Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN)
Funds consortiums across multiple sites to study many rare diseases and improve trial coordination.
The Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network is a federally mandated NCATS program that supports clinical research across more than 280 rare diseases. It is organized around multi-institution consortia at global clinical sites and is co-funded by NCATS with ten other NIH institutes, sometimes with help from patient advocacy organizations. The main mechanism is the U54 cooperative agreement, with U2C and U01 sub-components for data coordination and pilot work. In February 2026, the program awarded 10 new consortia and kept 5 continuing ones in place, showing how the network renews and expands its clinical footprint. Eligibility is limited to academic and research institutions that can lead a consortium. RDCRN is best for rare-disease teams that can organize multisite clinical studies, longitudinal data collection, and targeted pilot projects across a defined patient community. The program rewards expertise in a specific disease area, strong coordinating infrastructure, and the ability to work across sites rather than trying to build a standalone project around a single institution.
No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Multiple per year.