The NINDS Human Cell and Data Repository (U24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Background
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is inviting applications to support the NINDS Human Cell and Data Repository (NHCDR). The repository will maintain the current collection of fibroblast and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, develop, characterize, expand source cells and iPSCs, and distribute human cell resources broadly to qualified academic and industry researchers to advance basic and translational research in neurological disorders.

Grant Details
Under this NOFO, activities required include maintenance and distribution of current fibroblast, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), and iPSC lines; de novo derivation, quality assessment, and distribution of new iPSC lines using a standardized non-integrating protocol for derivation; establishment of master and distribution banks for iPSC lines meeting banking standards established by NINDS; limited expansion, quality assessment, and distribution of fibroblast lines; generation and maintenance of a peripheral blood mononuclear cell source for future iPSC derivation efforts; generation, quality assessment, and distribution of isogenic iPSC lines through genome editing using standardized protocols; data management including a catalog of all cell sources available through the NINDS Repository, as well as routine tracking and reporting of submissions, requests, and distribution. Applicants must have strengths in iPSC technology and genome editing, project management, resource creation, maintenance, operation, data management. Qualifications for applicants should include academic excellence in the field of induced pluripotent stem cell derivation, quality assessment, genomic editing. The administrative structure should provide leadership and program management to the entire project. Extensive collaboration and management input from the NINDS will occur with milestones used to make go/no go funding decisions.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits other than institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), local governments, state governments, federal agencies or eligible agencies of the federal government. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Eligible individuals with the skills necessary to carry out the proposed research as Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) are invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is up to 5 years.

Grant Value
NINDS intends to commit up to $1,400,000 total costs in fiscal year (FY) 2025 to fund one award. Applicants may request up to $915,000 direct costs per year.