Funding News - March 2009

Advanced Neural Prosthetics Research and Development

NINDS encourages grant applications for advanced neural prosthetics research and development. This announcement is made together with 2 other NIH components and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms: U01 and U44.

Neural prosthetic devices restore or supplement nervous system function lost during disease or injury. This announcement encourages applications for cooperative agreements and small business innovation research to pursue translational and pilot clinical studies for the design, development, and demonstration of neural prosthetic devices.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Joseph Pancrazio, program director, Repair and Plasticity Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1447; email: jp439m@nih.gov.  For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-063.html or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-064.html

Career Development Awards to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience

NINDS invites applications for Career Development Awards to promote diversity in neuroscience.

The purpose of this award is to support an intensive, supervised research career development experience for underrepresented neuroscientists that will provide them with the skills necessary to develop competitively funded and independent research programs. The proposed experience should substantially contribute to the research capabilities of the applicant, and the research should be in an area related to the NINDS mission. Funding support from the award will bolster efforts to address underrepresentation of certain racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in biomedical and behavioral research careers. It also will increase the total pool of well-trained researchers and health professionals who are competitively funded to conduct neuroscience research.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Michelle Jones-London, program director, Office of Minority Health and Research, NINDS; telephone: 301- 451-7966; email: jonesmiche@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-065.html.

Independent Scientist Awards

NINDS encourages applications for Independent Scientist Awards. This announcement is made together with 11 other NIH components.

The purpose of the award is to foster the development of outstanding scientists and enable them to expand their potential to make significant contributions to their research fields. The award provides 3, 4, or 5 years of salary support and “protected time” for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus to enhance their research careers.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Stephen Korn, director, Training and Career Development, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-4188; email: korns@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-038.html.

Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Awards

NIH requests applications for Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Awards. 

This 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.

This award assists institutions in creating an integrated academic home for clinical and translational science that has the resources to train and advance multi- and inter-disciplinary investigators and research teams. It also supports access to innovative research tools and information technologies that apply new knowledge and techniques to patient care. The award encourages basic, translational, and clinical investigators, community clinicians, clinical practices, networks, professional societies, and industries to develop new professional interactions, programs, and research projects.

Letters of Intent Receipt Date:  September 14, 2009
Application Receipt Date:  October 14, 2009

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Anthony Hayward, director, Division for Clinical Research Resources, NCRR; telephone: 301-435-0791; email: haywarda@mail.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-09-004.html.

Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Awards

NINDS encourages applications for Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Awards. This announcement is made together with 18 other NIH components.

The primary purpose of this award is to prepare qualified individuals for careers that have a significant impact on the Nation’s health-related research needs. It represents the continuation of a long-standing NIH program that provides support and “protected time” to individuals with a clinical doctoral degree for intensive, supervised career development in biomedical and behavioral research, including translational research.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Stephen Korn, director, Training and Career Development, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-4188; email: korns@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-042.html.

Mentored Quantitative Research Development Awards

NINDS invites applications for Mentored Quantitative Research Development Awards. This announcement is made together with 17 other NIH components.

The purpose of the award is to attract investigators whose quantitative science and engineering research has not been focused primarily on health and disease. The award provides professionals with support and “protected time” for a period of supervised study and research so that they can integrate their expertise with NIH-relevant research. Examples of quantitative scientific and technical backgrounds considered appropriate for this award include mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, imaging science, informatics, physics, chemistry, and engineering. 

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Stephen Korn, director, Training and Career Development, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-4188; email: korns@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-039.html.

Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards

NINDS encourages applications for Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards. This announcement is made together with 17 other NIH components.

The award provides support for a sustained period of “protected time” for intensive research career development under the guidance of an experienced mentor or sponsor— in the biomedical, behavioral or clinical sciences—leading to research independence. It is expected that this sustained period of development and training will help awardees launch independent research careers and become competitive for new research project grant (R01) funding.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Stephen Korn, director, Training and Career Development, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-4188; email: korns@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-040.html.

Midcareer Investigator Awards in Patient-Oriented Research

NINDS invites applications for Midcareer Investigator Awards in Patient-Oriented Research (POR). This announcement is made together with 18 other NIH components.

The award enables mid-career clinician scientists to devote more time to and augment their POR capabilities, and to mentor new clinical investigators in POR. The award provides “protected time” to midcareer clinical investigators who are typically at the associate professor level (or equivalent) and who have their own independent peer-reviewed research support. This award is meant to stabilize the careers of these investigators so that they can continue to conduct POR and be available as POR mentors.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Stephen Korn, director, Training and Career Development, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-4188; email: korns@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-037.html.

Molecular Imaging Probes

NINDS invites grant applications to develop innovative molecular imaging probes. This announcement is made together with 6 other NIH components.

