DoD Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health, Idea Development Award

Description

The intent of the FY21 TBIPHRP IDA is to support innovative, non-incremental, high-risk/ high-reward research that will provide new insights, paradigms, technologies, or clinical applications. Studies supported by this award are expected to lay the groundwork for future avenues of scientific investigation. The proposed research project should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on a sound scientific rationale and study design. Preliminary data is not required.Research deemed innovative may represent a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, leverage unique study populations, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. Research that is an incremental advance upon published data is not considered innovative. Projects involving multidisciplinary and/or data science approaches are especially encouraged. The following list, although not all-inclusive, provides examples of research that is not innovative: Using a published series of in vitro assays to further characterize a model system Incorporating known biomarkers into in vivo or clinical models of the disease or condition Investigating the next logical step or continuation of a previous research project Proposing work that is an incremental advancement of published dataDue to this award’s emphasis on innovation, inclusion of preliminary data is allowed but not required. The presentation of substantial preliminary data suggests that the proposed research project would be more appropriately submitted to a different award mechanism. Absence of preliminary data will not negatively affect scientific or programmatic review of the application. Any unpublished, preliminary data provided should originate from the laboratory of the Principal Investigator (PI) or members of the research team. Regardless of whether preliminary data are included, applications should be based on a sound scientific rationale that is established through logical reasoning and/or critical review and analysis of the literature. The outcome of research supported by this award should include the generation of robust preliminary data that can be used as a foundation for future research projects.Organizations are encouraged to support early-career investigators as PIs on FY21 TBIPHRP IDA applications.Applicants are encouraged to integrate and/or align their research projects with DOD and/or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research laboratories and programs. Collaborations between researchers at military or Veterans institutions and non-military institutions are strongly encouraged. These relationships can leverage knowledge, infrastructure, and access to unique data and research resources that the partners bring to the research effort, ultimately advancing TBI and psychological health research of significance to Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and the American public. A list of websites that may be useful in identifying additional information about ongoing DOD and VA areas of research interest or potential opportunities for collaboration can be found in Appendix 2.Relevance to Military Health: Relevance to the healthcare needs of Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and the American public is a key feature of this award. Investigators are encouraged to consider the following characteristics as examples of how a project may demonstrate relevance to military health: Explanation of how the project addresses an aspect of TBI and/or psychological health that has direct relevance to the health and/or readiness of Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and the American public Description of how the knowledge, information, products, or technologies gained from the proposed research could be implemented in a dual-use capacity to benefit the civilian population and also address a military need Use of military or Veteran populations, samples, or datasets in the proposed research, if appropriate Collaboration with DOD or VA investigators or consultantsThe types of awards made under the program announcement will be assistance agreements. An assistance 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. The level of involvement on the part of the DOD during project performance is the key factor in determining whether to award 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, but is not limited to, 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.The anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY21 TBIPHRP IDA will not exceed $300,000. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.Awards will be made no later than September 30, 2022. For additional information refer to Section II.F.1, Federal Award Notices.The CDMRP expects to allot approximately $5.4M to fund approximately 18 FY21 TBIPHRP Idea Development Award applications. Funding of applications received is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program as well as the number of applications received, the quality and merit of the applications as evaluated by scientific and programmatic review, and the requirements of the government. Funds to be obligated on any award resulting from this funding opportunity will be available for use for a limited time period based on the fiscal year of the funds. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY21 funding opportunity will be funded with FY21 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2027.

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