The FY18 Defense Appropriations Act provides $6 million (M) to the Department of Defense Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program (TSCRP) to support innovative, high-impact TSC research.  As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The TSCRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop applications.  FY18 TSCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on the Grants.gov website in May 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the government.

Focus Areas:  The goal of the FY18 TSCRP is to fund exploratory, pioneering and transformative science that promotes discoveries in TSC, from mechanistic insights to clinical application, by supporting new ideas and investigators for the benefit of Service members, their beneficiaries, and the American public.  Within this context, the FY18 TSCRP encourages applications that address the critical needs of the TSC community in one or more of the following FY18 Focus Areas:

·        Gaining a deeper knowledge of TSC signaling pathways and the cellular consequences of TSC deficiency

·        Improving TSC disease models

·        Examining the clinical aspects of TSC, including phenotypic heterogeneity

·        Facilitating therapeutics, biomarkers, and clinical trials research

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18tscrppreann

Exploration - Hypothesis Development Award

• Investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent), including postdoctoral fellows
• Supports the initial exploration of innovative, high-risk, high gain, and potentially groundbreaking concepts in the TSC research field.
• Projects involving human subjects or human biological substances must be exempt under 32 CFR 219.101(b)(4) or eligible for expedited review under 32 CFR 219.110 or 21 CFR 56.110.
• Preliminary data are not required.
• Research projects must be innovative, feasible, and supported by a strong rationale.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.
• Maximum funding of $100,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 2 year

Idea Development Award

• Established Investigators:  Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent);
• or
• New Investigators:  
• Independent investigator at or below the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent); or
• Established independent investigator in an area other than TSC at or above the level of Assistant Professor seeking to transition to a career in TSC thereby bringing his/her expertise to the field.
• Must not have received more than $300,000 in total direct costs for previous or concurrent TSC research as a PI of one or more Federally funded, non-mentored peer-reviewed grants. (National Institutes of Health K/R00 Awardees are eligible to apply.)
• Must not have received a New Investigator Award previously from any program within the CDMRP.
• Supports new ideas that have the potential to yield high-impact findings and new avenues of investigation.
• Preliminary data are expected.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.
• New Investigator Option supports the continued development of promising independent investigators and/or the transition of established investigators from other research fields into a career in TSC research.
• Applications from New Investigators and Established Investigators will be peer- and programmatically reviewed separately.
• Maximum funding of $450,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

Clinical Translational Research Award

• Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)
• Supports forward or reverse clinical/translational research studies.
• Preference will be given to studies that involve human samples, patients, or leverage existing clinical data and/or ongoing clinical studies. 
• Preclinical studies may be appropriate but must include a clinical component.
• Applications may include a small, pilot clinical trial intended to inform the next step in the continuum of translational research.
• Preliminary data are required
• Maximum funding of $600,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the TSCRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

The FY18 Defense Appropriations Act provides $15 million (M) to the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Alzheimer’s Research Program (PRARP) to support research which addresses the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as they pertain to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD).  As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The PRARP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop applications.  FY18 PRARP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on the Grants.gov website in May 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the government.

FY18 PRARP Overarching Challenges and Focus Areas:

All applications for FY18 PRARP funding opportunities must address at least one of the following FY18 Overarching Challenges.  The FY18 Overarching Challenges may be mechanism-specific. 

FY18 PRARP Overarching Challenges are listed below.

PRARP FY18 Overarching Challenges
Paucity of Research Resources:  The paucity of research resources to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities.
Paucity of Clinical Studies:  The paucity of clinical studies to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities.  This includes research into risk factors which may predispose individuals to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI.
Diagnostic Technologies, Tests, Biomarkers, or Devices:  The need for technologies, tests, or devices to detect or prognose the progression to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI.  This includes research into risk factors which may predispose individuals to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI.
Quality of Life:  The need for technologies, assessments, interventions, or devices to benefit individuals living with the common symptoms or deficits of TBI and AD/ADRD.
Caregiver Support:  The need for technologies, assessments, interventions, or devices with the goal of enhancing the lives of caregivers for individuals living with the common symptoms or deficits of TBI and AD/ADRD.
Epidemiology:  The paucity of epidemiological research to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities.  This includes research into risk factors which may predispose individuals to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI.

In addition to addressing one or more of the specified FY18 Overarching Challenges, applications should also address at least one of the following FY18 Focus Areas in support of the FY18 Overarching Challenges.  An application that proposes research outside of the FY18 Focus Areas is acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong rationale.  The Focus Areas will be mechanism-specific.

The PRARP FY18 Focus Areas are listed below.

PRARP FY18 Focus Areas

Mechanisms of Pathogenesis:  Identification of contributing mechanisms (e.g., diffuse/traumatic axonal injury, roles of non-neuronal cells, neuroinflammation, immune regulation, biology/pathology of tau, vascular contributions, and omics techniques for examining mechanisms) associated with TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD pathogenesis.

Biomarkers:  Development of strategies to diagnose, prognose, or characterize neurological changes or risk factors associated with TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD (e.g., fluid based, imaging-based, physiological, and omics techniques for biomarkers).

