Targeting RNA in Disease with Novel Technologies (TRDNT) Challenge – Phase II: Stage I
NIH Challenges’ TRDNT Challenge – Phase II: Stage I supports the development and demonstration of novel RNA-targeting technologies aimed at advancing precision therapeutics for disease.
Funder: NIH Challenges
Due Dates: February 1, 2027: Phase II: Stage I Interim Milestone Submission deadline
Funding Amounts: Up to $120,000 per interim milestone winner (max 25); total Phase II prize pool up to $7.8M; overall Challenge up to $13.1M across all phases.
Summary: Supports the creation and demonstration of innovative, accessible RNA-targeting technologies for new precision therapeutics in disease.
Key Information: Open to new entrants; Phase I participation not required; winning technologies must be made publicly accessible.
Description
The NIH Targeting RNA in Disease with Novel Technologies (TRDNT) Challenge – Phase II: Stage I is a prize competition designed to spur the development, validation, and dissemination of novel, publicly accessible RNA-targeting technologies. The goal is to enable new therapeutic classes for diseases linked to RNA dysfunction or driven by proteins that are difficult to target with traditional drugs. This phase focuses on prototype development and demonstration of use cases that show how the technology can impact human disease, with an emphasis on solutions that move beyond established approaches and are broadly relevant across multiple diseases. The competition is part of the NIH Common Fund Venture Program and is open to a wide range of participants, including researchers, startups, and organizations.
