes, all information received by the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre is considered confidential. If the applicant is concerned about some aspect of the review process, they may contact us at Info@OxfordHarrington.org.

Yes.

No.

Yes, past recipients of Harrington awards may submit applications for future awards.

The key to the success of this program is that the award provides the recipient a team of advisors who are pharma-experienced industry leaders with significant proficiency bringing therapeutics to market. Academic scientists typically find the advice to be the most valuable part of the award. As one awardee noted, "I didn't know just how much I didn't know about drug development."
The award recipient also receives dedicated project management support. The cost for all advisory and management support is contributed by OHC and is provided in addition to the monetary award. Successful projects typically already have some level of funding with personnel in-place ready to implement the expert advice of the Therapeutics Development team. The provided monetary funds support the expansion of the project toward therapeutic development.