The Angelman Syndrome Foundation believes every family deserves the chance to be at the ASF Family Conference, to connect, to learn, and to feel the strength of this community in person. We never want the cost of travel to be the reason someone can’t join us.
If you missed the ASF scholarship window, there are other organizations that offer scholarships and travel support to help you get there! Explore some options below.
BioNews – Community Connection Travel Scholarship
BioNews awards two travel scholarships of up to $2,500 each to help rare disease patients or caregivers attend advocacy or medical conferences. Funds may be used toward registration, travel, and lodging expenses.
Application deadline: March 6, 2026
National Organization for Rare Disorders – Rare Disease Educational Support Program
This program helps individuals living with rare diseases—and their families or caregivers—attend rare disease–focused educational conferences and programs. Financial assistance may cover registration fees and, in some cases, limited travel and lodging expenses. Applicants must meet eligibility and residency requirements, and awards are based on available funding.
The Arc of the United States
Contact your local Arc chapter to learn about any available conferences or travel assistance. For example, The Arc of Illinois offers a Stipend Project that provides grants to help individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members attend disability-related conferences of their choice.
Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Contact your U.S. states’ Councils on Developmental Disabilities, who many offer funding to support conference attendance or educational travel. Availability and application processes vary by state and county. Even if funding is not clearly listed online, families are encouraged to contact their local council directly to ask about available grants.
Angel Hands Foundation
Angel Hands Foundation is a family-run nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with rare and undiagnosed medical conditions. The foundation offers family scholarships to assist with attending national conferences. Scholarships are limited to up to $1,000 in eligible expenses and are subject to application requirements and availability.
