Funding News

NEI Vision Research Epidemiology Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

2021-07-15T11:46:00.006-07:00

There are multiple deadlines for this program – September 25, January 25 and May 25 from 2021 through 2024.

The Funding Mechanism is a Cooperative Agreement (UG1) so NEI will be actively involved.

Summary:

The National Eye Institute (NEI) supports investigator-initiated, complex, multi-center and other high resource risk epidemiologic studies under the cooperative agreement mechanism, UG1 activity code. Specifically, the purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support new and innovative ocular epidemiology research.

Purpose:

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support epidemiologic studies that utilize creative and innovative approaches to studying vision diseases and disorders with high public impact and whose findings will inform prevention and treatment strategies as well as basic sciences research.

Background:

Clinical vision research projects, including epidemiologic studies, are part of NEI’s core strategy for improving visual health and decreasing visual impairment in populations through research on the burden of disease, its causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Projects should focus on NEI’s mission to protect and improve visual health including, but not limited to:

Determining the burden of eye diseases and their visual outcomes in a changing population, particularly disparities in the burden and the influences of sociocultural, environmental, economic, and demographic factors.
Improving early diagnosis of ocular diseases and their underlying processes through new screening and detection strategies.
Determining risk factors for ocular diseases.
Identifying and assessing strategies that will overcome barriers to eye care and convert evidence-based findings into improved patient and population outcomes.
Studying the interplay of factors that exacerbate or mitigate risk for eye diseases.

The NEI encourages applications to support ocular epidemiologic research. These projects are supported under the cooperative agreement mechanism.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Scientific/Research staff as plans for an application are being developed (see Section VII, Agency Contacts), preferably no later than 12 weeks prior to the anticipated application submission date.

More information can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-204.html

India Collaborative Vision Research Program (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

2021-07-15T11:42:00.001-07:00

The deadlines are November 8, 2021, November 8, 2022, November 8, 2023.

Summary:

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages Multiple Principal Investigator (Multi-PD/PI) applications from United States (U.S.)-based institutions with an Indian institution partner to establish bilateral collaborations that will advance science and technology important to understanding, preventing, and treating blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, and their complications.

Applications are encouraged from organizations/institutions that propose to conduct research on the basic biology and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases through collaborations with Indian investigators on the following: diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, including rare and genetic diseases such as congenital cataracts, as well as other eye conditions such as ocular inflammation/uveitis, refractive error, low vision, and corneal injury. Basic, translational, or epidemiological research may be proposed. Clinical trials will not be supported under this FOA.

A. Background

Scientific collaborations between the U.S. and India have been successfully conducted for several years under a variety of bilateral agreements. Recognizing that continuing collaborative research focused on eye diseases and visual disorders would be of mutual benefit to the U.S. and India, the National Eye Institute (NEI), the Indian Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and a Joint Working Group (JWG) developed a strategic plan for collaborations and to facilitate the expedited review and clearance of proposed bilateral projects. Both the NEI and the DBT have pledged funds to support joint activities pursued under this bilateral program.

Several eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, AMD, and glaucoma are complex and influenced by multiple genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors including family, nutrition, and exposure to toxins. During the past decade, progress has been made identifying these factors. In AMD, for example, environmental factors including smoking and sunlight have been shown to increase risk, and a diet rich in fatty acids has been shown to decrease risk. There are likely other unknown factors that are involved in precipitating AMD and other ocular diseases. Large scale genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and informatic methods using emergent or current technologies to study unique populations are encouraged to identify new factors that can affect susceptibility to these diseases and/or ocular infections, as well as biomarkers that will provide the basis for accurate diagnostic tests and predict treatment outcome.

There are also many eye conditions and complications such as inflammation that affect some intracommunity populations to a much greater extent, providing a valuable resource for learning more about visual restoration as well as the pathogenesis and physiology of a disorder. For instance, the impact of environmental pollutants, including those generated by cooking stoves, on the development of cataracts, as well as the susceptibility of toxins to cause infections, such as ocular TB and trachoma, are not well understood. Research on these populations that will further our understanding of neural plasticity including neurogenesis, cognition, and processing after the treatment of visual disorders and injury are also of interest to NEI and the DBT.

Research Objectives

This FOA is intended to support collaborations between the U.S. and India that focus on the basic biology, epigenetic, and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases and visual disorders.

Applications may include, but are not limited to collaborations addressing the following areas:

Family based genome wide association studies (GWAS) on available cohorts of consanguineous families from India to identify genetic variants that predispose to both Mendelian and complex forms of eye disease;
Validation of novel GWAS findings in appropriate animal models;
Identification of biomarkers that predict and/or assess risk and response to interventions;
Studies of environmental factors that predict risk of eye diseases such as imprinting and other epigenetic effects;
Studies to determine the underlying biology of ocular diseases including, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts, myopia and presbyopia;
Studies focusing on the basic science of neuroplasticity of vision including perceptual learning and adaptation after eye injury;
Studies of the mechanisms through which environmental pollutants/toxins contribute to ocular diseases and their complications including infection and inflammation;
Identification of factors that influence the success of corneal transplantation and recovery after surgery.

Collaborations

The FOA requires that the collaboration between the U.S. and Indian research teams be submitted as a Multiple Principal Investigator (Multi-PD/PI) application with both of the lead scientists from each country as the PD/PI. Applications may be derived from existing collaborations with an established history of interaction, or from new partnerships developed in response to this FOA. The collaboration must be based on interactive relationships that maximize the expertise of the individual U.S. and Indian research teams.

Through this FOA, U.S. and Indian collaborating investigators should work together to develop and submit an application to National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the India Ministry of Science and Technology's Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The Indian application should follow DBT guidance using the 'Proposal Submission form for R&D Projects' format available at the DBT eProMIS portal: http://www.dbtepromis.nic.in/sample_forms.htm. In addition to a detailed research plan, the application must include a leadership plan that describes the roles, responsibilities, and working relationship of the PD/PIs, as well as information about performance sites, the proposed work to be accomplished at each site, and a complete budget for the collaboration. Only those applications that are determined to be meritorious will be considered for joint funding and will be supported by the DBT and NIH under this program. The DBT

will provide funds for the Indian component and NIH will fund the US component.

The NIH Research Project Grant will directly support salaries of U.S. personnel and research activities within the U.S. It is anticipated that the Indian award will fund the Indian component and will support research activities within India, salaries of Indian research personnel, and other research cost as per DBT norms. All research in India will be conducted in accordance with both U.S. and Government of India regulations for the protection of human subjects.

Note: Organizations must register and apply with their eRA Commons. All U.S. and Indian applicants must have an active DUNS number and SAM registration in order to complete the eRA Commons registration.

Applications Not Responsive to this FOA

The following applications will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed for this FOA:

Applications that include clinical trials
Applications that include research topics that do not fall within the NEI mission and/or the NIH referral guidelines such as the diagnosis and treatment of ocular cancers

Applicants are encouraged to confer with an appropriate NEI Scientific/Research Contactto discuss the relevance of the research topic to the NEI mission.

More information can be found at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-249.html

NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional)

2021-07-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

The deadline is August 20, 2021.

Summary

The NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program supports early stage investigators of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative research projects with the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important areas relevant to the mission of NIH. For the program to support the best possible researchers and research, applications are sought which reflect the full diversity of the research workforce. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups and from the full spectrum of eligible institutions in all geographic locations are strongly encouraged to apply to this Funding Opportunity Announcement. In addition, applications in all topics relevant to the broad mission of NIH are welcome, including, but not limited to, topics in the behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, and formal sciences and topics that may involve basic, translational, or clinical research. The NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program complements other ongoing efforts by NIH and its Institutes and Centers to fund early stage investigators. The NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program of the NIH Common Fund.

More info can be found at : https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-21-016.html

Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

2021-07-15T11:33:00.001-07:00

The next deadline is October 5,2021.

Funding Opportunity Summary

“The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement is to encourage collaborations between the life and physical sciences that: 1) apply a multidisciplinary bioengineering approach to the solution of a biomedical problem; and 2) integrate, optimize, validate, translate or otherwise accelerate the adoption of promising tools, methods and techniques for a specific research or clinical problem in basic, translational, or clinical science and practice. An application may propose design-directed, developmental, discovery-driven, or hypothesis-driven research and is appropriate for small teams applying an integrative approach to increase our understanding of and solve problems in biological, clinical or translational science.

