Notice Number: NOT-NS-13-040

Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:

• May 19, 2014 - See Notice NOT-NS-14-033. Notice to update information provided.
• October 24, 2013 - See Notice NOT-NS-14-001. Notice to Correct the Anticipated Application Due Date.

Key Dates
Release Date: September 23, 2013
Estimated Publication Date of Announcement: November 2013
First Estimated Application Due Date: January 2014 (New Date April 2014 per NOT-NS-14-001)
Earliest Estimated Award Date: July 2014
Earliest Estimated Start Date: July 2014

Related Announcements
None

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

Purpose

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive movement disorder that affects at least half a million people in the United States, as well as the relatives and friends who care for them. The average age of onset is during the sixth decade, although earlier onset is also possible, and the incidence of PD is expected to increase as the population ages. While significant research advances continue, the full complexity of PD etiology is not yet evident. Moreover, currently available treatments are primarily symptomatic, and neither slow or halt disease progression. Challenges posed by the inherent complexity of PD are often best addressed by multidisciplinary research teams working in tandem to surmount obstacles and seize opportunities to advance knowledge and improve treatment. However, development of an effective team, identification of an optimal strategy and collection of preliminary data to address a particular challenge in PD require dedicated time and resources.

Therefore, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) will solicit Exploratory Grant (P20) applications proposing planning for and initiation of collaborative research activities to advance PD research. The goal of this program is to formalize collaborative structures and establish a foundation of research discovery necessary to address intransigent issues in PD research, such that successful exploratory studies lead to a subsequent application for support of a collaborative, multidisciplinary NINDS Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence (P50). To foster the development of innovative research collaborations, this FOA will provide support for new projects, not continuation of projects that have already been initiated.

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 Fall 2013 with an expected application due date in January 2013.

Research Initiative Details

This NINDS Exploratory Grant Program will provide support for collaborative, multidisciplinary groups to plan a future application on elucidation, disease modification or prevention of Parkinson's disease. The most compelling P20 applications will address a unifying theme and pursue a focused, consortium-based strategy to develop a research approach in which near-term, significant progress can be made. Collaborative teams will include expertise required to address critical gaps in knowledge that are barriers to therapeutic translation of research findings; collaborations between public and private sector are encouraged. Related activities may include preliminary data generation, pilot feasibility studies and other organizational activities necessary to prepare a full scale NINDS Udall Center application. Proposed pilot studies must be defined within the application. Proposals may include any combination of basic, translational and clinical components required for the planning of a subsequent application. Interventional clinical trials will not be included in this FOA. Applicants will also be expected to address the significance of outcomes for PD research and treatment should a subsequent full-scale Udall Center grant be awarded. Successful applicants will establish a proof-of-concept experimental framework that could be generalized to organize subsequent research efforts to meet specific challenges in PD research.

Applicants may request maximum annual direct costs of $300,000 per year, for up to three years.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOT BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Beth-Anne Sieber, PhD
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 301-496-5680
Email: [email protected]