Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRC) (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AR 23 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AR 23 001

The Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRC) (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-AR-23-001) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to support multidisciplinary, cooperative research centers focused on muscular dystrophy. The central goal is to build and sustain specialized centers that can bring together basic science, translational research, and clinical research under a single coordinated structure, so that discoveries move more efficiently from the laboratory toward meaningful benefits for patients. The "clinical trial optional" aspect indicates that applicants may propose clinical trial activities if they are appropriate for the center's overall scientific plan, but proposing a clinical trial is not required to be competitive.

A key emphasis of the program is collaboration and shared infrastructure. These centers are expected to function as hubs that not only produce strong research findings internally, but also generate and maintain resources that can be leveraged by the broader national muscular dystrophy research community. In practice, this can include shared core services, specialized technologies, data resources, clinical research capabilities, biobanking approaches, or other organized assets that make it easier for multiple investigators to tackle complex muscular dystrophy questions without duplicating expensive or highly specialized capacity at every institution.

Another major purpose of the initiative is workforce development. The centers are intended to provide an outstanding training environment for early-career scientists and clinician-researchers who want to build careers in high-priority areas of muscular dystrophy research. This typically implies a structured setting where trainees have access to experienced mentors across disciplines, exposure to both preclinical and clinical research perspectives, and opportunities to participate in team science. The program also highlights the importance of cultivating the next generation of researchers who can sustain and advance the muscular dystrophy research field over the long term.

Community engagement is also built into the center concept. Investigators supported through these centers are expected to participate in outreach efforts that increase awareness of muscular dystrophy research and clearly communicate the importance, implications, and potential real-world impact of their work to patient communities and advocacy organizations. This outreach component reflects a broader expectation that research centers remain connected to the needs and priorities of those affected by muscular dystrophy, and that they help translate scientific progress into understandable, actionable knowledge for non-scientific audiences.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city/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 and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other qualifying entities. The opportunity explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal government agencies, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are important limitations related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may be able to include certain foreign collaborations or elements in the project under NIH rules, even though a foreign organization cannot serve as the primary applicant.

From the funding details provided, the program uses the P50 center grant mechanism and falls under NIH health-related funding activity categories tied to multiple CFDA numbers (93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865). The award ceiling is listed as $1,000,000. The original closing date shown is 2022-09-30, and the opportunity was created on 2022-06-28, which suggests this particular notice reflects a specific application cycle; future or related cycles may have different deadlines and terms even if the program concept remains similar.

Overall, this opportunity is aimed at institutions that can credibly operate as a national-level center of excellence in muscular dystrophy, combining coordinated research programs, shared resources, training pipelines, and patient-facing outreach. The strongest fit is typically an applicant that can demonstrate deep expertise across multiple relevant disciplines, a clear plan for how the center structure accelerates progress beyond what separate projects could achieve, and a commitment to both scientific leadership and service to the wider muscular dystrophy community.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRC) (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-06-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-30. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• 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, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA AR 23 001

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