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 Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), has issued a forecasted funding opportunity announcement titled “Morris K. Udall Discovery Centers without Walls (DCWoW) for Parkinson's Disease Research.” This initiative is grounded in the mission of NINDS to support research aimed at reducing the burden of neurological diseases. In particular, it responds to the escalating societal and health impacts of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a progressive neurological disorder affecting hundreds of thousands across the United States. This new opportunity represents a continuation and evolution of the Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, originally established in 1998 by the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act (Public Law 105-78). The Centers have been a core component of NIH’s strategy to support advanced biomedical research on PD. The primary objective of this grant initiative is to promote integrative, team-based biomedical research aimed at uncovering the root causes of Parkinson’s disease. With an emphasis on discovery science, the program encourages collaborative projects that leverage diverse scientific expertise and methodologies. The program is unique in that it fosters multi-institutional cooperation under a unified research framework—termed “Centers without Walls”—allowing for greater flexibility and interdisciplinary integration compared to more conventional, location-based research centers. Notably, the mechanism (RM1) allows for the inclusion of clinical trials, although participation is optional. Parkinson’s disease remains without a definitive cause or cure, and its treatment options primarily address motor symptoms, often neglecting the complex non-motor symptoms that significantly affect quality of life. The disease manifests most commonly in individuals in their 50s or 60s, although early-onset cases are also prevalent. Symptoms include motor impairments and a wide array of non-motor issues such as sleep disturbances, mood disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and cognitive decline. The NINDS recognizes the increasing prevalence and mortality of PD, compounded by an aging U.S. population, and seeks to address this through targeted biomedical discovery. Applications are not currently being accepted, as this is a notice of intent to publish a formal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) in the near future. The expected publication date of the full FOA is October 6, 2025, with applications likely due by February 6, 2026. Awards will be announced in October 2026 and projects will begin in November 2026, aligning with the fiscal year 2027 funding cycle. This forecast is being shared to give prospective applicants ample time to form collaborative teams and design robust project proposals that align with the goals of the program. Eligible applicants span a broad range of entities, including state governments, county governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding IHEs), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), independent school districts, Native American tribal governments and organizations, and public housing authorities. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The specific funding ceiling, floor, and total program funding are not yet disclosed, as the FOA has not been formally released. Interested parties are encouraged to begin early planning and engage potential research collaborators. Additional guidance and the final application instructions will be available once the FOA is officially published. For further information or questions, applicants can contact Beth Anne Sieber, PhD, at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke via email at Beth-Anne.Sieber@nih.gov or phone at 301-827-3587.