1kD

1kD — Execution

Funds United Kingdom infant brain development research programs focused on translational collaboration.

The 1kD program is a $45 million Wellcome Leap initiative focused on the first thousand days of infant life — roughly ages 0 to 3 — a developmental window with outsized long-term consequences for brain health. Program Director Dr. Holly Baines leads a multi-team effort to develop integrated models and measurement tools for brain network development in infants, with a specific performance target: create scalable methods that improve executive function outcomes by at least 20% in 80% of children before age 3. Wellcome Leap applies its global ARPA-for-health model to 1kD, recruiting experts across life sciences, engineering, and computer science from universities, nonprofits, and the private sector.

The inaugural solicitation cycle has closed and performer teams have been selected. As of mid-2026, the program is in active execution, with no open call for new performers. Eligible organization types for the original solicitation spanned universities, research institutions, and private-sector organizations; the program implied global eligibility consistent with Wellcome Leap's standard model of accepting applicants from any legal jurisdiction. The total $45 million program budget is deployed across a cohort of multi-disciplinary performer teams working on integrated brain development models and scalable intervention tools.

Organizations working in infant neurodevelopment, early childhood measurement, or scalable pediatric interventions should monitor Wellcome Leap's website for any future 1kD solicitation cycles. Wellcome Leap programs typically run multi-year execution periods (3–5 years) before any follow-on solicitation opens. The program's milestone-based contract model means funded performers are held to measurable outcomes — in this case, the specific executive function improvement target — with Wellcome Leap providing active program management throughout execution.