Marshal and focus the resources to cure Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). Powering research to treat and cure FA by supporting and accelerating basic, translational and clinical research.
Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance centers its grantmaking on one disease: Friedreich's ataxia, with funding aimed at basic, translational, and clinical research that can move toward treatment and cure. The recent grant list shows a research portfolio built around major biomedical institutions and sustained support for individual projects rather than individuals. The Broad Institute received the largest recent award at $2,319,548 in 2024, followed by another major grant of $2,291,000 in 2023, underscoring the scale of its commitments to FA research. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is another recurring recipient, with awards across 2023, 2024, and 2025 that include both the hospital and related entities such as the Research Institute and Foundation. The foundation also funds universities and research centers working on disease biology, therapeutics, biomarkers, and clinical development. Its active programs range from competitive research grants and young investigator support to directed projects and collaborative grants, showing a structure built to back both investigator-initiated work and targeted priorities in FA science. Leadership is listed under Jennifer Farmer.
In basic and translational research, the foundation gave $1,945,086 in 2025 to The Broad Institute for medical research, reflecting support for large-scale biomedical work on Friedreich's ataxia. It also backed therapeutic development through $250,000 in 2025 to Stanford University and $248,611 in 2023 to Vesigen Inc, both listed under medical research. Clinical and institutional research is another theme: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation received $500,000 in 2025, while Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute received $713,919 in 2025, indicating support for hospital-linked research infrastructure. University-based work is also prominent, including $417,389 in 2023 to the University of Rochester for medical research and $365,500 in 2023 to UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Typical awards cluster at the middle of six figures: the 25th percentile is $66,132, the median is $125,000, and the 75th percentile is $261,094. The grant list shows repeated support for the same research institutions across multiple years, including several continuing awards rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is a regular funder with program-related investments and competitive as well as directed research programs. Some programs accept unsolicited proposals, including the FARA Grant Program, Young Investigator Award, Collaborative/Consortium Grants, Pilot/Bridge Grants, and Opportunities for Young Investigators; directed initiatives are board-selected.
$7.1M
$6.9M
$13.1M
$13.3M
Most grants fall between $66K and $261K, with a median of $125K.
25th Percentile
$66K
Median
$125K
75th Percentile
$261K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CA.
JENNIFER FARMER
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Giving is national, and every recent grant in the supplied list went to U.S. recipients. Philadelphia appears repeatedly, including grants to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, its Research Institute, and its Foundation. Cambridge, MA also recurs through The Broad Institute and Vesigen Inc. Other recipient cities include Gainesville, Minneapolis, Rochester, Dallas, Boston, New York, Bloomington, Stanford, and La Jolla. The top state by grant count is Pennsylvania, while 0% of grants were given to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state of Virginia.
It funds Friedreich's ataxia research across basic, translational, and clinical work, including drug discovery and development, gene and stem cell therapy, natural history studies and biorepositories, and cardiac research. The active program list also includes young investigator support, competitive research grants, collaborative grants, and directed research initiatives.
Yes, several programs accept unsolicited proposals, including the FARA Grant Program, Opportunities for Young Investigators, Established Investigator Award, Young Investigator Award, Collaborative/Consortium Grants, Pilot/Bridge Grants, and the FARA Competitive Grant Program. Other directed initiatives are selected by the Scientific Advisory Board and Board of Directors.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the middle six figures: the 25th percentile is $66,132, the median is $125,000, and the 75th percentile is $261,094. The recent list also includes multi-million-dollar awards to major research institutions.
Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count. Recent recipients include multiple organizations in Philadelphia, along with recipients in Cambridge, Gainesville, Minneapolis, Rochester, Dallas, Boston, New York, Bloomington, Stanford, and La Jolla.
The recent grants list is entirely U.S.-based, with 83 grants and 100.0% of recipients in the United States. The active program descriptions also describe the geography as global, but the supplied recent-grant data show U.S. recipients only.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Friedreich'S Ataxia Research Alliance that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must conduct FA-related research within FARA's priorities.