Molecular imaging is an emerging research area aimed at imaging specific molecular signatures—particularly those that are key targets in disease processes. Unlike anatomical imaging, molecular imaging displays the biochemical or physiological abnormalities underlying disease, rather than the structural consequences of these abnormalities. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage the development of novel molecular imaging approaches that can detect and image specific molecular activities in vivo, and have the potential for clinical applications.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Ursula Utz, program director, Neural Environment Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1431; email: uu1p@nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-016.html.

New Innovator Awards

NIH encourages applications for the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program.

This 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.

The award is designed to support new exceptionally creative investigators who propose bold and highly innovative research approaches that have the potential to produce a major impact on biomedical and behavioral research. Proposed research for these awards may be in any scientific area relevant to the NIH mission but need not be in a conventional biomedical or behavioral discipline. The focus is on innovation and potential impact.

Application Receipt Date:  May 27, 2009

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Richard Okita, program director, Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences Branch, NIGMS; telephone: 301-594-4469; email: newinnovator@nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-09-003.html.

New Methodologies for Natural Products Chemistry

NIH requests applications to develop new methodologies for natural products chemistry.

This 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.

This initiative supports the development of new methodologies for natural products chemistry. The long-term goal is to reinvigorate the investigation of nature as a prolific source of small molecules that have the potential to probe the roles of proteins in cellular processes, and be developed into new drugs.

Letters of Intent Receipt Date:  April 17, 2009
Application Due Date:  May 14, 2009

Potential applicants should contact Dr. John M. Schwab, program director, Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry, NIGMS; telephone: 301-594-3827; email: schwabj@nigms.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-09-005.html.  

NIH Pathway to Independence Awards

NINDS encourages applications for Pathway to Independence Awards. This announcement is made together with 23 other NIH components.

NIH believes that the creativity and innovation of new independent investigators early in their career play an integral role in addressing our nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. One of the most challenging transitions in any research career is the transition from postdoctoral trainee to independent scientist. The objective of this award is to assist postdoctoral investigators in transitioning to a stable independent research position with NIH or other independent research funding.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Stephen Korn, director, Training and Career Development, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-4188; email:  korns@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-036.html.

Parkinson’s Disease

NINDS invites applications for research on the cognitive sequelae of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This announcement is made together with 3 other NIH components and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms: R01 and R21.

PD is commonly viewed as an extrapyramidal motor disorder. Therefore, a substantial amount of research has focused on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying the most apparent symptoms (tremors and slowness in the initiation of movements) and on their treatment.  PD is more than a motor disease however, it also affects thinking, reasoning, learning, processing speed, and other cognitive abilities as well as regulation of mood and affect. In addition, medications commonly used to treat PD can provoke or enhance cognitive dysfunction. The cognitive and affective changes seen in PD are less understood and studied than the motor symptoms.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Debra Babcock, program director, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-9964; email: db390r@nih.gov; or Dr. Beth-Anne Sieber, program director, Neurodegeneration Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-5680; email:  sieberb@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-033.html or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-034.html.

Pioneer Award Program

NIH requests applications for the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program.

This 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.

This program is a unique aspect of the NIH Roadmap. Pioneer awards support individual exceptionally creative scientists who propose pioneering—and possibly transformative—approaches to major challenges in biomedical and behavioral research. To be considered pioneering, the proposed research must reflect ideas substantially different from those already being pursued in the investigator’s laboratory or elsewhere. The proposed research may be in any scientific area relevant to the NIH mission but need not be in a conventional biomedical or behavioral discipline.

Application Due Date:  May 14, 2009

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Ravi Basavappa, program director, Biophysics Branch, NIGMS; telephone: 301-594-0828; email:  pioneer@nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-09-001.html.

Probes for Microimaging the Nervous System

NINDS invites small business innovation research applications to develop probes for microimaging the nervous system. This announcement is made together with 5 other NIH components.

An emerging area of scientific opportunity is the design and use of probes to study structure and function at the molecular and subcellular level in living cells. Research and development of such technologies may allow scientists to track the ebb and flow of signal transduction cascades, protein-protein interactions, protein-nucleotide interactions, movement of subcellular elements within cells, and other dynamic events. This area of science and technology is poised for major advances, and these advances would increase understanding of the molecular physiology of nervous system cells, and how they are affected by disease, pharmacologic agents, and development.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Daofen Chen, program director, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-9964; email: dc342b@nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-062.html.

Rapid Access to Interventional Development

NIH encourages applications for the Rapid Access to Interventional Development (NIH-RAID) Program.

This 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.

Promising ideas for novel therapeutic interventions can sometimes encounter roadblocks in the pipeline of preclinical development. Translation can be aided by alliances with corporate or other private sector partners, but high risk ideas or therapies for uncommon disorders frequently do not attract private-sector investment. The NIH Roadmap established NIH-RAID to provide certain critical resources needed for developing new therapeutic agents. The program aims to reduce some of the common barriers between laboratory discoveries and clinical trials of new therapeutic entities.

