Healthcare and research organisations studying long-term outcomes among people with spina bifida can currently apply for funding through the CDC’s Long-Term Health Outcomes of People Living With Spina Bifida cooperative agreement.

The current funding opportunity number is CDC-RFA-DD-26-0222.

CDC expects approximately 19 awards, with individual federal awards ranging from $100,000 to $300,000.

The total programme funding is approximately $3 million.

Applications close on October 26, 2026 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.

What Is the Purpose of the Program?

The programme aims to improve understanding of what happens to people living with spina bifida over time.

It uses specialised clinical data to help researchers identify:

• Long-term health outcomes;
• Effects of different treatments;
• Clinical-care patterns;
• Opportunities to improve quality of care.

The funding builds on the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry.

Two Components

Component A: National Spina Bifida Patient Registry

CDC expects approximately 8 to 11 Component A recipients.

These organisations will collect high-quality longitudinal data on children and adults receiving care through specialised spina bifida clinics.

The goal is to better understand long-term outcomes and identify practices associated with improved health and quality of life.

Component B: UMPIRE

Approximately 6 to 9 recipients are expected under Component B.

This component focuses on the Urologic Management to Preserve Initial Renal Function Protocol for Young Children with Spina Bifida, commonly called UMPIRE.

The work aims to improve urinary and kidney-system management among infants and young children with myelomeningocele.

Who Can Apply?

The federal eligibility list is broad and includes:

• State governments;
• County governments;
• Cities and townships;
• Special district governments;
• Independent school districts;
• Public universities;
• Private universities;
• Federally recognised Tribal governments;
• Nonprofits;
• Small businesses;
• Other for-profit organisations.

However, practical programme requirements make specialist clinical capability very important.

Clinical Access Is Critical

Component A applicants should have access to people with spina bifida and the capacity to collect the required National Spina Bifida Patient Registry data.

Component B applicants need additional capability relating to UMPIRE.

This includes access to relevant patients and the clinical expertise required to implement and evaluate the protocol.

A broad eligibility category does not mean an ordinary small business without clinical infrastructure is realistically competitive.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Estimated programme funding: $3 million

Expected awards: 19

Award floor: $100,000

Award ceiling: $300,000

Cost sharing: None required

The federal award amount should be interpreted according to the detailed budget period and component instructions in the NOFO.

Can One Organisation Apply to Both Components?

Yes.

CDC says an organisation with one UEI can submit one application for each component, creating a maximum of two applications.

Each application is evaluated independently.

Different principal investigators may also lead the two components within the same institution.

What Makes a Strong Application?

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Access to the appropriate patient population;
• Clinical expertise;
• Data-quality systems;
• Strong staff capacity;
• Ability to maintain longitudinal follow-up;
• Experience with registry-based research;
• Capability to analyse and share findings.

For Component B, the research team should also demonstrate the urologic expertise needed to conduct the UMPIRE work.

Deadline

October 26, 2026 at 11:59pm ET

Official Application Link

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DD-26-0222

Apply through the official Grants.gov opportunity

View the official CDC Spina Bifida funding page

Applicants should review the full CDC NOFO before deciding whether to pursue Component A, Component B or both.