Identify and Evaluate Potential Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is offering a funding opportunity titled “Identify and Evaluate Potential Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.” This initiative is administered through the Office of Innovation and Analytics and is designed to support research that advances scientific understanding of ALS, a progressive and often fatal neuromuscular disease. The program aligns with CDC’s broader mission to investigate environmental health risks and strengthen public health data systems while promoting evidence-based science and transparency. As described on page 5 of the NOFO, the agency prioritizes research that contributes to identifying etiological pathways and improving epidemiological insights into ALS. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support innovative, investigator-initiated research focused on identifying environmental and associated risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing ALS in humans. Applicants must address two core objectives: first, identifying potential risk factors such as environmental exposures, traumatic brain injury, or infectious agents; and second, characterizing how these factors contribute to the disease’s etiology, progression, or pathophysiology. The program specifically encourages research targeting military service exposures, contact sports, neuroinflammation, and infectious agents, reflecting areas of emerging scientific concern highlighted throughout the program description section beginning on page 14. Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement mechanism with an expected total program funding of 4.5 million dollars over a three-year period. Individual awards vary depending on the selected funding option, with maximum annual awards of up to 500,000 dollars for Options A and D and up to 300,000 dollars for Options B and C. The period of performance is three years, structured into 12-month budget periods. Allowable uses of funds include research personnel, data collection, laboratory analysis, and other project-related costs consistent with federal regulations. However, restrictions apply, including prohibitions on using funds for clinical care (unless permitted), lobbying activities, or unapproved pre-award costs. Notably, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this program. Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of domestic and international entities such as state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and foreign organizations. Principal investigators must demonstrate relevant expertise in ALS research, including experience with epidemiological data, environmental health studies, or laboratory-based research. Applications must meet strict responsiveness criteria, including inclusion of epidemiological aims and adherence to budget limits, as outlined on pages 7 through 9. Organizations may submit multiple applications if each is scientifically distinct and led by different principal investigators. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as the SF-424 forms, a detailed research plan using the PHS 398 format, budget documentation, and human subjects information if applicable. Applicants are encouraged to submit an optional letter of intent by May 27, 2026, although this is not required for eligibility. A pre-application informational webinar is scheduled for June 2, 2026, providing an opportunity for prospective applicants to ask questions. Full applications are due by June 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, as noted on page 50. Applications undergo a two-level review process consisting of external scientific peer review followed by internal federal review. Evaluation criteria include significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, methodological approach, and research environment. Additional considerations include alignment with program priorities and overall portfolio balance. Expected award notifications are scheduled for August 27, 2026, with project start dates anticipated for September 30, 2026. Awardees will be subject to ongoing reporting requirements, including annual performance reports and financial documentation. This funding opportunity does not explicitly state a recurring cycle, and the opportunity has a defined expiration date of December 13, 2026. Therefore, it is treated as a single-cycle opportunity unless reissued. The program emphasizes collaboration, data sharing, and adherence to federal research standards, including human subjects protections and data management planning. Contact information for scientific, review, and grants management inquiries is provided within the NOFO, including program email addresses and phone numbers listed on page 58.

Align proposal with priority risk factors such as military service and traumatic brain injury ensure strong epidemiological design include robust data sources and clearly justify methodology and innovation