Quality of Life:  Research intended to alleviate, stabilize, or characterize the symptoms, or deficits, common to TBI, AD, and ADRD.  Examples of research in this Focus Area include:  Identification and management of comorbidities and modifiable risk factors (e.g., sleep apnea, obesity), cognitive training interventions, studies of health and wellness, and behavioral interventions.

Caregiver Support:  Research intended to enhance the role of the caregiver for individuals living with the common symptoms or deficits of TBI and AD/ADRD.  Examples of research in this Focus Area include:  Caregiver training, home-based support, behavioral interventions, and relationship interventions.

Epidemiological Research:  Research focusing on the incidence, distribution, and other factors relating to the health of individuals affected by TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD.

Novel Target Identification:  Basic research (non-human) directly leading to the identification of new targets for the development of existing or new investigational medicines, drugs, or agents.

Nonpharmacological Interventions:  Research into non-medication-based interventions to improve quality of life or caregiving for those living with AD/ADRD.

The following is a summary of the FY18 PRARP Program Announcements.  Four award mechanisms will be offered for FY18.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government.

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18prarppreann

Convergence Science Research Award

Principal Investigators (PIs) at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).

Intent:  Support efforts to generate research resources, tools, or novel research efforts for researchers and/or practitioners in health sciences.

Applications must address one or more of the following FY18 PRARP Overarching Challenges:

·        Paucity of Research Resources

·        Paucity of Clinical Studies

·        Diagnostic Technologies, Tests, Biomarkers, or Devices

·        Epidemiology

Applications should address at least one of the following FY18 PRARP Focus Areas:

·        Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

·        Biomarkers

·        Epidemiological Research

·        Novel Target Identification

Research considering pharmacologic interventions is specifically discouraged under this mechanism.

Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged.

• Maximum funding is $500,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.
• Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s rate agreement.

Quality of Life Research Award (QUAL)

PIs at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).

Intent:  The intent of the QUAL mechanism is to support preclinical, basic, epidemiological, or quality-of-life research to alleviate or characterize the common symptoms of TBI and AD/ADRD.

Applications must address one or more of the following FY18 PRARP Overarching Challenges:

·        Paucity of Clinical Studies

·        Epidemiology

·        Quality of Life

·        Caregiver Support

Applications should address at least one of the following FY18 PRARP Focus Areas:

·        Biomarkers

·        Quality of Life

·        Caregiver Support

·        Nonpharmacological Interventions

·        Epidemiological Research

Research considering pharmacologic interventions is specifically discouraged under this mechanism.

Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged.

• Funding limit is $500,000 in direct costs.
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.
• Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s rate agreement.

New Investigator Award

The PI must be an independent, early-career investigator within 3 years of his/her first independent faculty position (or equivalent).

Intent:  Support early-career investigators interested in novel research efforts or new technologies within TBI and AD/ADRD.

Applications must address one or more of the following FY18 PRARP Overarching Challenges:

·        Paucity of Research Resources

·        Paucity of Clinical Studies

·        Diagnostic Technologies, Tests, Biomarkers, or Devices

·        Epidemiology

·        Quality of Life

·        Caregiver Support

Applications should address at least one of the following FY18 PRARP Focus Areas:

·        Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

·        Biomarkers

·        Quality of Life

·        Caregiver Support

·        Epidemiological Research

·        Novel Target Identification

·        Nonpharmacological Interventions

Research considering pharmacologic interventions is specifically discouraged under this mechanism.

Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged.

• Funding limit is $225,000 in direct costs.
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.
• Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s rate agreement.

Research Partnership Award

The PI must be an independent investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).

Intent:  To create an avenue for partnerships between investigators to address a research problem or question in a manner that would be unachievable through separate efforts.

Applications must include clearly stated plans for interactions between the partners. The plans must include communication, coordination of research progress and results, and data sharing between all investigators and organizations participating in the project.

Applications must address one or more of the following FY18 PRARP Overarching Challenges:

·        Paucity of Research Resources

·        Paucity of Clinical Studies

·        Diagnostic Technologies, Tests, Biomarkers, or Devices

·        Epidemiology

·        Quality of Life

·        Caregiver Support

Applications should address at least one of the following FY18 PRARP Focus Areas:

·        Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

·        Biomarkers

·        Quality of Life

·        Caregiver Support

·        Epidemiological Research

·        Novel Target Identification

·        Nonpharmacological Interventions

Research considering pharmacologic interventions is specifically discouraged under this mechanism.

Preliminary data are required.

·        Funding limit is $1.3M in total costs.

·        Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

·        Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s rate agreement.

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420.

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the PRARP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

The FY18 Defense Appropriations Act provides $7.5 million (M) to the Department of Defense Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) to explore the causative links between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy, with the hope that, one day, post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) will be preventable.  As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The ERP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop applications.  FY18 ERP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on the Grants.gov website in May 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government.

Applications should also address at least one of the ERP FY18 Focus Areas.  An application that proposes research outside of the FY18 Focus Areas is acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong rationale.  The Focus Areas will be mechanism-specific.

