DoD Parkinson's, Investigator-Initiated Research Award

Description

The PRP IIRA supports highly rigorous, multidisciplinary, high-impact research projects that have the potential to make an important contribution to Parkinson’s disease research and/or patient care. This award mechanism supports the full spectrum of research from basic science through clinical research that specifically focuses on scientific and clinical Parkinson’s disease issues, which, if successfully addressed, have the potential to make a major impact in understanding, preventing, diagnosing, or treating Parkinson’s disease or enhancing the well-being of individuals experiencing the impact of the disease. The following are important aspects of the IIRA: • Research Strategy and Feasibility: The scientific rationale and experimental methodology should demonstrate critical understanding and in-depth analysis of Parkinson’s disease. Experimental strategies may be novel or may be based on strong rationale derived from previously published data, presented preliminary data, or literature review. The feasibility of the research design and methods should be well defined, and a clear plan should be articulated as to how the proposed goals of the project can be achieved. Preliminary data to support feasibility are required. Any unpublished, preliminary data provided should originate from the laboratory of the Principal Investigator (PI) or a member(s) of the research team. The preliminary data must support the feasibility of the study. • Impact: The proposed research should impact an area of paramount importance in Parkinson’s disease. The application must clearly and explicitly describe the potential impact of the proposed study on Parkinson’s disease and convey its level of significance. The research should benefit individuals with Parkinson’s disease, including Service members and Veterans, by improving the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of Parkinson’s disease. • Focus Areas: The proposed research must address at least one of the two FY18 PRP IIRA Focus Areas. • Principal Investigator and Research Team: The PRP seeks applications from investigators working in a broad spectrum of disciplines including, but not limited to, basic science, engineering, bioinformatics, population science, translational research, and clinical research. The application should demonstrate that the research team’s background is appropriate to successfully achieve the proposed research and contribute to the field of Parkinson’s disease research. Partnering PI Option: The IIRA mechanism includes an option for up to three PIs. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. The other PI(s) (maximum of two) will be identified as Partnering PI(s). Initiating and Partnering PIs each have different submission requirements, as described in Section II, Detailed Information About the Funding Opportunity; however, all PIs should contribute significantly to the development of the proposed research project, including the Project Narrative, Statement of Work, and other required components. The Partnering PI Option requires a Synergy Statement (see Attachment 8). The Synergy Statement discusses in detail the advantages of addressing this problem through the combined expertise of the PIs and how this contributes to the synergy of the application. If recommended for funding, the Initiating PI and each Partnering PI will be named to an individual award within the recipient organization. The PI (and each Partnering PI) must maintain at least 15% dedication of his/her full-time professional effort during the award period to this award. The proposed research must be relevant to active duty Service members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public. The anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY18 PRP IIRA will not exceed $1.5M for a single investigator or $2M for the Partnering PI Option. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information. 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.

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