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EQT Foundation Breakthrough Science Grants is a grant from the EQT Foundation that funds high-risk, deep-tech research projects developing breakthrough technologies to overcome the blood-brain barrier and transform drug delivery to the central nervous system.
The blood-brain barrier blocks over 98% of small molecule drugs from reaching the brain, leaving patients with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, brain tumors, and ALS without effective treatments. EQT Foundation emphasizes a fast granting process to reduce delays compared to traditional grant timelines. Eligible applicants are scientists from accredited institutions worldwide.
Awards range from €25,000 to €100,000 in non-dilutive, catalytic funding.
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EQT Foundation is seeking to award €25,000 to €100,000 in catalytic, non-dilutive funding to research projects with high-risk, deeptech approaches with the potential for high impact to crossing or modulating the blood-brain barrier for therapeutic delivery. Deadline to submit your application: April 7th, 2026 at 11:59pm CET Speeding up the granting process to be as scientist-friendly as possible.
Unlike traditional granting, which can take months to approve, fast granting speeds up the process so researchers and innovators can get the money they need and make progress on breakthrough solutions as soon as possible. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system but also blocks over 98% of small molecule drugs and nearly 100% of large molecule therapeutics from reaching the brain.
This biological firewall is one of the most formidable challenges in medicine, leaving hundreds of millions of patients with neurological disorders - Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, brain tumors, ALS, rare pediatric neurological diseases - without effective treatments.
Breakthroughs in BBB delivery have the potential to unlock an entirely new era of Central Nervous System (CNS) medicine, transforming outcomes for devastating conditions that currently have no cure.
EQT Foundation is seeking to award €25,000 to €100,000 in catalytic, non-dilutive funding to research projects with high-risk, deeptech approaches with the potential for high impact to crossing or modulating the blood-brain barrier for therapeutic delivery.
April 7th, 2026 at 11:59pm CET We are particularly interested in translational proposals focused on: Novel BBB-crossing delivery platforms Breakthrough technologies that enable therapeutic cargo to cross or transiently open the blood-brain barrier with precision and safety.
Examples include: Engineered vectors, capsids, or nanoparticles with demonstrated BBB transcytosis and CNS distribution Receptor-mediated transport systems exploiting transferrin, LRP1, or novel BBB receptors with improved specificity and capacity Cell-penetrating peptides, shuttle peptides, or molecular Trojan horses with validated brain penetration Subcellular and cell-type-specific targeting strategies that direct therapeutics toneurons, glia, or specific brain regions after BBB crossing Exosome or extracellular vesicle engineering for CNS-targeted delivery Physical and device-based BBB modulation Technologies that transiently and safely open the BBB to enable therapeutic delivery.
Examples include: Focused ultrasound with microbubbles (FUS) innovations - improved targeting, real-time monitoring, or expanded therapeutic windows Novel energy-based or mechanical approaches with controlled, reversible BBB Implantable or minimally invasive devices for localized CNS drug delivery Biological and molecular BBB modulation Approaches that temporarily and reversibly alter BBB permeability at the molecular level.
Examples include: Tight junction modulators with demonstrated safety profiles and reversibility Osmotic or chemical permeabilizers with improved targeting and reduced systemic effects Genetically or pharmacologically induced transient BBB opening with spatiotemporal control Inflammatory or disease-state BBB modulation strategies for therapeutic windows CNS-targeted gene therapies and large molecule delivery Innovations enabling delivery of genetic medicines, antibodies, and other biologics across the BBB.
Examples include: AAV capsid engineering or alternative viral vectors with enhanced CNS tropism and reduced immunogenicity Non-viral gene delivery systems (LNPs, polymeric nanoparticles) with demonstrated brain penetration Bispecific antibodies or antibody-drug conjugates engineered for BBB transcytosis mRNA or siRNA delivery platforms with CNS targeting BBB models, biomarkers, and translational tools Technologies that accelerate BBB research and de-risk clinical translation.
Examples include: Human-relevant in vitro BBB models (iPSC-derived, organ-on-chip, microfluidic systems) that predict clinical outcomes Imaging or biomarker platforms for real-time, non-invasive assessment of BBB integrity and drug penetration Computational or AI-driven tools for predicting BBB permeability and optimizing CNS drug design High-throughput screening platforms for BBB-crossing molecules or formulations Out-of-scope proposals include, but are not limited to: Incremental improvements to existing delivery methods without a step-change in CNS penetration or safety Drug discovery programs without a novel BBB delivery component Pure basic research on BBB biology without a credible translational pathway Peripheral nervous system delivery without CNS application Digital health, telemedicine, or wellness applications without direct impact on CNS drug delivery Generic AI/ML tools or supply chain solutions not tied to specific BBB delivery outcomes Updates from EQT Foundation April 2, 2026 EQT Foundation grants €500,000 to Elemental Impact, accelerating first-of-a-kind climate infrastructure through catalytic financing innovation March 10, 2026 EQT Foundation opens applications for science grants to overcome the blood-brain barrier and transform CNS drug delivery February 11, 2026 EQT Foundation announces Rare Disease Science Grant recipients January 27, 2026 EQT Foundation opens applications for breakthrough science grants to reduce dependence on critical minerals for the green transition Do You Want to Know More?
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Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Scientists from accredited institutions worldwide. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates €25,000 - €100,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Past winners and funding trends for this program