Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT) Infrastructure Clinical Research Sites (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, forecasts continued support for the Infrastructure for the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials, known as NeuroNEXT. The opportunity is titled Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT) Infrastructure - Clinical Research Sites (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), opportunity number RFA-NS-28-007. It is a federal discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement funding instrument and is associated with Assistance Listing 93.853, Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders. The purpose of the forecasted opportunity is to encourage applications for network clinical research sites that will support NeuroNEXT. NeuroNEXT conducts clinical trials and biomarker validation studies for neurological disorders in both adult and pediatric populations. The network provides infrastructure, expertise, and opportunities for collaboration intended to accelerate innovation and impact and advance the development of safe and effective neurotherapeutics for patients through high-quality evidence pathways. The forecast specifically concerns the clinical research site component of the NeuroNEXT infrastructure. The forecast does not provide an award ceiling, award floor, estimated total program funding, expected number of awards, or detailed allowable and unallowable cost provisions. It identifies the funding instrument as a cooperative agreement. No cost sharing or matching is required. Because this is a forecast rather than the final funding announcement, applicants should not infer funding amounts, project duration, budget restrictions, application components, or other requirements that have not yet been published. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other Native American tribal organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, small businesses, and for profit organizations other than small businesses. The additional eligibility information also identifies eligible agencies of the federal government, U.S. territories or possessions, faith-based or community-based organizations, and regional organizations as eligible applicants. Applications are not being solicited at this time. The forecast is being provided so that potential applicants have sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive applications for clinical research sites. The source does not provide application questions, required proposal attachments, a letter of intent or other pre-application gating requirement, evaluation criteria, or detailed submission mechanics. Those requirements are therefore not yet available from the forecast and should be confirmed when the full opportunity is posted. The forecast was issued September 10, 2026 and lists an estimated posting date of September 1, 2027 and an estimated application due date of November 1, 2027. The estimated award date is July 1, 2028, and the estimated project start date is also July 1, 2028, for fiscal year 2028. No recurring schedule is stated. Questions may be directed to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke by email at NEXT1@ninds.nih.gov. Because the opportunity remains forecasted, dates and requirements should be treated as estimated until the complete solicitation is issued.

Use the forecast period to develop meaningful collaborations and prepare a responsive clinical research site application aligned with NeuroNEXT. Focus preparation on the network's stated role in neurological clinical trials and biomarker validation, infrastructure, expertise, collaboration, adult and pediatric populations, and development of high-quality evidence for safe and effective neurotherapeutics.