The ERP FY18 Focus Areas are as follows:

Epidemiology:  Epidemiological characterization of PTE following TBI, which may include:

• Risk factors such as demographics, genetic factors, organic head injury factors, or type of insult
• Differentiation of PTE and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)
• Outcomes including latency to epilepsy, morbidities and comorbidities, and mortality
• Pre-existing conditions including psychological and psychiatric risk factors
• Treatment

Markers and Mechanisms:  Identifying markers or mechanisms (via clinical prospective or preclinical models) that address PTE, which may include the following:

• Early detection

• Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Morbidity
• Comorbidity
• Mortality
• Risk stratification

Note:  Research considering the development of new models or better characterization of existing etiologically relevant models for PTE, including repetitive TBI, could be considered under this Focus Area.

Longitudinal Studies:  Studies of the natural evolution of PTE, which may include the following:

• Seizure frequency and severity
• Comorbidities (e.g., depression, functional deficits, sleep disorders, major illness)
• Latency between injury and PTE
• Mortality
• Treatment
• Quality of life of individuals with PTE

Longitudinal Risk Factors Award

The Principal Investigator must be an independent investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).  Investigators must have a patient cohort identified.

Intent:  To facilitate high-impact, systematic, cohort-based research investigating the natural evolution of PTE from TBI.

• Responsive to the Longitudinal Focus Area Only.
• Preliminary data are required.
• Must describe how the inter-relationship between TBI and PTE will be assessed or characterized.
• Must describe the nature of the cohort (military, etc.)
• Must describe the study outcomes to be captured.
• Must describe the nature of the TBIs within the study cohort.
• Requires a Biostatistician.
• Applications that develop interdisciplinary teams or consortia as part of the support plan for executing the research are encouraged.
• Research considering a pharmacologic intervention is specifically discouraged under this mechanism.
• Maximum funding of $2,500,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years.
• Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution's rate agreement.

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18erppreann

Idea Development Award

Level I:  The Principal Investigator must be at or above the level of postdoctoral fellow (or equivalent), but below the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).  

Level II:  The Principal Investigator must be an independent investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).

Intent:  To solicit research to understand the magnitude and underlying mechanisms of PTE, especially in Service members and Veterans, while also benefitting the civilian community. 

·      Level I is intended to support high-risk or high-gain research from researchers at or above the level of a post-doctoral fellow (or equivalent). 

·      Level II is intended to support a more mature, hypothesis-driven research project.

The following Focus Areas are open to both Levels I and II:

·        Epidemiology

·        Markers and Mechanisms

·        Longitudinal Studies

·        Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged for both levels.

Research considering a pharmacologic intervention is specifically discouraged under this mechanism.

Level I:

·      Maximum funding of $300,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).

·      Maximum period of performance is 2 years.

·      Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution's rate agreement.

Level II:

·      Maximum funding of $500,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).

·      Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution's rate agreement.

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

Applications must be submitted through the Federal Government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the ERP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

The Fiscal Year 2018 Department of Defense Appropriations Act provides research funding for the following peer reviewed programs managed by the Department of Defense office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP):

• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Research Program - $4.0 million
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program - $10 million
• Autism Research Program - $7.5 million
• Bone Marrow Failure Research Program - $3.0 million
• Breast Cancer Research Program - $130.0 million
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program - $3.2 million
• Epilepsy Research Program - $7.5 million
• Gulf War Illness Research Program - $21.0 million
• Hearing Restoration Research Program - $10.0 million
• Kidney Cancer Research Program - $15.0 million
• Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program - $50.0 million
• Lung Cancer Research Program - $14.0 million
• Lupus Research Program - $5.0 million
• Military Burn Research Program - $8.0 million
• Multiple Sclerosis Research Program - $6.0 million
• Neurofibromatosis Research Program - $15.0 million
• Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program- $10.0 million
• Ovarian Cancer Research Program - $20.0 million
• Parkinson's Research Program - $16.0 million
• Peer Reviewed Alzheimer's Research Program - $15.0 million
• Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (17 Topics) - $80.0 million
• Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (52 Topics) - $330.0 million
• Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program - $30.0 million
• Prostate Cancer Research Program - $100.0 million
• Reconstructive Transplant Research Program - $12.0 million
• Spinal Cord Injury Research Program - $30.0 million
• Tick-Borne Disease Research Program - $12.0 million
• Trauma Clinical Research Program - $10 million
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program - $6.0 million
• Vision Research Program - $15.0 million

Comprehensive Program Announcements will be released during 2018. The Program Announcements will include detailed descriptions of funding mechanisms, evaluation criteria, submission requirements, and deadlines. Each Program Announcement may be downloaded from the Grants.gov website http://www.grants.gov, or the CDMRP website http://cdmrp.army.mil upon its release.

For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://ebrap.org.

For more information about the CDMRP, our research programs, previous awardees, as well as research highlights and videos, please visit the website at http://cdmrp.army.mil.

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-7783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

FY18 BCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are posted on Grants.gov. 

