INCLUDE Voices: Research in Action Challenge
INCLUDE Voices: Research in Action Challenge supports community members and researchers creating videos that explain Down syndrome research’s value and encourage informed participation.
Funder: NIH Challenges
Due Dates: October 5, 2026 (Submissions open) | December 18, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time (Submission deadline) | March 21, 2027 (Winners announced) | April 19–20, 2027 (Winner recognition)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 total prize purse; individual prizes up to $10,000
Summary: A short-video competition communicating the value of Down syndrome research and encouraging informed research participation.
Key Information: Cash-prize eligibility requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency for individuals, or U.S. incorporation and primary business location for entities.
Description
The NIH Office of the Director runs this prize competition through the NIH-wide INCLUDE Project. It invites people with Down syndrome, families, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, students, advocacy organizations, and other community members to create original videos explaining how research improves health, informs care, expands opportunity, and enhances quality of life. This is a communication challenge rather than a research-project grant.
Videos should make research understandable, engaging, and accessible to people with Down syndrome, their families, and loved ones. Suggested themes include research participation, discoveries translated into everyday improvements, benefits beyond the Down syndrome community, research across the lifespan and during life transitions, women’s health, inclusive research teams, and community–scientific partnerships. Formats may include documentaries, animation, spoken word, interviews, explainers, or music videos.
