INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
About
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.
The INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed for individual scientists and research teams pursuing groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative research related to Down syndrome and its co-occurring conditions. This grant supports research that has the potential to create new scientific paradigms, establish entirely new and improved clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies. Unlike traditional NIH grants, this award does not require preliminary data—applications are evaluated based on the strength of logic and compelling potential for major impact. Researchers can propose work across all topics relevant to Down syndrome-related research, making it ideal for those with unconventional or high-risk research ideas that could significantly advance the field. The program welcomes both domestic U.S. organizations and international collaborators, including foreign organizations and non-domestic components of U.S. institutions. If you're a researcher with a transformative vision for improving health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome, this funding opportunity offers substantial support to bring your innovative ideas to fruition without the preliminary data burden of traditional grants.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
June 15, 2028
Award Amount
Up to $500K
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Grant Amount
Up to $500K
Deadline
2028-06-15
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual - Deadline June 15, 2028
Best For
Individual scientists and research teams proposing transformative, innovative research on Down syndrome; both domestic U.S. and international researchers
Eligibility
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Eligible applicants include individual scientists and groups of scientists proposing transformative research. U.S. domestic organizations and international entities are both eligible. This includes foreign organizations, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations, and foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. For complete eligibility requirements, including institutional and investigator qualifications, refer to Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the official NIH website.
How much funding does INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) provide?
Funding ranges from up to $500,000. The specific amount awarded may vary by project scope and reviewer assessment. For the most current funding levels and any updates to funding amounts for specific funding cycles, consult the official NOFO on the NIH website.
How do I apply for INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Applications are submitted through the NIH grants submission system. The application process typically requires a comprehensive research proposal demonstrating the transformative potential of your research, even without preliminary data. Applications should clearly articulate how the proposed research will create new scientific paradigms or establish new clinical approaches related to Down syndrome. Visit the official NIH INCLUDE Project website and the specific NOFO for detailed application instructions, required forms, submission deadlines, and technical requirements.
What can INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding be used for?
Funding supports groundbreaking and innovative research related to Down syndrome and its co-occurring conditions. This includes research aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome. Research can focus on developing new clinical approaches, establishing new scientific paradigms, or creating transformative technologies. However, note that R01 clinical trials are not allowed under this award mechanism. For specific allowable expenses and research scope details, review the full NOFO on the NIH website.
Last updated: July 5, 2026