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The first Health and Human Performance Research (HHPR) Summit is upcoming April 28-30, 2015 in Dayton, Ohio. We are on target to have more than 200 attendees, 75+ posters, and 12 breakout sessions discussing the topics of the summit. More than 75 participants from Federal Research labs will be presenting and participating in the event and it is a great opportunity for our Ohio Academic Institutions to create relationships and understand the objectives of these researchers. As such, we have an interest in ensuring Ohio universities and research institutions are represented in this event to increase the funding which is attracted to our State. We would like to extend an invitation to your institution to participate in the Summit through poster presentations and/or attending the Summit. Designed to provide networking opportunities for researchers and industry to connect through a focus on exploring commercializing opportunities in Science and Technology within the health and human performance domain; the HHPR Summit is also intended to further develop the research relationships with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and support the commercialization within Ohio. It is important to us as we look to the strategies we are undertaking as a state to ensure the major universities and research institutions have an opportunity to play a major role in this relationship. Details of the Summit follows: The HHPR Summit is an international meeting supporting human systems research held at the Dayton Convention Center in Dayton, Ohio April 28-30, 2015 with the objective of linking defense and academic research to the commercial domains. The Summit is a forum to generate research knowledge and ideas, recruit and retain key organizations and researchers in the human systems domain, and link research to entrepreneurial outcomes, and diffuse information.

This FOA relates to one of the initiatives of the SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) Common Fund program titled: Use of Existing Market-Approved Technology for New Market Indications. By establishing effective public-private partnerships, this SPARC initiative allows supported investigators to have access to existing neuromodulation technology to explore new indications. A number of device manufacturers have entered into partnership agreements with the NIH to make their neuromodulation technology, consisting of implantable devices with recording and/or stimulation capabilities, available to SPARC's supported clinical investigators (see Device Portal for a list of companies and available technologies). The specific goal of this FOA is to promote the pre-clinical development of these technologies, in support of a new market indication, towards enabling an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) submission for a future pilot clinical study. Awarded projects of this FOA that fully reach their pre-clinical testing milestones will be eligible for further support, subject to a subsequent FOA, to conduct a pilot clinical study. The expectation is that these pilot clinical studies will provide the initial proof-of-principle demonstrations in humans that will motivate the additional studies needed in pursuing FDA approval as a labeled indication.

This FOA relates to one of the initiatives of the SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) Common Fund program titled: Use of Existing Market-Approved Technology for New Market Indications. By establishing effective public-private partnerships, this SPARC initiative allows supported investigators to have access to existing neuromodulation technology to explore new indications. A number of device manufacturers have entered into partnership agreements with the NIH to make their neuromodulation technology, consisting of implantable devices with recording and/or stimulation capabilities, available to SPARC's supported clinical investigators (see Device Portal for a list of companies and available technologies). The specific goal of this FOA is to promote the pre-clinical development of these technologies, in support of a new market indication, towards enabling an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) submission for a future pilot clinical study. Awarded projects of this FOA that fully reach their pre-clinical testing milestones will be eligible for further support, subject to a subsequent FOA, to conduct a pilot clinical study. The expectation is that these pilot clinical studies will provide the initial proof-of-principle demonstrations in humans that will motivate the additional studies needed in pursuing FDA approval as a labeled indication.

The BrightFocus Foundation provides research funds for U.S. and international researchers pursuing high-risk studies that illuminate areas for which there currently is little understanding, helping to bring to light crucial knowledge about Alzheimer's disease, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. The organization's mission is to save mind and sight by funding innovative research worldwide and by promoting better health through education. To that end, the foundation is accepting applications for its Alzheimer's Disease Research and National Glaucoma Research programs. 1) Alzheimer's Disease Research: Grants of up to $300,000 over three years will be awarded to researchers for innovative investigator-initiated research projects. The program is designed to give scientists the opportunity to develop the preliminary data necessary to be considered competitive for larger government or corporate types of sponsorship. Applications must be received no later than October 18, 2017. 2) National Glaucoma Program: Grants of up to $150,000 over two years will be awarded to researchers for innovative investigator-initiated glaucoma-related research projects. The program is designed to give scientists the opportunity to develop the preliminary data necessary to be considered competitive for larger government or corporate types of sponsorship. Typically these awards are made to junior investigators, or to more established investigators who are proposing particularly innovative research.

To that end, the foundation is inviting applications for innovative research with the potential to increase the basic understanding of these uncommon tumors and lead to the development of more effective therapies. Grants ranging between $100,000 to $1.2 million will be awarded in support of projects over one to four years in the areas of basic, translational, or clinical neuroendocrine cancer research. Four different grants will be awarded: Accelerator Award - Grants of up to $1.2 million over four years will be awarded to projects that bring together investigators from diverse scientific disciplines. Investigator Awards - Grants of up to $300,000 over two years will be awarded to investigators and teams with the tools to study neuroendocrine cancers in innovative and transformative ways. Pilot Awards - Grants of up to $100,000 over one year will be awarded for pilot studies. Mentored Awards - Grants of up to $120,000 over two years will be awarded to encourage early-career investigators to pursue neuroendocrine tumor research and make a commitment to the field.

The purpose of this FOA is to support innovative interdisciplinary, multi-institute research that will lead to the identification and validation of molecular mechanisms relevant to human biology that contribute to tau toxicity associated with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). It is anticipated that this research will also contribute to tool development that can be applied to target validation in FTD clinical trials.Applications must include an administrative core, a scientific governance structure, a minimum of three research projects with milestone plans, resource core(s) that support the basic research efforts of at least two proposed research projects, a data coordination core that will facilitate the distribution of data generated through the Center without Walls with the broad research community and a human biology validation core that will support the validation of mechanisms identified and resources developed under this FOA. Synergy must be evident among Center research projects and cores, such that successful completion of the aims could not be accomplished without the Center structure. This FOA is in response to the Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) challenges outlined in the 2015 update to the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.

The purpose of this FOA is to support innovative interdisciplinary, multi-institute research that will lead to the identification and validation of molecular mechanisms relevant to human biology that contribute to tau toxicity associated with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). It is anticipated that this research will also contribute to tool development that can be applied to target validation in FTD clinical trials.Applications must include an administrative core, a scientific governance structure, a minimum of three research projects with milestone plans, resource core(s) that support the basic research efforts of at least two proposed research projects, a data coordination core that will facilitate the distribution of data generated through the Center without Walls with the broad research community and a human biology validation core that will support the validation of mechanisms identified and resources developed under this FOA. Synergy must be evident among Center research projects and cores, such that successful completion of the aims could not be accomplished without the Center structure. This FOA is in response to the Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) challenges outlined in the 2015 update to the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.

FY18 PRARP NIRA Overarching Challenges: This FY18 PRARP NIRA funding opportunity requires applications to address one or more of the following FY18 PRARP NIRA 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.

The Epilepsy Foundation has announced its seventh annual epilepsy "Shark Tank" competition for the most innovative ideas in epilepsy and seizure treatment and care. Some examples of novel ideas include a system to detect seizures with the capacity to provide early warning to the patient or family; a treatment that stops a seizure from progressing; a system that helps patients manage their daily treatment; a device that prevents physical injury that patients may experience when in seizure; or an entirely new product concept with the promise to dramatically improve the lives of people with epilepsy. Selected finalists will receive international recognition and compete for grants totaling $150,000 to support the development and commercialization of important new products, technologies, or therapeutic concepts. As many as six finalists will be selected to present at the 2018 Epilepsy Pipeline Conference (San Francisco, February 22-23, 2018). Each presenter will have five minutes to present the concept, followed by five minutes of questioning. The Shark Tank event will feature live voting among audience members and a panel of judges (Sharks) representative of industry, advocacy, investors, and the research and medical communities. The winning project, or projects, deemed to be the most innovative will be announced at the conclusion of the competition. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate an ability to move the proposed plan to completion, showing how the prize can accelerate any step along the path to market. Inventors who submitted ideas for previous Shark Tank competitions are encouraged to re-submit their ideas if substantial progress has been made.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is intended to stimulate model-driven research to understand the ways that people make decisions about engaging in behaviors that impact the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, or to adhere to treatments for HIV. Decision making processes may contribute to both substance use/abuse and other HIV acquisition or transmission risks. A better understanding of decision making processes in the context of brain neural networks and their associated functions would lead to the development of better strategies to reduce the frequency of HIV-risk behaviors. Therefore, this FOA encourages applications to study 1) cognitive, motivational or emotional mechanisms and/or 2) brain neuroendocrine and reinforcement systems that related to HIV-risk behaviors or treatment non-compliance. Interdisciplinary studies that incorporate approaches from psychology, economics, anthropology, sociology, decision sciences, neuroscience and computational modeling are encouraged. This FOA for R21 applications is intended to encourage exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact.

As part of a network, Centers are expected to participate in collaborative efforts on a national scale. Applicants must agree to collect a standard clinical data set (the Uniform Data Set, or UDS) that is common to all Centers and to transmit that data to the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC). Applicants should contact NACC to learn more about NACC procedures, the structure of the UDS, and the regular updates to the datasets required from all Centers at  http://www.alz.washington.edu/.  To support the unique research needs of the NACC, most Centers collect additional data to supplement those required by the UDS. These should also be made readily available to qualified investigators. Similarly, Centers should demonstrate a readiness to provide biological samples and data, with proper consent from well-characterized populations, to enable participation in large-scale, collaborative, national, or international research projects. Sample sharing may be done either locally or centrally through the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD). Centers are a local, regional, national, and international resource.

These awards encourage and support scientists working on the development of novel and creative approaches to understanding brain function. The fund supports efforts to examine how a new technology may be used to monitor, manipulate, analyze, or model brain function at any level, from the molecular to the entire organism. Technology may take any form, from biochemical tools to instruments to software and mathematical approaches. Because the program seeks to advance and enlarge the range of technologies available to the neurosciences, research based primarily on existing techniques will not be considered.

These awards encourage and support scientists working on the development of novel and creative approaches to understanding brain function. The fund supports efforts to examine how a new technology may be used to monitor, manipulate, analyze, or model brain function at any level, from the molecular to the entire organism. Technology may take any form, from biochemical tools to instruments to software and mathematical approaches. Because the program seeks to advance and enlarge the range of technologies available to the neurosciences, research based primarily on existing techniques will not be considered.

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. 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.

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The over-arching goal of this National Insitute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nations biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on research experiences, designed to foster the development of physicians as research scientists in areas relevant to the NINDS mission. The research experiences will prepare clinicians to successfully compete for individual NIH mentored career development awards, or where appropriate, independent research awards. This FOA will also support educational activities such that participants of the R25 are expected to attend and participate in an annual workshop specific to this FOA to present their work, discuss progress and plans towards transitioning to the next career stage and to network with other researchers and leaders in their fields. Such success will facilitate their transition from resident/fellow to physician-scientist, and will thus foster retention of a cadre of physician-scientists who will conduct research into the mechanisms of, etiology, and treatment of neurological diseases.

The purpose of this FOA is to invite innovative research pre-applications from applicants who have an interest in submitting an application to "Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC): Technologies to Understand the Control of Organ Function by the Peripheral Nervous System (OT2)", companion announcement RFA-RM-16-003.  This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits pre-applications to develop new and/or enhance existing tools and technologies to be used to elucidate the neurobiology and neurophysiology underlying autonomic control of organs in health or disease, which will ultimately inform next generation neuromodulation therapies. These two-year projects will facilitate technology development for neural mapping activities through the NIH SPARC Common Fund program.

The purpose of this FOA is to invite innovative research pre-applications from applicants who have an interest in submitting an application to "Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC): Technologies to Understand the Control of Organ Function by the Peripheral Nervous System (OT2)", companion announcement RFA-RM-16-003.  This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits pre-applications to develop new and/or enhance existing tools and technologies to be used to elucidate the neurobiology and neurophysiology underlying autonomic control of organs in health or disease, which will ultimately inform next generation neuromodulation therapies. These two-year projects will facilitate technology development for neural mapping activities through the NIH SPARC Common Fund program.

The Henrietta B. and Frederick H. Bugher Foundation has joined with the American Stroke Association (ASA, a division of the American Heart Association) to support a network of three Centers of Excellence in Stroke Collaborative Research for a period of four years. The intent of this initiative is to support a collaboration of basic, clinical and population researchers from different specialties whose collective efforts will lead to new approaches, not only to improve the prevention of stroke, but to also expand upon the previous Bugher Stroke initiatives by inviting research on recovery after a stroke; including the areas of repair, regeneration, neuro-plasticity and rehabilitation.   Within the scope of stroke research, scientific disciplines may range from basic to clinical to population with bridges to translational research.  The application must contain at least two of these three disciplines.  Areas of recovery, secondary prevention, nursing, psychology, psychiatry and neuropsychology are strongly encouraged.    A focus has again been placed on fellowship training and cross-center collaboration for this new initiative.  Prospective applicants will be required to illustrate their capability to not only train fellows in stroke research, but also their commitment to collaborate with scientists outside their institution.

The American Association for Cancer Research is accepting applications for its AACR NextGen Grants for Transformative Cancer Research program. The annual program is designed to stimulate highly innovative research from young investigators. Three-year grants of up to $450,000 will be awarded in support of creative, paradigm-shifting cancer research that might not be funded through conventional channels. The funds are intended to support expenses related to the research project, which may include salary and benefits of the grant recipient, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, graduate students (including tuition costs), and research assistants; research/laboratory supplies and equipment; travel applicable to the research project; publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project; and other research expenses and indirect costs. Research projects must represent a highly innovative approach to a major contemporary challenge in cancer research. The research, which can be in any area of basic, translational or clinical science, must have the potential to lead to groundbreaking discoveries in the field and transform our understanding of the tumorigenesis process and/or ability to treat, detect, or prevent cancer. To be eligible, applicants must have a doctoral degree in a related field and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral degree. In addition, at the start of the grant term on July 1, 2018, applicants must hold a tenure-eligible appointment at the level of assistant professor; have held this appointment for no more than three years; and work at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world. AACR membership is required.

