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Many avenues of research are focused on improving our understanding of Lewy body dementia (LBD), including the disease's underlying biology and genetic risk factors. Environmental risk factors are also considered but are understudied. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support research that establishes causal links between a range of environmental factors and Lewy body formation.  These factors include exposures to environmental toxicants, light and noise, climate, and other external exposures.  This NOFO will support mechanistic, translational, and human subject studies to understand the relationship between environmental factors and LBD. It is expected that these studies will identify environmental risk factors related to the cause of LBD and its progression and their clinical relevance. Ultimately, these studies on LBD should accelerate mechanism-focused research to identify relevant pathways with potential to lead towards better and novel therapeutic interventions and quality of life. 

This initiative will solicit applications that propose the development and early stage validation of next generation humanized small animal models and/or human cellular microphysiological systems that improve the translational relevance of NeuroHIV models, specifically in the context of chronic HIV infection of the CNS in the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era under conditions of viral suppression.

(Reissue of PAR-18-486, PAR-21-153) The purpose of the NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01) is to diversify the pool of independent neuroscience research investigators by providing junior faculty with research cost support, protected research time and career stage appropriate professional development mentorship in neuroscience research. Individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research are eligible for support under this award if they have doctoral research degrees (Ph.D. or equivalent) and are in the first 3 years of a faculty tenure track or equivalent position at the time of application. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary study to an existing trial, as part of their research and career development. NINDS will only accept applications to this FOA that propose human mechanistic trials/studies that meet NIH's definition of a clinical trial and that fall within the NINDS research priorities. Applicants are strongly advised to consult with NINDS program staff prior to submitting an application with human subjects to determine the appropriate funding opportunity.

The purpose of the NINDS Alzheimers Disease and Alzheimers Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00) program is to support of a cohort of new and talented, independent investigators from diverse backgrounds conducting AD/ADRD research. The program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds (e.g., see NIHs Interest in Diversity) from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees establish independent research programs in the AD/ADRD field.This FOA is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

The purpose of the NINDS Alzheimers Disease and Alzheimers Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00) program is to support of a cohort of new and talented, independent investigators from diverse backgrounds conducting AD/ADRD research. The program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds (e.g., see NIHs Interest in Diversity) from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees establish independent research programs in the AD/ADRD field.This FOA is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

(Reissue of PAR-18-490, PAR-21-234) The purpose of the NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01) is to diversify the pool of independent neuroscience research investigators by providing junior faculty with research cost support, protected research time and career stage appropriate professional development mentorship in neuroscience research. Individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research are eligible for support under this award if they have doctoral research degrees (Ph.D. or equivalent) and are in the first 3 years of a faculty tenure track or equivalent position at the time of application. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

Reissue of RFA-NS-19-038. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications to support the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Human Cell and Data Repository (NHCDR). The repository will maintain the current collection of fibroblast and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines as well as develop, characterize, expand source cells and iPSCs, and where appropriate, genetically modify new high-quality iPSC lines accordance with the NINDS mission. The NINDS Human Cell and Data Repository will distribute human cell resources broadly to qualified academic and industry researchers to advance basic and translational research in neurological disorders.

Some projects initiated with SBIR or STTR funding require considerable financing beyond the SBIR/STTR Phase II award to achieve commercialization. The development of medical biotechnology products is often impeded by a significant funding gap (known as the Valley of Death) between the end of the SBIR/STTR Phase II award and the commercialization stage. The goal of this FOA is to assist applicants in pursuing the next appropriate milestone(s) necessary to advance a product/technology that requires Federal regulatory approval or to bring a complex research tool to market. This opportunity aims to facilitate the transition of previously funded SBIR and STTR Phase II projects to the commercialization stage by promoting partnerships between NINDS SBIR or STTR awardees and third-party investors and/or strategic partners in the Phase IIB competing renewal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to secure independent third-party funding throughout the Phase IIB project period.

(Reissue of PAR-18-665) This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) applications from small business concerns (SBCs) that seek additional funding to support clinical trials for projects that were previously funded by NIH SBIR and STTR Phase II awards. The projects must focus on products related to the mission and goals of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and may evaluate drugs, biologics, devices, or diagnostics, as well as surgical, behavioral or rehabilitation therapies. Since conducting the clinical trials needed for commercialization may be capital-intensive, the FOA aims to facilitate the transition of SBIR Phase II projects to the commercialization stage by promoting partnerships between NIH's SBIR/STTR awardees and third-party investors and/or strategic partners. Consistent with the goals of this funding initiative and as required by the SF424 instructions for all SBIR Phase II applications, applicants must submit a Commercialization Plan, which should include details on any independent third-party investor funding that has already been secured or is anticipated during the project period. It is expected that the level of this independent third-party funding will equal or exceed the NINDS funds being requested throughout the SBIR Phase IIB project period.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for basic research to inform toxicology of chemical warfare agents and select toxic industrial chemicals and materials that have primary or secondary effects on the nervous system. These chemical threats are toxic compounds that have been identified by the United States Government (USG) as Chemicals of Concern (CoC) that could be deliberately or accidentally released into the civilian population. Research supported by this NOFO is expected to generate results that further elucidate mechanism(s) of toxicity of these agents and potential new targets for development of therapeutic/medial countermeasures that are effective in civilian mass exposure situations.