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)

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) intends to promote team science research to discover the causes of Parkinson's Disease by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for Morris K. Udall Discovery Centers without Walls (DCWoW) for Parkinson's Disease Research.Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive movement disorder that affects the lives of at least half a million people across the United States (US), as well as having significant impact on the relatives and friends who care for them. The average onset of characteristic motor symptoms, which are initially subtle and increasingly impact purposeful movement, most often occurs in the sixth decade of life; onset at much younger ages is also possible. Persons with PD also experience a broad range of non-motor symptoms including autonomic dysfunction (e.g. constipation, urinary incontinence, orthostatic hypotension, sexual dysfunction), sleep disturbances, pain, changes in mood, and cognitive dysfunction potentially leading to dementia. Available pharmacological and surgical treatments provide limited relief from some motor symptoms but fail to address non-motor symptoms or attenuate the ultimate progression of the disease. A clear cause and definitive cure have remained elusive despite important biomedical research advances, such as the identification of environmental and genetic risk factors. As our population ages, the number of persons with PD is projected to increase significantly; mounting evidence suggests that global burden, including disability and mortality due to PD, are increasing at a more rapid rate compared with other neurological diseases.In recognition of the impact of PD on our society, and to advance innovative research into the causes of PD, this initiative will promote biomedical discovery through an integrated team science approach. Established in 1998 via the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act (P.L. 105-78), the NINDS Udall Centers of Excellence for PD Research program is a central component of NINDS-supported PD research. This new initiative will extend the Udall Centers program in novel directions and enable applicants to focus on discovery research not possible via other grant mechanisms. This Notice encourages investigators with expertise, insights, and innovative approaches in the area of...

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) the soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) the degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...