Funding News - NINDS Notes - November 2007

Angiogenesis in the Nervous System

NINDS encourages grant applications for research on angiogenesis in the nervous system in disease and health.  This announcement is made together with 4 other NIH components and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms:  R01 and R21.

Angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels—is one of the most understudied areas in basic neuroscience.  What is known about this process suggests it is of enormous importance both to the normal function of the nervous system and in many diseases.  The aim of this announcement is to stimulate research on angiogenesis in the nervous system.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. David Owens, Program Director, Repair and Plasticity Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1447; email:  do47h@nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-015.html or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-016.html.

Data Ontologies for Biomedical Research

NINDS invites grant applications for research on data ontologies for biomedical research. This announcement is made together with 14 other NIH components and is affiliated with the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research. 

The Blueprint is a framework to enhance cooperative activities among the 16 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices that support research on the nervous system.

Currently there is no convenient way to map the knowledge contained in one data set to that in another, primarily because of differences in language and structure.  To do so would require that the data sets share common definitions of terms and relationships among terms. The purpose of this announcement is to develop an ontology—a controlled vocabulary that describes objects and the relationships between those objects in a formal way—that will make it possible for software to understand how two or more existing data sets relate to each other.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Yuan Liu, Chief, Office of International Activities, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-0012; email:  yl5o@nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-425.html.

Developmental Pharmacology

NINDS encourages grant applications for research on developmental pharmacology. This announcement is made together with 4 other NIH components.

The purpose of this announcement is to encourage multidisciplinary, investigator-initiated, basic and translational research in developmental pharmacology—with particular emphasis on the role of ontogeny on drug metabolizing enzymes, transporters, receptors, and signaling pathway activity across developmental periods from fetal life to adolescence.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. George Giacoia, Obstetric and Pediatric Pharmacology Branch, Center for Research for Mothers and Children, NIH; telephone: 301-496-5589; email: gg65m@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-416.html.

Extramural Loan Repayment Programs

Loan Repayment Program (Clinical Researchers)

NIH encourages applications for the extramural loan repayment program (LRP) for clinical researchers.

NIH announces the availability of educational loan repayment under the LRP. The program provides for the repayment of up to $35,000 of the principal and interest of the existing educational loans of clinical researchers for each year of obligated service. The program is intended to help recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals as clinical investigators. Applicants must agree to engage in clinical research for at least 2 years and clinical research must encompass at least 50 percent of their work schedule.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Stephen Korn, Training and Career Development Officer, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-4188; email: sk526r@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-442.html.

Loan Repayment Program (Pediatric Researchers)

NIH encourages applications for the extramural pediatric research loan repayment program (PR-LRP).

NIH announces the availability of educational loan repayment under the PR-LRP. The program provides for the repayment of up to $35,000 of the principal and interest of the existing educational loans of pediatric researchers for each year of obligated service. The program is intended to help recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals as pediatric investigators. Applicants must agree to engage in clinical research for at least 2 years and pediatric research must encompass at least 50 percent of their work schedule.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Stephen Korn, Training and Career Development Officer, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-4188; email: sk526r@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-440.html.

Generalized and Focal Dystonias

NINDS invites grant applications for research on understanding and treating generalized and focal dystonias. This announcement is made together with 4 other NIH components, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, and the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation, Inc., and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms:  R01 and R21.

Dystonia is a neurological syndrome in which the muscles involuntarily contract and become spastic, forcing the body into abnormal, repetitive movements and awkward, contorted postures.  The goal of this announcement is to encourage basic, translational, and clinical studies to determine the patho-physiology of dystonia, stimulate the development of basic and translational resources to advance dystonia research, accelerate research into promising therapeutic approaches for dystonia, and stimulate progress in dystonia research by encouraging interdisciplinary interactions.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Danilo Tagle, Program Director, Neurogenetics Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-5745; email: dt39y@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-398.html or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-397.html.

Interventions for Child Abuse and Neglect

NINDS invites grant applications for research on interventions for child abuse and neglect. This announcement is made together with 8 other NIH components, the Administration for Children and Families, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Child maltreatment has been recognized as a serious public health problem for some time. It may result in serious problems across development. Victims of child abuse and neglect are as likely to develop physical illness as mental illness. The purpose of this announcement is to encourage research on understanding effective strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect, and finding ways to lessen the biological and behavioral effects of child abuse and neglect on its victims.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Debra Babcock, Program Director, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-9964; email: db390r@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-437.html.

