Key Dates

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Issued by

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Purpose

This time-sensitive Request for Information (RFI) seeks input on the most important knowledge gaps, health research needs, and promising opportunities to guide global health activities in neurological diseases and disorders, particularly in respect to research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and mutually beneficial partnerships between LMICs and High-income Countries (HICs).  

Background 

NINDS is committed to supporting collaborative research to advance timely solutions to global health challenges in neurological disorders. NINDS employs a multipronged approach to advance global health research, which includes funding basic, clinical, and translational research, investing in resources and infrastructure, and training researchers at all career stages, while incorporating culturally tailored strategies to address specific regional needs.  

Neurological disorders, including stroke, are increasing rapidly worldwide. Non-communicable  diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death and disability globally and are rising as a result of demographic and epidemiologic changes occurring in both developed and developing countries (1). The prevalence of conditions such as cerebrovascular disease, stroke, neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, epilepsies, traumatic brain injuries, and migraine/headache continue to be leading contributors to global disability-adjusted life years (2).  

Given the growing global challenges presented by neurological conditions, NINDS is conducting a planning effort to establish priorities and actionable strategies for global health research for the next 5 – 10 years.   Inputs into the strategic planning process will include review of NINDS’s previous global health investments, external input from diverse stakeholders, and assessments of efforts of other research funders. The effort will culminate in a public workshop that will enable global dialogue amongst diverse stakeholders and provide meaningful ideas for capacity building in LMICs and global neurological health research opportunities. The findings and results generated from this priority setting effort will be disseminated on the NINDS website and by other means. It is our goal that this process be data-driven, standardized, and transparent, and will assemble a wide range of perspectives from stakeholders interested in building global neurological health research capacity in those regions that need it the most.  

Information requested 

This RFI is intended to help NINDS identify global health research priorities, capacity building and training needs, and best practices or strategies that could facilitate equitable global health research in neurological disorders. The NINDS invites input from all stakeholders, including researchers, health care providers, people with lived experience (e.g., patients with neurological conditions, family members, caregivers), patient advocates, health advocacy organizations, scientific or professional organizations, federal agencies, non-profit and private sector organizations, as well as other interested members of the public. Organizations may consider submitting a response on behalf of the organization or share this RFI link with its members. 

Responses are encouraged to include input on the following topics: 

• The most impactful research opportunities for addressing global neurological health needs 
• Challenges to research progress experienced by LMICs and how they can be addressed 
• Strategies to build and improve sustainable neurological research capacity at LMIC academic/research institutions, including for basic, translational, and clinical research  
• The most important training needs and/or most promising training approaches in global neurological research, including how best to support a pipeline of trained scientists and health professionals in neuroscience 
• Strategies to promote mutually beneficial research partnerships among LMICs and HICs as well as other external stakeholders 
• Examples of current global health research efforts and/or potential partnerships in which NINDS could engage 
• Best practices to promoting equity in global health research, regardless of region or geopolitical situations 
• The most impactful social and/or other determinants of health that affect LMICs and how they can be addressed to improve neurological health outcomes 

How to Submit a Response: 

Reponses to this RFI must be submitted electronically using the web-based form at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/request-information-soliciting-input-opportunities-gaps-and-challenges-global-health-research 

Responses will be accepted through July 1st, 2024. 

Responses are voluntary and may be submitted anonymously. Responders are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Submitted information will not be considered confidential. Responses may be shared publicly on an NIH website. Please do not include any personally identifiable or other information that you do not wish to make public. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. 

This request is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the United States Government. The NIH will not make any awards based on responses to this RFI or pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the Government’s use of such information. 

Inquiries: 

Please direct all inquiries to: 

Email: OGHHDRFI@NINDS.NIH.GOV  

References 

¹ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25049303/  

² https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31813850/  

³  National Advisory Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NANDS) Council: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/about-ninds/who-we-are/national-advisory-neurological-disorders-and-stroke-council  

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Sudha Srinivasan
IC Name: NINDS
Telephone:240-627-3062 
Email: sudha.srinivasan@nih.gov

Sara Dodson
IC Name: NINDS
Telephone: 301-827-7739
Email: sara.dodson@nih.gov