Problem
Many human diseases are driven by RNA dysfunction or by difficult-to-drug proteins, making them challenging to treat with existing approaches. While RNA has often been used as a treatment for disease, it has rarely been utilized directly as a therapeutic target to address unmet medical needs.
About the Challenge
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is launching the Targeting RNA in Disease with Novel Technologies (TRDNT) Challenge to spur the development, validation, and dissemination of novel technologies that target RNA in human disease. TRDNT is the latest initiative from NIH's Common Fund Venture Program, supporting short-term projects with long-term impact across NIH Institutes, Centers, and the Office of the Director.
The Goal
This challenge is intended to encourage new approaches to therapeutic development, especially for diseases linked to RNA dysfunction or diseases driven by difficult-to-drug proteins that may be addressed upstream at the RNA level.
In Phase I (Planning and Proposal Development), participants will:
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Describe a novel RNA-targeting technology
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Explain the health need it addresses
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Outline how the approach could be developed into a prototype in a future phase
$13.1 Million - Total Prize Purse
$500K
Phase I
Phases II & III
Up to $12.6 Million
*Announcement of additional phases and prizes of this Challenge is at the discretion of NIH and contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for this purpose can be made.
Before You Apply
TRDNT is intended for novel technologies that target endogenous RNA to treat disease. This challenge is not focused on standard RNA-based therapeutic programs unless the proposed approach specifically targets endogenous RNA in a way that aligns with the challenge goals.
Applicants need to carefully review the official rules before preparing a submission.
Strong submissions are expected to:
• Focus on technologies that target endogenous RNA
• Present a novel and innovative approach
• Show relevance across multiple diseases
• Demonstrate a clear path toward prototype development
• Follow the official rules and submission guidance closely
Who Should Consider This Challenge
If you are a US-based researcher, innovator, or organization developing new ways to target endogenous RNA in human disease, this challenge is for you. This includes: teams of individuals, startups, small or mid-size businesses, large businesses, non-profit organizations, and academic or independent research institutions.
Some examples may include:
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Academic researchers and translational labs
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Teams exploring RNA small molecule, RNA structure, spliceosome, ribosome, or RNA protein interaction approaches
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Biotech founders and early-stage companies
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University technology transfer and commercialization teams
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SBIR and STTR-aligned innovators
We encourage broad participation from diverse institutions, regions, and technical backgrounds.
What NIH is Looking For
Competitive submissions should present innovative technologies that modulate RNA in human disease and could support the development of new therapeutic classes. Approaches may include, but are not limited to:
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Technologies that modify RNA-RNA binding protein (RBP) interactions to modulate splicing, stability, or translation
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Methods to target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to regulate gene expression
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Novel assays to identify native RNA-protein interactions and examine therapeutic effects
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Screening libraries designed and validated to be enriched with RNA-targeting small molecules
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Technologies that modify aberrant RNA structures for therapeutic purposes
Submissions are not to be limited to these examples, but they must align with the challenge goal of targeting endogenous RNA in disease.
How the Challenge Works
Phase I: Planning Comprehensive RNA-Targeting Technologies
Participants propose a novel RNA-targeting technology and explain how it could be developed into a prototype.
Prizes
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Up to $20,000 per winner
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25 winners maximum
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Timeline
- Challenge Opens: May 30, 2026
- Submission Window: June – July 2026
- Judging: July – August 2026
- Winners Announced: August 2026
Phase II: Prototype Development and Use Case Demonstration
Open to Phase I winners and qualified new entrants.
Participants advance prototype development and demonstrate a disease-relevant use case. Interim milestone and final prizes available.
Prizes
- Interim Milestone: Up to $120,000 per winner
- 25 winners maximum
- Final Submission: Up to $320,000 per winner
- 15 winners maximum
Timeline (Anticipated)
- Phase II Launch: August 2026
- Interim Milestone Window: November 2026 – January 2027
- Interim Milestone Winners: March 2027
- Final Submission Window: June – July 2027
- Final Winners Announced: October 2027
Phase III: Final Iteration and Technology Dissemination
Open to Phase II final winners only.
Participants validate their technology and finalize a plan to make it publicly available to the scientific community.
Prizes
- Winners: Up to $525,000
- 8 winners
- Runners-Up: Up to $200,000
- 3 winners maximum
Timeline (Anticipated)
- Phase III Launch: November 2027
- Submission Window: August – October 2028
- Winners Announced: January 2029
*Phase I prizes total up to $500,000. Announcement of Phases II and III is at the discretion of NIH.
*All dates are subject to change. Future phase timelines are anticipated and contingent upon NIH discretion.
How To Participate
Applicants should read the full challenge announcement, rules, and submission guidance before preparing a proposal.
Participants are invited to submit a solution proposal describing a novel RNA-targeting technology and how it could be advanced into a working prototype in a later phase.
Key requirement: Winning technologies must be made publicly available. Participants should plan from the outset for open dissemination of their technology to the scientific community.
Have questions? Visit our live FAQ page to find answers to common questions about challenge eligibility, submissions, and timeline.
Virtual Information Sessions Coming Soon
Learn how the TRDNT Challenge is advancing RNA-targeting technologies and how your work could contribute. These sessions will provide an overview of the challenge goals, eligibility, and evaluation criteria, along with guidance on what makes a competitive submission.
You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity on how to align your ideas with the challenge’s objectives.
Be the First In Line When Applications Open
Stay Informed
Interested participants are encouraged to review the official rules and scope to determine whether their technology is a fit for the TRDNT Challenge.
Visit the official NIH challenge page for rules and updates.
For questions, contact the challenge team at info@trdntchallenge.com.