Purpose

The goal for a bioengineering research grant (BRG) is to foster the development of an innovative technology, model, technique, design, or method that has the potential for significant impact on biomedical research by infusing principles and concepts from the quantitative sciences.

The purpose of this FOA is to encourage BRG applications that: 1) apply a multidisciplinary approach to the solution of a biomedical problem; and 2) integrate, optimize, validate, translate or otherwise accelerate the adoption of promising tools, methods and techniques for a specific research or clinical problem in basic, translational, or clinical science and practice. A BRG application may propose design-directed, developmental, discovery-driven, or hypothesis-driven research and is appropriate for small teams applying an integrative approach to increase our understanding of and solve problems in biological, clinical or translational science.

Research Objectives

Many major biomedical research problems are best addressed with a multidisciplinary approach that bridges the life and physical sciences. Principles and techniques in quantitative sciences such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer sciences, and engineering are increasingly applied to good effect in biomedical research. Bioengineering approaches integrate principles from diverse technical and biomedical fields, and the resulting multi-disciplinary research provides new understanding, innovative technologies, and new products that improve basic knowledge, human health, and quality of life. This FOA seeks to encourage collaborations of quantitative and physical scientists with biomedical researchers to catalyze the development of innovative bioengineering approaches to the solution of important problems in biomedical research, clinical investigations, and medical practice.

Significant projects may include, but are not limited to: validation and translation of promising tools for prevention, monitoring or intervention; development of quantitative, predictive models of complex biological systems; integration and optimization of technologies that significantly increase sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, efficiency, or throughput of measurements to address unsolved biological or medical questions; or engineering and testing of delivery systems, tissues, therapeutics, implants, and prosthetics that may improve treatment and healthcare.

Innovation in this biomedical engineering FOA has a broad definition that includes development of new methods, ideas, or tools, integration of existing components into new combinations that deliver greater capabilities, new efficiencies, and/or greater effects. Overall impact of these advances may include reducing disparities in care, promoting wellness and independent living, increasing access to and utility of technologies to improve quality of life, reducing cost and complexity of procedures, and increasing throughput, sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests.

A project must clearly serve the mission of one or more of the NIH Institutes or Centers participating in this FOA. Investigators are encouraged to contact the designated Scientific/Research contacts for individual institute focus areas that will be supported. Applicants who seek to establish proof-of-concept are encouraged to respond to the Exploratory Bioengineering Research Grant (EBRG) FOA [https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-18-286.html]. Large team projects with a specific goal that can be addressed in 5-10 years are encouraged to respond to the Bioengineering Research Partnership (BRP) FOA [https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-18-208.html].

National Eye Institute (NEI) NEI: The National Eye Institute (NEI) supports a broad range of basic and clinical research, clinical trials, epidemiologic studies related to health and disease in the eye and visual system. Research proposed should address a significant aspect of the leading causes of blindness and impaired vision, mechanisms of visual function, preservation of sight, or the special health problems and requirements of the blind.”

More information can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/par-19-158.html

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Technology Transfer Research (STTR)

2021-07-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

NIH has issued the omnibus solicitations for SBIR and STTR grants. Below are the links to find them. A reminder that SBIR grants need to be submitted by a small business entity and not by the research instittute or university..

SBIR, Clinical Trial Not Allowed

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-21-259.html

SBIR, Clinical Trial Required

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-21-260.html

STTR, Clinical Trial Required

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-21-261.html

STTR, Clinical Trial Not Allowed

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-21-262.html

Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in Neuroscience

2017-12-05T16:22:00.000-08:00

Agency: The Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund, Inc.
Program: Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in Neuroscience
Deadline: February 15, 2018

Summary:
The Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in the Neurosciences supports, in the early stages of their careers, young investigators engaged in basic or clinical research that may lead to a better understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

The Klingenstein Fund and the Simons Foundation recognize that to accomplish this goal it is necessary to encourage a variety of new approaches. Several areas within the neurosciences are of particular interest:

Cellular and molecular neuroscience—Studies of the mechanisms of neuronal excitability and development, and of the genetic basis of behavior.

Neural systems—Studies of the integrative function of the nervous system.

Translational research—Studies designed to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and our understanding of the causes of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

References:
Klingenstein Fund Website
Philanthropy News Digest RFPS

Complex Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research Award

2016-07-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

Agency: DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
Funding Opportunity Title: Complex Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research Award
Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-16-PHTBIRP-CTRRA
Preproposal Deadline: August 17, 2016
Invited Full Proposal Deadline: November 30, 2016

Summary:
The FY16 PH/TBIRP Complex TBI Rehabilitation Research Award (CTRRA) is intended to support observational studies and clinical trials addressing rehabilitation of patients with complex TBI. TBI is defined as being caused by (1) a direct blow or impact to the head, (2) a penetrating head injury, or (3) an exposure to external forces such as blast waves that disrupt the function of the brain. Not all blows to the head or exposure to external forces result in a TBI. The severity of TBI may range from “mild” — a brief change in mental status or consciousness — to “severe,” an extended period of unconsciousness or confusion after the injury. All applications to the FY16 PH/TBIRP CTRRA must be relevant to complex TBI, defined by a diagnosed TBI in conjunction with symptoms identified in one or more of the following JPC-8/CRMRP Focus Areas:

• The Sensory Systems Traumatic Injury Focus Area involves visual, auditory, and vestibular dysfunction associated with traumatic injury.
• The Pain Management Focus Area is concerned with chronic pain, acute pain in the context of chronic pain, and establishing safety margins for prescriptions, as well as developing strategies to help patients cope with pain.
• The Neuromusculoskeletal Injury Rehabilitation Focus Area deals with amputee care, spinal cord injuries, burns and contractures, and orthopaedic injuries, as well as developing guidelines for standards of care.

In addition, research in the areas described below is very highly encouraged. Patients with complex TBI demonstrate symptoms including, but not limited to, dizziness, visual dysfunction, headaches, and cognitive deficits that are refractory to treatment (i.e., slow/non-response to current treatment regiment, relapsing symptoms following treatment). The FY16 PH/TBIRP CTRRA seeks research on the affected patient populations, mechanisms of comorbidities and potential interventions in the following three Areas of Encouragement:

• Epidemiological studies to define differences between populations of patients with complex TBI whose symptoms are non-responsive as compared to responsive to treatment. (Observational studies only; clinical trials are not supported for this Area of Encouragement. See the definition of a clinical trial and observational studies on
• Etiological studies to identify factors that contribute to differences between patients with complex TBI who respond to treatment and those who do not, with the goal of identifying mechanisms underlying refractory symptoms. (Observational studies only; clinical trials are not supported for this Area of Encouragement. See the definition of a clinical trial and observational studies on page 7 of this Program Announcement/ Funding Opportunity.)
• Interventional studies to evaluate emerging or existing rehabilitation strategies for the treatment of patients with complex TBI compared to existing standards of care. Proposed studies evaluating interventions for patients with TBI and comorbidities that may be refractory to treatment are of particular interest. (Both observational studies and clinical trials are allowed for this Area of Encouragement.)

Additionally, other studies of complex TBI may be considered if they address important issues relevant to the identified JPC-8/CRMRP Focus Areas in the context of TBI if sufficient justification is included in the appropriate sections of the pre-application and application.

Military Relevance: Relevance to the healthcare needs of military Service members, Veterans, and beneficiaries is a key feature of this award. Investigators are encouraged to consider the following characteristics as examples of how a project may demonstrate military relevance:
• Explanation of how the project addresses an aspect of the target disease/condition/ technology that has direct relevance to military Service members, Veterans, and/or other military health system beneficiaries
• Description of how the knowledge, information, products, or technologies gained from the proposed research could be implemented in a dual-use capacity to benefit the civilian population and also address a military need
• Use of military or Veteran populations or datasets in the proposed research

Award Information
The FY16 PH/TBIRP CTRRA is intended to support both observational studies and clinical trials addressing TBI and co-occurring clinical presentations (neuromusculoskeletal injuries, multisensory dysfunction, and pain) that are often slow/nonresponsive to treatment. The intent of the award is to advance the evidence-based practice for the treatment of TBI with JPC-8/CRMRP-relevant comorbidities by improving understanding of the composition and problems of this population and developing and evaluating treatments.

