The Steve Waugh Foundation Rare Disease Grants Program provides direct, practical financial assistance to children and young adults living with rare diseases in Australia. The program exists specifically for families who have exhausted mainstream funding pathways and still cannot access the equipment or supports their child needs day to day.
About the Steve Waugh Foundation Rare Disease Grants Program
Founded by Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh and administered by the Steve Waugh Foundation, the program has been quietly supporting some of the country’s most medically complex young people for over a decade. It operates on a deliberate last-resort philosophy: the Foundation prioritizes applicants for whom every other door has already been tried.
Funding Size
- Grants are awarded based on assessed individual need
- No publicly stated minimum or maximum; funding is scoped to the cost of the specific item or service requested
- Payments are made directly to the Australian supplier, not to the applicant
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Who Can Apply
- Children and young adults aged 0 to 25 years
- Australian citizens of at least five years, or Australian permanent residents of at least five years
- Individuals with a recognized rare disease listed on ORPHANET, or where an attending medical specialist confirms the condition meets the rare disease threshold
- The rare disease must have a prevalence of at least 2 per 100,000 people in the general population
- Diagnosis must have been formally confirmed by a paediatrician, geneticist, or other relevant medical specialist
Geographic Eligibility
- Australia only
- Quotes and invoices must come from Australian suppliers in Australian dollars and must remain valid for at least six months from the time of application
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Mobility equipment and assistive technology for rare disease management
- Communication aids and devices improving independence
- Functional supports enhancing daily living and quality of life
- Equipment addressing the practical day-to-day challenges of living with a rare disease
Application Process
Applicants complete the online grant application form in a single sitting, as the form does not save progress. Before beginning, families should inform their medical specialist of the application, as written support from a specialist confirming the rare disease and the benefit of the requested item is required. All supporting documentation must be submitted before the close of the relevant grant round. The Foundation reviews every application received and may request additional information to confirm eligibility and assess suitability. Successful applicants receive payment directly to the supplier on their behalf.
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Required Materials
- Completed online application form
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Colour copy of a valid Australian Medicare card
- Proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency of at least five years
Key Dates
- Round 2 2026 application deadline: 30 June 2026
- Three grant rounds run per calendar year
- Decisions aimed to be communicated within 12 weeks of each round closing
Selection Notes
- The Foundation is unable to provide support planning services or assist with applications to other organizations
- Applications that are incomplete at the time the round closes will not be presented to the assessment committee