Identify and Evaluate Potential Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

The Centers for Disease Control/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) is seeking investigator-initiated research that will identify and evaluate potential risk factors contributing to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), with preferred focus on research proposals that will examine factors related to military service, contact sports, traumatic brain injury, neuroinflammation, and infectious agents. Research proposals on preferred topics can be funded under one of three funding options, Funding Option A, Funding Option B, or Funding Option C. Funding Option A is intended to support ALS risk factor research investigations that have an existing, well substantiated evidence base and would benefit from strengthened rigorous evaluation. Funding Option B is intended to support novel ALS risk factor research investigations that may or may not have an existing evidence base, may be supported by limited and insufficient preliminary research, and are exploratory and developmental in nature. Funding Option C is intended to support research and better understanding of ALS risk including prevalence and incidence in communities such as racial and ethnic minority populations (e.g., Black or African American persons, Hispanic or Latino persons, Asian persons) and military veterans.