2026 Call for Research: Adult life with Duchenne  

Duchenne Parent Project the Netherlands is pleased to announce that the 2026 call for grant applications is open. The Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Research call is designed to stimulate groundbreaking and innovative research focused on adult life with Duchenne. As improvements in care have significantly increased life expectancy, new challenges have emerged regarding the long-term health, care, participation, and quality of life of adults living with Duchenne. This grant therefore aims to support research that advances knowledge and solutions addressing these evolving needs.

Submission deadline: 1 July 2026 

Proposed projects may focus on topics such as long-term care, disease management, diagnostic tools, therapies, assistive technologies, psychosocial and behavioral aspects, or other scientific insights that contribute to improving the lives of adults living with DMD. 

The DMD Research Grant offers a maximum of €100,000 to researchers or research teams pursuing high-impact studies that align with our mission.   

Eligibility Criteria 

• Applicants must be based at recognized public research institutions; 
• Applicants must be actively engaged in DMD-related research; 
• Proposals from both early-career researchers and/ or established investigators are encouraged; 
• Collaborative proposals across disciplines are welcome; 
• Novel collaborations are highly encouraged; 
• A researcher is allowed to submit only one project as an applicant or team member. If more proposals are submitted, Duchenne Parent Project has the possibility to exclude all proposals from this call;  
• If a collaborative project is proposed, the budget could be divided between all applicants, in line with effort. 

 

Projects 

• Projects should be innovative and can include fundamental, applied or implementation science. 
• The focus of the project should be connected to Duchenne Parent Project’s mission and vision (see below).  

 

Submission process for 2026 Research Call

To apply, please download and complete the application form and budget. The forms should be submitted to research@duchenne.nl by July 1st, 2026. The application should be written in English language. Project applications will undergo a thorough peer review process and will be evaluated by our Scientific Advisory Board. The applications will be evaluated based on the novelty of the suggested research line, together with the research vision of the applicants. The board will make the final decision based on the advice of the Scientific Advisory Board.  

Download application form and budget

 

Amount:  up to EUR 100,000 (VAT expenses not eligible, a maximum of 7% for overhead costs can be included in the budget if those costs can be directly related to the project) 

Submission deadline: 1 July 2026, 11:59 PM (end of day) 

Project duration: up to 18 months 

Call outcome: end-October 2026 

Expected start of project: 1 January 2027 

 

About Duchenne Parent Project’s funding  

Duchenne Parent Project has a multi-track policy and funds the widest possible range of Duchenne research, including basic research, rehabilitation research, quality of life, psychosocial research, and genetic research. We sponsor promising and innovative research projects and fellowships, facilitate the fast exchange of data, and stimulate international collaboration. 

Our mission and vision 

Our mission is to improve the lives of everyone affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, now and in the future. We believe that research into all aspects of DMD is essential to developing treatments that slow or stop muscle degeneration, improving care, and promoting participation in society. We are committed to ensure that every person with DMD can live a better, longer life through research, medical advancements, assistive technologies, and strong support systems.   

The vision of Duchenne Parent Project is to drive research, improve knowledge, increase awareness, and empower Duchenne families to take an active role in shaping their future. By working together with global experts and research institutions, we can accelerate solutions and create meaningful change. 

Funded research projects should comply with the Grant Agreement. The conditions presented in the Agreement will not be changed. 

Funded projects will be monitored closely, and grant recipients are required to submit a progress report (9 months after the start of the project) and a final report. Based on the progress report, Duchenne Parent Project, with advice from the Scientific Advisory Board, will decide on the continuation of the grant.