NIH RNA Funding Opportunity: Phase II Stage I Announced
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced Phase II of the Targeting RNA in Disease with Novel Technologies (TRDNT) Challenge, a prize competition designed to accelerate the development of novel, precision RNA-targeting technologies for diseases that have long been untreatable.
Phase II offers up to $7.8 million in total prizes, with a focus on prototype development and use case demonstration. Unlike a grant, this is a prize challenge, so winners may use the funds at their discretion to further develop their technology.
Phase II: Stage I is open to U.S-based academic RNA researchers, early-stage innovators, research organizations, and biotech startups, among others. Phase I participation is not required.
Interested? Register for an info session to learn more about the challenge, eligibility, prize structure, and what the NIH is looking for.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway to receive the recording.
Application Deadline
Applications open December 1st, 2026, and close February 1st, 2027.