Winning Over Rare Disease

The Be HEARD Rare Disease Science Challenge is entering its next phase. After 77 applicants covering 67 rare diseases, we have decided on service prize winners and finalists. 19 life science sponsors donated over $500,000 worth of services and products for rare disease research. Experts at the Rare Genomics Institute worked with technical experts from each sponsor to decide on winners for each donation.See all the winners on our Challenge website.

The competition also features a $10,000 research cash prize, and that winner will be decided by public vote. Learn about the top project submissions from the Rare Disease Challenge and vote for your favorite on the BeHEARD Rare Disease Science Challenge Voting Page.

Be HEARD: the Big Picture

The Be HEARD challenge represents a deviation from Scientist’s past Open Science Challenges. This competition has rallied the support and sponsorship of many different types of life science companies, ranging from consultants, software providers, to traditional contract research organizations. This combined support has attracted excellent scientists worldwide to submit proposals for the challenge while bringing together a unique coalition of organizations. It is not often that universities, non-profit organizations, industry companies, rare disease advocacy groups, and life science media have united in such a way, and we are proud to be a part of it.

“In recognition of Rare Disease Day, Scientist and Rare Genomics Institute (RGI) today announced the winners of the first ever Rare Disease Science Challenge: BeHEARD (Helping Empower and Accelerate Research Discoveries). In total, more than $500,000 worth of research services will be awarded to study 26 different rare diseases, ranging from Alkaptonuria to X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). In addition, 10 finalists have been selected for a $10,000 cash prize and the final winner will be determined via an online public voting process.”