Funding News - July 2009

Academic Research Enhancement Award

NIH invites Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) grant applications to support new biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research projects proposed by faculty members of eligible institutions.

This announcement is supported by funds provided to the NIH under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The purpose of AREA is to stimulate research in educational institutions that have not been major recipients of NIH support, but that provide degrees for a significant number of the Nation's research scientists. AREA grants create opportunities for scientists and institutions, otherwise unlikely to participate extensively in NIH programs, to contribute to the Nation's biomedical and behavioral research effort. These grants support small-scale health-related research projects proposed by faculty members of eligible institutions.

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/rfa-files/RFA-OD-09-007.html.

Assays for High Throughput Screening

NIH invites applications for assays for high throughput screening to support the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN).

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 purpose of this announcement is to promote and support discovery and development of new chemical probes as research tools for use by the research community to advance the understanding of biological functions and disease mechanisms. The MLPCN offers biomedical researchers access to large-scale automated screening centers, diverse compound libraries, medicinal chemistry resources, and information on biological activities of small molecules. The goal of the MLPCN is to implement a variety of innovative biochemical and cell-based assays for phenotypes or biological targets for which there are limited selective and potent small molecule modulators available to the public.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Yong Yao, NIH Roadmap Molecular Libraries and Imaging, Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, NIMH; telephone: 301-443-6102; email: yyao@mail.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-129.html.

Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A

NINDS encourages small business research grant applications to develop in-vitro assays to assess the potency of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A. This announcement is made together with the Food and Drug Administration and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms: R41/R42 and R43/R44.

Therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin have increased steadily since its initial approval. Presently, type A neurotoxin is in widespread clinical use and its potency is assessed in a mouse model with inherent variability. The purpose of this announcement is to encourage development of new non-animal-based assays to assess the potency of botulinum neurotoxin type A.

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Danilo Tagle, program director, Neurogenetics Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-5745; email: tagled@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-178.html and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-179.html.

Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program

NINDS invites applications for the exploratory/developmental research grant program. This announcement is made together with 17 other NIH components.

The program supports novel scientific ideas or new model systems, tools, or technologies that have the potential to significantly advance biomedical research. These ideas may differ from current thinking and may not yet be supported by substantial data. The program encourages new research projects that are exploratory and/or at an early stage of development. These studies should break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.

Potential applicants should contact the NINDS Referral Officer; telephone: 301-496-9223; email: nindsreview.nih.gov@mail.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-164.html.

Human Gene Expression

NIH invites grant applications for research on novel statistical methods for human gene expression quantitative trait loci analysis.

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.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown great promise in identifying genetic loci associated with common human diseases. To date, more than 75 different traits have been significantly associated with more than 900 genetic variants. Many of the GWAS associations identified thus far may be due to subtle effects of genetic variation on gene regulation. The identification of genes whose expression is correlated with specific genetic variants (known as expression quantitative trait loci) can serve as a tool to functionally characterize a disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphism, or SNP, and point to the underlying biological pathways.

Letters of Intent Receipt Date: August 16, 2009
Application Receipt Date: September 16, 2009

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Yin Yao, Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, NIMH; telephone: 301-443-2037; email: kay1yao@mail.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-09-006.html.

International Space Station

NINDS invites applications for biomedical research on the International Space Station (ISS). This announcement is made together with 8 other NIH components.

This initiative encourages biomedical research in space to increase understanding of human physiology and health on Earth. It is intended to announce the availability of the ISS as a national laboratory and to encourage applications for biomedical research on the molecular or cellular level that will use the unique microgravity and radiation environment and resources available on the ISS.

Research topics of interest to NINDS include, but are not limited to, effects of: microgravity on development, plasticity, and neurobiology within the central nervous system (CNS), spatial orientation, visuo-motor performance, and autonomic nervous system regulation; radiation in orbit on tumor risk and growth within CNS tissue; and ISS environmental cycles, such as light-dark and radiation, on biological rhythms.

Letters of Intent Receipt Date: August 31, 2009
Application Receipt Date: September 30, 2009

Potential applicants should contact Dr. Merrill Mitler, Program Director, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-9964; fax: 301-402-2060; email: mm777k@nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-120.html.

Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies

NINDS encourages small business research grant applications on manufacturing processes of medical, dental, and biological technologies. This announcement is made together with 14 other NIH components and is supported by 2 funding mechanisms: R43/R44 and R41/R42.

