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Epidemiological studies have shown that psychiatric disorders, constitute a significant public health burden across diverse populations worldwide. These mental disorders are characterized by marked genetic heterogeneity, with both common and rare variation contributing to the complex phenotypic outcomes. For reasons such as population homogeneity and ease of ascertainment, most genome-wide genetic studies to date have mainly focused on cohorts of European-ancestry, however, no single population is sufficient to fully uncover the variants underlying neuropsychiatric diseases in all populations. The absence of diverse ancestries in genome-wide association studies has therefore negatively impacted their ability to illuminate the full genetic architecture of complex neuropsychiatric traits. Populations with different ancestral origins vary in terms of allele frequencies, biological adaptations, and other properties that affect the detectability and importance of risk variants. Lack of ancestrally diverse genome-wide data can lead to the misidentification of causal variants due to cryptic population stratification or simply overlooking a causal variant altogether, since rare variants are likely to be more recent in origin and more geographically localized.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to stimulate research to understand the biological basis by which environmental exposures alter brain and behavioral functioning to increase risk for psychiatric disorders with onset in late-childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. A range of approaches are encouraged, from mechanistic experiments using whole organism models or in vitro and in vivo systems to human studies that add new data collection activities and/or make use of extant data or biospecimens. Investigations that further advance our understanding of the joint contribution of genes and environment in the risk for psychiatric disorders are welcomed. Applications should address either categorically defined psychiatric diagnoses and/or continuous traits expressed in the general population. Applicants are encouraged to propose studies that consider co-occurring psychiatric conditions and potential shared etiologies. It is anticipated that knowledge gained from the research supported by this FOA will inform the development of improved intervention, prevention and/or therapeutic strategies. Also listed under R21.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) utilizes the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) award mechanism to support the development of highly engaging cognitive training interventions delivered through computers and/or gaming platforms that are targeted to the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, autism and/or HIV Associated Neurocognitive disorders (HAND), with the goal of improving real-world functioning of patients. This initiative specifically supports small businesses with development and commercial experience in the entertainment software industry to partner with clinical neuroscientists experienced with cognitive training.

The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project, by systematically cataloging transcribed regions, transcription factor binding sites, and chromatin structure, has recently found that a larger fraction of the human genome may be functional than was previously appreciated. However, our understanding of the role of these functional genomic elements in neurodevelopment and mental disorders is at an early stage. This funding opportunity will support studies that identify non-coding functional genomic elements and elucidate their role in the etiology of mental disorders.

MDA supports research aimed at developing treatments for the muscular dystrophies and related diseases of the neuromuscular system. These are the muscular dystrophies (among which are Duchenne and Becker); motor neuron diseases (including ALS and SMA); the peripheral nerve disorders (CMT and Friedreich's ataxia); inflammatory myopathies; disorders of the neuromuscular junction; metabolic diseases of muscle as well as other myopathies.

To allow investigators time to plan and develop applications, the TSCRP is providing its strategic plan for award mechanisms to be offered in 2013 should funding become available. Congressional funds for the FY13 TSCRP have not yet been appropriated, and this document is not to be construed as an obligation by the government; there is no guarantee of funding for these planned mechanisms. Areas of Focus: The FY13 TSCRP encourages research projects applications that specifically address the critical needs of theTSC community in the following areas of focus: Genetic, epigenetic, and non-genetic modifiers of TSC. Identification and development of preclinical models and therapeutic strategies (e.g., cytotoxic agents, combination therapies). Identifying biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and prediction of treatment outcomes (such as serum markers, imaging, electrophysiology, prenatal testing, and pharmacogenetics). Impact of TSC manifestations in adults (e.g., care management, age-specific pathogenesis, epidemiology, renal, reproductive issues, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis [LAM])). Long-term benefits and effects of mTOR inhibitors or other agents. Novel strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of TSC manifestations including those geared toward early identification and intervention. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of TSC and LAM pathogenesis. Understanding the mechanism and improving the treatment of epilepsy in TSC. Understanding the mechanism and improving treatment of TSC-associated neurocognitive disorders (TAND) including cognitive impairment, and psychiatric, behavioral, and sleep disorders.