 

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), J9 Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

 

Applications submitted to the FY18 BCRP must address one or more of the following overarching challenges:

• ·         Prevent breast cancer (primary prevention)
• ·         Identify determinants of breast cancer initiation, risk, or susceptibility
• ·         Distinguish deadly from non-deadly breast cancers
• ·         Conquer the problems of over diagnosis and overtreatment
• ·         Identify what drives breast cancer growth; determine how to stop it
• ·         Identify why some breast cancers become metastatic
• ·         Determine why/how breast cancer cells lie dormant for years and then re-emerge; determine how to prevent lethal recurrence
• ·         Revolutionize treatment regimens by replacing them with ones that are more effective, less toxic, and impact survival
• ·         Eliminate the mortality associated with metastatic breast cancer

 

http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/bcrp

 

Breakthrough Award Level 1 & 2– Letter of Intent due May 16, 2018 for Level 1 & 2

• ·         Investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)
• ·         Senior postdoctoral fellows who do not meet the eligibility requirements of the Breakthrough Fellowship Award are encouraged to apply under Funding Levels 1 and 2
• ·         Each investigator may submit only one Funding Level 1 application and one Funding Level 2 application as a PI or Initiating PI.
• ·         Supports promising research that has the potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer.
• ·         Potential impact of the research may be near-term or long-term, but it must be significant and go beyond an incremental advancement.
• ·         Partnering PI Option allows two PIs, termed Initiating and Partnering PIs, to collaborate on a single application.
• ·         It is the responsibility of the PI to select the funding level that is most appropriate for the research proposed.  The funding level should be selected based on the scope of the research project, rather than the amount of the budget.
• ·         There are no limitations on the number of applications for which an investigator may be named as a
• ·         Partnering PI.  However, applicants are discouraged from submitting as a Partnering PI on multiple applications unless they are clearly unique, meaningful collaborations addressing distinct research questions.
• ·         Additional funds are available for applications submitted under the Partnering PI Option.
• ·         Clinical trials are not allowed.
• ·         Submission of a Letter of Intent is required prior to full application submission.
• ·         Funding Level 1:
• ·         Maximum funding of $375,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• ·         Maximum period of performance is 3 years
• ·         Funding Level 1 – Partnering PI Option:
• ·         Maximum funding of $600,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• ·         Maximum period of performance is 3 years
• ·         Funding Level 2:
• ·         Maximum funding of $750,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• ·         Maximum period of performance is 3 years
• ·         Funding Level 2 – Partnering PI Option:
• ·         Maximum funding of $1M for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• ·         Maximum period of performance is 3 years

 

Breakthrough Award Level 3 & 4– Preproposal May 15, 2018

• ·         Independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent) are eligible.
• ·         Each investigator may submit one Funding Level 3 pre-application and on Funding Level 4 pre-application as a PI or Initiating PI.
• ·         Supports promising research that has the potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer.
• ·         Potential impact of the research may be near-terms or long-term, but it must be significant and go beyond an incremental advancement.
• ·         Partnering PI Option allows two PIs, termed Initiating and Partnering PIs, to collaborate on a single application.
• ·         It is the responsibility of the PI to select the funding level that is most appropriate for the research proposed.  The funding level should be selected based on the scope of the research project, rather than the amount of the budget.
• ·         Clinical trials are allowed.
• ·         There are no limitations on the number of applications for which an investigator may be named as a Partnering PI.  However, applicants are discouraged from submitting as a Partnering PI on multiple applications unless they are clearly unique, meaningful collaborations addressing distinct research questions.
• ·         PIs must include two or more breast cancer advocates on their research team.
• ·         Submission of a preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.

Funding Level 3:

Maximum funding of $2.5M in direct costs (plus indirect costs)

Maximum period of performance is 4 years

Funding Level 3 – Partnering PI Option:

Maximum funding of $4M for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

Maximum period of performance is 4 years

Funding Level 4 and Funding Level 4 – Partnering PI Option:

Maximum funding of $10M for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

Maximum period of performance is 4 years

 

Breakthrough Fellowship Award – Letter of Intent due May 16, 2018

As of the application submission deadline, all eligible PIs must have:

·         Successfully completed the requirements for a doctoral or medical degree, and

·         Been in the laboratory or clinical research setting in which the proposed research is to be performed for no more than 2 years, and

·         A total of less than 4 years’ experience in a postdoctoral fellowship or mentored clinical research training program (excludes any clinical residency or fellowship training)

Mentor

Must have breast cancer research experience, including current funding and recent publications

·         Supports exceptionally talented, “best and brightest” recent doctoral or medical graduates in pursuit of promising research that has the potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer.

·         Potential impact of the research may be near-term or long-term, but it must be significant and go beyond an incremental advancement.

·         Individualized researcher development plan and mentorship should prepare the PI for an independent career at the forefront of breast cancer research or patient care.

·         The PI is not required to have previous experience in breast cancer research.

