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National Institutes of Health

TRDNT Challenge Phase II: Prototype Development and Use Case Demonstration

Pays up to $120,000 per Interim Milestone winner and up to $320,000 per Final Submission winner to US-based researchers, startups and institutions that build a working prototype technology able to target endogenous RNA in human disease.

OpenNational Institutes of HealthUnited States

A Phase II submission has to cover four required elements: evidence that an initial prototype has actually been developed, a worked example of how the technology would target a disease-relevant RNA, metrics of success and efficacy in treating human disease, and a public access and dissemination document for the eventual technology, including an external partner already lined up to help carry that …

The challenge wants novel technologies that target endogenous RNA to treat disease, including approaches that modify RNA-protein interactions, target long non-coding RNAs, screen for RNA-targeting small molecules, or modify aberrant RNA structures for therapeutic purposes. It is open to teams of individuals, startups, small, mid-size or large businesses, non-profit organizations, and academic or independent research institutions based in the US, including SBIR/STTR-aligned innovators and biotech founders.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.1 Feb 2027
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$13.1M

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