OARS funding Neuroscience

NIDA and the following NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), NIAAA, NICHD, NIMH, NIMHD, NINDS, OBSSR, and NCI intend to publish a Collaborative Research on Addiction at NIH (CRAN) funding opportunity announcement to solicit applications for research project sites in service of a nationwide, multisite, multi-modal, longitudinal cohort study to prospectively examine brain and behavioral development from late childhood (approximately age 9-10) through adolescence into early adulthood. Current primary awardees will be eligible to apply and this new award period will be extended to 7 years in duration.

The NIH Directors Pioneer Award supports individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative and potentially transformative research towards the ultimate goal of enhancing human health. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applications in all topics, including, but not limited to, the behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, and formal sciences, relevant to the broad mission of NIH are welcome and may involve basic, translational, or clinical research. To be considered pioneering, the proposed research must reflect substantially different scientific directions from those already being pursued in the investigators research program or elsewhere. The NIH Directors Pioneer Award is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program of the NIH Common Fund.

NIDA and the following NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), NIAAA, NICHD, NIMH, NIMHD, NINDS, OBSSR, and NCI intend to publish a limited competition Collaborative Research on Addiction at NIH (CRAN) funding opportunity announcement to solicit applications for a Coordinating Center in service of a nationwide, multisite, multi-modal, longitudinal cohort study to prospectively examine brain and behavioral development from late childhood (approximately age 9-10) through adolescence into early adulthood. Current primary awardees will be eligible to apply and this new award period will be extended to 7 years in duration.

Astrocytes play a role in neurotransmitter regulation and trophic and metabolic support of neurons and help modulate vascular functioning. Current research on inflammation in the central nervous system is exploring the role of astrocytes beyond simple "reactive gliosis" and their interaction with microglia. There is emerging evidence that these cells could be participating in a novel drainage system in the brain. Recent evidence from Alzheimer's disease research has hinted that astrocytes could be propagators, and potentially initiators, of neuroinflammation. Postmortem examinations of brains from Parkinson's disease patients reveal "reactive" astrocytes and astrocytes that contain alpha-synuclein-positive inclusions.

The PRP EIRA supports Parkinson's disease-focused research opportunities for individuals in the early stages of their careers, under the guidance of a designated Mentor. The Early Investigator is considered the Principal Investigator (PI) of the application and must exhibit strong potential for, and commitment to, pursuing a career as an investigator at the forefront of Parkinson's disease research; however, the PI is not required to have previous Parkinson's disease research experience. Applications must include at least one Mentor, appropriate to the proposed research project, who has experience in Parkinson's disease research and mentoring as demonstrated by a record of active funding, recent publications, and successful mentorship. The selected Mentor(s) should also demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of the PI toward independence as a Parkinson's disease researchers

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 Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation is accepting Letters of Intent for its ADDF-Harrington Scholar Program, which seeks to accelerate innovative research with the potential to prevent, treat, or cure Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The award will provide recipients with both research funding and committed project support by a team of pharmaceutical industry experts. The program aims to support hit-to-lead optimization through investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies. Award amounts will average $600,000 over two years. In 2019, drug targets related to proteostatis are of high priority, including but not limited to autophagy, lysosomal biogenesis, proteasomal degradation, post-translational modifications associated with proteostasis, protein folding/misfolding, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and extracellular clearance. Other novel targets are encouraged, including but not limited to neuroprotection, inflammation, vascular function, mitochondria and metabolic function, APOE, and epigenetics.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation will award one- to three-year grants to develop imaging markers for use in disease-modifying clinical trials. Imaging is a powerful tool that can be used to visualize the structure and function of the brain in living subjects. While a variety of imaging techniques are available, including positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), none have been demonstrated to be a sensitive, specific and reliable biomarker test for the presence and progression of PD. Applications must focus on developing robust and precise imaging markers. Priority targets for this program are alpha-synuclein and neuroinflammation, but applications may focus on other promising therapeutic targets. Imaging modalities can include PET, SPECT and MRI. Projects should aim to develop novel imaging biomarkers as opposed to prospectively collecting data using existing technologies. Prospective data collection is appropriate only if a novel imaging technique or tracer is being tested. Novel data analysis techniques may be proposed but should utilize existing data sets. Examples of projects that are appropriate for this program include development of novel PET or SPECT tracers, early validation of new tracers, and development and validation of novel MRI techniques.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation will award one-year grants for research to advance the development, optimization and validation of assays to quantify oligomeric alpha-synuclein in human body fluids. These biofluids may include blood, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva and tears. Prior research suggests that alpha-synuclein quantification in accessible body fluids may serve as a biomarker of disease diagnosis, target engagement, pharmacodynamic response and/or patient stratification.  Immuno-assays should have a renewable source of the antibodies used. Optimization and/or adaptation of existent assays to different biological matrices will also be considered. Projects should propose to develop or optimize assays with superior performance in quantifying oligomeric alpha-synuclein and, at the end of the grant, should be able to present several performance parameters for further validation such as robustness, precision, trueness, uncertainty, limits of detection and quantification, dilutional linearity, parallelism, recovery, selectivity, and sample stability.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation will award one-year to 18-month grants for studies that explore the role of astrocytes in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology and the potential for astrocyte-focused therapeutics. The goals of this funding program are to further understanding of astrocyte biology in Parkinson's and to rationalize the pursuit of astrocyte-specific targets and/or pathways for the treatment of the disease. Preference will be given to applications that focus on or include the following: Role of astrocytes in initiating and/or propagating Parkinson's disease pathology, including alpha-synuclein spread, dopaminergic neuron death, inflammation and senescence Consequences of dysfunction and/or mutations of common PD targets, including alpha-synuclein, LRRK2, GBA, PRKN and PINK1 Manipulation of astrocyte activity and/or astrocyte-specific pathways to assess the potential of targeted astrocyte therapies on disease biology and/or symptoms Parkinson's disease models with high construct validity to human PD, including patient-derived material (such as iPSCs or cerebral organoids) and/or well characterized animal models and primary cells; Examination of human brain samples to answer specific hypotheses is also acceptable Targets, pathways and mechanisms proposed for investigation should have reasonable links to PD.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation seeks applications with potential for fundamentally altering disease course and/or significantly improving treatment of symptoms above and beyond current standards of care. Proposals must have a well-defined plan for moving toward clinical utility for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The Therapeutic Pipeline Program is open to industry and academic investigators proposing novel approaches or repositioning approved or clinically safe therapies from non-PD indications. Part of our Edmond J. Safra Core Programs for PD Research, the Therapeutic Pipeline Program advances Parkinson's disease therapeutic and intervention development along the pre-clinical and clinical path (i.e., both drug and non-pharmacological therapeutics, including gene therapy, biological, surgical and non-invasive approaches).

