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, specifically through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s Division of Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development. This federal initiative is designed to strengthen the national workforce that serves children and youth with autism and other developmental disabilities by supporting interdisciplinary training programs. The program builds on longstanding federal investments in workforce capacity and emphasizes improving screening, diagnosis, and service delivery across the lifespan. The primary purpose of the program is to increase the number and expertise of professionals, family members, and individuals with lived experience who are prepared to address the complex needs of children and youth with autism and developmental disabilities. Funded programs are expected to deliver comprehensive training that integrates academic, clinical, leadership, and community-based components. The initiative also prioritizes interdisciplinary collaboration across more than thirty disciplines and requires inclusion of individuals with disabilities and family members as both trainees and faculty participants. Funding is provided through multiple tiers with varying award ceilings, depending on the scale of the training program and the number of trainees supported. Awards are structured over a five-year period of performance, beginning in late 2026 and extending through mid-2031. Funds may be used for training-related expenses, faculty support, trainee stipends, curriculum development, and program operations, subject to federal cost principles. Indirect costs are capped at eight percent of modified total direct costs, and there is no cost-sharing requirement. Optional supplemental funding opportunities are available to support pediatric audiology workforce expansion and emerging issues in the field. Eligibility is limited to domestic public or nonprofit entities, including institutions of higher education, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations with or without federal tax-exempt status. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to implement interdisciplinary training programs and meet specific requirements related to trainee recruitment, faculty composition, and program infrastructure. Additional eligibility considerations apply to trainees receiving support under the program, including citizenship or qualified residency status. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a comprehensive project narrative, budget and budget justification, staffing plan, organizational chart, agreements with partner organizations, and supporting documentation. Applicants must adhere to strict formatting requirements and provide detailed plans for training, evaluation, partnerships, and sustainability. The application deadline is July 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, and applicants are encouraged to complete federal registration requirements in advance. Applications are evaluated through a competitive merit review process using criteria such as demonstrated need, program design, performance evaluation plans, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Awards are contingent on funding availability, merit review outcomes, and alignment with agency priorities. Successful applicants can expect notification around the project start date, with ongoing reporting requirements throughout the five-year performance period. The program operates on a recurring basis as part of federal appropriations cycles, although specific funding levels and timelines may vary annually. Applicants are advised to monitor official HRSA communications for updates, webinars, and technical assistance opportunities. Program contacts are available via email and phone through the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau for both programmatic and financial inquiries.

Align proposal with interdisciplinary training requirements and clearly demonstrate workforce impact; ensure strong evaluation metrics and trainee recruitment strategy; follow formatting and attachment requirements strictly