NINDS Child Neurology Career Development Program (CNCDP) (K12 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA NS 27 006

CNCDP (RFA-NS-27-006) Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NINDS Child Neurology Career Development Program (CNCDP)?

CNCDP is a national, NIH-funded K12 institutional career development program sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It is designed to strengthen the pipeline of independent physician-scientists in child neurology by providing a structured, mentored environment with protected time and research training.

2) What is the primary goal of this program?

The central aim is to help physicians who are already committed to research careers gain the structured training, protected time, mentorship, and research experience needed to transition into independent, externally funded investigators.

3) Is this opportunity intended to support a single national program or multiple site-based programs?

It is intended to be run as a single coordinated national effort rather than many separate site-based programs. NINDS anticipates making a single award, reinforcing the expectation of one national program structure.

4) What type of NIH funding mechanism is CNCDP?

CNCDP is an NIH-funded K12 institutional career development program. It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity in the health area administered through NIH/NINDS.

5) Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. This is explicitly a "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mechanism. Supported research and training activities must be structured so they do not propose or conduct clinical trials under NIH definitions.

6) Who leads the program, and what governance is expected?

One or more Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) lead the initiative. The program is supported by an advisory committee composed of accomplished basic and clinical investigators, expected to bring strong NIH or other peer-reviewed funding experience and a demonstrated track record of training physician-scientists.

7) What does the advisory committee contribute to the program?

The advisory committee is expected to provide experienced oversight and guidance consistent with a rigorous national training environment. The structure signals expectations for strong scholar selection processes, mentorship oversight, clear milestones, and accountability for outcomes.

8) How long is support typically provided for each participant (scholar)?

Support is generally structured as three consecutive years of mentored career development for each selected physician (often referred to as scholars).

9) What are scholars expected to accomplish during the supported period?

Over the three-year mentored period, scholars are expected to build the knowledge base, methodological skills, and research track record needed to compete for the next stage of funding. The emphasis includes developing a significant, fundable research project and producing preliminary data, publications, and a grant-ready proposal to support a transition to independence.

10) What kinds of next-step funding is CNCDP meant to prepare scholars for?

The program is designed to position scholars to compete for subsequent funding such as an individual NIH career development award (for example, a K-series award) or an independent research grant.

11) What is meant by "institutional commitment" in this program?

Institutional commitment is described as a core expectation of the application. The sponsoring institution must provide clear assurances that it will support the proposed program, including the infrastructure needed for high-quality research training.

12) What types of institutional resources are expected to support the CNCDP?

The institution is expected to provide appropriate staff support, facilities, and educational resources aligned with the program plan. The opportunity emphasizes that NINDS is investing in a program environment capable of reliably developing early-career child neurologists into independently funded investigators.

13) Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and government entities, including: state, county, and city governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education where specified); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and other Native American tribal organizations. For-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other eligible entities may also apply, provided they meet NIH and NOFO requirements.

14) Are academic medical centers and universities the only expected applicants?

No. While many applicants for a program of this type are likely to be academic medical centers or universities with strong child neurology and neuroscience research ecosystems, the published eligibility list indicates NIH is open to a range of qualified U.S. institutions capable of hosting and operating a rigorous national K12 program.

15) Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations allowed to apply?

No. Non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply.

16) Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component in the proposed program?

No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. Program activities and supported work must be based within allowable domestic settings and cannot rely on foreign sites or formal foreign components for the funded work.

17) Which NIH institute administers this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health through NINDS (the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke).

18) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is RFA-NS-27-006.

19) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.853.

20) What is the application closing date provided here?

The original closing date provided is July 10, 2026.

21) How many awards does NINDS expect to make?

NINDS anticipates making a single award, consistent with the intent to operate CNCDP as one coordinated national K12 program.

22) Is the award ceiling (maximum budget) provided in the information here?

No. The posted award ceiling is not specified in the provided text. Applicants would need to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for budget limits, allowable costs, scholar support details, and any required cost-sharing or effort expectations.

23) What does "pipeline of independent physician-scientists" mean in the context of CNCDP?

In this context, it refers to developing early-career child neurology physicians into researchers who can ultimately secure their own external funding as independent investigators, supported by structured training, mentored research, and program oversight during the mentored phase.

24) What outcomes does NINDS appear to emphasize for this program?

Based on the description, NINDS emphasizes rigorous scholar selection, strong mentorship oversight, clear milestones, accountability for outcomes, and scholar progress toward producing publications, preliminary data, and competitive grant applications that support a transition to independent funding.