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

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications for the Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinsons 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 Parkinsons disease (PD). A more immediate goal for each Center is to rapidly advance synergistic, interdisciplinary research programs while serving as national leaders in PD research. Udall Centers also serve as local resources by organizing research career enhancement activities for Center investigators and periodic outreach to the PD patient/advocacy community. Applicants are expected to identify and address an overall research theme that defines a critical challenge in PD research. The stated theme, proposed research projects, and associated cores will inform the etiology, pathogenesis or treatment of PD; investigations on related synucleinopathies may be included if such studies directly address the identified PD research challenge. Requirements include 1) a minimum of three research projects; 2) research cores that are each essential to accomplish the aims of at least two proposed research projects, plus an Administrative Core; 3) a mission statement and plan for career enhancement of Center trainees and investigators; and 4) a plan for effective outreach, including dissemination of Udall Center research results, to the local patient and advocacy community. The NINDS Udall Centers program prioritizes innovative and integrative research with significant potential for discovery. 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.