Funding News - NINDS Notes - July 2007

Help Develop "A Blue Sky Vision for the Future of Neuroscience"

NINDS Requests Your Input

The past two decades have seen some remarkable milestones in basic and clinical neuroscience research—among them, the discovery that the adult brain is capable of generating new neurons, and the development of life-altering treatments like t-PA and deep brain stimulation for acute stroke and Parkinson's, respectively. To anticipate and help drive future milestones, NINDS recently launched a new Institute-wide strategic planning effort. The last Institute-wide planning effort, "Neuroscience in the New Millennium," was completed in 1999 and is available on the NINDS web site. NINDS will begin by developing a blue sky vision for basic and clinical neuroscience—a set of goals to which NINDS should aspire over the next 15 years. The Institute will go on to explore how best to focus and prioritize its basic, clinical, translational, and disease-focused research activities to realize this vision and pursue its mission more effectively. NINDS will seek input from the research community throughout this process.

As the first stage of this multi-phase planning process, NINDS has posted a series of blue sky questions, aimed at identifying promises and challenges in neuroscience and neurology. We seek input from academic and industrial neuroscience researchers, clinicians, patient groups, and anyone with significant interest in the future of neuroscience. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows and other new investigators, who represent the future of neuroscience research, are especially encouraged to respond. The deadline for response is August 31, 2007. Please visit www.ninds.nih.gov/bluesky to give us your thoughts. Thank you in advance for your participation.

NINDS to Offer NIH Director’s Bridge Awards

NINDS, like other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is taking steps to support investigators whose R01 applications receive review scores near the nominal payline.  The NIH Director’s Bridge Awards (NDBA) provide continued but limited funding for new and established grantees who have submitted a competing renewal grant application that describes a highly meritorious project but has fallen below the normal funding payline.  The awards provide one year of additional support to give principal investigators time to continue their research while strengthening their resubmission applications. 

Investigators may be nominated for the awards by program directors.  Awards will be selected based on the scientifically creative and innovative approaches that meet the NINDS mission.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

NINDS encourages grant applications for research on autism spectrum disorders.  This announcement is made together with 4 other NIH components.

The purpose of this announcement is to facilitate exploratory research on psychosocial/behavioral treatments for autism, as well as innovative services research, including the development of instruments to evaluate the impact of interventions on core features of autism spectrum disorders and comorbid symptomatology.  It is intended to encourage development and pilot testing of new or adapted interventions or instruments, and pilot testing of interventions with preliminary efficacy data in larger clinical trials, as well as research on innovative services that require preliminary testing or development.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Deborah Hirtz, Program Director, Clinical Trials Group, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-5821; email:  hirtzd@ninds.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-343.html.

Bioengineering Research Partnerships

NINDS invites applications for bioengineering research partnerships.  This announcement is made together with 12 other NIH components.

Many of today's biomedical problems are best addressed using a multidisciplinary approach that extends beyond traditional biological and clinical sciences.  Bioengineering integrates principles from a diversity of technical and biomedical fields and crosses the boundaries of many scientific disciplines represented throughout academia, laboratories, and industry.  A bioengineering research partnership is a multidisciplinary research team that applies an integrative, systems approach to develop knowledge and/or methods to prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat disease, or to understand health and behavior.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Albert Lee, Extramural Science Programs, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB); telephone: 301-451-4781; email:  alee@mail.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-352.html.

Biomedical Computational Science

NINDS encourages applications for innovations in biomedical computational science and technology.  This announcement is made together with 16 other NIH components.

Computing and computational tools have become increasingly important in enabling progress in biomedical research.  Biomedical computing or information science and technology include database design, graphical interfaces, querying approaches, data retrieval, data visualization and manipulation, data integration, and tools for electronic collaboration, as well as computational and mathematical research including the development of structural, functional, integrative, and analytical models and simulations.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Peter Lyster, Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), NIH; telephone: 301-451-6446; email:  lysterp@mail.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-344.html.

Collaborative Neurological Sciences Awards

NINDS and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) invite applications for collaborative neurological sciences awards.

Collaborative neurological sciences awards encourage collaborative research investigations among scientists at minority institutions and scientists from external research laboratories that currently have NIH or equivalent grant support.  The intent of the awards is to develop competitive neuroscience research programs at minority institutions that will lead to successful competition for traditional research project grants by the applicant investigators.  Projects should consist of a thematic research plan that involves a collaborative effort among the participating investigators, each of whom will be conducting a portion of the project in his/her own laboratory.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. John Lynch, Program Director, Office of Minority Health and Research, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-3102; email:  lynchj@ninds.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-357.html.

Critical Care

NINDS encourages grant applications for multidisciplinary translational research in neuro-critical care.  This announcement is made together with 5 other NIH components.

