HRSA-26-019
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND)
Summary
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program
This program funds interdisciplinary training initiatives that prepare health and related professionals to deliver comprehensive, lifespan-oriented care for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD). LEND supports curriculum development, clinical training, and workforce preparation across diagnostic screening, clinical assessment, and service delivery—addressing a critical gap in professional competency for neurodevelopmental conditions. The program emphasizes training models that integrate multiple disciplines and prepare practitioners to work across pediatric and transitional care settings, from early identification through adulthood.
- Who can apply: Institutions with capacity to deliver interdisciplinary health professions education; specific institutional eligibility criteria not stated.
- Funding & project length: Not stated.
- Award mechanism: T32 (institutional training grant).
- Key dates: Not stated.
- Best fit for: Schools of medicine, nursing, allied health, and public health developing or expanding training in neurodevelopmental disorders, diagnostic protocols, and coordinated service models for ASD and DD populations.
Insights (5)
T32 mechanism prioritizes trainee development over independent research productivity
LEND is explicitly a training program (T32 mechanism) focused on health professions education and interdisciplinary workforce development, not research discovery. This is advantageous for early-stage investigators (ESI) and postdocs seeking structured mentorship and clinical skill-building, but less suitable for researchers whose primary goal is independent research output or publication-heavy portfolios.
Interdisciplinary team composition is essential, not optional, for competitiveness
The program's emphasis on training professionals across multiple disciplines to address autism/DD across the lifespan strongly favors applications with faculty from pediatrics, developmental medicine, psychology, nursing, social work, and related fields. A single-discipline application (e.g., neuroscience alone) will be at a significant disadvantage unless paired with clear clinical and service-delivery partners.
Clinical partnerships and service delivery sites strengthen training infrastructure
LEND's focus on screening, diagnosis, and service provision across the lifespan requires access to diverse clinical settings and patient populations. Institutions with established partnerships with pediatric clinics, developmental centers, and community-based service providers will be better positioned to offer trainees meaningful clinical experiences and demonstrate sustainability.
Lifespan care emphasis requires curriculum spanning pediatric through adult transitions
The explicit mention of 'across the lifespan' signals that programs addressing only childhood autism/DD will be less competitive than those integrating transition planning, adult services, and long-term outcomes. This is a differentiator for institutions with geriatric or adult developmental medicine expertise.
T32 mechanism typically funds 8–15 awards nationally; expect moderate-to-high competition
LEND programs are well-established, federally funded training initiatives with a defined national footprint. The specificity of the scope (autism/DD, health professions, lifespan) and the T32 mechanism suggest a competitive pool of mature, multi-disciplinary institutions. New or single-site applicants should expect strong competition from established LEND programs.
Key Facts
Deadline
—
Posted
Thu, December 11, 2025
Award Range
$460,000 – $734,000
Expected Awards
60
Keywords
Research Areas