Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA TS 26 165
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through CDC/ATSDR, is soliciting research proposals to identify and evaluate potential risk factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The opportunity is framed around strengthening the evidence base for what may contribute to ALS onset and progression, with particular interest in exposures and experiences that have come up repeatedly in prior studies or clinical observations. The notice explicitly encourages projects that examine links between ALS and military service, contact sports participation, traumatic brain injury, neuroinflammation, and infectious agents or related exposures. The goal is to generate findings that can clarify causes and mechanisms, improve risk characterization in specific groups, and inform future prevention, diagnostic, or therapeutic strategies.
This funding is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement (meaning CDC is likely to have substantial involvement beyond simply issuing funds), under CFDA 93.061. Applicants can pursue one of four distinct funding options, which together cover both well-established lines of inquiry and newer, more exploratory directions. Option A supports research areas where evidence is already relatively strong, such as studies focused on known or suspected environmental and genetic risk factors, projects that improve on prior work by using higher-quality or more complete data, and investigations that more directly connect risk factors to ALS diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Option B is intended for newer or exploratory research, including risk factors with limited existing evidence and projects that use innovative designs, datasets, analytic tools, or measurement approaches to open up new hypotheses. Option C focuses on understanding ALS risk in specific affected populations, with an explicit emphasis on military veterans and research that clarifies which exposures, experiences, or conditions may drive elevated risk in those groups. Option D is specialized and centers on analysis of biological samples associated with the Guamanian ALS cluster, supporting studies into disease mechanisms, environmental contributors and exposure routes, genetic investigations, biomarker discovery, and translational work that could point toward mitigation strategies, therapeutics, diagnostics, or prevention.
The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA TS 26 165) anticipates making about three awards, with an award ceiling of $500,000. The original application deadline listed is 2026-06-10, and the opportunity was created on 2026-05-11. The activity category is health, and the posting originates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ERA).
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public, academic, tribal, and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); and an “others/unrestricted” category, signaling that additional organization types may be allowed as clarified in the final Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The description also notes that additional eligibility information will be included in the NOFO, so applicants should plan to verify any special conditions, documentation requirements, or restrictions when the full announcement guidance is consulted.Apply for RFA TS 26 165
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Identify and Evaluate Potential Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.061.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-10. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- 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, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others, Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this CDC funding opportunity about?
This CDC/ATSDR funding opportunity solicits research proposals to identify and evaluate potential risk factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It is framed around strengthening the evidence base for factors that may contribute to ALS onset and progression, especially exposures and experiences that have been repeatedly suggested in prior studies or clinical observations.
Which agency is offering the funding?
The opportunity is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through CDC/ATSDR.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA TS 26 165.
What funding mechanism is being used?
The funding is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, which indicates CDC is likely to have substantial involvement beyond simply issuing funds.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 93.061.
How many awards does CDC expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates making about three awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $500,000.
When is the application deadline?
The original application deadline listed is 2026-06-10.
When was this opportunity created or posted?
The opportunity was created on 2026-05-11.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is health.
Where does the posting originate (system/source)?
The posting originates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ERA).
What research topics does CDC explicitly encourage?
The notice explicitly encourages projects examining links between ALS and military service, contact sports participation, traumatic brain injury, neuroinflammation, and infectious agents or related exposures.
What is the overall goal of the research supported by this opportunity?
The goal is to generate findings that clarify causes and mechanisms of ALS, improve risk characterization in specific groups, and inform future prevention, diagnostic, or therapeutic strategies.
How is the opportunity structured in terms of funding options?
Applicants can pursue one of four distinct funding options (Option A, B, C, or D). These options are designed to cover both well-established lines of inquiry and newer, more exploratory directions.
What types of projects fit under Option A?
Option A supports research areas where evidence is already relatively strong. Examples described include studies focused on known or suspected environmental and genetic risk factors, projects that improve on prior work by using higher-quality or more complete data, and investigations that more directly connect risk factors to ALS diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
What types of projects fit under Option B?
Option B is intended for newer or exploratory research. It includes risk factors with limited existing evidence and projects using innovative designs, datasets, analytic tools, or measurement approaches to open up new hypotheses.
What types of projects fit under Option C?
Option C focuses on understanding ALS risk in specific affected populations, with an explicit emphasis on military veterans. It supports research that clarifies which exposures, experiences, or conditions may drive elevated risk in those groups.
What types of projects fit under Option D?
Option D is specialized and centers on analysis of biological samples associated with the Guamanian ALS cluster. It supports studies into disease mechanisms, environmental contributors and exposure routes, genetic investigations, biomarker discovery, and translational work that could point toward mitigation strategies, therapeutics, diagnostics, or prevention.
Does this opportunity prioritize research related to military service and veterans?
Yes. The notice encourages examining links between ALS and military service, and Option C explicitly emphasizes research focused on military veterans and related exposures, experiences, or conditions that may elevate risk.
Are traumatic brain injury and contact sports within the scope of interest?
Yes. The notice explicitly encourages projects examining ALS in relation to contact sports participation and traumatic brain injury.
Are infectious agents and neuroinflammation within the scope of interest?
Yes. The notice explicitly encourages research related to neuroinflammation and infectious agents or related exposures.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public, academic, tribal, and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The listing also includes an "others/unrestricted" category, suggesting additional organization types may be allowed as clarified in the final NOFO.
Does the announcement allow applicants outside the listed categories?
The eligibility section includes an "others/unrestricted" category, signaling that additional organization types may be allowed, but applicants should confirm details in the final Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Where can applicants confirm detailed eligibility conditions and any restrictions?
The description notes that additional eligibility information will be included in the NOFO. Applicants should verify special conditions, documentation requirements, or restrictions when reviewing the full NOFO guidance.
Is this opportunity focused only on established ALS risk factors, or can it support exploratory work?
It supports both. Option A targets areas with relatively strong existing evidence, while Option B is designed for newer or exploratory research, including innovative methods and risk factors with limited existing evidence.
Is research using biological samples part of this opportunity?
Yes. Option D is specifically centered on analysis of biological samples associated with the Guamanian ALS cluster.
What kinds of outcomes or impacts is CDC aiming for from funded projects?
The opportunity aims to generate findings that can clarify ALS causes and mechanisms, improve characterization of risk in specific groups, and inform future prevention, diagnostic, or therapeutic strategies.
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