Neuroimaging Informatics Software Enhancement

NINDS invites grant applications on neuroimaging informatics software enhancement for improved interoperability and dissemination. This announcement is made together with 16 other NIH components and is affiliated with the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research.

The Blueprint is a framework to enhance cooperative activities among the 16 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices that support research on the nervous system.

In order to be broadly shared and extended, neuroimaging informatics tools and resources must be well-characterized, well-documented, and have a user-friendly interface. However, the developers of these tools often do not have resources available to characterize the tools for general use, provide quality documentation regarding the tools, or provide a standard user interface. They also do not have time to distribute or to perform subsequent troubleshooting as the tools are broadly shared. The purpose of this announcement is to make existing neuroimaging informatics tools and resources more adoptable, interoperable, and usable.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Zohara Cohen, Division of Discovery Science and Technology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; telephone: 301-451-4778; email: zc18v@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-417.html.

Neurotechnology research, Development, and Enhancement

NINDS encourages grant applications for neurotechnology research, development, and enhancement.  This announcement is made together with 7 other NIH components and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms:  STTR and SBIR.

Advances in the brain and behavioral sciences are being made rapidly, vastly improving the understanding of healthy brain function and offering promise to the millions suffering from brain and behavioral disorders. This announcement encourages small business research applications to enable neuroscience and behavioral research through the development or the significant enhancement or improvement of currently existing, or novel, tools and approaches for brain and behavioral research. Such tools and approaches could include those used in basic or clinical research or for clinical treatment and care.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Daofen Chen, Program Director, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-9964; email: dc342b@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-390.html or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-389.html.

New Technology for Proteomics and Glycomics

NINDS invites applications to develop new technology for proteomics and glycomics.  This announcement is made together with 5 other NIH components and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms:  SBIR and STTR.

Proteomics technologies and methods remain largely inadequate, particularly with respect to quantitative and real-time measurements. This announcement solicits small business research applications to develop broadly applicable research tools that address the core technical challenges in proteomics and glycomics. This includes, but is not restricted to, robotics, sample preparation and pre-fractionation, analytical separations, gel and array imaging, quantitation, mass spectrometry, intelligent automated data acquisition, and improved informatics technologies.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Danilo Tagle, Program Director, Neurogenetics Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-5745; email: dt39y@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-451.html or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-452.html.

New Uses for Existing Radioligands

NINDS requests applications for collaborative research to explore new uses for existing radioligands. This request is made together with 3 other NIH components.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to stimulate research collaborations between two or more laboratories or sites at different institutions to enhance the use of radiopharmaceuticals in positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography (PET/SPECT).  PET/SPECT technology has been extremely useful in evaluating and characterizing brain and other organ systems, in furthering the understanding of disease processes, and in monitoring the effects of therapeutic interventions.  However, one of the biggest limitations of PET/SPECT is the general lack of availability of radiopharmaceutical/radioligand imaging agents.

Letters Of Intent Date:  December 28, 2007.
Application Receipt Date: January 28, 2008.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Debra Babcock, Program Director, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-9964; email: db390r@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-08-001.html.

NINDS Diversity Research Education Grants

NINDS encourages applications for diversity education research grants in neuroscience.

The NINDS research education grant is a flexible and specialized mechanism designed to foster the development of neuroscience researchers through creative and innovative research educational programs—including regional and national programs. The overall goal is to ensure that highly trained scientists will be available in adequate numbers and in appropriate scientific areas to reduce the burden of neurological disease. Programs that focus on preparing diversity researchers in cross-disciplinary integration of neuroscience, including basic, translational, behavioral, prevention, clinical, and treatment research, are encouraged.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Michelle Jones-London, Program Director, Office of Minority Health and Research, NINDS; telephone: 301-451-7966; email: mj146o@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-456.html.

Sharing Data and Tools

NINDS encourages grant applications for sharing data and tools using the biomedical informatics research network (BIRN) and caBIG™ infrastructures. This announcement is made together with 16 other NIH components and is affiliated with the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research.