Applications for this award mechanism may propose epidemiological, etiological, and/or interventional studies (see CTRRA Areas of Encouragement on page 4).
Preclinical studies and studies using animals are not supported by this Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity.

Two different funding levels, based on the type of study proposed, are available under this Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity. It is the responsibility of the PI to select the funding level that is most appropriate for the research proposed based on the following descriptions.

The following, although not all-inclusive, are research projects that would be appropriate to propose under each funding level:

• Funding Level 1: For epidemiological and etiological studies comparing patients with complex TBI responsive versus refractory to treatments. PIs should describe a reproducible methodological approach that will identify or define factors that are associated with slow/non-response to treatment, or relapse of symptoms for patients with complex TBI. Observational studies, but not clinical trials, are permitted at this Funding Level.

• Funding Level 2: For interventional studies to evaluate emerging or existing treatment and rehabilitation strategies. PIs should explain how their work will inform the development, refinement, and/or revision of existing standards of care, clinical recommendations, or guidelines. Both observational studies and clinical trials are permitted at this Funding Level.

Both observational studies and clinical trials, but not preclinical research studies, are allowed in the FY16 PH/TBIRP CTRRA. Observational studies and clinical trials have different submission requirements and it is the responsibility of the PI to correctly identify the type of research proposed and to comply with the relevant submission requirements. A clinical trial is defined as a prospective accrual of human subjects where an intervention (e.g., device, drug, biologic, surgical procedure, rehabilitative modality, behavioral intervention, or other) is tested on a human subject for a measurable outcome with respect to safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy. This outcome represents a direct effect on the human subject of that intervention or interaction. An observational study is a type of clinical study in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured. No attempt is made to affect the outcome (for example, no treatment is given). These types of studies are not considered clinical trials. All projects should adhere to a core set of standards for rigorous study design and reporting to maximize the reproducibility and translational potential of research.

References:
Program Solicitation

ARVO Publications Grant

2016-06-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

Agency: ARVO
Funding Opportunity Title: ARVO Publications Grant
Deadline: Applications accepted at any time.

Summary:
ARVO’s Publications Grant is available to authors who need funding assistance to publish in one of our three journals: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS); Journal of Vision (JOV); and Translational Vision Science & Technology (TVST). This grant is supported by the ARVO Foundation and aligns with ARVO’s goal to capture the full spectrum of vision science in our family of journals.

The grant will provide support to several individuals per year at a maximum of $1,500 per grant.

Application Process:
Corresponding authors must apply for a Publications Grant prior to submitting an article to an ARVO journal. To apply, the corresponding author must submit:

- An application.
- A support letter from an administrator at the author’s institution, describing the need for the grant and lack of funds. ARVO will not consider applications without a support letter. We recommend that the letter be on institution letterhead stationery. Acceptable letter formats include a PDF attachment to the application form or a hard-copy letter mailed to:
    ARVO
    Attn: Journals Department
    1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 400
    Rockville, MD 20852

References:
ARVO Solicitation

Brain Machine Interface Prototype Development for Vision Restoration

2016-06-16T11:57:00.001-07:00

Agency: Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC)
Funding Opportunity Title: Brain Machine Interface Prototype Development for Vision Restoration
Solicitation Number: MTEC-16-02-Brain Machine Interface
Deadline: August 22, 2016

What is Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium?
The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is an enterprise partnership in collaboration with industry and academia to facilitate research and development activities, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and other Government agencies in the biomedical sciences (including but not limited to drugs, biologics, vaccines, medical software and medical devices) to protect, treat and optimize the health and performance of U.S. military personnel. MTEC is a nonprofit corporation with the following principal objectives:

(a) biomedical research and prototyping;
(b) exploration of private sector technology opportunities;
(c) technology transfer; and
(d) deployment of intellectual property and follow-on production.

This solicitation, issued by the MTEC Consortium Manager (CM), Advanced Technology International, dba SCRA Applied R&D, represents a Request for Project Proposals (RPP) for MTEC’s support of the Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program (CRMRP) technology objectives. Strategic oversight for the award(s) supported by this RPP will be provided by CRMRP.

The Internal Revenue Service recently approved MTC’s application for tax exempt status. MTC is a 501c3 nonprofit.

Summary of Technology Objectives for Brain Machine Interface Project
The overarching goal of this program, is to provide a prototype visual prosthesis for human testing within 5 years that (1) provides the ability to navigate for ambulation, identify faces and objects critical to daily life, and read large print, and (2) is economically feasible. Applications to MTEC should clearly state how the proposed research provides an innovative solution to a critical problem in the development of a brain machine interface prototype for vision restoration.
A critical step towards realization of the overarching goals is the development of an appropriate brain-machine interface. Applications must address the following focus area in vision restoration to be considered:

Specifically, MTEC seeks the prototype development of a device that:
1. Stimulates visual pathways in either the a)the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) or b) primary visual cortex.
2. Provides appropriate punctate stimuli with either a) electrical stimulation or b) optical stimulation for photolysis of caged excitatory neurotransmitters, photoswitches, or optogenetics (an optical stimulation delivery device is being sought, NOT the development of caged neurotransmitters, photoswitches or optogenetic tools).
3. Provides density of stimulation for the equivalent of at least 20/40 in the central 2° of visual field.
4. Stimulates neurons normally responsive to the peripheral field providing the equivalent of at least 70° of horizontal visual field for each eye.
5. Proposal must address specific anatomical challenges associated with implantation and communicating with the stimulation device.
6. Proposal must address biocompatibility (i.e.,the prosthesis should ideally function for the lifetime of the patient).
7. Components of the device must be demonstrated as a prototype in animal or appropriate in vitro models.

MTEC seeks applications from investigators comprising multi-disciplinary teams from a wide spectrum of disciplines including, but not limited to, basic science, engineering, translational research, and clinical research.

The current effort aims to promote highly innovative, groundbreaking research; high- impact research with near-term clinical relevance; multidisciplinary, synergistic research; and translational studies to support the fluid transfer of knowledge from basic principles to a working visual prosthesis prototype. Results of studies conducted through this effort should inform the developmental pathway for a visual prosthesis prototype.

Proposed projects must be based on logical reasoning and sound scientific rationale. Please note that awards are not to be exploratory in nature and require a foundation of preliminary data.

Research involving animal or human subjects is allowed, in accordance with the PPG.

Although seven critical specifications of the visual prosthesis prototype are outlined in the above, we encourage you to submit even if you cannot currently meet all seven specifications. However, it is expected that an Offeror’s approach to the visual prosthesis prototype will one day satisfy all seven critical specifications.

Funding Availability and Type of Funding Instrument Issued:
Total funding for awards made from this Funding Opportunity for Fiscal Year 2016 is $2.0M. Awards will be funded based on Milestone completion. The Government intends to award three - Phase 1 awards at $332K each (direct and indirect costs). The Government intends to award one Phase 2 award at $1.0M (direct and indirect costs). The Offeror must include both Phase 1 and Phase 2 study plans and define specific Milestones for the end of Phase 1 and Phase 2. The Government will make a Phase 2 award based on progress towards completion of Phase 1. The Period of Performance (POP) for Phase 1 is not to exceed 12 months. Progress Reports are due to the Government quarterly. The Final Report is due at the end of month 12 for Phase 2 selection. The POP for Phase 2 is not to exceed 24 months. Quarterly Progress Reports and a Final Progress Report are required for Phase 2. As of the release date of this RPP, future year Defense Appropriations Bills have not been passed and there is no guarantee that any additional funds will be made available to support this program. The funding estimated for this RPP is approximate and subject to realignment. Funding of proposals received in response to this RPP is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program. MTEC reserves the right to reduce the second year award, if the Offeror's technology after the first year excels only in a limited number of the requirements/goals/tasks listed in the announcement. MTEC reserves the right to encourage two or three of the first year awardees to collaborate in the second year award to maximize performance across the greatest number of the requirements/goals/tasks listed in the announcement, and may allocate the second year funds in accordance with participation in such a collaboration.

The Government-selected Research Project Awards will be funded under the Other Transaction Agreement Number W81XWH-15-9-0001 (or subsequent OTAs in support of MTEC) with MTEC administered by the CM, SCRA Applied R&D. The CM will negotiate and execute a Base Agreement with MTEC members. This Base Agreement will be governed by the same provisions as the OTA between the Government and MTEC. Subsequently, any proposal that is selected for award will be funded through a Research Project Award issued under the Base Agreement. A sample of the MTEC Base Agreement can be found on the Members Only portion of the MTEC website at www.mtec-sc.org. At the time of the submission, if Offerors have not yet executed a Base Agreement, then Offerors must certify on the cover page of their proposals that, if selected for award, they will abide by the terms and conditions of the latest version of the MTEC Base Agreement. If the Offeror already has executed an MTEC Base Agreement with the MTEC CM, then the Offeror must state on the cover page of its proposals that, if selected for award, it anticipates the proposed effort will be funded under its executed MTEC Base Agreement No. 20XX-XXX.

Offerors are advised to check the MTEC website periodically during the proposal preparation period for any changes to the MTEC Base Agreement terms and conditions.

References:
Full Solicitation
MTEC website

NEI Research Grant for Vision Related Secondary Data Analysis

2016-04-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

Agency: NEI

Funding Opportunity Title: NEI Research Grant for Vision Related Secondary Data Analysis

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-16-168

Due Date: Standard Due Dates, June 16, October 16 and February 16

Summary:

The goal of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to fund meritorious vision related research projects that involve secondary data analyses using existing database resources. The development of statistical methodology necessary for improving methods to analyze vision health data using existing vision data may also be proposed.

Research Objectives:

The NEI supports an extensive portfolio of clinical trials and large-scale epidemiologic research project wherein numerous data collection activities are required to meet each project's specific aims. The resultant wealth of data generated by these studies often provides unique, cost-effective opportunities to pursue new questions.

This FOA may be used to develop new statistical methodologies or to test new hypotheses using existing data. This FOA actively encourages the use of existing database resources to conduct additional analyses secondary to a project's originally-intended primary purpose; it will not support the collection of new data.

This FOA supports secondary data analysis on existing data sets. A typical project is expected to make substantial progress towards having vision related manuscript(s) submitted in peer reviewed journals within the first year.

Data sets are not limited to those collected under NEI support but these data sets are of the highest programmatic interest. Applicants should consider the relevance of their proposed analyses to NEI programs and priorities as described in the National Plan for Eye and Vision Research, which is available on the NEI website. http://www.nei.nih.gov.

The full program announcement can be found at the NIH Guide.

Field Initiated Projects Program

2015-12-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

Agency: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

Funding Opportunity Title: Field Initiated Projects Program

Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2016-ACL-NIDILRR-IF-0124 (Research) and HHS-2016-ACL-NIDILRR-IF-0125 (Development)

Due Date: 02/22/2016

Summary:

The purpose of the Field Initiated (FI) Projects program is to generate new knowledge through research or develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. Another purpose of the FI Projects program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. In carrying out a research activity under an FI Projects research grant, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new scientific knowledge, or (2) better understanding of the subject, problem studied, or body of knowledge.

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Website

National Robotics Initiative

2015-12-28T10:59:00.000-08:00

Program: National Robotics Initiative
Program Solicitation: NSF 16-517
Deadline: March 7, 2016
Note: Applications to this multi-agency funding opportunity must be submitted to NSF using NSF guidelines and instructions. NSF is the lead agency overseeing the review process.

Summary:
The NIH is collaborating on a multi-agency funding opportunity, the National Robotics Initiative (NRI), whose goal is to accelerate the development and use of robots in the United States that work beside, or cooperatively with, people (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16517/nsf16517.htm), or carry out work for people in dangerous environments. Innovative robotics research and applications emphasizing the realization of such co-robots working in symbiotic relationships with human partners is supported by multiple agencies of the federal government including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The purpose of this program is the development of this next generation of robotics, to advance the capability and usability of such systems and artifacts, and to encourage existing and new communities to focus on innovative application areas. It will address the entire life cycle from fundamental research and development to manufacturing and deployment. Collaboration between academic, industry, non-profit and other organizations is strongly encouraged to establish better linkages between fundamental science and technology development, deployment and use.

The NIH encourages robotics research and technology development to enhance health, lengthen life and reduce illness and disability. The NIH also supports non-hypothesis driven applications, which includes technology-driven and problem-driven applications. Specifically, the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) on this solicitation are interested in targeting this solicitation to support the development of assistive robotic technology to achieve functional independence in humans; improve quality of life; assist with behavioral therapy and personalized care; and promote wellness/health. The most significant challenges will be in addressing safety issues, especially for applications to be used in home-based and long-term care settings where integration of complex systems will be required. Additionally, these assistive robots need to quickly adapt to changes of the user and the environment. Human assistive devices should be designed to assist healthcare providers and as well as the individuals needing care. Development of robotic applications is important to NIH because of their potential significant impact on healthcare in the future. Human assistive devices will revolutionize healthcare in the next 20 years as much as personal electronics have changed our daily lives in the past two decades. Affordable and accessible robotic technology can facilitate wellness and personalized healthcare. Continual health assessment and personalized intervention have the potential to offset the shrinking size of the healthcare workforce and the growing elderly and disabled population. In the future, assistive robotics will enable people to engage in all aspects of human life with endurance and dignity.

Examples of assistive robotic technology development include but are not limited to:
- Homecare and long-term personalized care robots
- Robotic wellness/health promotion and maintenance
- Robotic behavioral therapy
- Robotic aids for mobility, manipulation, human communication and cognition, vision for non-sighted persons
- Assistive robotics to eliminate health disparities across populations

Further Information:
NIH Guide Notice
National Robotics Initiative Website
Program Solicitation

NEI Clinical Study Planning Grant (R34)

2015-11-20T15:12:00.001-08:00

Agency: National Eye Institute
Program: NEI Clinical Study Planning Grant (R34)
Funding Opportunity Number: PA-16-038
Deadline: February 16, June 16 and October 16 for new applications
Award Budget: Direct Costs of $150,000 per year
Award Project Period: The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period. The maximum period is two years.

Summary:
The NEI Clinical Study Planning Grant provides support for the development of a comprehensive research protocol for a large-scale clinical trial or epidemiologic study. This grant provides early peer review of the proposed clinical study in terms of its rationale, design, organizational structure and implementation plan. The Planning Grant is used to support the development of a detailed MOP. While the grant may be used to support preliminary studies which refine study procedures or document recruitment potential, the grant must not be used to generate preliminary data in support of the rationale for the trial.

Prospective applicants should note that funding of a Clinical Study Planning Grant does not guarantee nor imply funding for any subsequent competitive application for the support of a full-scale study.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the relevance of their proposed research to NEI programs and priorities as described in the NEI Vision Research, Needs, Gaps, and Opportunities.

Scope:
This FOA is designed to: (1) permit early peer review of the rationale for the proposed clinical trial or epidemiology study; (2) provide support for the development of a detailed MOP; and (3) support the development of other essential elements of the clinical study.

Activities supported by this FOA may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

- Developing/finalizing the MOP. Basic elements in the MOP should include identification of the patient population; inclusion and exclusion criteria; adequate plans for recruitment and retention of participants; experimental design and protocols; clear definition of the research hypothesis and outcome measures; quality control/assurance procedures; data management and analytical techniques; sample size estimates with justification; administrative procedures, including regulatory approvals if necessary; collaborative arrangements; duties and responsibilities of the study chairperson, clinical sites, coordinating center, and other central resources such as a reading center; monitoring plans to assure patient protection and data integrity; and plans for addressing Federal gender/minority inclusion and human subjects protection requirements.
- Establishing and documenting collaborative arrangements.
- Instituting means to assure standardization of procedures across sites and among staff.
- Developing tools needed for data collection and data management.
- Developing/finalizing data and safety monitoring plans in the application. Do not name individuals for the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) or Data Monitoring and Oversight Committee (DMOC), but include areas of expertise that will be pertinent in forming these groups.
- Developing plans for any training that is required to carry out the proposed study. This may include, for example, training of data collectors and individuals who will carry out the planned intervention.

See the full announcement for more information.

Upcoming Changes to NIH Grant Instructions and Forms

2015-10-21T14:10:00.002-07:00

NIH is making quite a few changes to the NIH grant instructions and forms. The changes will be implemented in two phases with the first phase effecting grants due on or after January 25, 2016 and the second phase effecting grants due on or after May 25, 2016. Here are the areas that will be impacted and guide notices explaining the changes so you can familiarize yourself with them.

Phase I Changes – Effective on or after January 25, 2016

Rigor and Transparency in Research – NIH is changing application requirements and review language to enhance reproducibility of research findings through increased scientific rigor and transparency. These changes will take effect for most research grant applications (including small business and complex research grant applications), but will not impact institutional training and individual fellowship applications until Phase II. Changes include:

Updates to application guide instructions for preparing your research strategy attachment
Use of a new "Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources" attachment (uploaded in Other Attachments section of R&R Other Project Information form)
Additional rigor and transparency questions reviewers will be asked to consider when reviewing applications

NIH Guide Notice

Vertebrate Animals – NIH is removing redundancy with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee review while meeting the requirements of the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Changes include:

Updated guidance on criteria to be addressed (description of procedures; justifications; minimization of pain and distress; and euthanasia)
A description of veterinary care is no longer required
Justification for the number of animals has been eliminated
A description and justification of the method of euthanasia is required only if the method is not consistent with AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals

NIH Guide Notice

Definition of Child – NIH is redefining the age of a child for the purposes of NIH's inclusion policy to individuals under 18 years old instead of under 21 years old.

NIH Guide Notice

Research Training – NIH is updating requirements and instructions for several attachments on the PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan form to reflect recent policy guidance and reduce applicant burden. Changes include:

"Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity" - applicants will be asked to focus on recruitment
"Human Subjects" - applicants must describe how the institution will ensure that trainees only participate in exempt human subjects research or non-exempt human subjects research that has IRB approval; no longer necessary to provide a list of potential grants trainees may work on and associated IRB information
"Vertebrate Animals" - applicants must describe how the institution will ensure that trainees only participate in vertebrate animal research that has IACUC approval; no longer necessary to provide a list of potential grants trainees may work on and associated IACUC information
"Progress Report" - requirement to report on publications that arose from work conducted by the trainee while supported by the training grant will be moved to the Just-in-Time process

Phase II changes – effective on or after May 25, 2016
New grant forms will be released. In addition the following changes will also take effect:

Rigor and Transparency – NIH is extending Phase 1 changes to include institutional training and individual fellowship applications. They are adding a new "Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources" attachment to the following forms in FORMS-D application packages:

PHS 398 Research Plan
PHS 398 Career Development Supplemental Form
PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
New “Plan for the Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility” attachment will be added to the PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan form in FORMS-D application packages.

NIH Guide Notice

Vertebrate Animals – NIH is extending Phase 1 changes to include institutional training and individual fellowship applications. They are adding new questions regarding euthanasia to the following forms in FORMS-D application packages to replace the euthanasia criteria in the vertebrate animals section:
PHS 398 Research Plan
PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
Inclusion Reporting – NIH is adding an optional PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report form to FORMS-D application packages. The new form, with additional study descriptors, will replace the optional Planned Enrollment Report and Cumulative Inclusion Enrollment Report forms found in FORMS-C application packages. They will provide more details about these changes prior to release of the updated forms.

Data Safety Monitoring – NIH is adding a new “Data Safety Monitoring Plan” to the following forms in FORMS-D application packages:

PHS 398 Research Plan
PHS 398 Career Development Supplemental Form
PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan
This new attachment must be included with all applications involving clinical trials.

Although the requirement of a data and safety monitoring plan for clinical trials is not new, the use of a separate attachment to collect this information will emphasize its importance and facilitate systematic enforcement of its presence.

Research Training – NIH is changing the research training data table format. Changes include:

Reducing the number of tables from 12 to 8
Minimizing the reporting of individual-level information
Extending the tracking of trainee outcomes from 10 to 15 years
NIH’s xTRACT system to help applicants prepare the new tables will be available October 16, 2015.

NIH Guide Notice

Appendices – NIH is reevaluating the current appendix policy. A notice describing specific appendix policy changes will be issued by spring 2016.

New PHS Assignment Request Form (Formerly a Cover Letter) - NIH is adding an optional PHS Assignment Request Form to FORMS-D application packages to provide a consistent way to collect application referral information, including:

Awarding component (NIH institute) assignment preference
Study Section preference
List of potential reviewers in conflict, and why
List of scientific expertise needed to review the application

NIH Guide Notice

Font Requirements - NIH is providing additional flexibility regarding the fonts allowed in PDF attachments included in grant applications. Although they will continue to recommend specific fonts, they will also allow other fonts (both serif and non-serif) as long as they comply with specific type density and line spacing guidelines.

NIH Guide Notice

Biosketch Clarifications – NIH is clarifying biosketch instructions. Clarifications include:

Indicating that a URL for a publication list is optional and, if provided, must be to a government website (.gov) like My Bibliography
Allowing publications (peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed) and research products to be cited in both the personal statement and the contributions to science sections
Explicitly stating that graphics, figures and tables are not allowed

Research on the Mechanisms and/or Behavioral Outcome Measures of Multisensory Processing (R01)

2015-09-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

Agency: NIH
Program: Research on the Mechanisms and/or Behavioral Outcomes of Multisensory Processing (R01)
Funding Opportunity Number: PA-15-347
Deadline: Standard NIH due dates for new grants – February 5th, June 5th and October 5th

Summary:
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications focusing on the mechanisms and/or behavioral outcomes of multisensory processing, the integration or processing of at least two distinct types of sensory input as defined by distinct receptor-type transduction, neural pathways and cognate perceptual quality. Specifically, multiple sensory inputs may include the major traditional modalities of hearing, vision, taste, smell, balance, and touch. Additional submodalities of body senses include but are not restricted to thermosensation, body position and proprioception, pain, itch, and general visceral sensation. This FOA encourages research grant applications investigating multisensory processing in perception or other behavioral and social outcomes and/or the mechanisms underlying multisensory processing in the context of the described specific areas of research interests from the participating ICOs. The FOA is intended to encourage basic, behavioral, and/or clinical research projects focused on two or more sensory modalities or research projects examining the interactions between other neural systems, such as cognitive, affective, or motor processes, and multiple sensory modalities. Multisensory research applications that do not align with the specific areas of research interests described below by the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) should be submitted in response to the parent R01 FOA, PA-13-302.

Background:
We perceive the world through a variety of senses, including vision, audition, olfaction, gustation, somatosensation (cutaneous and subcutaneous tactile sense, thermosensation, proprioception, nociception, and visceral sensation), and vestibular sensation. In general, the senses are studied separately. However, our experience of the world is mostly unitary; we do not perceive a barking dog as a visual stimulus, a sound, and perhaps a smell, but as a single multisensory object. Accordingly, mounting evidence indicates that the senses cannot be treated as independent channels. That is, perceptions in one modality can be enhanced, attenuated, or completely changed by sensory input from another modality. For example, touch can improve judgments of visual colors, even though touch itself cannot convey color, and vision can alter taste. Furthermore, multisensory processing can influence subsequent unimodal sensory processing (e.g., exposure to simultaneous auditory and visual stimuli can recalibrate the way that each of these stimuli is processed in the future, even in isolation), and can have synergistic effects on neural processing in cognitive, affective, motivational, or motor systems. In addition, there are enormous individual and lifespan differences in sensory processes across different senses, as well as other factors that could contribute to systematically differing perceptions of cross-modal stimuli. For example, research has uncovered a remarkable span of individual differences in gustation (e.g., supertasters), which may make the multisensory perception of flavor vastly different across individuals.

Sensory processes are relevant to a wide variety of health impacts, including neurological, mental and emotional health; consumption (e.g., food and alcohol intake, smoking); basic daily functions (e.g., walking, reaching/grasping); lifestyle activities (e.g., exercise, navigation, dancing, art activities, driving); communication and interpersonal transactions; medical diagnosis, and healthcare utilization. Understanding the scope and the limits of multisensory perception also informs the therapeutic space for sensory substitution in primary sense deficits (e.g. Braille reading for the blind) and temporary sensory alterations caused by disease or treatments for disease. Thus, the interplay among multiple sensory modalities also has important implications for neural, cognitive, behavioral and social science research and for subsequent health outcomes.

Despite growing interest in how individuals integrate these ubiquitous signals, the mechanisms by which different sensory systems are integrated, interact with each other, or influence the processing of the connected neural systems in the brain remain largely unknown. The roles of biochemical and physiological changes, genetics and epigenetics, psychological experiences, or physical environments in regulating multisensory processing are mostly unexplored. Furthermore, the impact of multisensory processing on behavior continues to be understudied.

In 2012, the NIH Basic Behavioral & Social Sciences Research Opportunity Network (OppNet, http://oppnet.nih.gov) sponsored an FOA on Basic Behavioral Research on Multisensory Processing (R21; RFA-EY-13-001), which supported 10 exploratory grants. The current FOA intends to expand on this previous initiative by encouraging studies of the neural circuitry and mechanisms of multisensory processing, in the context of relevant diseases and disorders of the nervous system, or in relevance to social behaviors, clinical diagnostics, or therapies.

Applications to this FOA will be assigned to an appropriate NIH IC according to research priorities of the participating ICs. Relevant assignment factors include primary sense(s) under study, and research impacts within IC funding priorities (see participating IC "Specific Areas of Research Interest" below).

Scope:
This FOA supports innovative studies using animal or human subjects to examine two or more senses (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, somatosensory including pain or other submodalities of body senses, and vestibular) for the elucidation of mechanisms and behavioral outcomes of multisensory processing. Therefore, applications submitted to this FOA should focus on mechanisms, or the behavioral impact, or both. The initiative encourages the use of diverse methodologies, including basic biochemical, molecular, cellular, genetic approaches, neuroimaging and neurophysiological analyses, experimental psychophysics, “real world” settings, immersive virtual technology, and animal models.

For this FOA, applicants should address multisensory integration across at least two of the broadly different senses (smell, sight, taste, touch, hearing, balance) or the submodalities of body senses including but not restricted to thermosensation, body position and proprioception, pain, itch, and general visceral sensation. Audio-visual, visual-vestibular and chemo-tactile integration already have been noted as examples. However, the perception of form by integrating color contrast with shape-from-shading would be considered visual, and integration of linear with angular acceleration would be considered vestibular, and not appropriate here. This FOA also supports research on the interaction of pain (as part of the somatosensation) with other sensory systems.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Scientific/Research Contacts from various NIH ICs listed in Section VII prior to submission to discuss IC program relevance.

See the full announcement for specific IC interests.

RPB/RDPSF Innovations in Technology Low Vision Research Awards

2015-08-21T16:06:00.001-07:00

Agency: Research to Prevent Blindness/Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation
Program: Innovations in Technology Low Vision Research Awards
Deadline: Preliminary applications are due October 19, 2015; Final applications from Invitees are due March 1, 2016

Summary:
The RPB/Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation (RDPFS) Innovations in Technology Low Vision Research Award: up to $100,000 over one year. One award will be given in each of three years.

Low vision refers to chronic vision impairment that is not correctable by eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicines or surgery. Many eye disorders can lead to low vision, including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Injury to the eye or to a portion of the brain involved in sight can also produce low vision. Low vision significantly and negatively impacts a person’s visual activities of daily living and quality of life.

The National Eye Institute estimated that nearly 3 million people in the U.S. suffered low vision in 2010 with projections that this number would increase to nearly 5 million in 2030 and 9 million in 2050. Low vision is among the 10 most common causes of disability in the U.S. Low vision can cause difficulty in common visual tasks such as reading, mobility (both walking and driving), and recognizing people and objects.

The RPB/RDPFS Award promotes the development of assistive devices for persons with low vision and we encourage submissions as follows:

--Those with a focus on mobile and/or wearable innovations;
-- Solutions that can be implemented on multiple platforms, such as electronic tablets or phones;
-- Solutions for persons with remaining functional vision rather than those who are totally blind;
-- Environmental adaptations which can improve a visually impaired individual’s ability to perform a daily living activity;
-- Interdisciplinary collaborations that bring together technical expertise coupled with real-life experience with persons with low vision;
-- Applications from early-career investigators.

Agency website

U.S. - India Collaborative Vision Research Program (R01)

2015-08-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Agency: NEI
Program: U.S. - India Collaborative Vision Research Program (R01)
Deadline: November 9, 2015; November 9, 2016; November 9, 2017

Summary:
This funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages applications from United States (U.S.)-based institutions with an Indian institution partner to establish bilateral collaborations that will advance science and technology important to understanding, preventing, and treating blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, and their complications. The U.S.-India Collaborative Vision Research Program is designed to develop collaborations between scientists and institutions in the United States and India to conduct high quality vision research of mutual interest and benefit to both countries while developing the basis for future institutional and individual scientific collaborations.

This FOA is intended to support collaborations between the U.S. and India that focus on the basic biology and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases including diabetic retinopathy and ocular inflammation, using the unique resources that exist in India, such as large families with extensive pedigrees. Research examples include, but are not limited to:

- Family based genome wide association studies (GWAS) on cohorts of consanguineous families from India to identify genetic factors that predispose to both Mendelian and complex forms of eye diseases.
- Deep sequencing to examine existing genetic variants identified in other populations;
- Validation of novel GWAS findings in appropriate animal models;
- Identification of biomarkers that predict and/or assess risk and response to interventions;
- Define the contributions of specific genetic risk factors and environmental exposures that underlie eye diseases;
- Studies on birth cohorts in India to determine the effects of the environment on the development of factors that predict risk influencing eye diseases such as imprinting and other epigenetic effects.

Full Announcement

New Instructions for NIH Biosketch

2015-08-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

The instructions for the NIH Biosketch have changed and take effect with deadlines on May 25, 2015. Originally, the NIH bio was similar to a CV with a listing of the investigator's education, professional experience and publications. Over time the biosketch has taken on a more narrative format with the Research Support Section and Personal Statement. The new instructions replace the Publications section with a new section entitled, "Contributions to Science". Here an investigator can describe up to 5 of their most significant contributions to science. Each contribution needs to be referenced by up to 4 peer-reviewed publications or other research products, such as a video, patent or software. The page limit for the Biographical Sketch has been increased from four to five pages.

A.    Personal Statement
Briefly describe why you are well-suited for your role in the project described in this application. The relevant factors may include aspects of your training; your previous experimental work on this specific topic or related topics; your technical expertise; your collaborators or scientific environment; and your past performance in this or related fields (you may mention specific contributions to science that are not included in Section C).   Also, you may identify up to four peer reviewed publications that specifically highlight your experience and qualifications for this project.   If you wish to explain impediments to your past productivity, you may include a description of factors such as family care responsibilities, illness, disability, and active duty military service.

B.    Positions and Honors
List in chronological order previous positions, concluding with the present position. List any honors. Include present membership on any Federal Government public advisory committee.

C.    Contribution to Science
Briefly describe up to five of your most significant contributions to science. For each contribution, indicate the historical background that frames the scientific problem; the central finding(s); the influence of the finding(s) on the progress of science or the application of those finding(s) to health or technology; and your specific role in the described work. For each of these contributions, reference up to four peer-reviewed publications or other non-publication research products (can include audio or video products; patents; data and research materials; databases; educational aids or curricula; instruments or equipment; models; protocols; and software or netware) that are relevant to the described contribution. The description of each contribution should be no longer than one half page including figures and citations. Also provide a URL to a full list of your published work as found in a publicly available digital database such as SciENcv or My Bibliography, which are maintained by the US National Library of Medicine.

D.    Research Support
List both selected ongoing and completed research projects for the past three years (Federal or non-Federally-supported). Begin with the projects that are most relevant to the research proposed in the application. Briefly indicate the overall goals of the projects and responsibilities of the key person identified on the Biographical Sketch. Do not include number of person months or direct costs.

Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS)

2015-08-12T11:07:00.001-07:00

Agency: NSF/NIH/FMER/FNRA/BSF
Program: Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS) Innovative Approaches to Science and Engineering Research on Brain Function
Deadline: October 29, 2015

Summary:
Computational neuroscience provides a theoretical foundation and a rich set of technical approaches for understanding complex neurobiological systems, building on the theory, methods, and findings of computer science, neuroscience, and numerous other disciplines.

Through the CRCNS program, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF), the French National Research Agency (Agence Nationale de la Recherche, ANR), and the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) support collaborative activities that will advance the understanding of nervous system structure and function, mechanisms underlying nervous system disorders, and computational strategies used by the nervous system.

Two classes of proposals will be considered in response to this solicitation: Research Proposals describing collaborative research projects, and Data Sharing Proposals to enable sharing of data and other resources.

Domestic and international projects will be considered. As detailed in the solicitation, international components of collaborative projects may be funded in parallel by the participating agencies. Opportunities for parallel funding are available for bilateral US-German Research Proposals, US-German Data Sharing Proposals, US-French Research Proposals, US-French Data Sharing Proposals, US-Israel Research Proposals, and multilateral proposals involving the United States and 2 or more additional countries.

Appropriate scientific areas of investigations may be related to any of the participating funding organizations. Questions concerning a particular project's focus, direction and relevance to a participating funding organization should be addressed to the appropriate person in the list of agency contacts found in Section VIII of the solicitation.

NSF will coordinate and manage the review of proposals jointly with participating domestic and foreign funding organizations, through a joint panel review process used by all participating funders. Additional information is available in Section VI of the solicitation.

Full Announcement

2015 Joanne Angle Investigator Award

2015-02-18T12:25:00.000-08:00

Agency: Prevent Blindness
Program: 2015 Joanne Angle Investigator Award
Deadline: March 6, 2015

Summary:
The program is part of the non-profit group’s more than 100-year-old mission to prevent unnecessary vision loss. The award is named for Ms. Joanne Angle who served on the National Board of Directors for Prevent Blindness, and both its Government Affairs and Audit committees, in addition to her work with the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

The deadline for the twelfth annual Joanne Angle Investigator Award is March 6, 2015. Grants are for a one-year period, up to $30,000, reviewed by a panel of scientists, and commence on July 1, 2015.

The 2015 Joanne Angle Investigator Award provides funding for research investigating public health related to eye health and safety. All research grants must promote the core mission of Prevent Blindness: preventing blindness and preserving sight. Basic laboratory science research will not be supported under this program.

Applications will be accepted in the following priority areas in adult vision, children’s vision, or eye injury:

Burden/economic aspects of eye disease/vision loss on society
Best practices to integrate vision screening/follow up care to system care access
Vision program effectiveness/evaluation

More informtion can be found on the organization's website

Request for Blepharospasm/Meige Research Proposals

2015-01-20T14:35:00.000-08:00

Agency: Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation
Program: Request for Blepharospasm/Meige Research Proposals
Deadline: August 31, 2015

Summary:
A major part of the charter of the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation is to support research into causes and cures of blepharospasm. The BEBRF provides seed funding, or partial funding for research projects through an annual call for proposals for research.

To advance this goal, the foundation is inviting applications for research projects directly related to blepharospasm or Meige's Syndrome, both forms of cranial dystonia. Projects should focus on new treatments, pathophysiology and genetics, photophobia, and dry eye. Grants of up to $150,000 will be awarded.

To be eligible, principal investigators must possess an M.D. or Ph.D. degree. Non-U.S. citizens working at institutions abroad are also eligible to apply.

See the BEBRF website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.

Connectomes Related to Human Disease (U01)

2014-07-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

NEI is participating in this Funding Opportunity Announcement. They are interested in research in populations where the visual pathways may be compromised due to congenital or acquired disease, or injury (e.g. blindness, strabismus, amblyopia, and low vision). Cohorts of patients with visual disorders should be compared with normal age-matched controls. Studies of plasticity in the visual pathways associated with the loss or restoration of vision are of particular interest. NIMH, NIA, NIAAA, NIDA and NINDS are also participating. See below for more details

Agency: NIH
Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-14-281
Title: Connectomes Related to Human Disease (U01)
Deadline: November 14, 2014; July 14, 2015; July 14, 2016

Summary:

Background:
There has long been an interest in understanding the connectional organization of the human brain, though interest in connectivity has recently increased, as the tools to obtain such data have emerged and as other lines of inquiry have made clear the importance of such data. Prior to the Human Connectome Project (HCP), little neural connectivity data from humans was available.

Continuing to fill this knowledge gap is paramount because connectivity is a major organizing principle of the nervous system and is fundamental to understanding brain function and dysfunction. Attempts to understand neural connectivity in model organisms are helping to develop an integrated understanding of the interplay of genes, molecules, cells, neural systems, and behavior. Such understanding, in turn, provides the basis for detailed models from which hypotheses about brain function in health and illness can be generated. Without connectivity data, this kind of understanding is not possible for human brain function and dysfunction. Knowledge of human brain connectivity will transform human neuroscience by providing not only a qualitatively novel class of data, but also by providing the basic framework necessary to synthesize diverse data and, ultimately, elucidate how our brains work in health, illness, youth, and old age.

It is important to link connectivity data to architectonic features rather than merely to coordinates, or locations of sulci and gyri. The surface geometry of the human brain is extremely variable and idiosyncratic, and the relationship of surface features to functional subdivisions and their differential connectivity is imprecise. Classical neuroanatomy shows strong correlations between connectivity patterns and features such as cytoarchitecture and the differential distribution of molecular tags (including enzymes, neurotransmitters, transmitter receptors, expressed genes, etc.). For this reason, connectional studies in model organisms routinely relate connectional data to such architectonic data. While architectonic features have been mapped extensively in the human brain, the relationship of projections and connections to these features has heretofore not been demonstrated, because human connectivity data were absent. Linking such architectural features to the distribution of specific connections is providing a critical “anchor” that will permit connectional data to be related to a variety of other types of data, broadening and enhancing their utility.

Connectivity, in the context of brain architecture, has long figured in understanding, diagnosing, and treating certain neurological disorders. Increasingly, disrupted or aberrant connectivity is being implicated or suspected in the etiology of disorders not previously considered from this perspective. For example, it is very likely that quantifiable changes in connectivity accompany the variations in cortical thickness (as demonstrated with structural magnetic resonance imaging) that are seen in diseased brains (e.g., Alzheimer) relative to healthy brains, and that are seen in brains through the course of early development, through adolescence and senescence. Similarly, it is likely that qualitative or quantitative changes in connectivity contribute to morphometric differences observed in brains of those with particular disorders, such as schizophrenia.

The overall purpose of the HCP has been to develop and share knowledge about the structural and functional connectivity of the human brain. This purpose has been achieved through awards to two different multi-institutional research teams centered at Washington University (http://www.humanconnectome.org/) and Massachusetts General Hospital (http://www.humanconnectomeproject.org/). These teams have developed and optimized non-invasive imaging technologies to acquire structural and functional in vivo data about axonal projections and neural connections from brains of hundreds of healthy adults. Demographic data and data regarding sensory, motor, cognitive, emotional, and social function have also been collected for each subject. Subjects have also donated DNA samples for genotyping and that data will be available before the awards end in September 2015. The data and experimental protocols have been made available to the research community, and both are now being widely used. Both research groups are now undertaking pilot studies to explore the issues with extending the HCP to children and to older adults to represent the lifespan. Those data will also be made available at http://www.humanconnectome.org/.

While the HCP project has provided an excellent start at providing connectivity data for a community sample of normal subjects, the purpose of this announcement is to expand the HCP data to disease/disorder cohorts of interest to the Institutes and Centers that are participating in this FOA. Applicants should review recent Notices related to Study Design (NOT-MH-14-004 and NOT-NS-11-023).

Research Studies and Objectives
The bulk of the data collection in the HCP has been by the group at Washington University. By September 2015, they will have collected data on 1200 healthy young adults (ages 22-35), with release of the final subjects shortly thereafter. Most of these adults are monozygotic or dizygotic twins or their family members. The data collected includes non-invasive imaging, behavioral assessments, and genotyping assays. It is expected that data collected under this FOA will be compatible with the existing HCP dataset.