·         Maximum funding of $300,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

• ·         Maximum period of performance is 3 years

 

Era of Hope Scholar Award – Letter of Intent due May 16, 2018

Independent, non-mentored investigators within 6 years of their last training position (e.g., postdoctoral fellowship, medical residency, clinical fellowship) as of the application submission deadline

·         Submission of a Letter of Intent is required prior to full application submission.

·         Supports exceptionally talented, creative early-career scientists who have demonstrated that they are the “best and brightest” in their fields.

·         PIs should articulate a vision that challenges current dogma and demonstrates an ability to look beyond tradition and convention.

·         PIs must exhibit strong potential for leadership in breast cancer.

·         Experience in breast cancer research is not required; however, the application must focus on breast cancer, and the PI must maintain a 50% dedication of his/her full-time professional effort during the award period to breast cancer research.

• ·         PIs are required to include breast cancer advocates on their research team.
• ·         Preliminary data are allowed, but not required.

·         Maximum funding of $2.5M for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

• ·         Maximum period of performance is 4 years

 

Innovator Award – Preproposal due May 15, 2018

Associate Professor or above (or equivalent).

·         Supports visionary individuals who have demonstrated creativity, innovative work, and leadership in any field.

·         Provides opportunity to pursue novel, visionary, high-risk ideas that will accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.

·         PIs must include two or more breast cancer advocates on their research team.

• ·         Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.

·         Maximum funding of $5M for direct costs (plus indirect costs).

• ·         Maximum period of performance is 4 years

 

 

Distinguished Investigator Award – Preproposal due May 15, 2018

Assistant Professor or above (or equivalent) and more than 6 years beyond the PI’s last training position as of the application submission deadline

·         Supports established visionary leaders from any field to pursue innovative ideas that could accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.

·         The PI must propose research that is a fundamental shift from his/her track record of research.

·         Does not support continuation of or minor advancement from the PI’s published line of research.

·         If the PI is not an established breast cancer researcher, he/she must clearly articulate a motivation and commitment for proposing a conceptual shift in his/her research and must include at least one collaborator with breast cancer expertise.

·         PIs must include two or more breast cancer advocates on their research team.

·         High-risk/high-reward projects pursuing innovative new paradigms are encouraged, but not required.

• ·         Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.

·         Maximum funding of $3M for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

• ·         Maximum period of performance is 4 years

 

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism is also found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

 

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the BCRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

 

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Help Desk
301-682-5507
help@eBrap.org

The FY18 Defense Appropriations Act provides $100 million (M) to the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) to support innovative, high-impact prostate cancer research. As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency, Research, Development, and Acquisition (DHA RDA) Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation. The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The PCRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop applications.  FY18 PCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in May 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.

The mission of the PCRP is to fund research that will lead to the elimination of death from prostate cancer and enhance the well-being of Service members, Veterans, and all men experiencing the impact of the disease.  Applications submitted to the FY18 PCRP must addresses one or more of the Overarching Challenges (revised for FY18):

·        Develop treatments that improve outcomes for men with lethal prostate cancer

·        Reduce lethal prostate cancer in African Americans, Veterans, and other high-risk populations

·        Define the biology of lethal prostate cancer to reduce death

·        Improve the quality of life for survivors of prostate cancer

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18pcrppreann

Impact Award

• Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)
• Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports high-impact, potentially high-risk studies (including clinical trials) that address a central question or problem in prostate cancer.  As such, the primary emphasis of this mechanism is on impact.
• The potential impact of the research is expected to be near-term and must be significant and go beyond an incremental advancement.
• Proposed projects may include basic, translational, or clinical research, including clinical trials, but must demonstrate clinical relevance.
• Preliminary data to support feasibility are required.
• Each Principal Investigator (PI) may submit only one application.
• Maximum funding of $750K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Health Disparity Research Award

• Established Investigators:  Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)
• Or New Investigators:  Investigators that meet the following criteria at the application submission deadline date:
• Have the freedom to pursue individual aims without formal mentorship
• Have not previously received a PCRP Health Disparity Research Award and/or Idea Development Award
• Have completed at least 3 years of postdoctoral training or fellowship and are within 10 years after completion of a terminal degree (excluding residency or family medical leave)
• Supports new ideas for prostate cancer research that have the potential to make an important contribution to reducing and ultimately eliminating disparities in prostate cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality. 
• Research ideas should be innovative, but primary emphasis will be placed on the potential impact of the proposed work.
• Preliminary data are encouraged, but not required.
• Proposed projects may include basic, translational, or clinical research, including clinical trials.
• New Investigator Option supports applicants early in their faculty appointments or in the process of developing independent research careers.
• Established Investigators:
• Maximum funding of $750K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• New Investigators:
• Maximum funding of $450K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Idea Development Award