This award program is designed to enhance our existing support of autism research by providing timely resources to enable focused experiments highly relevant to our mission. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorders or potential therapeutic approaches will require investigation at multiple levels, including but not limited to studies focused on gene discovery, molecular mechanisms, circuits, anatomy, and cognition and behavior. We will consider proposals at all of these levels. The maximum budget is $60,000, including indirect costs for one (1) year, non-renewable. Explorer Awards are intended to provide resources to support exploratory experiments that will strengthen hypotheses and lead to the formulation of competitive applications for subsequent larger-scale funding by SFARI or other organizations. Innovative, high-risk/high-impact proposals are encouraged. We especially encourage applications from investigators who are new to the field of autism, but who have expertise that could be brought to bear on this complex disorder.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Parkinson's Disease Biomarkers Program (PDBP), The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) Parkinson's Disease cohorts and biosample collections, the NINDS-sponsored National Brain and Tissue Resource for Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute and the Harvard Biomarker Study Biospecimen Repository offer unique biospecimen resources and corresponding clinical data for Parkinson's Disease biomarker discovery, optimization and replication studies. This FOA allows an investigator to apply for access to non-renewable biosamples from one or more of these biosample collections.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is soliciting applications for a Human Biospecimen and Data Repository for Biomarkers Research ("Biomarkers Repository") in Neurological Disorders. Collaborative teams combining expertise in neuroscience, biomarkers, biospecimen handling, and data management are encouraged. Experience in biomarker research, such as evaluation of batch effects, protocol development, and analyte quality control measures, is expected. Successful applications will include a detailed description of 1) Administrative Structure, 2) Research and Resource Plan, and 3) Data Management and Web-Based activities.  

The overall goal of this initiative is to identify, optimize, and evaluate measures of neurophysiological processes that are disrupted within or across mental disorders and which can be assessed in animals and humans. The goal is to support further development of these measures as assays for evaluating potential new drug and device therapies and their targets. Data will also reveal assay measures where the performance between preclinical species and humans is dissimilar, thus establishing a firm basis for limiting speculative extrapolations of preclinical findings. Ultimately, the goal of this FOA is to improve the efficiency of the therapeutic development process by addressing inconsistencies between the preclinical screening pipeline and clinical evaluation of new treatment candidates and thereby hasten the development of more effective treatments for mental disorders. The objectives of the FOA will be accomplished by supporting partnerships among basic and translational neuroscientists who are committed to advancing the discovery of physiological measures as tools for target validation and therapeutic development. Groups will be tasked with building a target-engagement-linked-to-functional-brain-effect suite of assays with potential to translate from animals to humans and thus serve as a basis for selecting preclinical treatment candidates for further development and clinical testing. Towards this goal, the FOA will support development, optimization and evaluation of brain based assays in both preclinical species and in healthy humans and the evaluation of assay performance in response to carefully selected chemical, physiological, or behavioral manipulations.

The purpose of this Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative funding opportunity announcement is to encourage applications that will develop and validate novel tools to facilitate the detailed analysis and manipulation of complex circuits in large brains. Critical advances in the treatment of brain disorders in human populations are hindered by our lack of ability to monitor and manipulate circuitry in safe, minimally-invasive ways. Clinical intervention with novel cell and circuit specific tools will require extensive focused research designed to remove barriers to delivery of gene therapies. In addition to identification and removal of barriers, the need to specifically target dysfunctional circuitry poses additional challenges. Neuroscience has experienced an impressive influx of exciting new research tools in the past decade, especially since the launch of the BRAIN Initiative. However, the majority of these cutting-edge tools have been developed for use in model organisms, primarily rodents, fish and flies. These cutting-edge tools, such as viral delivery of genetic constructs, are increasingly adaptable to larger mammalian brains and more importantly are emerging as potential human therapeutic strategies for brain disorders. A pressing need to develop tools for use in large brains or those that are more directly relevant to the human brain is the focus of this initiative. The initiative will support initial proof of principle studies aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of this approach in humans and other mammalian species (non-human primate [NHP]/sheep/pigs).

This FOA invites applications that propose the comprehensive functional validation of newly identified therapeutic target candidates for Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRDs). This FOA seeks to promote critical target validation approaches to help de-risk subsequent translational research and accelerate the advancement of novel therapies for ADRD. Target(s) or molecular pathway(s) to be considered for validation must have been already identified using tissue expression or genetic data generated in human samples. In its initial phase, this FOA provided support for up to two years (UG3 stage) for the development of customized technologies, models, and protocols to modulate the expression or activity of target candidate(s) in cells or tissues and monitor their functional biological consequences in in vitro or in vivo disease models. Upon demonstration of technical feasibilities, a second phase (UH3 stage) will carefully and reproducibly measure and cross-validate the impact of the target modulation in different modalities across collaborating laboratories using the NIH rigor and reproducibility guidelines. Applicants responding to this FOA must address objectives for both the UG3 and UH3 phases and are expected to have a substantial collaborative effort between independents laboratories. This FOA is not specific for any one or group within the ADRD spectrum of disorders. disorders covered in these applications are frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), Lewy body dementias (LBD) (including dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)), Parkinson disease dementia (PDD), vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), mixed dementias including the associated diagnostic challenges of multiples etiology dementias (MED).

