Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 21 002
The NINDS Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Center Without Walls (P20 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-NS-21-002) is an NIH exploratory grant mechanism designed to jump-start entirely new, multi-institutional research consortia focused on solving a major, clearly defined problem in Parkinson's disease (PD). Rather than funding mature center programs, this FOA is positioned as a planning and early initiation award: it supports the work needed to bring a high-caliber team together, formalize how the collaboration will operate across institutions, and generate enough early evidence and coordination to compete for a later, larger "Udall Center Without Walls" effort. The intent is to create a structured, goal-driven consortium that can remove a specific roadblock limiting progress in understanding PD or improving treatment.
Applications are expected to be tightly organized around an essential PD research challenge that is both fundamental and actionable. The strongest proposals will do four things well: identify a top-priority scientific or translational question in PD; assemble an exemplary, transdisciplinary consortium with the right mix of expertise to address that question; produce supportive preliminary data through feasibility-style efforts; and lay out a targeted strategy showing strong potential to break through a critical impediment to progress in PD. The research focus can include studies of related synucleinopathies only when those studies directly serve the central Parkinson's challenge, keeping PD as the anchor of the overall program.
A defining feature of this FOA is its emphasis on new collaborations. Funding is intended for newly formed consortia, not for continuing established teams or ongoing multi-investigator projects that are already functioning. In practical terms, the application needs to demonstrate that the consortium is being created or substantially newly configured for this opportunity, with a clear rationale for why the combined capabilities of the group are uniquely suited to solving the stated challenge. The consortium must be anchored by at least one investigator with recognized expertise in Parkinson's disease research, and it must also integrate at least one investigator whose primary expertise lies in a different, complementary field. This cross-pollination requirement is meant to bring in cutting-edge approaches, novel conceptual frameworks, or specialized methods that are not already typical within traditional PD research groups.
Leadership and team quality are central review considerations. The Program Director/Principal Investigator is expected to provide strong scientific vision as well as effective administrative oversight, reflecting the reality that "center without walls" models require disciplined coordination across sites. Participating investigators should be world-class experts in their respective domains, reinforcing that NINDS is looking for unusually strong teams capable of moving a difficult problem forward quickly once the consortium is established.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is offered by the Department of Health and Human Services through NIH (specifically NINDS) under CFDA 93.853, categorized as a health-related discretionary grant. The award ceiling is listed as $300,000, with an expectation of around four awards. The FOA is broad in eligible applicant types, including a wide range of public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and multiple levels of government entities, along with certain tribal governments and tribal organizations. The original posting reflects a creation date of July 15, 2020, and an original closing date of September 28, 2020.
Overall, this grant is best understood as a structured on-ramp to a larger NINDS Udall Center Without Walls program: it funds the early-stage consortium building, governance, and feasibility work needed to tackle a high-impact Parkinson's disease challenge with a deliberately cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional team.Apply for RFA NS 21 002
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NINDS Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Center Without Walls (P20 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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 Jul 15, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 28, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NINDS Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Center Without Walls (P20) opportunity?
This funding opportunity (RFA-NS-21-002) is an NIH/NINDS exploratory grant mechanism intended to jump-start entirely new, multi-institutional research consortia aimed at solving a major, clearly defined problem in Parkinson's disease (PD). It is positioned as a planning and early initiation award rather than support for mature center programs.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The purpose is to create a structured, goal-driven consortium that can remove a specific roadblock limiting progress in understanding Parkinson's disease or improving treatment. It supports consortium formation, coordination across institutions, and feasibility-style work to generate early evidence and readiness to compete for a later, larger Udall Center Without Walls effort.
Is this meant for established PD centers or ongoing consortia?
No. A defining feature of this FOA is the emphasis on new collaborations. Funding is intended for newly formed consortia, not continuing established teams or ongoing multi-investigator projects that are already functioning.
What kind of research focus is expected?
Applications are expected to be tightly organized around an essential Parkinson's disease research challenge that is both fundamental and actionable, with the goal of overcoming a critical impediment to progress in PD.
What does NINDS mean by a "major, clearly defined problem" in Parkinson's disease?
Based on the FOA description, it refers to an essential PD research challenge that is high priority, clearly framed, and targeted at a specific roadblock that limits progress in understanding Parkinson's disease or improving treatment.
What are the key features of a strong application under this FOA?
The strongest proposals are expected to: (1) identify a top-priority scientific or translational question in PD; (2) assemble an exemplary, transdisciplinary consortium with the right mix of expertise; (3) produce supportive preliminary data through feasibility-style efforts; and (4) present a targeted strategy with strong potential to break through a critical impediment to progress in PD.
What does "Center Without Walls" imply in this context?
It refers to a multi-institutional consortium model that operates across sites rather than within a single physical center. The FOA emphasizes disciplined coordination, governance, and collaboration structures to make cross-site work effective.
What does it mean that this is a planning and early initiation award?
It means the award is intended to support early-stage consortium building and formalization, including how the collaboration will operate across institutions, and to support feasibility-style research that generates early evidence and readiness for a subsequent, larger effort.
Does the FOA require multi-institutional participation?
Yes. The opportunity is explicitly designed to launch new multi-institutional research consortia.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The opportunity is described as "P20 Clinical Trial Optional," indicating that clinical trials are not required under the mechanism as described.
Can the research include related synucleinopathies?
Yes, but only when those studies directly serve the central Parkinson's disease challenge. Parkinson's disease must remain the anchor of the overall program.
What are the team composition expectations?
The consortium must be anchored by at least one investigator with recognized expertise in Parkinson's disease research and must also integrate at least one investigator whose primary expertise lies in a different, complementary field.
Why does the FOA require at least one non-PD expert?
The cross-pollination requirement is meant to bring in cutting-edge approaches, novel conceptual frameworks, or specialized methods that are not already typical within traditional PD research groups.
What is expected of the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI)?
The PD/PI is expected to provide strong scientific vision and effective administrative oversight, reflecting the coordination demands of a "center without walls" model operating across multiple sites.
How important is leadership and investigator quality in review?
Leadership and team quality are described as central review considerations. Participating investigators are expected to be world-class experts in their respective domains, and the consortium should be unusually strong and capable of moving a difficult problem forward quickly once established.
What level of funding is available?
The award ceiling is listed as $300,000.
How many awards are expected?
The FOA states an expectation of around four awards.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
What is the CFDA number and grant category?
The CFDA number is 93.853, and it is categorized as a health-related discretionary grant.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations such as public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including small businesses); multiple levels of government entities; and certain tribal governments and tribal organizations.
Is this grant only for academic institutions?
No. Eligibility is broad and includes academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), government entities, and certain tribal governments and tribal organizations.
What does the FOA expect applicants to demonstrate about the consortium being "new"?
The application needs to demonstrate that the consortium is being created or substantially newly configured for this opportunity, and it should provide a clear rationale for why the combined capabilities of the group are uniquely suited to solving the stated Parkinson's disease challenge.
What kinds of activities does the FOA support?
Based on the description, supported activities include bringing a high-caliber team together, formalizing collaboration operations across institutions, establishing structured governance and coordination, and generating supportive preliminary data through feasibility-style efforts.
How does this FOA relate to a later Udall Center Without Walls effort?
This opportunity is described as an on-ramp: it funds early-stage consortium building, governance, and feasibility work intended to position the team to compete for a later, larger "Udall Center Without Walls" program.
What are the original posting and closing dates listed for this FOA?
The original posting reflects a creation date of July 15, 2020, and an original closing date of September 28, 2020.
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