health · HHS-NIH11

INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of Health · RFA-OD-27-004

663 days left

Award Range

$0 – $500K

Total Program Funding

$3.0M

Expected Awards

Deadline

June 15, 2028

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

NIH INCLUDE Project Transformative Research Award funds 4 grants (up to $500K each) for innovative research specifically including people with Down syndrome. Rolling through 2028.

Who Should Apply

Researchers proposing transformative studies that specifically include DS participants or address DS biology.

Who Should NOT Apply

Researchers excluding DS populations.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Must include DS in research
•4 awards up to $500K
•Must be transformative
•Rolling through 2028

💡 GrantQuick Tip

'Transformative' means paradigm-shifting for DS research. Propose studies that could fundamentally change DS care: gene therapies, cognitive interventions, or precision medicine approaches for DS-specific conditions.

Competitiveness: Moderate — 4 awards for innovative DS-inclusive 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. The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to solicit Transformative Research Award applications to support individual scientists or groups of scientists proposing groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, original, and/or unconventional research that has the potential to create new scientific paradigms, establish entirely new and improved clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies related to Down syndrome. Applications are welcome in all topics relevant to Down syndrome-related research or its co-occurring conditions. No preliminary data are required. Projects must clearly demonstrate, based on the strength of the logic, a compelling potential to produce a major impact in research related to Down syndrome.

Attachments

PDF

RFA-OD-27-004-Full-Announcement.html

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

County GovernmentsFederally Recognized Tribal GovernmentsCity/Township GovernmentsPublic And Indian Housing AuthoritiesPublic Colleges & UniversitiesPrivate Colleges & Universities501(c)(3) NonprofitsNonprofits without 501(c)(3)Independent School DistrictsOther (see NOFO for details)For-Profit OrganizationsOther Tribal OrganizationsSmall BusinessesState GovernmentsSpecial District Governments

Funding Details

Maximum Award: $500K
Total Program Funding: $3.0M
Expected Number of Awards: 4
Cost Sharing Required?: No
Funding Instrument: grant

Key Dates

Posted: May 12, 2026

Application Deadline: June 15, 2028 (663 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

View on Grants.gov