Notice Number: NOT-NS-18-084

Key Dates

Issued by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Purpose

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) intends to publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit applications for Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research.

The overarching goal of the NINDS Udall Centers of Excellence program is to establish a network of Centers that work collaboratively as well as independently to define the causes of and discover improved treatments for PD. Udall Centers pursue high-impact, synergistic research projects while serving as national leaders in PD research, and local resources for research career enhancement and outreach to the PD patient/advocacy community. Another important goal is to further advance PD research through broad sharing of data and research resources developed through this Centers program. The NINDS Udall Centers program prioritizes innovative and integrative research with significant potential for discovery. Udall Center applications are expected to identify and address an overall research theme that defines a critical challenge in PD research, emphasize novel ideas and approaches, as well as to utilize state-of-the-art technologies and a team-based approach to achieve stated goals. The overall theme of each Center, proposed research projects, and cores will inform the etiology, pathogenesis or treatment of PD; investigations on related synucleinopathies may be included if such studies directly address the identified PD research challenge.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.

The FOA is expected to be published in Autumn 2018 with an expected application due date in Winter 2018.

This FOA will utilize the Specialized Center (P50) activity code. Details of the planned FOA are provided below.

Research Initiative Details

This Notice encourages investigators with expertise and insights into this area of Parkinson's Disease (PD) to begin to consider applying for this new FOA.

Among the areas of research encouraged in this initiative is the examination of the mechanisms that underlie the effects of PD as well as research designed to improve the translation of existing knowledge of strategies for the prevention and treatment of PD.

The overarching goal of the specialized Udall Centers program is to establish a network of Centers that work collaboratively as well as independently to define the causes of and discover improved treatments for Parkinson’s disease (PD). A more immediate goal for each Center is to rapidly advance synergistic, interdisciplinary research programs while serving as national leaders in PD research. Udall Centers also serve as local resources by organizing research career enhancement activities for Center investigators and periodic outreach to the PD patient/advocacy community. Applicants are expected to identify and address an overall research theme that defines a critical challenge in PD research. The stated theme, proposed research projects, and associated cores will inform the etiology, pathogenesis or treatment of PD; investigations on related synucleinopathies may be included if such studies directly address the identified PD research challenge. Requirements include 1) a minimum of three research projects; 2) research cores that are each essential to accomplish the aims of at least two proposed research projects, plus an Administrative Core; 3) a mission statement and plan for career enhancement of Center researchers; and 4) a plan for effective outreach to the local patient community. The NINDS Udall Centers program prioritizes innovative and integrative research with significant potential for discovery. A considerable degree of synergy must be evident among Center research projects and cores, such that successful completion of the aims could not be accomplished without the Center structure. The Udall Center Director (PD/PI) must be an established leader in scientific research with visionary leadership skills and proven expertise in the stewardship of large-scale research programs; participating investigators must lead independent research programs. Eligible institutions must demonstrate commitment to and support for the establishment and/or continuation of the proposed Udall Center. Funding decisions will focus on those applications most likely to make significant contributions to PD research, as well as those with greatest potential to collaborate effectively across the Centers program.

Funding Information

Estimated Total Funding $2,500,000 direct costs
Expected Number of AwardsThe NINDS will support up to 2 awards, pending receipt of meritorious applications and NIH appropriations.
Estimated Award Ceiling $825,000 direct costs (DC); $1,250,00 DC for applications proposing clinical and/or translational components.
Primary CFDA Numbers 93.853

Anticipated Eligible Organizations

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to: