NIH Stroke Clinical Trials Network (StrokeNet) Infrastructure Regional Coordinating Stroke Centers (RCCs)

The NIH Stroke Clinical Trials Network Infrastructure - Regional Coordinating Stroke Centers (RCCs) opportunity, number RFA-NS-28-008, is a forecasted federal cooperative agreement opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health. The program is associated with Assistance Listing 93.853, Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke seeks to continue supporting the infrastructure of the NIH Stroke Clinical Trials Network, known as NIH StrokeNet. This forecast is intended to give prospective applicants sufficient advance notice to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive applications before applications are formally solicited. The purpose of the opportunity is to support network regional clinical enrollment coordinating centers, or RCCs, that contribute to the NIH StrokeNet clinical trial network. NIH StrokeNet conducts clinical trials intended to advance acute stroke treatment, stroke prevention, and stroke recovery and rehabilitation across the lifespan. Its stated mission is to improve outcomes for people who experience stroke by evaluating promising new therapies both for patients with stroke and for individuals at risk for stroke. The forecast does not provide detailed allowable or prohibited cost categories, budget restrictions, indirect cost limitations, subaward limits, or a stated period of performance. The opportunity does explicitly state that cost sharing or matching is not required. The forecast lists a broad range of eligible applicants. These include city or township governments, county governments, state governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, and nonprofits without IRS 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education. Additional eligible applicants identified in the notice include Indian or Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized governments, eligible agencies of the federal government, U.S. territories or possessions, faith-based or community-based organizations, and regional organizations. Applications are not being solicited at the time of the forecast. Accordingly, the source does not yet provide final submission mechanics, application forms, required narratives, attachments, portal steps, pre-application requirements, or evaluation criteria. The forecast specifically explains that the advance notice is being provided so potential applicants have sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive applications for centers. Applicants therefore should not treat the forecast as an open application solicitation. No letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, initial application, or other pre-application gating deadline is identified in the available source. The forecast was issued on September 10, 2026 and was last updated on September 10, 2026. The estimated posting date for the opportunity is December 20, 2027, with an estimated application due date of January 25, 2028. The estimated award date is December 1, 2028, and the estimated project start date is also December 1, 2028. The listed fiscal year is 2029. No archive date, estimated total program funding, award ceiling, award floor, or expected number of awards is provided. The source also does not state that the opportunity will recur annually, biennially, quarterly, or on another recurring schedule. Questions about the forecast may be directed to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke StrokeNet contact through the program email address strokenetinquiry@mail.nih.gov. No individual grantor contact name or telephone number is provided. Because this is a forecast rather than an active solicitation, prospective applicants should rely on the future posted opportunity for final requirements concerning application content, review criteria, allowable expenditures, award amounts, performance requirements, and submission procedures. The current forecast supports advance planning and collaboration development but does not yet solicit applications.

Use the advance forecast period to develop meaningful collaborations and prepare a responsive application for a regional clinical enrollment coordinating center supporting NIH StrokeNet.