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health · HHS-NIH11

INCLUDE Project: Exploratory/Developmental Research Awards for Down syndrome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of Health · RFA-OD-27-003

660 days left

Award Range

$0$200K

Total Program Funding

$1.0M

Expected Awards

5

Deadline

June 15, 2028

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

NIH INCLUDE Project Exploratory/Developmental Research funds 5 grants (up to $200K each) for early-stage research including people with Down syndrome. Rolling through 2028.

Who Should Apply

Researchers beginning DS-focused research programs or adding DS inclusion to existing studies.

Who Should NOT Apply

Established DS researchers (use larger mechanisms).

Key Requirements (Plain English)

  • Must include DS in research
  • 5 awards up to $200K
  • Early-stage/exploratory
  • Rolling through 2028

💡 GrantQuick Tip

At $200K, these are pilot/feasibility studies. Perfect for researchers NEW to DS who want to add DS participants to their existing cohorts or test preliminary hypotheses about DS biology.

Competitiveness: Low-moderate — 5 awards for exploratory DS research.

What This Grant Funds

The NIH INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Project seeks to improve health and quality-of-life for individuals with Down syndrome. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites researchers to submit applications for support of new exploratory and developmental research projects that address critical needs for Down syndrome projects, as articulated in the INCLUDE Project objectives. For example, such projects could assess the feasibility of a novel area of investigation or a new experimental system that has the potential to enhance health-related research. Another example could include the unique and innovative use of an existing methodology to explore a new scientific area. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research.

Attachments

Who Can Apply

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Eligible Applicant Types

Special District GovernmentsOther Tribal OrganizationsState GovernmentsFor-Profit OrganizationsCity/Township GovernmentsNonprofits without 501(c)(3)Other (see NOFO for details)Independent School Districts501(c)(3) NonprofitsCounty GovernmentsPublic And Indian Housing AuthoritiesPrivate Colleges & UniversitiesSmall BusinessesFederally Recognized Tribal GovernmentsPublic Colleges & Universities

Funding Details

Maximum Award
$200K
Total Program Funding
$1.0M
Expected Number of Awards
5
Cost Sharing Required?
No
Funding Instrument
grant

Key Dates

Posted: May 12, 2026
Application Deadline: June 15, 2028 (660 days remaining)

Agency Contact

The INCLUDE Project DownSyndromeINCLUDE@mail.nih.gov

DownSyndromeINCLUDE@mail.nih.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov