DoD Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health, Translational Research Award

Description

The FY21 TBIPHRP TRA is intended to support translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in TBI and/or psychological health research into clinical applications, including healthcare products, technologies, and/or clinical practice guidelines. This mechanism supports both preclinical to clinical translational research (e.g., studies of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in preclinical systems) as well as clinical research to clinical care translation (e.g., comparative effectiveness, implementation science, healthcare services research). Observations that support a research idea may be derived from a laboratory discovery, population-based studies, or a clinician’s first-hand knowledge of patients and anecdotal data. However, applicants should not view translational research as a one-way continuum from bench to bedside. The research plan is encouraged to involve a reciprocal flow of ideas and information between basic and clinical science or clinical and implementation science as appropriate. Applications proposing clinical trials for NEW interventions or NEW indications for products currently FDA-approved are not permitted under this funding mechanism and should consider submitting to the following FY21 TBIPHRP funding opportunities: Clinical Trial Award (Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-21-S-TBIPH1) Focused Program Award (Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-21-S-TBIPH2)Applications must include preliminary and/or published data to support the proposed research project. Applications should clearly articulate three points along the translational research spectrum: Where the field is now; Where the field will be after the successful completion of the proposed research project; and What the next step will be after completion of the proposed project.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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) investigators or consultantsApplicants are encouraged to integrate and/or align their research projects with DOD and/or 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.Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option: The FY21 TBIPHRP encourages applications that include meaningful and productive collaborations between investigators. The FY21 TBIPHRP TRA includes an option with a Principal Investigator (PI) who is an Early-Career Investigator. The PIs may have experience in similar or disparate scientific disciplines, but each PI is expected to bring distinct contributions to the application. The Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option is structured to accommodate two 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 investigator will be the Partnering PI. Either the Initiating or Partnering PI may be the Early-Career Investigator. Both PIs should contribute significantly to the development of the proposed research project, including the Project Narrative, Statement of Work (SOW), and other required components. The application is expected to describe how the PIs’ unique experience/expertise combined as a partnership will better address the research question, how the unique experience/expertise that each individual brings to the application is critical for the research strategy and completion of the SOW, and why the work should be done together rather than through separate efforts. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named to an individual award within the recipient organizations. For individual FY21 TBIPHRP TRA submission requirements for the Initiating and Partnering PI, refer to Section II.D.2, Content and Form of the Application Submission.The 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 TRA will not exceed $1.50M. 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 $36M to fund approximately 24 FY21 TBIPHRP Translational Research 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.

Eligibility

Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category code 99. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.

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Key Dates

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