The INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00) aims to support exceptional graduate students transitioning to postdoctoral positions in Down syndrome (DS)-related research. Offered through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), this funding opportunity is designed to nurture the next generation of independent DS researchers from a wide array of scientific disciplines.

This grant offers a dual-phase funding mechanism: the F99 phase supports 1–2 years of doctoral dissertation research, while the K00 phase provides up to four years of mentored postdoctoral research. These phases are intended to occur without interruption, and transition from F99 to K00 requires successful completion of the PhD and acceptance of a DS-focused postdoctoral position. Applicants must propose a coherent research training plan spanning both phases, with aims that align with the INCLUDE initiative’s three research components: high-risk basic science, cohort-based phenotyping studies, and inclusive clinical trials.

The program offers up to $1.5 million annually to fund approximately 20 awards in FY2025. F99 budgets include stipends, tuition, fees, and institutional allowances akin to those of the NRSA F31 fellowship. The K00 phase contributes to salary, research development costs, and includes support for attending INCLUDE-related workshops. The grant does not support independent clinical trials but does permit training in trials led by mentors.

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based PhD or equivalent doctoral students in their third or fourth year of a biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences program. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and show a strong commitment to DS-related research careers. Dual-degree students (e.g., MD/PhD) and those who have already fulfilled dissertation requirements are not eligible.

Applications must follow NIH fellowship guidelines and be submitted through the NIH ASSIST system or institutional alternatives. They should include a detailed training and research plan, institutional commitment letters, and reference letters submitted via eRA Commons. Specific aims must address both phases, and applicants must provide a structured timeline with career and research milestones.

Proposals will be peer-reviewed with emphasis on candidate potential, quality of training plans, sponsor qualifications, and institutional environment. Final funding decisions consider scientific merit, alignment with INCLUDE priorities, and availability of funds. Applications are due annually on July 1, with a review process culminating in an earliest possible award start date in April of the following year.