• Established Investigators:  Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)
• Or New Investigators:  Investigators that meet the following criteria at the application submission deadline date:
• Have the freedom to pursue individual aims without formal mentorship
• Have not previously received a PCRP Idea Development Award
• Have completed at least 3 years of postdoctoral training or fellowship and are within 10 years after completion of terminal degree (excluding residency or family medical leave)
• Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports new ideas that represent innovative, high-risk/high-gain approaches to prostate cancer research and have the potential to make an important contribution to eliminating death and enhancing the well-being of men with prostate cancer.
• Emphasis is equally placed on Innovation and Impact.
• Preliminary data are encouraged, but not required.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.
• Each PI may submit only one application.
• New Investigator Option supports applicants early in their faculty appointments or in the process of developing independent research careers.
• Established PIs (individual or partnering):
• Maximum funding of $600K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• New Investigator Option:
• Maximum funding of $450K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Physician Research Award

• At the time of application submission, the PI must be either:
• In the last year of an accredited medical residency or medical fellowship program
• or
• Within 3 years of having initiated an appointment as Instructor, Assistant Professor, or equivalent
• Supports a mentored research experience to prepare physicians with clinical duties for careers in prostate cancer research.
• PIs must demonstrate a commitment to a career at the forefront of prostate cancer research and clinical practice.
• PIs must have a designated mentor with an established research program in prostate cancer.
• Institutions must provide at least 40% protection of PI’s time for research.
• Projects that focus on basic research are highly encouraged.
• Maximum funding of $750K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years.

Early Investigator Research Award

By March 31, 2019

Postdoctoral Ph.D. or M.D. PIs:

• Must have successfully defended a doctoral thesis or possess an M.D. degree
• Have 3 years or less of postdoctoral research experience
• Supports research opportunities focused on prostate cancer for individuals in the early stages of their careers.
• PIs must have a designated mentor who is an experienced prostate cancer researcher.
• Maximum funding of $200K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 2 years.

Health Disparity Scholar Award

By March 31, 2019

Postdoctoral Ph.D. or M.D. PIs:

• Must have successfully defended a doctoral thesis or possess an M.D. degree
• Have 3 years or less of postdoctoral research experience
• Supports research opportunities focused on reducing and ultimately eliminating disparities in prostate cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality for individuals in the early stages of their careers.
• PIs must have a designated mentor who is an experienced prostate cancer researcher.
• Maximum funding of $200K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 2 years.

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

Applications must be submitted through the Federal Government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the PCRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website.

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

The FY18 Defense Appropriations Act provides $80 million (M) to the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) to support innovative, high-impact cancer research.  As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency, (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

FY18 PRCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in late April/early May 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the PRCRP. 

Congressionally Directed Topic Areas:  To be considered for funding, applications for the FY18 PRCRP must address at least one of the Topic Areas as directed by Congress.  Research applications in the areas of breast, prostate, lung (excluding mesothelioma), kidney, or ovarian cancer will not be accepted.

The FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas are:

Adrenal Cancers Bladder cancer	Immunotherapy† Listeria-based regimens for cancer	Myeloma Neuroblastoma
Blood Cancers Brain cancer	Liver cancer Lymphoma	Pancreatic cancer
Cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults*	Melanoma and other skin cancers	Pediatric brain tumors
Colorectal cancer	Mesothelioma	Stomach cancer

*The definition of adolescents and young adults is derived from the National Cancer Institute (https://www.cancer.gov/types/aya) and can be considered to be people between the ages of 15-39 years.  Cancers studied under this Topic Area should be within the scope of the Congressional language and the intent of the Program Announcement(s)

^†As derived from the National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer terms (http://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms).  Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy that uses substances to stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer.  Cancers studied under this Topic Area should be within the scope of the Congressional language and the intent of the Program Announcement(s).

The FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas are listed below:

To address the cancer health needs of both deployed and non-deployed personnel, their dependents, retirees, and Veterans, the FY18 PRCRP seeks to support studies that are responsive to at least one of Military Relevance Focus Areas listed below:

• Militarily relevant risk factors associated with cancer (e.g., ionizing radiation, chemicals, infectious agents, environmental carcinogens, and stress)
• Gaps in cancer prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and/or survivorship that may impact mission readiness and the health and well-being of military members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries and the general public

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18prcrppreann

Career Development Award

Principal Investigator (PI): Independent early-career investigator within 10 years after completion of his/her terminal degree (excluding time spent in residency or on family medical leave) by the time of the application submission deadline

Career Guide: Investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor (or equivalent); must have a proven publication and funding record in cancer research 

• Letter of Intent is required.  An invitation to submit a full application is not required.
• Supports independent, early-career investigators to conduct impactful research with the mentorship of an experienced cancer researcher.
• Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas.
• Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas.
• Preliminary data are not required.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.

·      Maximum funding for the entire period of performance is $360,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·      Maximum period of performance is 3 years

 

Idea Award with Special Focus

Independent investigator with a faculty-level appointment (or equivalent)

• Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports innovative, untested, high-risk/potentially high-reward concepts, theories, paradigms, and/or methods in cancer research relevant to Service members, their families, and other military beneficiaries.
• Emphasis on innovation and military relevance/impact.
• Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas.
• Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas.
• Preliminary data are not required.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.