The Blueprint is a framework to enhance cooperative activities among the 16 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices that support research on the nervous system.

Sharing data and tools across a research community adds tremendous value to the community’s efforts. Search engines such as Google show the power of sharing text-based data. While strides have been made, the infrastructure necessary to share and query data sets that have more than just textual biomedical data is still in development. This announcement invites applications to make either data or tools more broadly available to the research community by using the BIRN and/or the caBIG™ infrastructure.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Yuan Liu, Chief, Office of International Activities, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-0012; email: yl5o@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-426.html.

Tools and Technologies for Deep Brain Stimulation in Movement Disorders

NINDS invites grant applications to design and develop advanced tools and technologies for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in movement disorders. This announcement is made together with 4 other NIH components and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms: SBIR and STTR.

In spite of its clinical success, DBS technology and the associated surgical procedure have several limitations. Clinicians lack tools that combine anatomical, physiological, electrical, and behavioral data to optimize electrode placement and stimulator programming. Individuals with movement disorders endure significant discomfort during implantation due to the use of rigidly fixed stereotactic frames. In addition, the DBS technology itself is relatively simplistic. The purpose of this announcement is to stimulate the development of: (1) tools that will facilitate the DBS surgical process, programming, and outcome assessments; and (2) technological innovation in the design of electrode and pulse stimulators.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Joseph Pancrazio, Program Director, Repair and Plasticity Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1447; email: jp439m@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-396.html or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-395.html.

Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities

NINDS invites grant applications for behavioral and social science research on understanding and reducing health disparities. This announcement is made together with 20 other NIH components and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms: R01 and R21.

Health disparities between racial/ethnic populations, lower socioeconomic classes, and rural residents, versus the overall United States population are major public health concerns. The goal of this announcement is to support exploratory/developmental research employing behavioral and social science theories, concepts, and methods to: (1) improve understanding of the causes of disparities in health and disability among the various US populations; and (2) develop and test more effective interventions for reducing, and eventually eliminating, health disparities. The goal is to move beyond documenting the existence of health and disability disparities to addressing causes and solutions.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Richard Benson, Program Director, Office of Minority Health and Research, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-3102; email: rb439r@nih.gov. For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-379.html or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-380.html

Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Primary Lateral Sclerosis Sought for Study

Scientists at NINDS are seeking adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) to participate in a research study to understand differences in how these disorders affect non-motor function. Participants must be over 18 years of age and have a diagnosis of probable ALS or PLS.

The study (06-N-0174) includes neuropsychological testing, a neuropsychiatric evaluation, EEG recordings during movement, and MRI imaging. Some patients may also be eligible to participate in a research study (02-N-0109) for developing an EEG-based brain-computer interface. Both studies are conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD.Participants spend several days undergoing testing in the outpatient clinics. All travel, lodging, and study-related expenses will be paid by the NIH.

For more information, physicians should send a referral letter and a copy of the patient's recent medical records to Dr. Mary Kay Floeter, c/o Ms. Michelle Bernal, NINDS, NIH, Building 10 CRC, Room 7-5680, 10 Center Drive MSC 1404, Bethesda, MD 20892-1404; telephone: 301-496-7428; fax: 301-402-8796.

Individuals with Frontotemporal Dementias Sought for Study

Scientists at NINDS seek persons with frontotemporal dementia, Pick's disease, progressive aphasia, or corticobasal degeneration, ages 21-80, for an evaluation study involving neuropsychological and genetic testing, a neurological examination, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).

Eligible persons should be able to travel to the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, for the study, and have a diagnosis of one of the following: frontotemporal dementia, Pick's disease, progressive aphasia, or corticobasal degeneration. Persons who are unable to cooperate with neuropsychological testing or unable to travel back and forth to the NIH or who have other serious medical illnesses, may not be eligible.

The study requires a 1- to 2-week inpatient or outpatient stay at the NIH at no cost to the participants. Travel to and from NIH is provided for the participants and caregivers.

For more information, contact Dr. Jordan Grafman, Chief, Cognitive Neuroscience Section, NINDS, Building 10, Room 7D43, 10 Center Drive MSC 1440, Bethesda, MD 20892-1440; telephone: 301-496-0220; fax: 301-480-2909; email: jg40b@nih.gov. Please refer to study number 81-N-0010.