HEAL Initiative: HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study (Collaborative U01- Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NIH seeks applications for a study of 7,200 pregnant women & their children, some exposed to substances, to understand factors impacting child development and promote well-being.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 | February 2026
Funding Amounts: Expected up to 27 awards; 5-year project period; award amounts not yet specified.
Summary: Supports large-scale, multi-site research on early brain and child development in relation to prenatal and perinatal exposure to substances, as part of the HEAL Initiative.
Key Information: This is a limited competition forecast; applications are not yet being solicited.
Description
This opportunity is a forecasted, limited competition from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the HEAL Initiative, focused on the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. The HBCD Study aims to follow a large cohort (~7,200 mother-child dyads) beginning in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and continuing through childhood. The study will investigate the effects of pre- and perinatal exposure to prescription and illicit opioids, marijuana, stimulants, alcohol, and nicotine on child health, brain, and behavioral development. The goal is to generate a nuanced understanding of factors influencing child development, providing foundational knowledge for designing interventions that promote resilience and well-being.
The upcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will invite eligible organizations to apply for projects responsible for participant recruitment and retention, behavioral assessments, biospecimen collection, and neuroimaging. This is a renewal for a second 5-year period.
