Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 27 012
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a limited-competition funding opportunity for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) under RFA-HD-27-012. This NOFO supports P50 research center grants (clinical trial optional) aimed at advancing the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and overall amelioration of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Applications will go through NIH peer review, and only those judged highly meritorious will be considered for funding.
This competition is strictly limited to a specific set of existing IDDRC awardees. Only institutions that currently receive an IDDRC P50 award funded under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009 are eligible to apply. New applicants that do not already hold one of those awards are not eligible for this competition. The program also prohibits foreign participation in key ways: non-U.S. organizations cannot apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed.
Funded centers are expected to run a multidisciplinary, collaborative IDD research program with a defined structure. Each application must propose a set of shared resource “Cores” and a small set of center-supported research projects. Specifically, the center must include 3 to 4 total Cores designed to facilitate interdisciplinary and translational research in IDD and to support dissemination efforts. These Cores are meant to function as enabling infrastructure that supports a broader portfolio of IDD-related studies, including projects funded by other federal, state, and private sources. In addition to the Cores, the center must include at least two and no more than three specific research projects that align with identified areas of research need in IDD. The NOFO encourages collaborative investigations that integrate skills and methods across areas such as translational science, biomarker assessment, outcome measure development, tool validation, bioinformatics, and therapeutic development.
A major expectation is that the center’s resources will be used by a wider community of investigators and projects, with most of the funding for those externally supported projects coming from independent sources rather than from the P50 itself. Alongside the research infrastructure and projects, the center must also plan meaningful outreach, engagement, and dissemination activities. These plans should include engagement with the community and specifically with persons with lived experience (PWLE) of disabilities, reflecting an emphasis on ensuring that research priorities, practices, and outputs connect to real-world needs and that findings are shared effectively.
The award period for these IDDRCs is three years total. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary grant funding in the health area (CFDA 93.865). NIH anticipates making about 15 awards, and the listed award ceiling is $800,000. The original application closing date is October 2, 2026.Apply for RFA HD 27 012
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2027 (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-02. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this NIH funding opportunity?
This is a limited-competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) under RFA-HD-27-012. It supports P50 research center grants (clinical trial optional) focused on advancing the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and overall amelioration of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
What grant mechanism does this NOFO support?
The NOFO supports the P50 research center grant mechanism. Clinical trials are optional under this opportunity.
Is this an open competition?
No. This is a limited competition restricted to a specific set of existing IDDRC awardees.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only institutions that currently receive an IDDRC P50 award funded under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009 are eligible to apply.
Are new applicants eligible if they do not currently hold an IDDRC award under the specified RFAs?
No. Institutions that do not already hold an IDDRC P50 award under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009 are not eligible for this competition.
Can non-U.S. organizations apply?
No. Non-U.S. organizations cannot apply under this NOFO.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible under this opportunity.
Are foreign components allowed (as defined by NIH policy)?
No. Foreign components are not allowed under this NOFO.
What is the main purpose of an IDDRC under this opportunity?
Funded centers are expected to run a multidisciplinary, collaborative IDD research program with a defined structure that advances IDD diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration, while also supporting dissemination and engagement.
What major structural elements must an application include?
Each application must propose (1) shared resource "Cores" and (2) a small set of center-supported research projects, along with plans for outreach, engagement, and dissemination.
How many Cores must the center include?
The center must include a total of 3 to 4 Cores.
What are the Cores supposed to do?
The Cores are shared resources designed to facilitate interdisciplinary and translational research in IDD and to support dissemination efforts. They function as enabling infrastructure that supports a broader portfolio of IDD-related studies, including projects funded by other federal, state, and private sources.
How many center-supported research projects are allowed?
The center must include at least two and no more than three specific research projects.
What kinds of research projects does the NOFO encourage?
The NOFO encourages collaborative investigations that integrate skills and methods across areas such as translational science, biomarker assessment, outcome measure development, tool validation, bioinformatics, and therapeutic development. Projects must align with identified areas of research need in IDD.
Is the center expected to support only P50-funded work?
No. A major expectation is that the center's resources will be used by a wider community of investigators and projects, with most of the funding for those externally supported projects coming from independent sources rather than from the P50 itself.
What is expected regarding outreach, engagement, and dissemination?
The center must plan meaningful outreach, engagement, and dissemination activities. These plans should include engagement with the community and specifically with persons with lived experience (PWLE) of disabilities, reflecting an emphasis on connecting research priorities and outputs to real-world needs and sharing findings effectively.
How will applications be reviewed?
Applications will go through NIH peer review, and only those judged highly meritorious will be considered for funding.
How long is the award period?
The award period is three years total.
How many awards does NIH expect to make?
NIH anticipates making about 15 awards.
What is the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $800,000.
What type of funding is this categorized as?
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary grant funding in the health area, with CFDA 93.865.
What is the application due date?
The original application closing date is October 2, 2026.
What is the NOFO or RFA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is identified as RFA-HD-27-012.
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