Neuro-critical care research has made tremendous strides in the last decade.  While recent successes in the field have led to decreasing mortality there is still insufficient understanding of basic mechanisms of brain dysfunction, protection, and recovery in the critically ill.  New research suggests that survivors of the medical-surgical intensive care units suffer long-term consequences that include functional and cognitive difficulties.  The transition from the critically ill state to neurological recovery and rehabilitation is poorly understood.  More knowledge of post intensive care mechanisms of brain pathology and its prevention is needed.  The purpose of this announcement is to promote multidisciplinary translational research that will improve the treatment, diagnosis, and outcome of patients with critical illness and increase understanding of the fundamental processes that cause critical illness.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Eugene Golanov, Program Director, Neural Environment Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1431; email:  golanove@ninds.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-233.html.

Development and Maintenance of Software

NINDS invites applications for continued development and maintenance of software.  This announcement is made together with 9 other NIH components.

Biomedical research laboratories increasingly develop software to solve problems of interest to their laboratories.  Sometimes the software becomes useful to a much broader community of users that can include translational and clinical researchers.  The goal of this program announcement is to support the continued development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of existing software.  The proposed work should apply best practices and proven methods for software design, construction, and implementation to extend the applicability of existing biomedical informatics/computational biology software to a broader biomedical research community.

For more information, potential applicants should contact Dr. Yuan Liu, Chief, Office of International Activities, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1917; email: yl5o@nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-235.html.

Diet Composition and Energy Balance

NINDS invites grant applications for research on diet composition and energy balance. This announcement is made together with 8 other NIH components.

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in the United States. More than 66 percent of the U.S. population is overweight.  Environmental changes over the past two decades have increased sedentary behaviors, decreased physical activity, and increased consumption of more energy-dense foods and larger portion sizes.  Although an imbalance in energy consumption and expenditure promotes inappropriate weight gain, the relative contributions of each to the growing obesity problem remain in dispute.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Merrill Mitler, Program Director, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-9964; email: mm777k@nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this program announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-218.html.

Framework Programs for Global Health

NINDS encourages applications for framework programs for global health.  This announcement is made together with 4 other NIH components.

As the world becomes an increasingly global community, there is a need for new, integrated, and multidimensional approaches to global health.  Health concerns are shared by many nations and health crises can rapidly spread from one country to another.  These health threats include infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and drug-resistant tuberculosis, as well as the emerging threat of SARS and pandemic influenza.  In addition, chronic neurologic disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury contribute heavily to both disability and mortality.  The purpose of this announcement is to support new framework programs for global health that foster multidisciplinary research.

Letters of Intent Receipt Date:  August 20, 2007.

Application Receipt Date:  September 20, 2007.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Flora Katz, Division of International Training and Research, Fogarty International Center (FIC); telephone: 301-402-9591; email: katzf@mail.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-08-001.html.

Global Research Initiative Program

NINDS encourages applications for the global research initiative program for basic/biomedical sciences research.  This announcement is made together with 6 other NIH components.

The goal of this initiative is to provide funding opportunities to foreign scientists, nurses, and other health professionals upon return to their home countries.  The funding supports training in state-of-the-art research methods to advance critical issues in global health through basic and biomedical sciences research and technology development.  After their term of research training, low- to middle-income country participants will be able to continue independent and productive scientific careers, including expert training and consultation, and/or research on basic and biomedical science issues within their home institutions.

Letters of Intent Receipt Date:  August 21, 2007.

AIDS Letters of Intent Receipt Date:  November 19, 2007.

Application Receipt Date:  September 22, 2007.

AIDS Application Receipt Date:  December 18, 2007.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Aron Primack, Division of International Training and Research, FIC; telephone: 301-496-4596; email: primacka@mail.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-239.html.

Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Awards

NIH encourages applications for institutional clinical and translational science awards (CTSAs).

This program announcement is an NIH Roadmap Initiative.  The NIH Roadmap is an innovative approach to accelerate fundamental discovery and translate that knowledge into effective prevention strategies and new treatments.  All NIH institutes and centers participate in Roadmap Initiatives.

The ever increasing complexities involved in conducting clinical research are making it more difficult to translate new knowledge to the clinic—and back again to the bench.  These challenges are limiting professional interest in the field and hampering the clinical research enterprise at a time when it should be expanding.  CTSAs will encourage basic, translational, and clinical investigators, community clinicians, clinical practices, networks, professional societies, and industry to develop new professional interactions, programs, and research projects.  Through innovative advanced degree programs, CTSAs will foster a new discipline of clinical and translational science that will be much broader and deeper than the separate components.

Letters of Intent Receipt Date:  September 24, 2007.

Application Receipt Date:  October 24, 2007.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Anthony Hayward, Division of Clinical Research Resources, National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), NIH; telephone: 301-435-0790; email: haywarda@mail.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-007.html.  For more information on the NIH Roadmap, visit http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/.

International Research Collaboration

NINDS invites applications for international basic biomedical research collaboration.  This announcement is made together with 9 other NIH components.

