RARE Scholars Program

The RARE Scholars program is an annual scholarship opportunity for people living with, or caring for someone living with, a rare genetic condition, including achondroplasia, Batten disease, mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) or phenylketonuria (PKU). These scholarships recognize and support students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and engagement in school and community activities.

The application period for the 2026-27 academic year is closed. We will begin accepting applications for the 2027-28 academic year in February 2027.

LEARN HOW TO APPLY

Get to Know Our 2026-27 Scholarship Recipients

Addi Hazel Texas Tech University

Addi is working toward a degree in business management at Texas Tech University, where she’s combining her interest in event planning with her passion for helping people feel seen and included. Whether she’s organizing church events, mentoring younger students or playing intramural volleyball, Addi is finding new ways to build community while embracing the independence that comes with college. Living with phenylketonuria has helped shape her perspective, empathy and curiosity, and she welcomes questions about the condition as opportunities to foster greater understanding. “Rather than worrying about what comes next, I try to stay present, make the most of today and trust the journey ahead,” she says.

Amanda Beedle Cleveland State University

Amanda is pursuing a Master of Science in nursing research after stepping away from her career as a registered nurse to care for her two daughters, Annabelle and Abigail, who live with CLN2 disease, a form of Batten disease. Her experiences as both a healthcare professional and caregiver eventually drew her into rare disease advocacy and inspired her return to school. Amanda is the first student in her program to center her research on rare diseases, with the goal of improving care coordination and helping families navigate new genetic diagnoses. “Through meeting so many extraordinary families, I saw a need and recognized that my background could help address it,” she says. “That realization continues to motivate me every day.”

Bryce Pinter Iowa State University

Bryce is studying finance at Iowa State University with hopes of turning his lifelong passion for sports into a career in management. Growing up with achondroplasia, Bryce learned early to persevere through challenges, a mindset he also brings to his favorite activities, golf and fishing. His ultimate dream is to become the general manager of an NBA franchise, and for now, he’s focused on meeting new people and building a strong academic foundation. His advice to younger students living with rare conditions is simple: “Try it. Not giving it a go would be a bigger regret than trying and having a tough experience.”

Paige Kaczrowski University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus

Paige is pursuing her medical degree with the goal of becoming a family physician in a rural community. A two-time RARE Scholars recipient, she says growing up with phenylketonuria and spending time with doctors, dietitians and other healthcare professionals helped spark her interest in medicine and science. Now, she hopes to combine her personal experience with her medical training to make healthcare more compassionate and accessible. “I hope that experience helps me connect with my future patients and advocate for them in ways that truly make a difference,” she says.

Peter Gray University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business

Peter is beginning his first year at the University of Notre Dame, where he’s studying accounting and laying the foundation for a career that combines two of his biggest passions: sports and business. Living with achondroplasia has taught Peter to adapt and find solutions that work for him without viewing those adjustments as barriers. Ultimately, he hopes to put his business education to work in sports. “My dream is to work on the financial side of a professional sports franchise,” he says. “It’s a way to combine the two things I’m most passionate about – sports and business.”

Sarah Cook San Diego State University

Sarah is entering her senior year at San Diego State University, where she’s pursuing a double degree in communications and leadership studies while balancing academics with leadership, work and volunteer opportunities. She has helped revive the SDSU Leadership Club, interned with Make-A-Wish San Diego, and works part time for San Diego FC. Living with MPS Type I has also shaped the way Sarah approaches new experiences, encouraging her to focus on possibilities rather than limitations. “Life is still incredibly good,” she says. “I focus less on limitations and more on what I might miss if I let fear hold me back.”

In a way, a program like this makes me feel seen. There still isn’t that much awareness of genetic conditions, so for BioMarin to support our community in other ways beyond providing treatment is awesome and inspires me to do more.
– Sarah Cook, Two-Time Scholarship Recipient

Scholarship Requirements

An annual scholarship opportunity for people living with a genetic condition for those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and engagement in school and community activities.

The RARE Scholars program will award up to $50,000 in scholarships to eligible students.

$10,000 to students in four-year undergraduate or graduate studies programs
$5,000 to students in two-year or vocational/technical studies

Eligibility

Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates or current post-secondary or graduate-level students diagnosed with including achondroplasia, Batten disease, hemophilia A, mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) or phenylketonuria (PKU). Applicants will be asked to provide a doctor’s statement with the diagnosis.
Applicants are not required to have undergone treatment with a BioMarin therapy. Treatment status with any manufacturer products should not be disclosed and will not be considered in evaluating applications.
Applicants must be enrolled or plan to be enrolled as a full- or part-time (minimum 6 credits per term) undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire 2024-2025 academic year.
Applicants must be U.S. or ex-U.S. residents enrolled in U.S.-based schools, including U.S. territories. Schools may be nonprofit or for-profit.
Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (or equivalent) on a 4.0 scale.
BioMarin employees and their children are ineligible for the program.