Research Grants and Funds
Through strategic grant programs and partnerships, Team Telomere is accelerating patient-centered research that leads to better diagnostics, management strategies, and effective treatments - all towards paths to cures. We work to keep the community perspective at the forefront of scientific progress, ensuring that research initiatives reflect the needs and lived experiences of our community. We firmly believe that research is the cornerstone for hope, and each of our grants reflects our commitment to progress through science.
Million Dollar Bike Ride
Team Telomere’s MDBR Team started as Team Josh’s DCO Riders 2015, in honor of Joshua Friedman. Josh passed away in 2011 from Dyskeratosis Congenita (DC), a telomere biology disorder. Josh lived a full and beautiful life and touched many people throughout.
Josh’s lasting legacy is a gift to our community as his story has helped raise over $580,000 in research.
Carson Family Telomere Biology Disorder Research Award
The primary goal of the Carson Family Telomere Biology Disorder Research Award from Team Telomere, Inc. is to support research initiatives that address critical gaps in our understanding of Telomere Biology Disorders. This grant seeks to fund interdisciplinary, translational, and/or clinical research efforts that will lead to the development of therapies and strategies that better diagnose, manage, treat, or cure Telomere Biology Disorders.
Uplifting Athletes
Team Telomere is committed to furthering the science in the field of Telomere Biology Disorders. We are extremely grateful for Uplifting Athletes and their passion to accelerate scientific advancements for rare disease treatments and potential cures. Uplifting Athletes developed the Young Investigator Draft to contribute to this passion while inspiring the next generation of rare disease researchers.
Team Telomere Micro Grant Research Award
The Micro Grant Research Award from Team Telomere, Inc. supports research initiatives led by investigators who are driving scientific advancements in the field of Telomere Biology Disorders. We funded our inaugural Team Telomere Micro Grant Research Award in 2024.
Team Telomere Shark Tank Grant
The goal of Team Telomere’s 2025 Shark Tank Grant is to fund bold and innovative ideas with the potential to move the field of Telomere Biology Disorders (TBDs) forward. We are seeking creative, patient-focused proposals that take risks, explore new territory, and address gaps in diagnosis, care, or treatment of TBDs.
Team Telomere Trail Fund Grant
Funding research takes multiple trails. Getting to the top of the scientific summit may require many routes: early discovery, translational models, and multiple clinical trials before therapies reach patients. The Team Telomere Trail Fund is designed to move us up that mountain by fueling innovative research with flexibility and sustainability.