Potential applicants should contact Tony Jackson, program analyst, NIH-RAID; telephone: 301-594-4660; email: nih-raid@mail.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-027.html.

Small Business Innovation Research Grants

NIH encourages applications for small business innovation research (SBIR) grants. This announcement is made together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

The SBIR program was created to: stimulate technological innovation in the private sector; strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting Federal research and development needs; increase the commercial application of Federally-supported research results; foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and women-owned businesses in the SBIR program; and improve the return on investment from Federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the nation.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Randall Stewart, program director, Channels, Synapses, and Circuits Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1917; email: stewartr@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA- 09-080.html.

Small Business Technology Transfer Research Grants

NINDS invites applications for small business technology transfer research (STTR) grants. This announcement is made together with 22 other NIH components.

The purpose of the STTR program is to stimulate a partnership of ideas and technologies between innovative small businesses and nonprofit research institutions through Federally-funded research or research and development. Through these awards, the program assists the small business and research communities by commercializing innovative technologies.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Randall Stewart, program director, Channels, Synapses, and Circuits Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-1917; email: stewartr@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA- 09-081.html.

Persons with Head Injury Sought for Study

NINDS is seeking persons with head injury for the Warfighter Head Injury Study, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary research evaluation.  The study will investigate the longterm difficulties warfighters may experience after combat. The evaluation includes non-invasive brain scan(s), a neurological examination, and neuropsychological testing.

Eligible participants must be 18 to 75 years of age, and have served in the Iraqi-Afghan war and received a documented head injury while in combat. Persons who received a head injury less than 6 months ago may not qualify.

The study will take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. Depending on individual need, participation may either be as an inpatient or outpatient. The time commitment for this study is 5 consecutive days for 6 hours each day.

There is no cost for participation or for any study-related test. All expenses related to the study will be covered, including bringing a caregiver.

For more information, contact Sandra Bonifant, program specialist/study coordinator, Warfighter Head Injury Study, Cognitive Neuroscience Section, NINDS, at 301-594-5751. Please refer to study number 08-N-0198.

Healthy Volunteers Sought for Head Injury Study

NINDS is seeking healthy volunteers for the Warfighter Head Injury Study, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary research evaluation. The study will investigate the longterm difficulties warfighters may experience after combat. The evaluation includes non-invasive brain scan(s), a neurological examination, and neuropsychological testing.

Eligible participants must be 18 to 75 years of age, and have served in the Iraqi-Afghan war and did not sustain a head injury.  Persons who have certain neurologic or psychiatric conditions, or a history of drug abuse may not qualify.

The study will take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. The time commitment for this study is 5 consecutive days for 6 hours each day. There is no cost for participation or for any study-related test. All expenses related to the study will be covered, and standard NIH compensation is available.

For more information, contact Sandra Bonifant, program specialist/study coordinator, Warfighter Head Injury Study, Cognitive Neuroscience Section, NINDS, at 301-594-5751. Please refer to study number 08-N-0198.

Persons with Suspected Multiple Sclerosis Sought for Study

NINDS is seeking persons who may have multiple sclerosis for participation in a research study to investigate the cause and response to treatment of multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system. The study will include medical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bloodwork. Other tests and procedures may be required during the study. This study does not provide treatment. Participants remain under the care of their own physicians during this study.

Participants must be 18 to 65 years of age with clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis or a MRI suggestive of the disorder.

The study will take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. There is no cost for participation or for any study-related tests. Transportation reimbursement will be available as needed.

For more information, contact Joan Ohayon at 301-496-0064. Please refer to study number 09-N-0032.

Persons with Stroke Sought for Study

NIH is seeking persons with stroke for participation in several research studies. The goals of these studies include exploring ways to improve movement ability in partially paralyzed limbs and to improve the sense of touch.

Eligible persons must be 18 years of age or older, and have had a single stroke on only one side of the brain at least 3 months before enrollment.  Persons who have had multiple strokes, are pregnant, or have a serious medical or neurological illness other than stroke, may not be eligible.

All studies will be conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD.  The duration of the studies, and the number of visits and tests, vary by study.  There are no costs for study-related tests.  Compensation for time and inconvenience for most studies will be provided and transportation assistance may be available.

For more information, contact the Patient Recruitment Office at 1-800-411-1222 (TTY: 1-866-411-1010).  Se habla español.

Persons with Tourette Syndrome Sought for Study

NINDS is seeking persons with Tourette syndrome for participation in a research study to evaluate the sensory experience that occurs before tics. Participants must be 18 to 65 years of age and have Tourette syndrome.

The study will take place on an outpatient basis at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. All study-related tests and medications will be provided at no cost. Compensation will be provided.

For more information, contact the Patient Recruitment Office at 1-800-411-1222 (TTY: 1-866-411-1010), or visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00755339. Please refer to study number 08-N-0215.  Se habla español.