Rare Disease Day at NIH 2026

Each year, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) sponsors Rare Disease Day at NIH to raise awareness about rare diseases, the people they affect, and partnerships that promote research and advance knowledge of new treatments. The event demonstrates NIH's commitment to advancing research for people affected by rare diseases, highlights NIH-supported rare diseases research and the development of diagnostics and treatments, initiates a mutually beneficial dialogue among the rare diseases community, exchanges the latest rare diseases information with stakeholders, and shines a spotlight on stories told by patients, caregivers, and their communities. The event features panel discussions on innovative trial designs, artificial intelligence in clinical applications, and gene therapy, alongside rare disease stories, in-person exhibitors, scientific posters, and an art exhibition. It is free and open to the public.