NHLBI Research Initiatives

From time to time, the NHLBI invites investigators to submit grant applications or contract proposals for specific research programs. We are currently soliciting applications for the programs described below. Unless a due date is mentioned, applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year. For full details of these and other research initiatives, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/inits/index.htm or the Web page that is linked each initiative number.

Non-Viral Systems for Gene Transfer Applications for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases

• Initiative Number: PA-06-243
• Applications due: September 12, 2006
• Objective: To foster development of efficient non-viral approaches for a broad range of gene- and cell-mediated therapies for heart, lung, and blood diseases.  The initiative will use the two-phase R21/R33 Innovation Award.

Environmental Pathways and Susceptibility: Comparative Biology Elucidation

• Initiative Number: RFA ES-06-004
• Applications due: September 18, 2006
• Objective: To understand the responses of biological networks and pathways to perturbations from environmental factors by combining comparative biology approaches with high information-content techniques such as "omics", RNA interference, and tissue arrays.

Systems Biology Exploratory Program

• Initiative Number: RFA HL-06-004
• Applications due: September 25, 2006
• Objective: To undertake a coordinated "systems biology" approach to understanding the normal physiology and perturbations associated with heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders.

Chronic Lung Diseases Genetics and Genomics: Career Development Program (K12)

• Initiative Number: RFA HL-07-004
• Applications due: November 30, 2006
• Objective: To develop the early research careers of both physician and non-physician scientists who are interested in furthering knowledge of the genetic bases of chronic lung disease.

Diabetic Complications: Biomarker Development

• Initiative Number: RFA DK-06-004
• Applications due: December 12, 2006
• Objective: To conduct exploratory and developmental research on biomarkers for the microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes.

Lung Stem Cell Biology and Cell Based Therapy: Collaborative Studies

• Initiative Number: RFA HL-07-003
• Applications due: December 12, 2006
• Objective: To conduct multi-disciplinary studies on the potential for developing cell-based therapies for the lung, particularly through greater understanding of the molecular development of the various lung cell phenotypes.

Bioengineering Research Partnerships

• Initiative Number: PAR-06-459
• Applications due: January 22, 2007
• Objective: To apply integrated, multidisciplinary, systems approaches to significant areas of basic bioengineering research within the mission of the NIH. Continuation of this program beyond FY 2007 is dependent on the findings of an evaluation process to be conducted in FY 2006 to assess the 47 applications funded by the NHLBI under this program between 1999 and 2006.

Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers

• Initiative Number: RFA HL-06-008
• Applications due: January 23, 2007
• Objective: To operate a nationwide network of interactive, state-of-the-art, comprehensive centers in basic and translational research focused on the development of cures or significantly improved treatments for sickle cell disease.

Need More Information?

We are always interested in receiving comments and suggestions from the community. If you or your organizations have questions for me or for the Institute, please contact me at nabele@nhlbi.nih.gov or Dr. Carl Roth at rothc@nhlbi.nih.gov.

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For health related questions and publications, please contact the trained information specialists at the NHLBI Information Center (NHLBIinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov) or write to the Information Center at P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105.

For communications pertaining to NHLBI policies and priorities, contact the NHLBI Office of Public Liaison, (nhlbi.listens@nih.gov).

For additional information regarding NHLBI events, consult the references provided or NHLBI Calendar. Most other NIH Institutes and Centers also maintain calendars on their Web sites. Links to their Web pages are at NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices.

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