Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) Diagnostic Research Innovation Center
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions establishing a Diagnostic Research Innovation Center (DRIC) within the Undiagnosed Diseases Network. Eligible applicants are typically academic medical centers, research universities, and medical institutions with significant research infrastructure and established programs in genomic or diagnostic research. The DRIC must demonstrate capacity for advanced sequencing, multi-omics analysis, and animal/human in vitro modeling capabilities. This is a cooperative agreement supporting innovation in diagnostic development for patients with rare and undiagnosed diseases nationally.
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Key dates
- Sep 10, 2026 Applications open
- May 25, 2027 Application deadline in 218 days
- Apr 25, 2028 Award announced
- Apr 25, 2028 Project start
Program description
NINDS intends to support a Diagnostic Research Innovation Center (DRIC) for the next phase of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN). The new Network is expected to include a Clinical and Data Coordinating Center (CDCC), geographically distributed clinical Networks of Diagnostic Excellence (NODEs), the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program (UDP), a DRIC, the UDN Foundation, patient advocacy organizations, NIH, and other stakeholders. The DRIC will contribute to the diagnosis of UDN participants, including participating in the systematic re-evaluation of unsolved UDN cases from previous phases of the UDN.
The DRIC is expected to test and advance innovative, new diagnostic tools and strategies for both genomic and non-genomic conditions. Working closely with clinical NODEs, the UDP, the CDCC, and other UDN stakeholders, the DRIC will support the generation and testing of diagnostic hypotheses including providing expertise and resources in advanced sequencing and multi-omics, gene function studies in animal and human in vitro models, and the development of non-genetic diagnostic strategies. Collaborating with the Network, the DRIC will contribute to the discovery of novel disease-associated genes and genomic variants, non-genetic contributors to UDN phenotypes, and the identification of new diseases and syndromes. Support is expected for an integrated center that brings together complementary capabilities and investigators with demonstrated scientific synergy and prior collaboration.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. This Forecast is being published to provide potential applicants time to plan, establish collaborations, and develop responsive projects.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal application form)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Commitment and Support Letters
- Letters of Collaboration from UDN stakeholders
- Biosketches of key personnel
- NIH Form 2590 (Facilities and Administrative Costs)
Program contact
- 👤 UDN Program Staff
- 📧 UDNProgramStaff@ninds.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
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 DRIC funding?
Research institutions with strong diagnostic research programs and infrastructure for genomic/multi-omics work typically qualify. Applicants should have demonstrated expertise in sequencing, gene function studies, and collaboration with clinical research networks.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is May 25, 2027. This is a fixed deadline; applications are not being solicited at this time, so potential applicants should use this period to plan and establish collaborations.
What activities does this funding support?
The DRIC supports testing innovative diagnostic tools, advanced sequencing, multi-omics analysis, gene function studies, and development of non-genetic diagnostic strategies for rare and undiagnosed diseases.
How competitive is this funding?
This is highly competitive. Reviewers prioritize demonstrated scientific synergy, prior collaboration, and integration of complementary research capabilities within the center.
What is the typical funding level?
Award amounts are not publicly specified. Contact NIH/NINDS or review previous UDN funding announcements for comparable award ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start collaboration and planning now. Use the three-year lead time to establish strong partnerships with clinical NODEs and other UDN stakeholders before the formal solicitation.
- Emphasize your center's unique diagnostic capabilities and scientific synergy among investigators. Show how complementary expertise will advance rare disease diagnosis.
- Demonstrate prior successful collaboration with UDN or similar rare disease research networks. Track record matters significantly in cooperative agreement competitions.
- Secure strong institutional commitment and infrastructure support. Include letters from senior leadership confirming resources for advanced sequencing, bioinformatics, and multi-omics platforms.
- Plan to address both genomic and non-genomic diagnostic innovation. Reviewers expect breadth across multiple diagnostic modalities and approaches.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to establish genuine partnerships and scientific synergy before applying. Reviewers can identify teams assembled just for the grant. Underestimating infrastructure and personnel costs for operating an advanced diagnostic research center. Proposing generic diagnostic approaches without demonstrated innovation or differentiation from existing centers.
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