International collaboration provides access to new information and perspectives, innovative concepts and methods, emerging research technologies, and unique populations and environments important for addressing global health problems.  The purpose of this announcement is to support basic biomedical collaborative research among NIH-supported scientists and investigators in developing countries.  The research should be of high scientific merit, relevant to global health, and of mutual interest and benefit.  The objective is to help build research capabilities and foster further sustained and productive research and research collaborations at the foreign site. 

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Yuan Liu, Chief, Office of International Activities, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1917; email: yl5o@nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-335.html.

NIH Rapid Access to Interventional Development

NIH invites applications for its rapid access to interventional development (NIH-RAID) program.

This program announcement is an NIH Roadmap Initiative.  The NIH Roadmap is an innovative approach to accelerate fundamental discovery and translate that knowledge into effective prevention strategies and new treatments.  All NIH institutes and centers participate in Roadmap Initiatives.

Promising ideas for novel therapeutic interventions can sometimes encounter roadblocks in the pipeline of preclinical development.  The NIH-RAID program makes available on a competitive basis certain critical resources needed for the development of new small molecule, oligonucleotide, and peptide therapeutic agents.  It is intended to reduce some of the common barriers between laboratory discoveries and clinical trials of new therapies.

Letters of Intent Receipt Dates:  August 14, 2007 and December 15, 2007.

Application Receipt Dates:  September 14, 2007 and January 15, 2008.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Tony Jackson, NIH-RAID Pilot Program Office; telephone: 301-594-4660; email: nih-raid@mail.nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-358.html.  For more information on the NIH Roadmap, visit http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/, or NIH-RAID, visit http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/raid/.

Stroke

NINDS invites applications for specialized programs of translational research in acute stroke (SPOTRIAS).

These programs support collaboration of clinical researchers from different specialties whose collective efforts will lead to new approaches to early diagnosis and treatment of people with acute stroke.  The goal of SPOTRIAS is to reduce the disability of and mortality in people with stroke by promoting rapid diagnosis and effective interventions.  This announcement invites new and renewal grant applications.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Scott Janis, Clinical Research Project Manager, Clinical Trials Group, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-9135; email: sj151t@nih.gov.  For a more detailed description of this announcement, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-351.html.

NINDS Seeks Persons with Essential Tremor

Scientists at NINDS are conducting an inpatient study using an experimental medication called 1-octanol for the treatment of essential tremor.  Eligible participants should be age 21 or older, have a diagnosis of essential tremor of the arms which improves with mild to moderate alcohol use, not pregnant, able to fast for a period of 12 hours, and on no tremor medications.

The study requires 2 visits:  a 1-day screening visit and a 4-day hospitalization.  The study will take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. All travel and study-related expenses will be paid by NIH.  There is no cost for participation or for any tests associated with the research.

For more information, contact Dr. Fatta Nahab, Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch, NINDS; telephone: 301-402-3496.  Please refer to study 05-N-0092.

NINDS Seeks Persons with Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists at NINDS seek persons with Parkinson's disease for a research study.  In the study, investigators will use a device to see if stimulation of certain areas of the brain, along with medication, will temporarily improve movement, balance, and walking.  The study will last approximately 4 weeks and include 8 stimulation sessions.  Each session will last approximately 1 hour.

Eligible participants must be 40 to 80 years of age and be taking an L-DOPA medication such as Sinemet.  Persons who have metal implants in their body, other significant medical or psychiatric illnesses, or a history of seizures are not eligible.

The study will take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. Compensation is provided to all participants.  There is no cost for participation or for any tests associated with the research.  All study-related expenses will be paid by NIH.  This study is conducted under safety and testing standards of the Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information, contact Dr. Mikhail Lomarev, Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch, NINDS, NIH; telephone: 301-594-0937 or 301-435-8518; fax: 301-480-2286; email: LomarevM@ninds.nih.gov.  Please refer to study 03-N-0116

Persons with Swallowing Disorders Sought for Study

Many people with a brain injury, stroke, or other neurological disorder experience difficulty in swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia.  Researchers at NINDS are conducting two different experimental studies that may improve swallowing problems for qualified participants.

In the first study (06-N-0212), experimental methods include an implanted electrical stimulation device and a handheld vibration device.  Individuals will have 10 training sessions with their devices at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, and approximately 4 follow-up visits. 

In the second study (06-N-0120), different combinations of vibratory stimulation to the neck and low-level electrical stimulation to the scalp will be used during swallowing training.  Individuals will receive 12 training sessions at the NIH Clinical Center, and approximately 5 pre- and post-testing visits. 

For both studies, transportation is available and all study related procedures are provided at no cost. 

For more information about protocol 06-N-0212, contact Katie Dietrich-Burns, Laryngeal and Speech Section, Medical Neurology Branch, NINDS; telephone:  301-594-5193.  For information about protocol 06-N-0120, contact Dr. Soren Lowell, Laryngeal and Speech Section, Medical Neurology Branch, NINDS; telephone: 301-401-5891.