DoD Peer Reviewed Alzheimer’s Research Partnership Award

Description

The intent of the FY18 PRARP RPA is to create an avenue for collaborative research partnerships between investigators to address a research problem or question in a manner that would be unachievable through separate efforts as related to the PRARP’s mission (see Section II.A, Program Description). In addition to supporting basic research, FY18 PRARP RPA applications proposing preclinical research are acceptable. The research impact for the FY18 PRARP RPA is expected to benefit the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. The FY18 PRARP RPA is open to eligible applicants whose named Principal Investigators (PIs) are at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) from any field or discipline. The application should demonstrate the study team’s experience in both TBI and AD/ADRD research. The FY18 PRARP RPA requires that a minimum of two investigators (i.e., partners) jointly design a single research project. It should be clear that each partner had equal intellectual input into the design of the research project. Any partner may submit as the PI; the other partner(s) will be designated as the Co-PI(s). Multi-institutional research is encouraged but not required. The success of the project must be supported by the unique skills and contributions of each partner. The proposed studies must demonstrate how they will accelerate research that addresses the PRARP’s mission (see Section II.A, Program Description) into clinical applications. Applications must include a Collaboration Statement (Attachment 9). The proposed study must include clearly stated plans for interactions between the partners. The plans must include communication, decision-making, allocation of resources, coordination of research progress and results, and sharing of data among all investigators and organizations participating in the project. Additionally, multi-institutional applications must provide an intellectual property plan to resolve potential intellectual and material property issues and to remove institutional barriers that might interfere with achieving high levels of cooperation to ensure the successful completion of this award. Preliminary data to support the feasibility of the research hypothesis (or hypotheses) and research approaches are required. Preliminary data may be derived from a laboratory discovery, clinical observation, or population-based studies. The anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY18 PRARP RPA will not exceed $1,300,000. The maximum period of performance is 3 years. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information. FY18 PRARP RPA Overarching Challenges: This FY18 PRARP RPA funding opportunity requires applications to address one or more of the following FY18 PRARP RPA Overarching Challenges: Paucity of Research Resources: The paucity of research resources to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. Paucity of Clinical Studies: The paucity of clinical studies to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. This includes research into risk factors that may predispose individuals to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI. Diagnostic Technologies, Tests, Biomarkers, or Devices: The need for technologies, tests, or devices to detect or prognose the progression to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI. This includes research into risk factors that may predispose individuals to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI. Quality of Life: The need for technologies, assessments, interventions, or devices to benefit individuals living with the common symptoms or deficits of TBI and AD/ADRD. Caregiver Support: The need for technologies, assessments, interventions, or devices with the goal of enhancing the lives of caregivers for individuals living with the common symptoms or deficits of TBI and AD/ADRD. Epidemiology: The paucity of epidemiological research to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. This includes research into risk factors that may predispose individuals to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI. FY18 PRARP RPA Focus Areas: In addition to addressing one or more of the specified FY18 PRARP RPA Overarching Challenges, applications should address at least one of the following FY18 PRARP RPA Focus Areas in support of the FY18 PRARP RPA Overarching Challenges. An application that proposes research outside of the FY18 PRARP RPA Focus Areas is acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong rationale: Mechanisms of Pathogenesis: Identification of contributing mechanisms (e.g., diffuse/traumatic axonal injury, roles of non-neuronal cells, neuroinflammation, immune regulation, biology/pathology of tau, vascular contributions, and omics techniques for examining mechanisms) associated with TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD pathogenesis. Biomarkers: Development of strategies to diagnose, prognose, or characterize neurological changes or risk factors associated with TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD (e.g., fluid-based, imaging-based, physiological, and omics techniques for biomarkers). Quality of Life: Research intended to alleviate, stabilize, or characterize the symptoms, or deficits, common to TBI, AD, and ADRD. Examples of research in this Focus Area include identification and management of comorbidities and modifiable risk factors (e.g., sleep apnea, obesity), cognitive training interventions, studies of health and wellness and behavioral interventions. Caregiver Support: Research intended to enhance the role of the caregiver for individuals living with the common symptoms or deficits of TBI and AD/ADRD. Examples of research in this Focus Area include caregiver training, home-based support, behavioral interventions, and relationship interventions. Epidemiological Research: Research focusing on the incidence, distribution, and other factors relating to the health of individuals affected by TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD. Novel Target Identification: Basic research (non-human) directly leading to the identification of new targets for the development of existing or new investigational medicines, drugs, or agents. Nonpharmacological Interventions: Research into non-medication-based interventions to improve quality of life or caregiving for those living with AD/ADRD. Note: Pharmacological interventions are specifically discouraged. A pharmacological intervention is defined as clinical research requiring investigational or U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs or medicines.

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