Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NOURISH: Autoimmunity Challenge?

The NOURISH: Autoimmunity Challenge is an NIH-led prize competition to crowdsource innovative ideas on how to integrate diet and nutrition into autoimmune disease research.

Who can participate?

The NOURISH: Autoimmunity Challenge is open to everyone, including:

People living with and at risk for autoimmunity
Advocacy Groups
Caregivers
Organizations
Scientists
Healthcare professionals
Dieticians and nutritionists

Eligible participants must be:

S. citizens or permanent residents
S.-based entities (companies, nonprofits, universities, etc.)

Federal employees (acting in official capacity), NIH staff, and Challenge judges may not participate. See Challenge Rules for full eligibility details.

What is the prize purse?

NIH will award up to $150,000 in total prizes. It is anticipated that up to 15 prizes of $10,000 each may be awarded.

How do I register?

You must register by logging into www.challenge.gov and completing and electronically submitting the Challenge Registration Form. Applications that have not completed the Challenge Registration Form will not be judged.

What should my submission include?

Submit a Challenge Registration Form through the Microsoft Form, and submit a PDF narrative (max 6 pages, English, 11-pt Calibri, 1-inch margins) through the NOURISH: Autoimmunity Challenge page. The narrative must cover: (1) scope and scientific rationale, (2) submitter and community engagement, (3) potential impact, (4) feasibility, and (5) innovation. Upload via Challenge.gov by December 4, 2025, following the portal steps to attach your file and certify the rules before submitting.

Full submission requirements can be found on NOURISH: Autoimmunity Challenge page under the “How to Enter” tab.

How do I submit?

Step 1: Go to www.challenge.gov
Step 2: Find the NOURISH: Autoimmunity Challenge and read the instructions
Step 3: Submit the Challenge Registration Form
Step 4: Build your team
Step 5: Brainstorm and Collaborate on your Ideas
Step 6: Write your Submission Narrative
Step 7: Upload your Submission Package to www.challenge.gov

How will submissions be judged?

Judges will evaluate ideas, equally weighting each of these criterion:

Understanding of the Problem and Scientific Rationale
Engagement
Potential Impact
Feasibility
Innovation

Full judging criteria can be found on NOURISH: Autoimmunity Challenge under the “Judging” tab.

What happens after submission?

Entries will be judged by a group of judges. All criteria will be weighted equally.

Judging Period: January – February 2026
Winners Announced: March 2026

Where can I learn more?

Read the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Autoimmune Disease Research
Contact us at oadrinfo@nih.gov with additional questions.

Accessibility and Inclusion

We are committed to making this challenge accessible to all. Materials are Section 508-compliant. If you need additional accommodations or assistance, please contact us at oadrinfo@nih.gov.

Challenge is powered by Ensemble under Contract with the NASA Tournament Lab & National Institutes of Health

Office of Autoimmune Disease Research (OADR-ORWH)