Awards Applications

We are excited to announce that we will be helping to supplement the costs related to childcare and/or eldercare responsibilities for early-career researchers attending our symposium. We understand that, in both academia and industry, the years following the completion of a doctoral degree are critical for exposure, recognition, and networking in order to secure or maintain a position. For many scientists, these years also coincide with starting a family, making it difficult to achieve a work-life balance and embrace one’s career objectives. Up to $500 per award will be granted to students, postdocs, and/or young investigators (within their first 3 years). Only one parent of a child or children may apply. You may apply for both a childcare grant and an inclusivity grant.

Funds may be applied to the following needs:

• Home-based childcare expenses incurred because of meeting attendance (funds may not be applied to normal ongoing expenses).
• Travel of a relative or other care provider to your home to care for your child(ren) while attending the RNATx 2026 Meeting.

To support the exploration of RNA therapeutics research to those trainees and early career researchers whom otherwise do not have the resources to travel domestically and/or internationally, we will offer travel awards to graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and young investigators (within their first 3 years). Up to $500 per award will be granted to students, postdocs, and/or young investigators (within their first 3 years). Delegates with accepted abstracts are eligible for this award (awarded on a first come, first serve basis). Only abstracts submitted during the regular timeframe (submitted before April 3, 2026) will be considered.

All fields are required and must be completed in full for your application to be considered. Please note availability for the funding is limited.

Eligibility

• Applicant must submit an abstract as first/presenting author to RNATx 2026 by the March 6, 2026, abstract submission deadline.
• International applicants are welcome.
• Applicant must be an early career investigator, including students, postdocs, and PIs within the first 3 years of initialing their own lab.
• Note: preference will be given to those traveling further than 120 miles from Worcester, include a statement indicating your financial need.

Required Event Participation

Award recipients are required to participate fully in the following events and should keep them in mind when arranging travel. Details will be provided with award notification.

• Career Workshop and Networking/Welcome Reception on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
• Poster or Oral Presentation of submitted abstract during meetings, Thursday, and Friday, June 25 – 26, 2026.

Supporting Documents

• Travel Award application form submitted by April 3, 2026, 5pm EST.  
• Abstract - successfully submitted abstract as first/presenting author by March 6, 2026.

To support the exploration of RNA therapeutics research to those trainees and early career researchers whom are underrepresented* in the scientific community, we will offer awards to graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and young investigators (within their first 3 years). The grants will provide reimbursement of the cost of registration or a registration waiver. You may also apply for a travel award to help with the cost of travel.

Eligibility

*Applications must be from populations that have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research, such as:

• Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Alaska Native, or Hawaiian Native/Natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands, or;
• Individuals with disabilities: defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or;
• Individuals from disadvantaged/underserved backgrounds: defined as individuals from an economically disadvantaged background, first generation college graduates, or individuals from challenging social, cultural or educational background, or;
• Identify as a woman in the biological workforce

Required Event Participation

Award recipients are required to participate fully in the following events. Details will be provided with award notification.

Career Workshop and Networking Reception on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Poster or Oral Presentation of submitted abstract during meetings, Thursday and Friday, June 25 - 26, 2026.

Supporting Documents

• Inclusivity grant application form submitted by April 3, 2026, 5pm EST.  
• Abstract - successfully submitted abstract as first/presenting author by March 6, 2026.
• All fields are required and must be completed in full for your application to be considered.  Please note availability for the funding is limited.