[National Institutes of Health (NIH)](https://www.nih.gov/)

February 6, 2026 (estimated)

Total funding, award ceiling, and number of awards TBD; 5-year project period expected

Supports interdisciplinary team science to discover causes of Parkinson’s Disease through innovative, integrated research projects.

This is a forecasted opportunity; applications are not yet being solicited.

--- ## Description The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the NIH, is preparing a funding opportunity for the Morris K. Udall Discovery Centers without Walls (DCWoW) for Parkinson’s Disease Research. This initiative aims to promote innovative, interdisciplinary team science to uncover the causes of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. The DCWoW program will support integrated research projects—rather than individual projects or cores—focused on a central research challenge in PD etiology, with the goal of fostering breakthroughs not possible through traditional grant mechanisms. Applicant teams will define a unified research strategy, leveraging diverse expertise (potentially including fields outside PD research), and must involve 3–6 Multiple Principal Investigators (MPIs) collaborating on each Specific Aim. The program encourages new collaborations and expects significant, measurable outcomes within a five-year period. Both basic and clinical research approaches are welcome. --- ## Due Dates - **Estimated Funding Opportunity Announcement Publication:** October 6, 2025 - **Estimated Application Due Date:** February 6, 2026 - **Earliest Award Date:** October 6, 2026 - **Earliest Project Start Date:** November 6, 2026 *Note: These dates are forecasts and may change when the official Notice of Funding Opportunity is published.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated Total Funding:** To be determined - **Award Ceiling:** To be determined - **Award Floor:** Not specified - **Project Duration:** 5 years anticipated - **Number of Awards:** To be determined *Full details on funding levels and award structure will be provided in the forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity.* --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Private institutions of higher education - Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education) - State, county, and local governments - Independent school districts - Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other) - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - U.S. territories and possessions - Regional organizations - Eligible agencies of the federal government *Interdisciplinary teams with 3–6 MPIs are required, and broad expertise is encouraged.* --- ## Application Process - The opportunity is currently **forecasted**; applications are not being accepted at this time. - The official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is expected to be published in autumn 2025. - Teams interested in applying are encouraged to begin developing collaborations and project concepts now. - The application will use the NIH RM1 activity code, emphasizing a single, integrated research plan rather than multiple separate projects. --- ## Additional Information - The DCWoW initiative will not fund individual projects or research cores; instead, it supports a unified, multidisciplinary research effort. - Projects should focus on innovation and discovery in PD etiology, potentially including related conditions such as Lewy body dementias and multiple system atrophy. - The program is designed to achieve significant outcomes within a five-year period, factoring in the inherent risks of discovery research. --- ## External Links - [NIH Opportunity Forecast on Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356204) - [Official NIH Notice (NOT-NS-24-061)](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-NS-24-061.html) - [NINDS Parkinson’s Disease Research Centers](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/current-research/focus-disorders/parkinsons-disease-research/parkinsons-disease-research-centers-excellence) - [World Health Organization 2022 Technical Brief on Parkinson’s Disease](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240050983) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Affiliation | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | Beth-Anne Sieber, PhD | [beth-anne.sieber@nih.gov](mailto:beth-anne.sieber@nih.gov) | 301-827-3587 | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) |

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)

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