Briefing: PAR-24-081 – Omics Phenotypes Related to Down Syndrome for the INCLUDE Project

STATUS: This opportunity has expired (March 14, 2026). Limited case-by-case submissions may be accepted; contact the eRA Service Desk.

Research Focus

This X01 Resource Access Award supports the INCLUDE Project (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE), a trans-NIH initiative to generate integrated genomic and multi-omics data from existing biospecimen collections. The program targets discovery of molecular mechanisms underlying health conditions co-occurring with Down syndrome (trisomy 21), including autism, epilepsy, early-onset Alzheimer-like cognitive decline, hearing loss, congenital heart defects, sleep apnea, thyroid disease, and immune dysregulation—while also investigating Down syndrome's protective effects against solid tumors and atherosclerosis. Applicants propose omics assays on existing samples from individuals with Down syndrome and controls; the NIH provides sequencing capacity (whole genome, exome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteomics, metabolomics, single-cell RNA, ATAC sequencing) through designated sequencing centers. Generated data and clinical/phenotypic information are deposited in the INCLUDE Data Hub for broad research community access.

At a Glance

• Who can apply: Organizations with ready-to-ship biospecimen collections; participants must have consented to broad data sharing via dbGaP or NIH-approved repositories.
• Funding & project length: No direct funding to applicants; sequencing capacity provided in-kind. Sequencing timelines determined post-award.
• Award mechanism: X01 Resource Access Award (not a traditional grant).
• Key dates: Application due dates on rolling cycles (e.g., March 13, 2024; March 13, 2025; March 13, 2026); Letter of Intent 30 days prior. Expired March 14, 2026.
• Best fit for: Researchers with existing Down syndrome cohorts (especially underrepresented racial/ethnic groups) and rich clinical/phenotypic data; no clinical trials allowed.