Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Morris K. Udall Discovery Centers without Walls (DCWoW) for Parkinson's Disease Research (RM1 - Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a forecasted Notice of Intent to publish a funding opportunity announcement for the Morris K. Udall Discovery Centers without Walls (DCWoW) for Parkinson’s Disease Research. This initiative seeks to promote collaborative team science to investigate the underlying causes of Parkinson’s disease (PD) through the integration of diverse scientific expertise. The funding will be issued through the RM1 activity code, which supports multidisciplinary research teams, and clinical trials are optional. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that severely impacts motor and non-motor functions and affects over 500,000 individuals across the United States. It is associated with symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability, along with non-motor symptoms including cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, pain, and autonomic dysfunction. Despite biomedical advances identifying both environmental and genetic contributors to PD, no cure exists, and current treatments only provide partial relief. As the population ages, the incidence and societal burden of PD continue to increase more rapidly than many other neurological disorders. This upcoming funding opportunity is part of the broader NINDS Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research program, which has been a cornerstone of NIH’s efforts since its establishment through the Morris K. Udall Parkinson’s Disease Research Act in 1998. The DCWoW initiative is envisioned as a new, more flexible extension of this program that facilitates discovery-focused research not easily conducted under traditional grant mechanisms. It will encourage applicants to form robust, collaborative teams and focus on high-impact scientific questions relating to the biological basis and progression of PD and related synucleinopathies. The estimated post date for the full NOFO is October 6, 2025, with applications due by February 6, 2026. Award notices are anticipated to be made by October 6, 2026, and funded projects are expected to start by November 6, 2026. There are currently no stated figures for award ceilings, floors, or total program funding. Additionally, there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which makes the opportunity accessible to a wide range of applicants. Eligible entities include higher education institutions, both public and private, as well as local and state governments, public housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations and governments, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, for-profit entities other than small businesses, and small businesses. The aim is to attract a diverse pool of applicants capable of executing high-level, multidisciplinary research. Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin planning their collaborative research frameworks and preparing for this complex and high-impact opportunity. For additional information, the primary contact is Dr. Beth Anne Sieber at NINDS, reachable by phone at 301-827-3587 or via email at Beth-Anne.Sieber@nih.gov.