Overview
Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% of women in the United States and is a major cause of pain and infertility. Currently, the only way to confirm an endometriosis diagnosis is through surgery. Many women live with the disease for years before getting a definitive diagnosis. While multiple treatment options—from hormone pills to surgeries—are available, they do not work for everyone, leave a chance of recurrence, and may have challenging side effects.
To further accelerate research to improve outcomes for women living with or at risk for endometriosis, NICHD launched the ACT ENDO initiative in March 2024 through its Gynecologic Health and Disease Branch. Research funding opportunities are expected to be announced in summer 2024.
Topic Areas
ACT ENDO seeks to reduce delays in endometriosis diagnosis, improve treatments, and ultimately develop prevention and cure strategies. The initiative encourages transdisciplinary projects in basic and clinical research, particularly in emerging areas such as stem cells and -omics-based technologies.
Research projects supported through the ACT ENDO initiative will strive to shorten the time to endometriosis diagnosis, decrease the invasiveness of current techniques, and/or improve the accessibility, safety, convenience, and costs of diagnosis.
More Information
- NOT-HD-24-016: NICHD to issue a Research Opportunity Announcement to support Advancing Cures and Therapies and ending ENDOmetriosis diagnostic delays - ACT ENDO (OTA Clinical Trial Optional)
- NICHD Contact: Candace Tingen
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