Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND)

The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The program is designed to strengthen the national workforce that serves children and youth with autism and other developmental disabilities by supporting interdisciplinary training programs. These programs aim to improve the quality, accessibility, and coordination of care across the lifespan by preparing professionals from multiple disciplines, as well as individuals with lived experience, to work collaboratively in clinical, community, and policy environments. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to expand the capacity of health and related professionals to screen, diagnose, and provide evidence-based services to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Funded programs are expected to deliver comprehensive training that integrates academic instruction, clinical practice, leadership development, and community engagement. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and requires participation from a wide range of disciplines, including medical, behavioral, educational, and social service fields. Trainees may include graduate students, practicing professionals, family members, and individuals with disabilities, reflecting a holistic approach to workforce development. Funding is structured across four tiers, with award amounts varying based on the number of trainees and disciplines supported. Awards are made for five-year project periods consisting of five 12-month budget cycles. Applicants may also apply for optional supplemental funding opportunities, including a pediatric audiology supplement and an emerging issues supplement, which provide additional targeted resources for workforce expansion and innovation. Funds may be used for trainee stipends, faculty support, curriculum development, clinical training activities, technical assistance, and continuing education. Indirect costs are capped at 8 percent of modified total direct costs, and there is no required cost-sharing or matching contribution. Eligible applicants include a wide range of domestic public and nonprofit organizations, including institutions of higher education, state and local governments, tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to implement interdisciplinary training programs and meet detailed requirements related to trainee recruitment, faculty composition, curriculum design, and program evaluation. Additional eligibility considerations include requirements for trainee citizenship status and qualifications for the project director, who must dedicate at least 30 percent effort to the program. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a comprehensive project narrative, budget and budget narrative, staffing plans, work plans, partnership agreements, and supporting documentation. Applications must adhere to strict formatting and content requirements and are subject to a competitive merit review process. Evaluation criteria include demonstrated need, program design and methodology, performance measurement and evaluation plans, expected impact, organizational capacity, and appropriateness of the requested budget. Applications undergo an initial eligibility screening followed by peer review scoring based on these criteria. The application deadline is June 1, 2026, with submissions required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Awards are expected to begin on July 1, 2026, contingent on funding availability and successful review outcomes. The program operates on a recurring basis, with funding cycles historically aligned to federal fiscal year appropriations. Applicants are encouraged to register early with required federal systems, including SAM.gov and Grants.gov, to ensure eligibility to submit applications. For questions related to the program, applicants may contact the LEND program team via email or phone, as provided in the funding announcement. Additional support is available through HRSA’s contact center and Grants.gov technical assistance. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in strengthening the interdisciplinary workforce dedicated to improving outcomes for children and youth with autism and developmental disabilities.

Ensure strong interdisciplinary training design align curriculum with autism and developmental disability care demonstrate measurable workforce impact include robust evaluation plan