Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Clinical Research Challenge
Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Clinical Research Challenge supports teams and organizations with implemented approaches that reduce barriers to disability inclusion in clinical research.
Funder: NIH Challenges
Due Dates: January 5, 2027 (Early submission for correction time) | January 15, 2027 (Final submission, 5:00 PM ET)
Funding Amounts: $50,000 cash prizes for up to 20 winners; $1,000,000 total prize purse
Summary: NIH recognizes implemented approaches that improve the inclusion of people with disabilities in clinical research.
Key Information: Entries must document an implemented approach and include materials NIH can disseminate publicly.
Description
This NIH prize challenge seeks effective, practical ways to prevent the unnecessary exclusion of people with disabilities from clinical research. It is run by the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives within the NIH Office of the Director, in partnership with several NIH institutes and offices. Relevant approaches may address restrictive eligibility criteria, inaccessible study sites or materials, informed consent, reasonable accommodations, and communication access.
NIH is looking for approaches that have already been implemented and that meaningfully involve people with disabilities in research planning, conduct, or governance—not only as enrolled participants. The challenge supports the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26–FY30. NIH intends to disseminate winning resources as models that other investigators and institutions can adopt or adapt.
