NINDS Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research (P50) | RFA NS 17 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 17 001

The NINDS Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research (P50) funding opportunity (RFA-NS-17-001) supports the creation or continuation of highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research centers focused on Parkinson's disease (PD). Run by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the program is designed to build a network of specialized "Udall Centers" that can work both independently and together to clarify the causes of PD and accelerate the development of better treatments. The program is not aimed at single-project research; it is intentionally structured around center-level synergy, shared infrastructure, and coordinated leadership so that the combined work of the center achieves more than any individual lab or project could accomplish on its own.

A core expectation is that each applicant Center defines a clear, unifying research theme that targets a critical challenge in PD research. That theme should drive the selection and integration of the proposed research projects and cores, and the overall program should substantially advance understanding of PD etiology, disease mechanisms (pathogenesis), and/or therapeutic development. Research on related synucleinopathies may be included, but only when it directly helps address the Center's defined PD-focused challenge, rather than serving as a separate or loosely related line of work.

Structurally, applications must include at least three distinct research projects, organized to demonstrate meaningful interdependence and shared goals. In addition to these projects, the Center must propose research cores that provide essential services, resources, or expertise; each research core must be necessary for at least two of the proposed projects, reinforcing that the projects are linked and truly benefit from a Center model. An Administrative Core is also required to oversee governance, coordination, budgeting, communication, and overall management. Reviewers will be looking for evidence that the Center's aims cannot be realistically achieved without the integrated Center structure, including strong cross-project collaboration, shared methods or datasets, and coordinated scientific direction.

Beyond research, Udall Centers are expected to function as hubs of leadership and community engagement in PD. Each application must include a mission statement and a concrete career enhancement plan for Center researchers, reflecting the program's emphasis on developing and supporting the next generation of PD investigators and strengthening the professional growth of participating scientists. Applicants must also provide a plan for regular and effective outreach to the local PD patient and advocacy community, positioning the Center as an accessible regional resource that communicates advances, engages stakeholders, and fosters connections between research and the affected community.

Leadership and institutional support are central to competitiveness. The Center Director (PD/PI) must be an established scientific leader with a strong track record, demonstrated ability to manage complex, large-scale research efforts, and the vision to guide an integrated program across multiple projects and cores. In parallel, the applicant institution is expected to show a real commitment to the Center, including tangible support for establishing or sustaining the proposed Udall Center. Funding decisions prioritize applications that are both scientifically compelling and well-positioned to contribute to the broader Udall network through collaboration, sharing, and coordinated progress across the Centers program.

Eligibility for application is broad across U.S.-based organizations and government entities, including state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions and non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible; however, foreign components as defined by NIH policy are allowed, meaning portions of the research may be carried out abroad when appropriately justified and compliant with NIH rules.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NIH grant mechanism in the health funding category (CFDA 93.853). The opportunity listed an original closing date of December 14, 2016, and anticipated making one award, with the award ceiling not specified in the provided source data. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at ambitious, integrated Centers that can show true scientific synergy, strong leadership, rigorous plans for shared infrastructure, and meaningful commitments to researcher development and patient-community outreach, all aligned around a focused and high-impact PD research challenge.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NINDS Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research (P50)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-08-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-12-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA NS 17 001

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