How many IDDRCs are there and where are they located?

The network of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRCs) with AUCD membership consists of 14 Centers, each of which supports 40-100 Research Projects and 20-70 Principal Investigators on an annual basis. Of the fourteen IDDRCs, eight are co-located in universities with UCEDDs or LENDs.

Who funds IDDRCs?

Established in 1963 by Congress, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) supports researchers whose goals are to advance understanding of a variety of conditions and topics related to intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch (IDDB) funds the program, which includes P30 core grants to fourteen research centers, located at universities and children's hospitals throughout the country. For more information about IDDRCs, you can visit the “About IDDRCs” page of the AUCD website. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) website also describes IDDRCs in more detail. 

IDDRC

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) conduct biomedical and behavioral research to advance understanding of a variety of conditions and topics related to intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Although each center differs in their scientific focus, size, and history, they all share a commitment to integrated research opportunities for investigators engaged in basic, clinical, and translational science related to IDDs.

IDDRCs also contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based practices by evaluating the effectiveness of biological, biochemical, and behavioral interventions, developing assistive technologies, and advancing prenatal diagnosis and newborn screening. Specific research projects have included evaluation of animals and humans with Autism Spectrum Disorders, multimodal treatment studies in Fragile X syndrome, and studies of complementary treatments. The research that stems from these projects can serve to guide training programs and trainees on the most relevant and up-to-date information available on topics such as: biological or biochemical mechanisms that cause behavioral problems, metabolic issues related to brain functioning/injury, and conditions associated with cognitive impairment.