Deadline: Application deadline: Apr 1; Award notice: Aug 1; Start date: Sep 1-Oct 1
Who can apply: FA-related research aligned with FARA priorities, especially cardiac research.
Deadline: LOI: Feb 15; Application: Apr 15; Award notice: Aug 1; Start date: Sep 1-Oct 1
Who can apply: FA-related collaborative research aligned with FARA priorities.
Deadline: LOI: Feb 15; Application: Apr 15; Award notice: Aug 1; Start date: Sep 1-Oct 1
Who can apply: Applicants must be clinicians or clinician-scientists engaged in FA research aligned with FARA priorities.
Deadline: LOI: Feb 15 and Aug 15; Application: Apr 15 and Oct 15; Award notice: Aug 1 and Feb 1; Start dates: Sep 1-Oct 1 and Mar 1-Apr 1
Who can apply: FA-related translational research aligned with FARA priorities.
Deadline: LOI: Feb 15; Application: Apr 15; Award notice: Aug 1; Start date: Sep 1-Oct 1
Who can apply: Applicants must submit an LOI and full application aligned with FARA research priorities.
Deadline: LOI: Feb 15 and Aug 15. Application: Apr 15 and Oct 15.
Who can apply: FA-related proposals or requests aligned with FARA needs and priorities.
Deadline: LOI: May 1; Application: July 1; Award notice: Oct 1; Start date: Nov 1
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BROAD INSTITUTE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,945,086 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $713,919 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $500,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | GAINESVILLE, FL | $359,182 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $339,615 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $313,988 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $300,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $274,855 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| VESIGEN INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $204,136 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $194,830 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| STEALTH BIOTHERAPEUTICS INC | NEEDHAM, MA | $185,182 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS | DAVIS, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| RGENTA THERAPEUTICS INC | WOBURNMA, MA | $125,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE | BETHESDA, MD | $124,922 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| BOARD REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA | NORMAN, OK | $116,813 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | PASADENA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| USF FOUNDATION | TAMPA, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| EPICRISPR BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC | SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $86,175 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE HIGHEST ROAD FILM LLC | GRAPEVINE, TX | $80,000 | 2025 | DISEASE AWARENESS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $74,768 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $67,138 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE WINIFRED MASTERSON BURKE MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $61,572 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $45,145 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| BOSTON COLLEGE | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $38,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UPLIFTING ATHLETES | DOYLESTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | COLUMBUS, OH | $9,012 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY | ATLANTA, GA | $5,991 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $5,483 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE BROAD INSTITUTE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,319,548 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,117,453 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | GAINESVILLE, FL | $554,216 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $515,884 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $500,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| TRUSTEES OF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $272,187 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $235,144 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | MENLO PARK, CA | $225,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $125,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE(NIHNIC) | BETHESDA, MD | $125,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER | NORMAN, OK | $116,733 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| TRUSTREES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $108,107 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA FOUNDATION | TAMPA, FL | $105,009 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | PASADENA, CA | $67,842 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $62,708 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| BURKE NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $59,592 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
$359,182MEDICAL RESEARCH
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
$339,615MEDICAL RESEARCH
MEDICAL RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
$300,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$274,855MEDICAL RESEARCH
VESIGEN INC
$204,136MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$194,830MEDICAL RESEARCH
STEALTH BIOTHERAPEUTICS INC
$185,182MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
$150,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
RGENTA THERAPEUTICS INC
$125,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
$124,922MEDICAL RESEARCH
BOARD REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
$116,813MEDICAL RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$100,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
EPICRISPR BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC
$100,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE HIGHEST ROAD FILM LLC
$80,000DISEASE AWARENESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
$74,768MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE WINIFRED MASTERSON BURKE MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$61,572MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
$45,145MEDICAL RESEARCH
UPLIFTING ATHLETES
$10,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
$5,483MEDICAL RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
$554,216MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
$515,884MEDICAL RESEARCH
TRUSTEES OF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY
$272,187MEDICAL RESEARCH
WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$250,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$235,144MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$125,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE(NIHNIC)
$125,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
$116,733MEDICAL RESEARCH
BURKE NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE
$59,592MEDICAL RESEARCH