Identify and Evaluate Potential Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
🏛 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA (HHS-CDC-HHSCDCERA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and organizations conducting ALS risk factor studies. Eligible recipients typically include nonprofits, public/private universities, federal agencies, and research hospitals. Applicants may propose studies on environmental exposures, genetic factors, military service, traumatic brain injury, or biological mechanisms. Geographic scope is national; researchers from any US location may apply.
The grant prioritizes four research pathways: improving existing evidence on known risk factors, exploring new factors with limited prior research, studying ALS in affected populations like military veterans, and analyzing samples from the Guamanian ALS cluster. Cost-sharing is not required.
Proposals must align with CDC's research priorities and demonstrate scientific rigor. Strong proposals include preliminary data, clear methodology, and relevance to ALS prevention or treatment advancement.
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Key dates
- Jul 8, 2026 Applications open
- Dec 1, 2026 Application deadline in 138 days
- Aug 29, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2027 Project start
Program description
CDC/ATSDR is inviting research proposals to study risk factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Studies on military service, contact sports, traumatic brain injury, neuroinflammation, and infections agents and exposures are encouraged. Funding will be for four funding options: Option A – Support research with strong existing evidence such as studies on known environmental or genetic risk factors, research that improves past studies with better data, or investigations linking risk factors to ALS diagnosis and treatment; Option B – Support new and exploratory research on ALS risk factors such as studies on risk factors with little existing evidence or research using innovative methods; Option C – Understand ALS risk in affected populations, such as studies involving military veterans or investigations of ALS risk factors impacting this population; Option D – Analyze biological samples from the Guamanian ALS cluster such as investigation of disease mechanisms and environmental factors, exposure routes, genetic studies and biomarkers and how this could lead to mitigation therapeutics, diagnostics or prevention.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Hospital
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Research Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (Key Personnel)
- Letters of Institutional Support or Commitment
- Data Management Plan
- IRB Approval or Exemption Documentation (if human subjects involved)
Program contact
- 👤 Dr. Candis Hunter
- 📧 ncipc_erpo@cdc.gov
- 📞 770-488-1347
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.061 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$4,566,239
-
$2,860,050
-
$2,328,165
-
$2,164,528
-
$1,530,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,499,719
-
$1,499,585
-
$1,497,506
-
$1,441,684
Top States by Funding
- MA 3 awards $5.8M
- OH 1 awards $4.6M
- CO 2 awards $3.2M
- MI 2 awards $3.0M
- NH 2 awards $2.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.061). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,780,161 | |
| 2025 | $2,911,631 | |
| 2026 est. | $2,911,631 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, research institutions, nonprofits, hospitals, and government agencies may apply. Applicant organizations must have capacity to conduct rigorous scientific research on ALS risk factors.
What types of research are eligible?
Studies on environmental exposures, genetic factors, military service, traumatic brain injury, infections, and biological mechanisms. Four specific funding options support foundational research, exploratory work, studies in affected populations, and Guamanian cluster analysis.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This grant does not require matching funds or cost-sharing from applicants.
What makes a competitive proposal?
Clear research design, preliminary data supporting feasibility, relevance to CDC priorities, qualified research team, and detailed methodology strengthen competitiveness. Proposals addressing underexplored risk factors or affected populations stand out.
What is the funding range?
Up to $500,000 is available per award from a $4.5 million total pool. Actual award amounts vary based on proposal scope and review scores.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your research design with one of the four funding options (foundational evidence, exploratory, affected populations, or Guamanian cluster analysis). Clarity on your pathway strengthens reviewer focus.
- Include preliminary or pilot data demonstrating study feasibility. Reviewers look for evidence that your team can execute the proposed research within budget and timeline.
- Emphasize how your findings advance ALS prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Connect risk factor discovery to practical public health or clinical applications.
- Detail your research team's qualifications and prior ALS or neuroscience work. Strong track records in related fields increase credibility.
- Build a detailed budget narrative explaining all costs. Personnel, equipment, subject recruitment, and data management expenses should align with research scope.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack clear alignment with one of the four funding options. Vague research objectives or weak methodology reduce competitiveness significantly.
Applicants underestimate costs or fail to justify budget line items. Reviewers reject proposals with insufficient detail on how funds will be used.
Studies miss explicit ALS risk factor focus or lack novelty. Research must address specific risk factors or populations, not general neuroscience questions.
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