Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2019 (P50 - Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HD 20 016

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 20 016

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2019 funding opportunity (RFA-HD-20-016) is an NIH center grant program that supports the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs). It uses the P50 research center mechanism and is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose clinical trials if they are appropriate to the center's research goals, but a clinical trial is not required. Overall, the program is meant to build and sustain strong, multi-disciplinary research centers that can push forward progress in intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through coordinated infrastructure, shared resources, and focused research projects that translate discoveries toward real-world improvements in diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and long-term outcomes.

A central feature of the FOA is its emphasis on a center structure that combines shared "cores" with at least one defined research project. The cores are essentially the backbone of the center: they provide facilities, services, and expertise that make it easier for investigators across disciplines to work together and move research findings toward practical application. These cores are expected to facilitate interdisciplinary and translational IDD research, support dissemination of research advances, and provide support for IDD-related projects that are funded through other sources. In other words, an IDDRC is not designed to operate in isolation; it is designed to act as a hub that strengthens and accelerates a broader ecosystem of IDD research on a campus or across collaborating institutions.

In addition to cores, the FOA requires at least one specific research project that aligns with one of several focus themes identified by NIH as areas of research need in IDD. While the summary provided does not list the individual themes, the intent is clear: the center must do more than provide shared resources. It must also anchor its infrastructure in a substantive scientific agenda by carrying out at least one center-supported research project that addresses priority gaps in the field. This combination is meant to ensure that the center both enables other investigators and produces its own impactful research, creating a reinforcing cycle where shared infrastructure drives discoveries and discoveries, in turn, guide the evolution of the center's resources and collaborations.

Another defining aspect of this program is that the IDDRC cores are expected to be heavily used by projects funded from outside the P50 award. The FOA notes that the majority of the research projects using these core facilities typically receive their primary funding from independent sources, including federal, state, and private organizations. Practically, that means applicants should be prepared to demonstrate an existing and/or emerging base of IDD-related research activity that can make strong use of shared cores, along with a plan for how the center will prioritize access, maintain high-quality services, and maximize the scientific return on these shared investments.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education under that specific line); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other qualifying entities. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal government agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly excludes non-U.S. applicants and foreign involvement: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the Health, Income Security and Social Services activity category, associated with CFDA 93.865, and managed by the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity was created on November 15, 2019, with an original application closing date of January 15, 2020. The listed award ceiling is $800,000, which indicates the maximum funding level referenced in the opportunity summary. The FOA summary does not specify the expected number of awards in the provided fields, but the program is structured around establishing or supporting full research centers, so applicants generally need to present a comprehensive, well-integrated center plan rather than a single standalone project.

Taken together, this FOA is aimed at institutions that can credibly run a multi-disciplinary IDD research center with shared cores that serve a broad community of investigators, while also pursuing at least one targeted research project aligned with NIH-identified IDD research needs. The intended outcome is stronger coordination across basic, clinical, and translational research, better dissemination of findings, and faster movement of IDD science toward measurable improvements in understanding, diagnosing, preventing, treating, and reducing the impacts of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2019 (P50 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-11-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

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