Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRC)

This renewal of the Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRCs) continues a legislatively-mandated Centers of Excellence program, which aims to expand and intensify research on muscular dystrophy. The Centers advance basic, translational, and clinical muscular dystrophy research through interdisciplinary collaboration and shared resources for the research community. They support innovative, center-based projects that would be less effective as stand-alone grants, and provide strong training environments for emerging scientists. The Centers also engage patient and advocacy communities to raise research awareness, encourage participation, and ensure patient-centered perspectives inform study design and conduct. Grant authorities that allow NICHD to forecast this opportunity are as follows: 42 U.S.C. 281 (Sec. 401); 42 USC 283g (Sec. 404E); 42 U.S.C. 285g (Sec. 448); 42 USC 284h (Sec. 409D)

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of the significance of the proposed research; approach; innovation; investigators; and environment. 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 and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget...

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Fiscal Year2025: The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2025 NICHD funded grants within the discretionary award class type. 1) Understanding the role of early life social determinants and sex-specific pubertal pathways in the development of adolescent chronic pain. 2) Improving In Vitro Fertilization Success through Multiplexed Optical Metabolic Imaging. 3) Genetic Studies of Large Palindromes. 4) A Safe, Fast, and Cost-Effective System for Tissue Removal in Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Other Minimally Invasive Surgery. The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2025 NICHD funded grants within the cooperative agreement award class type. 1) Study of Treatment and Reproductive outcomes. 2) Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS): Research on Immune Aging, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Perinatal Acquisition: Elucidating Relationships in HIV (RISE). 3) Pelvic Floor Disorders Network Data Coordinating Center. 4) NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network: Data Coordinating Center.Fiscal Year2026: The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2026 NICHD funded grants within the discretionary award class type. 1) Placental Proteins and Prematurity. 2) In...