·      Maximum funding for the entire period of performance is $400,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·      Maximum period of performance is 2 years

 

Translational Team Science Award

At least two and up to three PIs must partner in one overarching correlative or translational research study

At least one of the PIs is encouraged to be a military or Department of Veterans Affairs investigator

• Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Emphasizes multi-PI, multidisciplinary collaborations.
• Supports translational studies associated with an ongoing or completed clinical trial and/or translational study that can lead to a future clinical trial or clinical application in cancer research relevant to Service members, their families, and other military beneficiaries.
• Not intended to support high throughput screenings, sequencing, etc.
• Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas.
• Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas.
• Preliminary data are required.
• Clinical Trials are allowed.

·      Maximum funding for the entire period of performance is $1,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·      Maximum period of performance is 4 years

 

Impact Award

Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) are eligible to submit an application.

• A Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports hypothesis-driven, high impact research.
• Encourages applications that support the full spectrum of research projects or ideas that specifically focus on critical scientific and clinical cancer issues, which, if successfully addressed, have the potential to make a major impact on one of the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas.
• Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas.
• Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas.
• Preliminary data are required.
• Maximum funding for the entire period of performance is $1,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years
• Clinical Trials are allowed

 

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

 

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://ebrap.org/.  For more information about the PRCRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

FY18 ARP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in May 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the ARP.

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18arppreann

Clinical Trial Award

• Investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor (or equivalent), or
• Nested Early-Career Investigator Option: Investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor (or equivalent) may collaborate on a single application with a young investigator (at the level of postdoctoral fellow up to early-career independent faculty) who meets the following criteria at the application submission deadline date:
• Must be currently in or have completed a postdoctoral fellowship by the application deadline
• Is no more than 7 years from the receipt of a terminal degree
• Has the freedom to commit at least 50% time to the project
• Supports research with the potential to have a major impact on the treatment and/or management of ASD.
• Preliminary data relevant to the proposed clinical trial are required.
• Pre-application is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Nested Early-Career Investigator Option: Supports the development of young investigators pursuing or wishing to pursue a career in ASD clinical trial research.
• Maximum funding of $1,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years
• Nested Early-Career Investigator Option:
• Maximum funding of $1,155,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years

Clinical Translational Award

• Investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)
• Supports early-phase, proof-of-principle clinical trials with the potential to have a major impact on the treatment and/or management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Preliminary data relevant to the proposed project are required.
• Pre-application is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Maximum funding of $500,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

Idea Development Award

• Investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent), or
• Multiple PI Option: 
  Up to two investigators may collaborate on a single application, each of whom will be recognized as a Principal Investigator and receive a separate award. 
• Supports the development of innovative, high-impact ideas that advance the understanding of ASD and ultimately lead to improved outcomes.  Preliminary data relevant to the proposed project are required.
• Pre-application is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Clinical trials or applications including a clinical trial aim are not allowed.
• Maximum funding of $500,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the ARP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

Department of Defense Neurofibromatosis Research Program

Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18)

 

FY18 NFRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on the Grants.gov website in May 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the government and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the NFRP.

The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Areas of Emphasis: The NFRP encourages applications that specifically address the critical needs of the NF community in one or more of the FY18 Areas of Emphasis.  Not all Areas of Emphasis are applicable to each award mechanism offered by the FY18 NFRP.  If the proposed research project does not address one of the FY18 Areas of Emphasis, justification that the proposed research project addresses an important problem related to NF research and/or patient care should be provided.

• Health services research

○                 Evidence-based best clinical practices

○                 Implementation and access to NF-specific health care

○                 Utilization of technology and informatics

• Heterogeneity of neurofibromas and other NF-related tumors
• Nontumor manifestations

○                 Cognitive, behavior, sleep, pain, hypotonia, communication, etc., including quality of life measures, self-reported and underreported manifestations

• Novel disease and treatment response markers using genomics, epigenetics, systems biology, metabolomics, or similar approaches

○                 Transition from benign to malignant

• Nutritional, environmental, and other modifiers of NF
• Post-adolescent manifestations
• Preclinical efficacy studies
• Target identification, drug discovery, targeted and immunotherapies

 

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18nfrppreann

Clinical Trial Award

• Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)
• Fund Phase 0, I, or II clinical trials relevant to NF and/or schwannomatosis; combinations of phases are permitted.
• Funding must support a clinical trial and may not be used for preclinical studies.
• Scientific rationale and preliminary data required for Phase I, II clinical trial applications.
• Maximum funding of $800,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum funding of $1,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs) for applications including a Collaborator
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years

 

Exploration – Hypothesis Development Award

• All academic levels (or equivalent)
• Fund the initial exploration of innovative, high-risk, high-gain and potentially. groundbreaking concepts in NF research
• Projects involving human subjects or human biological substances must be exempt under 32 CFR 219.101(b) or eligible for expedited review under 32 CFR 219.110 or 21 CFR 56.110.
• Preliminary and/or published data is encouraged but not required.
• Clinical trials not allowed
• Maximum funding of $100,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 2 years

 

Investigator-Initiated Research Award

• Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) and must plan to commit at least a 10% level of effort for each budget period throughout the entirety of the award
• Fund highly rigorous, high-impact research projects that have the potential to make an important contribution to NF research and/or patient care.

