GeneRNAtion Challenge - Advancing Personalized Medicine

The National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology launches the GeneRNAtion Challenge

rewarding the most promising startups and projects advancing research and innovation in RNA technology and gene therapy.

Consult the FAQs document (updated 28 Nov. 2025) for more details.

Deadline Extended till 9 January 2026

 

About the Challenge

In collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, the National Center is proud to present the first edition of the GeneRNAtion Challenge. This call for proposals aims to identify and support the most innovative startups and research projects in the field of RNA technologies and gene therapy.

The call seeks bold teams, visionary researchers, and entrepreneurs capable of transforming scientific discoveries into tangible solutions that improve people’s health and quality of life.

What we offer

  • The top 8 startups will be awarded grants of up to €110,000 each and three-year membership (fee waived) with the National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology Foundation.*
  • The top 3 research projects will be awarded grants of up to €40,000 each.*

*see the official Regulations and consult the FAQs document (updated 28 Nov. 2025) for more details

The application deadline has been extended to 9 January 2026 (11:59 p.m. CET)

Areas of interest

Projects must address at least one of the ten National Center Spoke Areas of Research.

 

Candidati ora

Before completing an application, please consult the official Regulation and the FAQs document (updated 28 Nov. 2025) for details regarding eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and areas of interest.

How to apply

  1. When prompted with “Are you applying to a specific open call?” select “GeneRNAtion Challenge”
  2. Complete all required fields in the application form (providing additional details will help us evaluate your proposal)
  3. Upload any supporting documentation that describes your project. The mandatory documents are:
  1. Failure to include these documents will result in exclusion from the Challenge.
  2. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email.

For further question or more information, please contact startup@intesasanpaolo.com

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