DoD Epilepsy, Idea Development Award

Description

The intent of the FY18 ERP IDA is to solicit research to understand the magnitude and underlying mechanisms of PTE related to the ERP’s mission (see Section II.A, Program Description). The FY18 ERP IDA offers two levels of funding. Funding Level I is intended to support high-risk or high-gain applications with Principal Investigators (PIs) at or above the level of a postdoctoral fellow (or equivalent), but below the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent). Note that organizations submitting Funding Level I applications will be required to verify their eligibility for this award. Funding Level II is intended to support a more mature, hypothesis-driven research project. For an FY18 ERP IDA Funding Level II application, the PI must be an independent investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent). While not required, applications to either Funding Level I or II should provide relevant preliminary data. Preliminary data for either Funding Level may come from the PI’s published work, pilot data, or from peer-reviewed literature. The requested budget level should be appropriate for the scope of research proposed. Research proposed to either the Epidemiology or Longitudinal Studies Focus Area, described below, will require the development of an Epidemiological/Longitudinal Studies Research Statement. For Funding Level I: The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for a Level I FY18 ERP IDA will not exceed $300,000. The maximum period of performance is 2 years. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information. For Funding Level II: The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for a Level II FY18 ERP IDA will not exceed $500,000. The maximum period of performance is 3 years. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information. FY18 ERP IDA Focus Areas: The research impact for the FY18 ERP IDA is expected to benefit the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. To this end, applications should address at least one of the following FY18 ERP IDA Focus Areas. An application that proposes research outside of these FY18 ERP IDA Focus Areas is acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong rationale. These should be carefully considered as part of the application process.  Epidemiology: Epidemiological characterization of PTE following TBI, which may include the following: ○ Risk factors such as demographics, genetic factors, organic head injury factors, or type of insult ○ Differentiation of PTE and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) ○ Outcomes including latency to epilepsy, morbidities and comorbidities, and mortality ○ Pre-existing conditions including psychological and psychiatric risk factors ○ Treatment Note: Applications proposing epidemiological research should be submitted under the Epidemiology Option.  Markers and Mechanisms: Identifying markers or mechanisms (via clinical prospective or preclinical models) that address PTE, which may include the following: ○ Early detection ○ Diagnosis ○ Prognosis ○ Morbidity ○ Comorbidity ○ Mortality ○ Risk stratification Note: Research considering the development of new models or better characterization of existing etiologically relevant models for PTE, including repetitive TBI, could be considered under this Focus Area.  Longitudinal Studies: Studies of the natural evolution of PTE, which may include the following: ○ Seizure frequency and severity ○ Comorbidities (e.g., depression, functional deficits, sleep disorders, major illness) ○ Latency between injury and PTE ○ Mortality ○ Treatment ○ Quality of life of individuals with PTE Note: Applications proposing longitudinal studies should be submitted under the Longitudinal Studies Option. Note: Research focusing on interventional clinical trials (e.g., pharmacological interventions) is strongly discouraged. The types of awards made under the Program Announcement will be assistance agreements (grants or cooperative agreements). The level of involvement on the part of the Department of Defense (DoD) during project performance is the key factor in determining whether to award a grant or cooperative agreement. Extramural Organizations: An assistance agreement (grant or cooperative agreement) is appropriate when the Federal Government transfers a “thing of value” to a “state, local government,” or “other recipient” to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States, instead of acquiring property or service for the direct benefit and use of the U.S. Government. An assistance agreement can take the form of a grant or cooperative agreement. If “no substantial involvement” on the part of the funding agency is anticipated, a grant award will be made (31 USC 6304). Conversely, if substantial involvement on the part of the funding agency is anticipated, a cooperative agreement will be made (31 USC 6305) and the award will identify the specific substantial involvement. Substantial involvement may include collaboration, participation, or intervention in the research to be performed under the award. The award type, along with the start date, will be determined during the negotiation process.

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