The purpose of the U.S.-China Program for Biomedical Collaborative Research is to stimulate collaborative basic, translational, and clinical research between United States (U.S.)-based researchers and Chinese researchers in the areas of cancer, environmental health, heart disease, blood disorders, diseases of the eye and visual system, mental health, and neurological disorders. Partnering U.S. and Chinese investigators must work jointly to submit identical applications to NIH and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), respectively. U.S. investigators must respond to the announcement from NIH, including the Chinese application as an attachment, and Chinese investigators must respond to a separate funding announcement from NSFC, including the NIH application as an attachment.

Reissue of RFA-NS-15-009. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications to support the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Human Cell and Data Repository (NHCDR). The repository will maintain the current collection of fibroblast and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines as well as develop, characterize, expand source cells and iPSCs, and where appropriate, genetically modify new high-quality iPSC lines accordance with the NINDS mission. The NINDS Human Cell and Data Repository will distribute human cell resources broadly to qualified academic and industry researchers to advance basic and translational research in neurological Disorders.

Multimorbidity, having two or more chronic conditions, is a complex challenge for doctors. This challenge becomes even more complex when treating patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD), as the clinical presentation and prolonged course of ADRD influence the diagnosis and treatment of comorbid illness. Compared to patients with other long-term disorders, those with dementia may have extreme multimorbidity, averaging four additional chronic medical disorders. The most common chronic comorbid conditions for ADRD patients are hypertension and diabetes, but other significant comorbidities include, but are not limited to, heart disease, heart failure, obstructive lung disease, and incontinence, as well as acute conditions like infectious diseases and hip fracture.

The Autism Science Foundation is inviting applications for its Pre- and Postdoctoral Training Awards from graduate students, medical students, and postdoctoral fellows interested in pursuing careers in basic and clinical research relevant to autism spectrum disorders. The proposed training must be scientifically linked to autism and may be broadened to include training in a closely related area of scientific research, including but not limited to human behavior across the lifespan (language, learning, behavior, communication, social function, motor skills & planning, epilepsy, sleep, repetitive disorders), neurobiology (anatomy, development, neuroimaging), pharmacology, neuropathology, genetics, epigenetics, genomics, epigenomics, immunology, molecular and cellular mechanisms, studies employing model organisms and systems, and studies of treatment and service delivery. Special consideration will be given to projects focused on gender issues in autism. This includes studies examining the female protective effect, neurobiological and neuroanatomical examination of the female autism brain, diagnostic differences and challenges in females, the female phenotype, and health and lifespan issues, including vocational services and employment. ASF also invites studies focused on unaffected siblings and recurrence risk in the offspring of unaffected siblings. ASF is also interested in supporting research on the neurobiology and molecular biology of autism using post-mortem brain tissue. The one-year awards include $25,000 for predoctoral and medical students and $35,000 for postdoctoral students.

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions/ organizations addressing preclinical research in model organisms of neurodevelopmental disorders. Applications submitted to this FOA should propose to develop, validate, and/or calibrate outcome measures, surrogate markers, and biomarkers in model organisms that can inform and effectively translate to human clinical trials for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Genetic and genomic studies have identified genes and gene variants that may impact the fundamental biological mechanisms underpinning substance use disorders (SUDs).  Discovery of these genes/variants, while extremely valuable, is only the first step in understanding the molecular processes that influence SUDs. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages basic functional genetic and genomic research in two areas:  1. functional validation to determine which candidate genes/variants/epigenetic/non-coding RNA features have an authentic role in SUDs, and 2. detailed elucidation of the molecular pathways and processes modulated by candidate genes/variants, particularly for those genes with an unanticipated role in SUDs.   

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage the submission of grant applications that propose to examine the molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral responses to neuroimmune signaling within the central nervous system (CNS) as it pertains to the initiation, escalation, and maintenance of, and the neurological consequences resulting from, substance use disorders (SUDs), and to abstinence and withdrawal from, and subsequent relapse of, drug use. The goal of this understudied area of research is to determine the extent to which neuroimmune responses contribute to or protect against current and future risk and consequences of SUDs.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage the submission of research project grant applications that propose to examine the molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral responses to neuroimmune signaling within the central nervous system (CNS) as it pertains to the initiation, escalation, and maintenance of, and the neurological consequences resulting from, substance use disorders (SUDs), and to abstinence and withdrawal from, and subsequent relapse of, drug use. The goal of this understudied area of research is to determine the extent to which neuroimmune responses contribute to or protect against current and future risk and consequences of SUDs.