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ARISEN Rare Disease Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) Pilot Grants

Autoimmunity, Rasmussen’s, Inflammation & Status Epilepticus Research Network (ARISEN)

RFA No.: RDCRN-ARISEN-PG-2027

Release Date: October 1, 2026

Letter of Intent Due: November 13, 2026

Invitation to Submit Full Application: December 11, 2026

Full Application Due: February 15, 2027

Anticipated Award Notification: April 30, 2027

Anticipated Project Period Start Date: August 1, 2027
*Pilot Research Grant is contingent upon carryforward funding approval.

1. Purpose

The Autoimmunity, Rasmussen’s, Inflammation & Status Epilepticus research Network (ARISEN) invites applications for pilot research projects that accelerate clinical research in rare diseases aligned with the consortium’s mission. ARISEN includes autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome, and new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), including its subtype with prior fever, Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES).

The program aims to:

Generate preliminary data to support future extramural funding (e.g., NIH R01/U01/U54) related to the above disorders in any manner, including etiology, pathophysiology, overlap and distinctions, best management, and prognostication.
Develop or validate tools such as biomarkers, endpoints, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).
Foster multidisciplinary, multi-center collaborations across RDCRN sites and patient advocacy groups (PAGs).

This ARISEN Pilot Award complements the ARISEN Early-Stage Investigator Research Fund Award, which is limited to Early Stage Investigators as defined by the NIH or to investigators new to the rare disease field. Both ARISEN pilot opportunities follow the same application submission and annual award cycle. Applicants may only apply to one funding mechanism per cycle.

2. Available Funding

Number of Awards: One
Budget: Up to $45,000 total costs (indirect costs to be charged on top of $45,000 allocated for direct costs, at the institutional negotiated rate with the NIH)
Project Period: 12 months
Funding Source: ARISEN U54HD122209

Budget Guidance

Up to $45,000 total direct costs are allowed. Indirect costs are to be charged in addition to the $45,000, at the institutional negotiated rate with the NIH. Allowable costs include personnel effort, participant compensation, assays, supplies, imaging, publishing, and core fees. The budget justification should clearly explain the allocation and purpose of each cost, and why they are essential for completing the proposed project. Travel is allowed and limited to $2,000. Equipment >$5,000 generally not allowed without pre-approval

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Predictor	Relevance to grant success
Alignment with ARISEN's disease priorities	Research must address one or more of the consortium's target diseases.
Clinical or translational relevance	Projects should address clinical research gaps rather than animal-only studies.
Scientific significance and innovation	Strong rationale, novel research questions, and potential to advance understanding or treatment.
Methodological rigor and feasibility	A sound study design, realistic timeline, milestones, and achievable objectives.
Patient-oriented impact	Potential to improve diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, or patient outcomes.
Preliminary data and future funding potential	Ability to generate evidence supporting subsequent external funding applications.
Multidisciplinary collaboration	Collaboration across research centers and relevant clinical specialties.
Patient engagement	Meaningful involvement of patients, caregivers, or patient advocacy groups.
Research team and environment	Appropriate investigator expertise, mentoring when required, and access to research resources.
Impact and sustainability	Measurable outcomes and a credible plan for continuing the research beyond the pilot award.

These predictors reflect ARISEN's published research priorities and peer-review criteria; they are not a statistically validated ranking of historical award-winning factors.

arisen.rarediseasesnetwork.org

Grant and organization classification

Category	Details
Organization type	U.S. federally funded research consortium
Funding source	NIH, including NCATS and NICHD
Grant programs	ARISEN Pilot Research Grant; Early-Stage Investigator Pilot Research Grant
Maximum award	Up to $45,000 total costs for the published pilot programs
Project duration	12 months
Historical success rate	Not verified; applicant counts and comparable award data are needed
Official website	ARISEN Funding Opportunities

The 2027 funding announcements list a letter-of-intent deadline of November 13, 2026, with full applications due in February 2027. The pilot grant permits one award, subject to funding approval.

arisen.rarediseasesnetwork.org

Excel-ready entry — Previous Success Predictors: Disease-area alignment; clinical and translational significance; scientific innovation; methodological rigor; preliminary data; patient-oriented research; multidisciplinary collaboration; patient advocacy involvement; investigator expertise; feasibility; measurable outcomes; sustainability; and potential to secure future external funding.

Specialties

Rare Diseases

Eligibility Requirements

The PI must hold an MD, PhD, MD/PhD, DO, RN or more advanced, PharmD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent and be a faculty member at U.S.-based academic institution.

Eligible Countries:

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Autoimmunity, Rasmussen’s, Inflammation & Status Epilepticus Research Network (ARISEN)

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229,

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