Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) Clinical Networks of Diagnostic Excellence
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 20, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic medical centers, hospitals, and health systems seeking to establish regional clinical networks for rare disease diagnosis. Eligible applicants include academic medical centers, federally qualified health centers, community-based clinical partners, and health systems with existing partnerships for diagnostic services. The grant supports geographically distributed networks (not single-site centers) that will evaluate patients with undiagnosed conditions. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to lead regional collaborations and implement standardized UDN diagnostic protocols.
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Key dates
- Sep 10, 2026 Applications open
- May 25, 2027 Application deadline in 216 days
- Apr 25, 2028 Award announced
- Apr 25, 2028 Project start
Program description
NINDS intends to support multiple clinical Networks of Diagnostic Excellence (NODEs) as part of the next phase of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN). Unlike prior phases, clinical NODEs are expected to function as geographically distributed regional clinical networks rather than single-site centers. Each clinical NODE would establish and lead a regional network built on existing partnerships with academic medical centers, hospitals, clinics, federally qualified health centers, and other community-based clinical partners to broaden access to specialized diagnostic expertise and extend the reach of the UDN.
Clinical NODEs are expected to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary and participant-centered evaluation of individuals with highly challenging, difficult-to-diagnose conditions. In collaboration with the Network, clinical NODEs will recruit and enroll participants, conduct medical record reviews, make enrollment determinations, communicate review outcomes and recommendations to participants and referring providers, and coordinate the clinical evaluation with local partner sites and referring providers, as appropriate.
In addition, clinical NODEs will participate in network collaborations to develop and test innovative, new diagnostic tools and strategies for both genomic and non-genomic conditions, support systematic re-evaluation of unsolved UDN cases, and conduct research to optimize participant access and experience. Clinical NODEs are also expected to participate in network governance and infrastructure; provide training to support consistent implementation of UDN processes and standards; incorporate participant and community input into workflows and engagement strategies, such as through a Community Advisory Board or comparable mechanisms; and monitor site performance.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. This Forecast is being published to provide potential applicants time to plan, establish collaborations, formalize regional partnerships, and prepare responsive projects.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative/Research Strategy
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches
- Letters of Commitment from partner institutions
- NIH Inclusion Enrolment Report
- Facilities and Equipment form
Program contact
- 👤 UDN Program Staff
- 📧 UDNProgramStaff@ninds.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via email.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.853 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$56,262,774
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$45,083,283
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$43,730,658
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$38,186,781
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$37,769,493
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$35,655,349
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$35,655,116
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$34,183,297
-
$32,294,153
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$32,164,022
Top States by Funding
- MA 7 awards $186.3M
- CA 6 awards $163.5M
- FL 4 awards $121.0M
- OH 4 awards $112.5M
- NY 3 awards $91.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.853). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,362,835,459 | |
| 2025 | $2,345,500,401 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Academic medical centers, hospitals, health systems, FQHCs, and organizations with established partnerships for diagnostic services. Single-site centers are not eligible; applicants must propose regional networks.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is May 25, 2027. This is currently a Forecast; formal solicitation details will be published later.
What activities are funded?
Conducting multidisciplinary evaluations of patients with rare/undiagnosed conditions. Developing diagnostic tools, training partner sites, and incorporating community input are also supported.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this award type.
How competitive is this funding?
This is a highly competitive NIH cooperative agreement. Strong preliminary data, established partnerships, and demonstrated diagnostic expertise are essential.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building regional partnerships NOW. The forecast emphasizes formalized collaborations before the full solicitation opens.
- Document your existing diagnostic infrastructure and expertise in rare/complex conditions.
- Demonstrate commitment from partner sites with signed letters of commitment or MOUs.
- Plan for multidisciplinary team composition: geneticists, neurologists, metabolic specialists, and other specialists as relevant.
- Include a Community Advisory Board plan early; participant engagement is a core requirement.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing single-site centers instead of regionally distributed networks. Underestimating infrastructure and coordination requirements for multiple partner sites. Failing to demonstrate established partnerships and community buy-in before application.
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