The French Foundation for rare diseases (Fondation maladies rares) is a unique cooperative framework dedicated to rare diseases research. Co-founded by French University Hospitals, Universities, Research organisations and Patients' organizations, it acts as a strategic hub to coordinate, federate and fund rare diseases research, essentially at the French national level. The French Foundation for rare diseases is a non-profit private structure, created in February 2012. Its support spans from basic, translational and clinical sciences to social and human research towards effective health care for patients affected by rare diseases. The Foundation has built strong links with its co-founders as well as several partnerships with private companies and is welcoming the development of additional partnerships to make the rare diseases issue better integrated in companies' health policies. The Foundation brings financial support to innovative projects and stimulates cross-sector cooperation to accelerate scientific, medical and social innovations to the patients' benefit. Priorities are driven by grounded needs.