The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has announced a Notice of Intent to publish a forthcoming Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) in 2025. This FOA aims to fund specialized research centers advancing diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and mitigation strategies for intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The funding, classified under the P50 activity code, is intended to support multi-project grants that enable basic, translational, and clinical research, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. This Notice is shared in advance to give applicants sufficient preparation time to develop collaborative projects aligning with the program’s research priorities.

The primary objective of this initiative is to foster research that addresses significant gaps in the understanding and treatment of IDD. The IDDRCs will serve as hubs for collaborative research, drawing on diverse scientific and medical expertise to enhance insights into IDD and translate these into effective interventions. By supporting these centers, the NICHD aims to improve early diagnosis, explore innovative treatments, and develop preventative measures that can reduce the prevalence or severity of IDD.

Funding for each IDDRC is expected to reach up to $1,000,000, though the specific number of awards has not been disclosed. No cost-sharing or matching requirements are associated with this opportunity. While precise funding levels and the number of anticipated awards have not been set, successful proposals are likely to demonstrate the capacity for high-impact, interdisciplinary research and practical applications of scientific discoveries to clinical or community settings.

Eligible applicants for this anticipated FOA include a range of entities, such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, independent school districts, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, and certain for-profit and small businesses. This broad eligibility reflects NICHD's goal of involving various sectors and disciplines in addressing the challenges associated with IDD through research initiatives.

The official announcement for this FOA is expected to be posted by July 26, 2024, with applications likely due on November 26, 2024. Awards are projected to be announced by July 1, 2025, with projects slated to start on the same date. Specific application and submission details will be included in the full NOFO, but interested applicants are encouraged to begin planning partnerships and research strategies that align with the goals outlined in this notice.

Evaluation criteria and application questions will be detailed in the full NOFO release. In general, successful proposals will need to demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation in IDD research, and a commitment to translating research findings into actionable outcomes for affected populations.