Founded in 1972, the Tourette Association of America has emerged as the premier national nonprofit organization working to make life better for all people affected by Tourette and tic disorders. The association advances its work by raising public awareness and fostering social acceptance; working to advance scientific understanding, treatment options, and care; educating professionals to better serve the needs of children, adults, and families challenged by Tourette and tic disorders; advocating for public policies and services that promote positive school, work, and social environments; providing help, hope, and a supportive community across the nation; and empowering its community to deal with the complexities of this spectrum of disorders. To that end, grants of up to $150,000 over two years will be awarded for basic and clinical studies related to any aspect of Tourette syndrome. To be eligible, investigators are required to have an advanced degree such as a PhD, MD, or equivalent or be an allied professional with an advanced degree in a related field. Investigators from nonprofit and for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Pre-proposals must be received no later than November 1, 2017. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by February 15, 2018.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) is soliciting investigator-initiated research that conducts rigorous evaluation research to assess the effectiveness of Return to School programs after traumatic brain injury of all severities (e.g., mild, moderate and severe) in children. These programs have been developed to provide teachers, medical staff and parents with guidance on how best to return a child to school after a traumatic brain injury. Priority is placed on evaluation of Return to School programs that have been subjected to a structured evaluability assessment process and identified as ready for evaluation by CDC. Funds are available to conduct such studies to help expand and advance our understanding about what works to prevent and control unintentional traumatic brain injury.

Announcement supports applied and translational research to advance the development of knowledge and materiel products for rehabilitation and restoration of function following TBI. PIs should explain how their work will inform the development, refinement, and/or revision of existing standards of care, clinical recommendations, or guidelines. TBI is defined as being caused by (1) a direct blow or impact to the head, (2) a penetrating head injury, or (3) an exposure to external forces such as blast waves that disrupt the function of the brain. Not all blows to the head or exposure to external forces result in a TBI. The severity of TBI may range from "mild," a brief change in mental status or consciousness, to "severe," an extended period of unconsciousness or confusion after the injury. Definitions of TBI severity can be found in Table 1 of the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Concussion-Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. The FY17/18 PH/TBIRP CTRR-CRA supports clinical research but not clinical trials. Supported research can include observational research studies. The Clinical Research Award (CTRR-CRA) is intended to support clinical research focused on understanding the clinical sequelae and mechanisms of recovery associated with TBI and TBI rehabilitation interventions. The overarching goals of this award are to address TBI-related impairments and deficits including sensory, sensorimotor, and cognitive dysfunction to (1) develop and validate rehabilitation outcome measures; (2) define and evaluate mechanisms of injury progression or recovery associated with rehabilitation interventions; and (3) improve clinician-driven assessment strategies to guide return-to-duty decision making.

The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience supports innovative research designed to bring science closer to the day when diseases of the brain can be accurately diagnosed, prevented, and treated. To that end, the McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience invites Letters of Intent for its 2018 McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience awards. The program encourages and supports scientists working on the development of novel and creative approaches to the understanding of brain function. McKnight is interested in how a new technology may be used to monitor, manipulate, analyze, or model brain function at any level, from the molecular to the entire organism. Technology may take any form, from biochemical tools to instruments to software and mathematical approaches. Because the program seeks to advance and enlarge the range of technologies available to the neurosciences, research based primarily on existing techniques will not be considered. A goal of the Technological Innovations awards is to foster collaboration between the neurosciences and other disciplines; therefore, collaborative and cross-disciplinary applications are explicitly invited.

The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience supports innovative research designed to bring science closer to the day when diseases of the brain can be accurately diagnosed, prevented, and treated. To that end, the McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience invites Letters of Intent for its 2018 McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience awards. The program encourages and supports scientists working on the development of novel and creative approaches to the understanding of brain function. McKnight is interested in how a new technology may be used to monitor, manipulate, analyze, or model brain function at any level, from the molecular to the entire organism. Technology may take any form, from biochemical tools to instruments to software and mathematical approaches. Because the program seeks to advance and enlarge the range of technologies available to the neurosciences, research based primarily on existing techniques will not be considered. A goal of the Technological Innovations awards is to foster collaboration between the neurosciences and other disciplines; therefore, collaborative and cross-disciplinary applications are explicitly invited.