NINDS Neuroscience Funding Announcements

Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research (P50)

Funding Contact(s): Beth-Anne Sieber, Ph.D.
Funding Categories: Neurodegeneration

Brief Description:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) invites new and renewal applications for the Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research program. The overarching goal of the specialized Udall Centers program is to establish a network of Centers that work collaboratively as well as independently to define the causes of and discover improved treatments for Parkinson’s disease (PD). A more immediate goal for each Center is to rapidly advance synergistic basic, translational and clinical research programs while serving as local resources and national leaders in PD research. The overall theme, proposed research projects, and associated cores must inform the etiology, pathogenesis or treatment of PD. Investigations on related parkinsonian disorders may be included, to the extent that these directly inform research on PD. Required components include: 1) a minimum of three interdisciplinary research projects, with at least one translational research project focusing on the development of therapeutics, diagnostics, or clinical criteria that would ultimately lead to new approaches for the treatment of PD; 2) Research Cores that are essential to accomplish the aims of proposed research projects, plus an Administrative Core; and 3) a specific plan to provide for training of PD researchers. Because basic research serves as the foundation for discovery in the Udall Centers program, NINDS programmatic priorities will focus on applications that propose multidisciplinary programs including a well-integrated basic research project. A considerable degree of synergy must be evident among Center research projects and Cores, such that successful completion of the aims could not be accomplished without the Center structure. The Udall Center Director (PD/PI) must be an established leader in scientific research with visionary leadership skills and proven expertise in research project and personnel management. Eligible institutions must demonstrate commitment to and support for the establishment and continuation of the proposed Udall Center. Funding decisions will focus on those applications evincing the capacity for innovative contributions to PD research, as well as the potential to contribute new ideas to and collaborate effectively across the Centers program. Successful applicants will participate in a network of existing Udall Centers to foster the translation of scientific findings and technological developments into novel treatments for PD. Contact with the NINDS program officer at initial stages of program planning is encouraged.

Grant Mechanism: P50
NIH Guide: RFA-NS-13-006
Release Date: 2012-11-23
Expiration Date: 2013-01-24