UMDF and The Mito Foundation Announce Research Grant Partnership

Two of the world’s largest mitochondrial disease patient advocacy groups are collaborating to double their research impact this June.

Today, the U.S.-based United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) and Australia-based The Mito Foundation announced the 2025 Research Grant Program, which will see the organizations pooling funds to award up to $500,000 in grants focused on research and clinical work that advances cures and treatments for primary mitochondrial disease.

Amongst the grants available for the 2025 Research Grant Program are:

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (one award at $50,000)
  • Principal Investigator (one or more awards at $100,000 each)
  • Clinical Trial Readiness (one or more awards at up to $50,000 each)

The grant cycle is open from January 31, 2025 through February 28, 2025. Grant award winners will be announced at UMDF’s Mitochondrial Medicine Conference in St. Louis, MO USA on June 20, 2025. More information, including how to apply, is available at www.umdf.org/research or www.mito.org.au/grant-program.

“UMDF has always been committed to funding the best science in the world, no matter where it’s found. This collaboration reinforces that this is a global effort,” said UMDF President and CEO Kristen Clifford. “We thank The Mito Foundation for their partnership to help fund the research that will chart the path toward treatments, and eventually cures, for mitochondrial disease patients.”

Said Sean Murray, CEO of the Mito Foundation: “Mito Foundation and UMDF share a deep history of collaboration based on trust and mutual respect. By coming together, we can champion the best primary mitochondrial disease research and clinical work. I am confident that this partnership will accelerate critical advancements, offering hope and tangible benefits for those affected by mito, now and into the future.”