(INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for graduate students pursuing postdoctoral training in Down syndrome research. Applicants must be graduate students (or recent graduates) from disciplines including genetics, biochemistry, data science, imaging, engineering, and neurobiology. The award supports the transition from doctoral to postdoctoral fellowship. Contact with INCLUDE Program Staff before application is strongly encouraged.
U.S. institutions are eligible, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and tribal colleges. Non-U.S. organizations are not eligible. Foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed.
This grant is for graduate students pursuing postdoctoral training in Down syndrome research. Applicants must be graduate students (or recent graduates) from disciplines including genetics, biochemistry, data science, imaging, engineering, and neurobiology. The award supports the transition from doctoral to postdoctoral fellowship. Contact with INCLUDE Program Staff before application is strongly encouraged.
U.S. institutions are eligible, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and tribal colleges. Non-U.S. organizations are not eligible. Foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed.
Program description
The purpose of the INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Predoctoral to postdoctoral Fellow Transition award (F99/K00) is to recruit exceptional graduate students from a variety of research fields to pursue postdoctoral training focused on Down syndrome related research. Talented graduate students from disciplines including, but not limited to, genetics, biochemistry, data science, imaging, engineering and neurobiology are invited to apply to this opportunity. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the INCLUDE Program Staff prior to initiating plans for application submission.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Graduate Student
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for graduate students pursuing postdoctoral training in Down syndrome research. Applicants must be graduate students (or recent graduates) from disciplines including genetics, biochemistry, data science, imaging, engineering, and neurobiology. The award supports the transition from doctoral to postdoctoral fellowship. Contact with INCLUDE Program Staff before application is strongly encouraged.
U.S. institutions are eligible, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and tribal colleges. Non-U.S. organizations are not eligible. Foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&D) Form
- Project Narrative
- Biographical Sketch
- Letter from Doctoral Advisor
- Postdoctoral Mentor Letter
- Research Strategy and Career Development Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Facilities and Resources
- Institutional Support Documentation
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.846 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$63,962,483
-
$60,038,896
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$34,059,132
-
$27,648,731
-
$27,051,746
-
$21,654,386
-
$20,288,994
-
$20,225,012
-
$16,326,540
-
$15,274,546
Top States by Funding
- CA 13 awards $123.4M
- MA 15 awards $123.0M
- NY 12 awards $106.8M
- NC 4 awards $102.5M
- PA 11 awards $101.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this award?
Graduate students from various disciplines (genetics, biochemistry, data science, imaging, engineering, neurobiology) who plan postdoctoral training in Down syndrome research. You must be transitioning from doctoral to postdoctoral study.
What is the deadline?
The application deadline is July 1, 2026. Contact INCLUDE Program Staff early in your planning process.
What research areas are supported?
Down syndrome-related research across multiple disciplines. This includes genetics, biochemistry, data science, imaging, engineering, and neurobiology approaches.
Do I need cost-sharing?
No cost-sharing is required for this award.
Can international applicants apply?
No, non-U.S. organizations cannot apply. However, foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact INCLUDE Program Staff before submitting your application. Early engagement improves your competitiveness and clarity on expectations.
- Emphasize how your graduate research directly connects to Down syndrome. Show a clear transition plan to postdoctoral work in this area.
- Highlight your interdisciplinary training or potential. This award values diverse research approaches beyond traditional biology fields.
- Clearly articulate your postdoctoral training plan and mentorship. NIH career development awards emphasize mentee-mentor relationships and career development.
- Request letters from your doctoral advisor and proposed postdoctoral mentor. Strong mentorship documentation strengthens F99/K00 applications significantly.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to contact Program Staff early and missing nuanced expectations. Submitting a vague Down syndrome connection without clear research focus. Weak or missing postdoctoral mentor commitment and training plan.
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