Verified

Limited Competition: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2027

National Institutes of Health

General Information

Document Type:	Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number:	RFA-HD-27-012
Funding Opportunity Title:	Limited Competition: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2027 (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)
Opportunity Category:	Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
Funding Instrument Type:	Grant
Category of Funding Activity:	Health
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:	15
Assistance Listings:	93.865 -- Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:	No

Version:	Synopsis 2
Posted Date:	May 15, 2026
Last Updated Date:	May 15, 2026
Original Closing Date for Applications:	Oct 02, 2026
Current Closing Date for Applications:	Oct 02, 2026
Archive Date:	Dec 01, 2026
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$ 18,000,000
Award Ceiling:	$800,000
Award Floor:	$

Additional Information

Agency Name:	National Institutes of Health
Description:	This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a Limited Competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply. Please see Section III. Eligibility for additional information. The purpose of this NOFO is to seek applications in a limited competition for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs). This NOFO invites applications to undergo peer review for research center grants designed to advance the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and is limited to IDDRCs funded under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding.This NOFO seeks applications from institutions that meet the qualifications for a multidisciplinary program of IDD research that will include: 1) 3-4 total Cores that facilitate interdisciplinary and translational research in IDD and its dissemination, and that support IDD-related projects funded by other sources; and 2) at least two and no more than three specific research projects related to one of several areas identified as areas of research need in IDD. Collaborative investigations combining expertise in translational science, biomarker assessment, outcome measure development, tool validation, bioinformatics, and therapeutic development will be encouraged. Funds for the majority of outside research projects using these core facilities come from independent sources including Federal, State, and private organizations. In addition, the Center should include plans for outreach, engagement, and dissemination to the community, including persons with lived experience (PWLE) of disabilities. The duration of these Centers will be 3 years in total.
Link to Additional Information:
Grantor Contact Information:	If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) NichdIDDRCProgram@nih.gov

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Significance (Importance of the Research Question) (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is one of NIH's core review criteria.

Competitive proposals should:

Address an important biomedical or public health problem.
Fill a significant knowledge gap.
Advance scientific understanding.
Improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or health outcomes.

Reviewers ask whether successful completion of the project will have a meaningful impact on the field.

2. Strong alignment with the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and Institute priorities (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive applications closely match:

The objectives of the specific FOA.
The mission of the relevant NIH Institute or Center (e.g., NCI, NHLBI, NIDDK, NIAID, NHGRI).
The scientific priorities described in the funding announcement.

Even scientifically strong proposals are less competitive if they do not fit the FOA or Institute mission.

3. Innovation (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Innovation is a formal NIH review criterion.

Competitive proposals often include:

Novel hypotheses.
New technologies.
Innovative methodologies.
Creative experimental approaches.
New therapeutic or diagnostic strategies.
Artificial intelligence or advanced computational methods (when appropriate).

Projects should demonstrate how they advance beyond current knowledge rather than simply extending existing work.

4. Rigorous Approach and Methodology (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The Approach section is often the most heavily scrutinized part of an NIH application.

Competitive proposals include:

Well-defined hypotheses.
Strong preliminary rationale (especially for R01s).
Robust experimental design.
Appropriate statistical analyses.
Risk mitigation strategies.
Alternative approaches.
Realistic timelines and milestones.

A weak approach can prevent funding even for highly innovative ideas.

5. Investigator(s) and Team Expertise (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Reviewers evaluate whether the investigators have the expertise to complete the proposed work.

Competitive teams demonstrate:

Strong publication record.
Relevant scientific expertise.
Leadership experience.
Complementary multidisciplinary skills.
Successful collaboration.

For early-stage investigators, reviewers place greater emphasis on potential and mentorship.

6. Strong Research Environment (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The institutional environment should provide:

Appropriate laboratories and equipment.
Core facilities.
Clinical infrastructure (when applicable).
Biostatistical support.
Institutional commitment.
Collaborative opportunities.

A strong research environment increases confidence that the project can be successfully completed.

7. Scientific Rigor, Reproducibility, and Transparency (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

NIH places strong emphasis on:

Scientific rigor.
Reproducibility.
Authentication of key biological resources.
Consideration of sex as a biological variable (when applicable).
Transparent reporting.
Data management and sharing.

Applications should clearly describe how rigor and reproducibility will be ensured throughout the study.

8. Strong Preliminary Data (especially for R01s) (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

For many NIH mechanisms—particularly R01—competitive applications often include preliminary data demonstrating:

Feasibility.
Technical capability.
Early proof of concept.
Supporting evidence for the central hypothesis.

Mechanisms such as R21 may place less emphasis on preliminary data, depending on the FOA.

9. Potential for Translation and Public Health Impact (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive proposals often describe how the research could lead to:

New diagnostics.
New therapeutics.
Clinical trials.
Precision medicine.
Public health interventions.
Improved healthcare delivery.

Even basic science applications benefit from articulating their long-term translational relevance.

10. Appropriate Budget, Data Sharing, and Compliance (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Strong applications include:

Well-justified budgets.
Realistic resource requests.
Data Management and Sharing Plans (required for applicable applications).
Compliance with NIH policies on human subjects, vertebrate animals, inclusion, and research ethics.

Administrative completeness and compliance support a smoother review process.

Specialties

Neurosciences

Pediatrics

Others

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.This competition is limited to applicants that are recipients of IDDRC P50 awards under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009. Please refer to Section 1. Notice of Funding Opportunity Information for more details.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organization) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Eligible Countries:

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: National Institutes of Health

Sponsor Type: Government/Federal

Address: 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892

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