NINDS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPLEMENTS: COUNTERTERRORISM AND NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH RELEASE DATE: May 22, 2003 NOTICE: NOT-NS-03-011 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (http://www.ninds.nih.gov) The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) announces the availability of administrative supplements for research aimed at protecting the nervous system from the harmful effects of a chemical/biological terrorist attack. Given the NINDS mission to reduce the burden of neurological disorders and the interest of the Department of Health and Human Services in counterterrorism-related research, NINDS is committed to improving our understanding of and treatments for the effects of chemical and biological agents on neurological function. A total of $250,000 in FY2003 and $250,000 in FY2004 will be made available for this program. Eligibility o Principal Investigators with Research Project (R01), Javits Award (R37), Exploratory/Development (R21), Phase II SBIR (R44), Program Project (P01), Specialized Center (P50 or U54), and Cooperative Agreement (U01) grants funded by NINDS are eligible to apply. o Projects must have a Project Period End Date after the application receipt date (a no-cost extension beyond the original Project Period End Date does not confer eligibility). o Only those requests demonstrating a clear relationship between neurological dysfunction and the chemical or biological agent will be considered responsive to this Notice. o Only those requests clearly demonstrating the implications of the proposed study for counterterrorism will be considered responsive to this Notice. A number of chemical agents and toxins that could serve as terrorist weapons are known to target the nervous system. These include, but are not limited to: o Organophosphate nerve agents, which disrupt the cholinergic pathway and lead to seizures, muscle paralysis, and death (e.g. sarin, VX) o Blood agents, which prevent the normal transfer of oxygen from the blood into the brain and cause headache, vertigo, and seizures (e.g. cyanide) o Neurotoxins, which affect neurotransmitter release at synapses and cause paralysis (e.g. botulinum toxin) The nervous system is also vulnerable to several infectious agents that could be used in a terrorist attack. Meningitis and cognitive deficits can result from anthrax infection, and paralysis and convulsions are associated with viral encephalitides. Additional information on chemical agents, toxins, and infectious agents that affect the nervous system is available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/research/counterterrorism/index.htm NINDS currently supports a broad range of basic research related to counterterrorism, such as studies on peripheral and central cholinergic pathways, status epilepticus (persistent seizures), neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, and neuroimaging. NINDS would like to encourage the submission of applications for supplemental funds for research directly related to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological dysfunction caused by chemical and biological agent exposure and studies of the mechanisms by which these agents disrupt normal neurological function. Appropriate projects include, but are not limited to: o Studies to characterize the mechanisms of chemical or biological agent-induced seizures and resulting pathophysiology and to identify countermeasures against agent-induced seizures o Development of compounds that could be used for pre- or post-exposure treatment to protect the nervous system from damage by chemical or biological agents o Characterization of the pathophysiology and natural progression of biological or chemical agent-induced damage to tissues of the nervous system o Examination of the long-term effects of low-dose exposure to individual biological or chemical agents or combinations of agents While NINDS encourages research on a variety of chemical and biological agents, a clear link between the agent and neurological dysfunction must already have been established. Evidence should be presented that the results of the supplemental assistance will enhance the pursuit of the Specific Aims of the original research project, without constituting an expansion of scope. Supplements are one-time awards and will not extend to subsequent budget periods. HOW TO APPLY Applicants should submit an original and five copies of a complete application, signed by an authorized business official at their institution, to Dr. David A. Jett at the address listed at the end of this notice. The following sections should be included: 1. A cover page citing this NOTICE and requesting an administrative supplement, including the PI name, grant number and title, amount requested, name and title of the institutional official, and phone, email, and address information for both the PI and institutional official. Documentation of approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for any proposed animal studies must be provided. 2. A description of the project (5 page limit), including o Abstract o Rationale for the approach proposed, o Description of the agent selected, o The model in which the agent will be studied, o Conditions of experimental exposure and protective treatment, o Choice of outcome measures, o Relevance of the proposed study to counterterrorism (i.e., rationale for the choice of agent, model, study conditions, and outcome measures). o Description of the source, storage, use, and disposal of the agent, and inclusion of any necessary approvals or biosafety certifications. o Specific Aims of the original grant. o Description of the relationship of the project to the Specific Aims of the parent grant. Evidence should be presented that the results of the supplemental assistance will enhance the pursuit of the Specific Aims of the original research project without constituting an expansion of scope. o A modular budget with appropriate justifications for requested direct costs (see Budget Information below). REVIEW CRITERIA Applications will be reviewed administratively, and it is expected that for successful applications a resulting Supplemental Notice of Grant Award will be issued within three months of the receipt deadline. All funding decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. Review criteria will include the relevance of the proposed research to improving our understanding of and treatments for the effects of chemical and biological agents on neurological function. BUDGET INFORMATION Supplements will be awarded as direct costs in modular amounts of $25,000 and are one-time awards. Any facilities and administrative (indirect) costs should be added to the direct costs in the budget request. For R01s, R21s, R37s, R44s, and U01s, the maximum request for direct costs is $50,000. For P01s, P50s, and U54s, the maximum is $100,000 (a maximum of $50,000 per subproject). Although the awarded budgets will be modular, applicants should provide a budget justification that details the budget items requested, including Facilities and Administrative costs. If the planned experiments will not be fully supported by the supplemental funds from NINDS, the sources and amounts of additional funds should be specified. NINDS will commit $250,000 in FY2003 and $250,000 in FY2004 to fund applications for supplements submitted in response to this Notice. Awards pursuant to this Notice are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of applications of high scientific merit. Receipt Dates: Earliest Award Date: June 16, 2003 August 15, 2003 October 15, 2003 December 15, 2003 February 16, 2004 April 15, 2004 June 15, 2004 August 16, 2004 INQUIRIES Inquiries are strongly encouraged, especially regarding the applicability of particular research proposals to counterterrorism. Direct inquiries regarding the program to: Dr. David A. Jett NINDS 6001 Executive Blvd. NSC Room 2152 Bethesda, MD 20892 (USPS) Rockville, MD 20852 (FedEx and other couriers) Tel: (301) 496-3102 Fax: (301) 594-5929 Email: jettd@ninds.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Aricia Cottman Grants Management Specialist Grants Management Branch National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 6001 Executive Boulevard, Suite 3253, MSC 9537 Rockville, MD 20852 (Express Mail) Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9537 (Regular Mail) Branch Phone Number: 301-496-8072 Fax Number: 301-402-0219 Email: cottmana@ninds.nih.gov
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