INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA OD 24 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OD 24 007

The INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00; Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is an NIH grant opportunity designed to help outstanding graduate students move from late-stage doctoral training into a focused postdoctoral research path in Down syndrome. The main goal is to build a strong, diverse pipeline of scientists who will bring fresh ideas, tools, and perspectives into Down syndrome research, especially research that addresses the many health conditions that can co-occur with Down syndrome across the lifespan. The program explicitly welcomes applicants coming from a wide range of disciplines, signaling that NIH is looking for cross-cutting approaches rather than limiting applicants to traditional biomedical tracks.

This award uses the F99/K00 transition structure. In practical terms, it supports a fellow first during a mentored predoctoral phase (F99) and then provides a pathway into an independent, mentored postdoctoral phase (K00). That structure is meant to reduce the common gap between finishing a PhD and securing strong postdoctoral support, while also encouraging trainees to intentionally shape a postdoc that is clearly aligned with INCLUDE priorities. The emphasis on Down syndrome related research means the proposed training and research trajectory should be anchored in questions relevant to Down syndrome and its co-occurring conditions, and it should show how the applicant will develop into a scientist positioned for a long-term research career in this area.

A key boundary of this opportunity is that clinical trials are not allowed under this funding announcement. That generally means applicants need to propose research and training plans that do not involve conducting a clinical trial as defined by NIH policy. Applicants who want to work with human data or patient-relevant questions often can still be competitive, but they need to ensure the work fits within the non-clinical-trial limits of the notice (for example, certain observational, secondary data, basic mechanistic, or method-development projects may fit, depending on details). Because NIH rules about what counts as a clinical trial can be technical, this is one of the reasons the announcement strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact INCLUDE Program Staff before committing to an application plan.

The announcement is intentionally broad about scientific backgrounds to attract trainees who might not otherwise view Down syndrome as their primary research area. It explicitly names fields such as genetics, biochemistry, data science, imaging, engineering, and neurobiology, while also indicating that other disciplines are welcome. That framing reflects the reality that progress in Down syndrome research often depends on integrating molecular and cellular biology with systems neuroscience, computational methods, advanced measurement technologies, and rigorous quantitative approaches. Applicants are therefore expected to articulate not only a compelling research direction but also a training plan that makes clear why their background is a good fit and what new skills, mentorship, or research environment they will gain during the transition into postdoctoral work.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicant organizations and institutional settings. The opportunity lists, among others, state, county, city, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. It also calls out additional eligible applicant categories that reflect NIH interest in inclusive participation across institutional types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the announcement includes important restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means certain parts of the project or collaborations may involve foreign elements under NIH rules, even though the applicant organization itself must be U.S.-based and otherwise eligible.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant under NIH, with Funding Opportunity Number RFA-OD-24-007 and a creation date of February 22, 2024. It is associated with CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.846, and 93.865, and the listed agency is the National Institutes of Health. The original closing date shown is July 1, 2026. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data, which often means applicants should rely on the full funding opportunity announcement and NIH institute-specific guidance for budget structure, duration, and competitiveness expectations.

Overall, this opportunity is best read as a career-development pipeline investment: NIH is trying to identify exceptional doctoral trainees early, support them through a well-mentored transition, and steer their postdoctoral training toward Down syndrome research questions that matter across the lifespan, while also widening participation across disciplines and institution types. The repeated encouragement to contact INCLUDE Program Staff is a practical signal that applicants should verify fit, confirm that the proposed work does not cross into clinical trial territory, and align their training and mentorship plans with the INCLUDE mission before submitting.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.846, 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA OD 24 007

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