Limited Competition for the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development -Extended (ABCD-E) Study-Research Project Sites (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Extended Study Research Project Sites program is a federal funding opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Specifically administered through multiple NIH institutes including the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this cooperative agreement program seeks to continue and expand the landmark Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. The ABCD study is the largest long-term investigation of brain development and child health in the United States, tracking nearly 12,000 participants from late childhood into early adulthood. This renewal initiative is designed to extend that research into participants’ twenties, a critical developmental period when many mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and chronic diseases begin to emerge. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research project sites that will continue longitudinal data collection and participant engagement as part of the ABCD Extended study consortium. Funded sites will contribute to a coordinated national research infrastructure that includes research project sites, a central coordinating center, and a data analysis and informatics resource center. These components operate collaboratively under a shared protocol to collect neuroimaging, biospecimens, behavioral data, and health assessments. The program emphasizes understanding developmental trajectories and identifying risk and resilience factors associated with mental health, substance use, and physical health outcomes. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning NIH staff will have substantial involvement in project oversight and coordination. While application budgets are not capped, they must reflect the actual needs of the proposed work. Awards are expected to support activities such as participant retention, clinical assessments, neurocognitive testing, and data collection aligned with consortium standards. The project period is up to five years. Cost sharing is not required. However, applicants must adhere to strict data sharing, collaboration, and reporting requirements, including participation in consortium governance and adherence to NIH data management policies. Eligibility for this opportunity is highly restricted. Only institutions that previously received funding under specific prior ABCD study funding announcements are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations may include higher education institutions, nonprofits, government entities, and certain for-profit organizations, provided they meet the prior award requirement. Applicants must designate multiple principal investigators, with up to four allowed, and include detailed leadership and succession planning documentation. Foreign organizations are not eligible, although certain non-funded international collaborations may be permitted. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov using NIH systems such as ASSIST or institutional system-to-system solutions. Applicants must complete all required registrations, including SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, prior to submission. Required application components include a research strategy aligned with consortium protocols, leadership plans, community engagement documentation, and performance metrics from prior funding periods. Applications are subject to strict compliance checks, and incomplete or noncompliant submissions will not be reviewed. Applications undergo a rigorous peer review process evaluating scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and investigator expertise. Additional considerations include human subjects protections and data management plans. Following peer review, applications receive a second level of review by an NIH advisory council. Funding decisions are based on scientific merit, program priorities, and availability of funds. Awards are anticipated to begin in April 2027 following review cycles in late 2026 and early 2027. Key dates for this funding opportunity include an application open date of June 9, 2026 and a submission deadline of July 9, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. The opportunity expires on July 10, 2026. This is a one-time limited competition tied to a specific cohort renewal, and no recurring cycle is indicated. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to allow time for corrections and validation through NIH systems.

Align proposal tightly with consortium protocols and demonstrate strong prior performance; emphasize rigorous methodology and feasibility; clearly define leadership roles and collaboration strategy