Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) Diagnostic Research Innovation Center

The Undiagnosed Diseases Network Diagnostic Research Innovation Center is a forecasted federal cooperative agreement opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity is identified as PAR-27-136 and falls within the Health category of funding activity. The associated Assistance Listing is 93.853, Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke intends to support a Diagnostic Research Innovation Center, or DRIC, for the next phase of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network. The forecast was published to give potential applicants time to plan, establish collaborations, and develop projects responsive to the anticipated opportunity. The anticipated Undiagnosed Diseases Network will include a Clinical and Data Coordinating Center, geographically distributed clinical Networks of Diagnostic Excellence, the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, the Diagnostic Research Innovation Center, the UDN Foundation, patient advocacy organizations, NIH, and other stakeholders. The DRIC is expected to contribute directly to the diagnosis of UDN participants. Its responsibilities are also expected to include systematic re-evaluation of unsolved UDN cases originating from previous phases of the network. The DRIC is expected to test and advance innovative new diagnostic tools and strategies addressing both genomic and non-genomic conditions. Working closely with clinical Networks of Diagnostic Excellence, the Undiagnosed Diseases Program, the Clinical and Data Coordinating Center, and other UDN stakeholders, the center will support the generation and testing of diagnostic hypotheses. Anticipated capabilities include advanced sequencing and multi-omics, gene function studies using animal and human in vitro models, and development of non-genetic diagnostic strategies. Through collaboration with the network, the DRIC is expected to contribute to discovery of novel disease-associated genes and genomic variants, identification of non-genetic contributors to UDN phenotypes, and identification of new diseases and syndromes. The forecast specifically anticipates an integrated center bringing together complementary capabilities and investigators with demonstrated scientific synergy and prior collaboration. The opportunity provides broad organizational eligibility. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other Native American tribal organizations, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Additional eligible applicants 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. No cost sharing or matching requirement is identified. Applications are not currently being solicited because the opportunity remains in forecast status. The estimated posting date is March 25, 2027, and the estimated application due date is May 25, 2027. The source does not identify a separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, or other pre-application gating requirement. It also does not provide application questions, required application components, evaluation criteria, or detailed submission mechanics at the forecast stage. Potential applicants should therefore use the forecast period for planning, establishing collaborations, and developing responsive projects while awaiting the formal opportunity announcement. The estimated award date is April 25, 2028, and the estimated project start date is also April 25, 2028, with fiscal year 2028 identified for the opportunity. The forecast does not state an estimated total program funding amount, award ceiling, award floor, expected number of awards, archive date, or period of performance. No recurring or annually repeated application schedule is stated. Questions may be directed to UDN Program Staff by email at UDNProgramStaff@ninds.nih.gov. Because the opportunity is forecasted, funding amounts, application requirements, review criteria, and other final terms remain unavailable in the provided source and should be verified when the formal solicitation is posted.

Plan an integrated center combining complementary diagnostic research capabilities and investigators with demonstrated scientific synergy and prior collaboration; demonstrate capacity to work closely with clinical NODEs, the UDP, the CDCC, and other UDN stakeholders; align proposed capabilities with innovative genomic and non-genomic diagnostic strategies, diagnostic hypothesis testing, and re-evaluation of unsolved UDN cases.