Limited Competition: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2027 (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)
Can you apply?
This grant is for existing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) seeking renewal or continuation funding. Only institutions that currently hold P50 awards under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009 are eligible to apply. This is a limited competition, not open to new applicants. U.S. organizations only; no foreign entities or non-U.S. components are eligible. Centers must maintain 3-4 core facilities and conduct 2-3 specific research projects in identified IDD research areas.
Organizations must demonstrate capacity for multidisciplinary IDD research including translational science, biomarker assessment, and outcome measures. Plans for community outreach and engagement with persons with lived experience of disabilities are required. The center must facilitate research that supports externally-funded projects in addition to core activities.
This grant is for existing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) seeking renewal or continuation funding. Only institutions that currently hold P50 awards under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009 are eligible to apply. This is a limited competition, not open to new applicants. U.S. organizations only; no foreign entities or non-U.S. components are eligible. Centers must maintain 3-4 core facilities and conduct 2-3 specific research projects in identified IDD research areas.
Organizations must demonstrate capacity for multidisciplinary IDD research including translational science, biomarker assessment, and outcome measures. Plans for community outreach and engagement with persons with lived experience of disabilities are required. The center must facilitate research that supports externally-funded projects in addition to core activities.
Program 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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for existing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) seeking renewal or continuation funding. Only institutions that currently hold P50 awards under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009 are eligible to apply. This is a limited competition, not open to new applicants. U.S. organizations only; no foreign entities or non-U.S. components are eligible. Centers must maintain 3-4 core facilities and conduct 2-3 specific research projects in identified IDD research areas.
Organizations must demonstrate capacity for multidisciplinary IDD research including translational science, biomarker assessment, and outcome measures. Plans for community outreach and engagement with persons with lived experience of disabilities are required. The center must facilitate research that supports externally-funded projects in addition to core activities.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative (Research Plan)
- Budget Justification (for cores and projects)
- Biosketches (key personnel)
- Facilities and Resources
- Letters of Support (for collaborators)
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
- Center Director CV and leadership plan
- Organizational Commitment letter
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 NichdIDDRCProgram@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.865 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,059,454,555
-
$719,372,575
-
$276,059,721
-
$155,556,396
-
$155,482,198
-
$103,665,364
-
$74,151,078
-
$71,490,911
-
$52,238,426
-
$47,450,377
Top States by Funding
- WA 1 awards $1,059.5M
- NC 7 awards $921.5M
- MD 4 awards $493.9M
- MA 3 awards $190.0M
- PA 3 awards $145.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.865). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,282,226,682 | |
| 2025 | $1,333,391,690 | |
| 2026 est. | $184,920,723 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Only current recipients of IDDRC P50 awards under RFA-HD-20-016 or RFA-HD-21-009 can apply. This is a limited competition; new applicants are not eligible.
What is the project duration?
Funded centers will operate for 3 years total. This covers the core facilities and supported research projects.
What are the required research components?
Centers must include 3-4 cores that support interdisciplinary IDD research and 2-3 specific research projects addressing identified areas of IDD research need. Community engagement with persons with lived experience is required.
What is the award amount?
Typical awards in this range are not specified, but the total funding pool is $18 million. Individual award amounts may vary based on merit review and institutional capacity.
Can I include non-U.S. collaborators?
No. Foreign organizations and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. All work must be domestic (U.S.-based).
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review your current IDDRC award carefully and ensure your center meets all structural requirements (cores and projects) before applying. Misalignment with expectations is a common reason for rejection.
- Emphasize the translational pipeline and how your cores support externally-funded research. Reviewers want to see infrastructure that extends beyond the grant itself.
- Include concrete plans for community engagement and meaningful involvement of persons with lived experience. Generic outreach language will weaken your application.
- Provide clear evidence of multidisciplinary collaboration across your team. Show how different expertise areas integrate to address IDD research needs.
- Build a strong preliminary data section demonstrating the productivity and impact of your current center. Reviewers assess track record of the existing award.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying as a new center or non-IDDRC institution. This competition is limited to current P50 award holders only. Proposing fewer than 2 or more than 3 research projects, or fewer than 3 cores. Lack of clear community engagement plans with persons with lived experience of disabilities. Weak demonstration of how core facilities support external research projects and drive translational impact.
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