The Institutes and Centers that are participating in this FOA have different priority/disease areas of interest.

For NIMH, research cohorts should come from either a broad category such as those with psychiatric based psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders, or depression. Subject groups can also be based on RDoC categories or based on a specific genetic profile. Applicants must avoid cohorts from a narrowly defined DSM diagnostic group.

The NEI is interested in research in populations where the visual pathways may be compromised due to congenital or acquired disease, or injury (e.g. blindness, strabismus, amblyopia, and low vision). Cohorts of patients with visual disorders should be compared with normal age-matched controls. Studies of plasticity in the visual pathways associated with the loss or restoration of vision are of particular interest.

For NIA, research cohorts should be comprised of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging such as Alzheimer’s disease (preclinical, early- and late-onset), other dementias of aging, and/or age-related cognitive disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (early, mild and late MCI). Also of interest are cohorts with age-related hearing loss, sleep disorders, or delirium. Normal, healthy cohorts will be critical as age-appropriate controls for connectome studies. Disease/disorder and control cohorts should be well defined and characterized by clinical, biomarker, genetic, and/or behavioral data.

For NIAAA, the research cohorts to be studied must be explicitly defined by the applicant in terms of alcohol use patterns currently and in the past, presence of comorbid conditions, and other factors such as a specific genetic profile. The information to be acquired must clearly relate to the mission of NIAAA to understand the effects of alcohol use and abuse on brain and behavior.

For NIDA, research cohorts should be comprised of users or abusers of licit or illicit psychotropic drugs, either currently or in the past. Cohorts can also be composed of subjects who have known risk factors for future substance use or relapse. These subjects should be carefully characterized for quantification of historical and current patterns of use of alcohol and multiple substances (including toxicological evidence when possible), and, when appropriate, by DSM diagnoses of substance abuse or dependence as evidence for clinically-significant use. Because circuit-level abnormalities in abusing populations may co-occur with mental disorders, proposals featuring additional population (s) of other mental illness diagnosis or RDoC categories without substance use as comparison or control groups will be considered.

The NINDS is interested in a broad range of disorders affecting the brain and nervous system (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/ninds_overview.htm), and has a strong interest in the development of imaging connectomes as biomarkers. For the NINDS, applications will be expected to 1) use HCP image acquisition protocols; 2) focus on connectomes that have been shown to be reliable and reproducible; and 3) select well-defined patient populations with clearly delineated phenotypes (e.g., defined by genetics, characteristic structural deficits, or unique pathophysiology). Applicants may focus on neurological populations that are at-risk, prodromal, or affected. Interested investigators are encouraged to contact program staff listed below to ensure that their application is consistent with the NINDS mission and appropropriate for this FOA.

The full announcement can be found at the NIH Guide.

Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research

2013-01-24T13:12:00.000-08:00

Funding Opportunity: Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (PH/TBI) Research Program (RP)

Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-13-PHTBI-TBIRA

Application Due Date: Pre-proposals are due February 27, 2013. Invited Full Proposals are due May 21, 2013.

Summary:

The PH/TBI RP TBIRA funding mechanism encourages research efforts focused on knowledge gathering and geared toward solving specific questions. The intent of the FY13 PH/TBI RP TBIRA mechanism is to:

• Promote new/innovative ideas that have the potential to yield highly impactful data and new avenues of investigation to further the research field of interest;
• Advance knowledge regarding the theoretical construct surrounding the TBI Research Area of interest to increase scientific understanding of certain phenomena or behaviors;
• Propose new paradigms or challenging existing paradigms; and

• Address the technical feasibility of promising new devices, behavioral and rehabilitation interventions, therapeutic techniques, clinical guidance, and/or emerging approaches and technologies.

Research Area: All applications to the FY13 PH/TBI RP TBIRA mechanism must specifically address the Research Area listed below:

Translation/Clinical Research Area:

Development of interventions or therapies to protect and/or restore neuronal function following TBI in the acute (first week), subacute (>1 week to 3 months), and chronic (≥ 3 months from time of injury) phases of care. Neuronal function, commonly referred to as “neuroplasticity,” is defined by D.G. Stein in Brain Injury Medicine Principles and Practice (Demos Medical Publishing 2007) as referring to “verifiable examples of functional and adaptive recovery after brain injury.” Additionally, the concept of structural plasticity is included, as studies have shown that functional and adaptive changes occur via structural changes in or between neurons and glia.

Plasticity-driven solutions should demonstrate maintenance or improvement of function, as applicable, until such point that less or no further intervention is required. Such solutions should be non-invasive, as in not requiring implantation or other invasive procedures to execute.

Applications should be designed to:

• Provide objective evidence of induction of structural and functional changes in the brain following TBI that correlate with improved functional outcomes;

• Maximize functional outcomes, as well as define the mechanisms involved in the structural and functional improvements; and

• Validate methods to objectively assess structural and functional recovery. It is recognized that in some cases it may not be possible to precisely define mechanisms or to conduct testing in an animal model. In such cases, objective measures of improvement in the human condition are paramount.

Applications focused on research areas other than the one listed above should NOT be submitted in response to this Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity. If the proposed research is not relevant to the advertised Research Area, the Government will administratively withdraw the application.

Award Budget Information:
The maximum period of performance is 3 years. The maximum allowable total costs for the entire period of performance are $3M inclusive of indirect costs for clinical studies including clinical trials and $1M inclusive of indirect costs for applied and or mechanistic studies (the government reserves the right to determine if funding is appropriate to type of study) .

Program Website

US Army Medical Research and Material Command BAA

2013-01-24T13:01:00.003-08:00

Funding Opportunity: US Army Medical Research and Material Command Broad Agency Announcement for Extramural Medical Research

Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-BAA-13-1

Application Due Date: None. This is a continuously open announcement; pre-proposal/pre-applications may be submitted at any time throughout the 12 month period. Successful pre-proposals will be asked to submit a full proposal within 90 days of the invitation.

Summary:

The US Army Medical Research and Material Command's (USAMRMC) mission is to provide solutions to medical problems of importance to the American Warfighter at home and abroad. There are seven Researh Areas of Interest, three of which have potential for funding vision research proposals are:

1) The Combat Casualty Care Research Program, which mentions Traumatic Brain Injury.

2) The Military Operational Medicine Research Program, which includes the prevention of vision loss in its portfolio.

3) The Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program, which includes Vision Restoration and Rehabilitation in its portfolio.

Award Budget Information:
Funding has NOT been set aside specifically for this BAA and the number of awards is indeterminate. Selection of research projects is a highly competitive process and is based on the evaluation of the proposal/application’s technical merit, programmatic considerations and the availability of funds.

The full agency announcement is available at grants.gov

NEI Research Grant for Secondary Analysis (R21)

2012-12-26T16:53:00.001-08:00

Funding Opportunity: NEI Research Grant for Secondary Analysis (R21)

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-13-035

Application Due Date: February 16, June 16, and October 16 for New Submissions

Summary:

The NEI supports an extensive portfolio of clinical trials and large-scale epidemiologic research projects, wherein numerous data collection activities are required to meet each project's specific aims. The resultant wealth of data generated by these studies often provides unique, cost-effective opportunities to pursue new questions. This initiative may be used to develop new statistical methodologies or to test new hypotheses using existing data. While this initiative actively encourages the use of existing database resources to conduct exploratory/developmental research secondary to a project's originally-intended purpose, it will not support the collection of new data. Datasets are not limited to those collected under NEI support but these data are of the highest programmatic interest. Applicants should consider the relevance of their proposed analyses to NEI programs and priorities as described in the National Plan for Eye and Vision Research, which is available at http://www.nei.nih.gov.

This FOA issued by the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), encourages applications from institutions/organizations that propose to conduct secondary data analyses utilizing existing database resources. Applications may be related to, but must be distinct from, the specific aims of the original data collection.

Award Budget Information:

The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year. Applicants may request direct costs in $25,000 modules, up to the total direct costs limitation of $275,000 for the combined two-year award period.

Program Website