• ·       Optional Feature:  Applications that include a Qualified Collaborator who meets criteria identified in the announcement may apply for a higher level of funding.

• Preliminary and/or published data required.
• Clinical trials not allowed.
• Maximum funding of $525,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum funding of $575,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs) for applications including an Optional Qualified Collaborator
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

 

New Investigator Award

• Independent investigators at or below the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) or an established investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor seeking to transition into a career in NF research
• Support the continued development of promising independent investigators and/or the transition of established investigators into a career in the field of NF research
• Experience in NF research is allowed, but not required
• Preliminary and/or published data required
• Clinical trials not allowed
• Maximum funding of $450,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

 

Early Investigator Research Award

• Postdoctoral Ph.D. or M.D. PIs:
• Must have successfully defended a doctoral thesis or possess an M.D. degree and
• Have at least 3 years and up to 6 years of consecutive postdoctoral fellowship
• Supports research opportunities focused on NF for individuals in the early stages of their careers.
• PIs must have a designated mentor who is an experienced NF researcher
• Maximum funding of $200,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 2 years

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline. All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

 

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the NFRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

Due to the current Continuing Resolution, the FY18 Defense Appropriations bill has not been passed.  Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP), the PRCRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 PRCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the PRCRP. 

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency, (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Congressionally Directed Topic Areas:  To be considered for funding, applications for the FY18 PRCRP must address at least one of the Topic Areas as directed by Congress.  Research applications in the areas of breast, prostate, lung (excluding mesothelioma), kidney, or ovarian cancer will not be accepted.

As of the release date of this pre-announcement, the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas have not been finalized.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government to include any of these topic areas or others in the FY18 PRCRP.  The potential FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas are:

·         Bladder cancer	·         Listeria-based regimens for cancer	·         Myeloma
·         Brain cancer	·         Liver cancer	·         Neuroblastoma
·         Cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults*	·         Lymphoma	·         Pancreatic cancer
·         Colorectal cancer	·         Melanoma and other skin cancers	·         Pediatric brain tumors
·         Immunotherapy†	·         Mesothelioma	·         Stomach cancer

*The definition of adolescents and young adults is derived from the National Cancer Institute (https://www.cancer.gov/types/aya) and can be considered to be people between the ages of 15-39 years.  Cancers studied under this Topic Area should be within the scope of the Congressional language and the intent of the Program Announcement(s)

^†As derived from the National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer terms (http://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms).  Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy that uses substances to stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer.  Cancers studied under this Topic Area should be within the scope of the Congressional language and the intent of the Program Announcement(s).

 

The FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas are listed below:

To address the cancer health needs of both deployed and non-deployed personnel, their dependents, retirees, and Veterans, the FY18 PRCRP seeks to support studies that are responsive to at least one of Military Relevance Focus Areas listed below:

• Militarily relevant risk factors associated with cancer (e.g., ionizing radiation, chemicals, infectious agents, environmental carcinogens, and stress)
• Gaps in cancer prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and/or survivorship that may impact mission readiness and the health and well-being of military members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries and the general public

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18prcrppreann

Career Development Award

Principal Investigator (PI): Independent early-career investigator within 10 years after completion of his/her terminal degree (excluding time spent in residency or on family medical leave) by the time of the application submission deadline

Career Guide: Investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor (or equivalent); must have a proven publication and funding record in cancer research 

·         Letter of Intent is required.  An invitation to submit a full application is not required.

·         Supports independent, early-career investigators to conduct impactful research with the mentorship of an experienced cancer researcher.

·         Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas.

·         Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas.

·         Preliminary data are not required.

·         Clinical trials are not allowed.

·       Maximum funding for the entire period of performance is $360,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·       Maximum period of performance is 3 years

 

Idea Award with Special Focus

Independent investigator with a faculty-level appointment (or equivalent)

·         Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.

·         Supports innovative, untested, high-risk/potentially high-reward concepts, theories, paradigms, and/or methods in cancer research relevant to Service members, their families, and other military beneficiaries.

·         Emphasis on innovation and military relevance/impact.

·         Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas.

·         Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas.

·         Preliminary data are not required.

·         Clinical trials are not allowed.

·       Maximum funding for the entire period of performance is $400,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·       Maximum period of performance is 2 years

 

Translational Team Science Award

At least two and up to three PIs must partner in one overarching correlative or translational research study

At least one of the PIs is encouraged to be a military or Department of Veterans Affairs investigator

·         Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.

·         Emphasizes multi-PI, multidisciplinary collaborations.

·         Supports translational studies associated with an ongoing or completed clinical trial and/or translational study that can lead to a future clinical trial or clinical application in cancer research relevant to Service members, their families, and other military beneficiaries.

·         Not intended to support high throughput screenings, sequencing, etc.

·         Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Topic Areas.

·         Must address at least one of the FY18 PRCRP Military Relevance Focus Areas.

·         Preliminary data are required.

·       Maximum funding for the entire period of performance is $1,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·       Maximum period of performance is 4 years

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

 

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://ebrap.org/.  For more information about the PRCRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil