The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, has issued a funding opportunity titled "Innovative Screening Approaches and Therapies for Screenable Disorders in Newborns (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional)." This initiative aims to promote research and development of new screening and therapeutic strategies for conditions already included in newborn screening panels, as well as for potentially fatal genetic disorders that could benefit from early detection. The R21 exploratory grant is designed for innovative projects that can generate preliminary data and is open to various organizations, including higher education institutions, nonprofits, and governmental bodies. Applications are encouraged to explore topics such as new screening technologies, treatment optimization, and the social implications of screening. The combined budget for projects is capped at $275,000 over two years. Submission deadlines commence on January 16, 2025, with awards expected to follow a rigorous peer review process. The program emphasizes the importance of data sharing and encourages applicants to utilize existing repositories to enhance the accessibility of research findings. Overall, the funding opportunity aligns with national health policies to improve newborn health outcomes through advanced screening and early intervention methods.