New methods, procedures, measures, and controls are needed for manufacturing a broad range of biomedical technologies and products with unsurpassed quality and to lower manufacturing costs for existing and new processes. Research also is encouraged that can contribute to the containment and reduction of health care costs and that can improve the cost effectiveness, quality, and accessibility of the health care system.

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-09-113.html and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-114.html.

Muscular Dystrophy Research Centers

NINDS requests applications to establish Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers. This announcement is made together with 3 other NIH components.

Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of hereditary, progressive degenerative disorders causing weakness of the skeletal or voluntary muscles. There are many different forms of muscular dystrophy, which differ in their age of onset, severity, and pattern of muscles affected. This announcement encourages applications to create Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers, which honor Senator Paul Wellstone, a champion of muscular dystrophy research. Successful applicants will join a network of existing centers that support the translation of new scientific findings and technological developments into novel treatments for muscular dystrophy.

Letters of Intent Receipt Date: October 13, 2009
Application Receipt Date: November 10, 2009

Potential applicants should contact Dr. John Porter, program director, Neurogenetics Cluster, NINDS; telephone: 301-496-5739; email: porterj@ninds.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-09-027.html.

NINDS Research Education Programs

NINDS requests applications for its research education programs for residents and fellows in neurology, neurosurgery, neuropathy, and neuroradiology.

This opportunity provides experience in the design and conduct of research, as well as skills required for competitive application for independent funds. Participants will conduct basic or clinical research in a well-funded (NIH or comparable) research laboratory and have one or more mentors with a superb track record in the training of physician-scientists. Participants will be immersed in a significant research problem and an environment that provides high quality mentoring in all aspects of research and career management required for success as a physician-scientist. The immediate goal is to prepare clinicians to effectively compete for individual fellowships or mentored career development awards. Such success will help their transition from resident/fellow to physician-scientist, and, thus, will encourage the retention of a cadre of physician-scientists who will conduct research on the mechanisms, causes, and treatment of neurological diseases.

Application Receipt Date: September 10, 2009

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/rfa-files/RFA-NS-10-002.html.

Small Research Grant Program

NINDS invites applications for the small research grant program. This announcement is made together with 10 other NIH components.

The program encourages small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. It supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology. The project director/principal investigator will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.

Potential applicants should contact the NINDS Referral Officer; telephone: 301-496-9223; email: nindsreview.nih.gov@mail.nih.gov. For more information visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-163.html.

Epilepsy

Persons with Seizures or Epilepsy Sought for Study
NINDS is seeking persons with seizures or epilepsy to participate in a research study. This study has three purposes: 1) to screen patients with seizures for participation in other research studies of NINDS's Clinical Epilepsy Section (CES), 2) to follow the natural course of seizure disorders, and 3) to train CES fellows in evaluating and treating epilepsy. This study includes a health history, physical and neurological examinations, and one or more non-invasive tests such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain.

Participants must be 2 years of age or older and have seizures that occur frequently. Children under age 18 must have written consent from a parent. Persons who are pregnant, and children under age 2 may not be eligible. The study will take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, and requires an initial 3-hour visit to the NIH to determine eligibility, an inpatient visit that may take up to 3 weeks, and 3 repeat visits for imaging tests.

For more information, contact the Patient Recruitment Office at 800-411-1222, or via email at prpl@cc.nih.gov. Please refer to study number 00-N-0139.

Persons with Uncontrolled Epilepsy Sought for Study
NINDS is seeking adults with epilepsy that is not controlled by medication (medically intractable epilepsy) and who are planning seizure surgery to participate in a research study. The study will test the effects of an experimental medication infused into the brain at the time of surgery. This study will increase our understanding of epilepsy and may lead to a new type of treatment for medically intractable epilepsy.

Eligible persons must have uncontrolled epilepsy, be 18-70 years of age, and be able to have MRI scans. Study participants will be screened in research study 01-N-0139 (Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Epilepsy) to confirm that they are candidates for seizure surgery. Surgical candidates will enter the study (00-N-0158) and undergo surgical placement of a tube into the region of the brain where the seizures originate. Saline (salt water) and muscimol, the experimental medication that suppresses brain activity, will be infused through this tube and into the seizure focus. Neurological examinations, EEG, and MRI scans will evaluate the effects of the infusions. Standard surgical treatment for medically intractable epilepsy will be provided after the infusions. The study requires a 2- to 4-week inpatient stay at the NIH. Travel, epilepsy surgery, and study-related expenses will be paid by the NIH.

For more information, contact the Patient Recruitment Office at 800-411-1222, or via email at prpl@cc.nih.gov. Please refer to study number 00-N-0158.