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) and VentureWell have come together to support and expand DEBUT, a competition that recognizes undergraduate excellence in biomedical design and innovation. DEBUT challenges teams of students in undergraduate biomedical education to solve real-world problems in healthcare. Prizes of up to $20,000 will be awarded. Strong DEBUT submissions will demonstrate a mastery of analytical and design skills and capabilities; the ability to manage the product development process; the ability to work effectively in teams; and technical communication skills. Submissions will be judged on the following criteria: Significance of the problem being addressed Impact of the proposed solution on potential users and clinical care Innovative design Working prototype Additional prizes will be awarded to entries that also demonstrate: Market potential and economic feasibility Patentability

The world needs more effective, functional and affordable technology solutions to clinical medical problems. With the BMEidea competition, the nation's leading competition for biomedical and bioengineering students, we challenge students to pioneer a health-related technology that addresses a real clinical need. Competition entries are judged on: Technical, economic and regulatory feasibility Contribution to human health and quality of life Technological innovation Potential for commercialization Strong BMEidea submissions define a problem and demonstrate the development of a device, product, or technology designed to solve it. BMEidea awards are presented each year at the MD&M East Medical Device Trade Show and Convention. Competition winners will receive cash awards as well as access to resources to be used for further development and commercialization of their products. In addition, the first place institution will get to display the BMEidea trophy in their winning department for the year.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites researchers to submit applications for support of clinical studies that address critical needs for clinical trial readiness in rare neurological and neuromuscular diseases. These studies should result in clinically validated biomarkers and clinical outcome assessment measures appropriate for use in upcoming clinical trials. Through the support of trial readiness studies, NINDS and NCATS expect to enhance the quality and increase the likelihood of success of clinical trials in these rare diseases.

The NFRP Exploration - Hypothesis Development Award supports the initial exploration of innovative, high-risk, high-gain, and potentially groundbreaking concepts in NF research. Studies supported by this award mechanism 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 strong scientific rationale and study design. The presentation of preliminary and/or published data is encouraged, but not required. The proposed research project should be innovative. Innovative research may introduce a novel paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, examine existing problems from novel perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. Research that is an incremental advance upon published data is not considered innovative and is not consistent with the intent of this award mechanism. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) to clearly and explicitly articulate how the proposed research project is innovative in the field of NF.

The John Templeton Foundation works to catalyze discoveries relating to the deepest and most perplexing questions facing humankind and supports research on a wide range of subjects, from complexity, evolution, and emergency to creativity, forgiveness, and free will. In support of this mission, the foundation is accepting applications for its Academic Cross-Training Fellowship. With the intent to help equip recently tenured philosophers and theologians with the skills and knowledge needed to study big questions that require substantive and high-level engagement with empirical science, the fellowship will provide up to $220,000 over three years to support systematic and sustained study in an empirical science such as physics, psychology, biology, genetics, cognitive science, neuroscience, or sociology.

This FOA invites applications for a multisite study to comprehensively characterize the neuropathological features associated with neurodegeneration and neurocognitive decline in persons with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Investigations should elucidate the contribution of key individual (sex, age at time of injury, time since injury, etc.) and injury characteristics (injury severity and frequency) to describe associations between neuropathological burden and antemortem clinicopathologic symptoms, and outline the prevalence of TBI-related parkinsonism, TBI-related Alzheimer's, and CTE in the participating brain banks. To further advance research in the area, broad sharing of clinical and neuropathological data will be a critical feature of this FOA including the development of a digital resource for distribution and sharing of assessed neuropathological tissue. 

This FOA invites investigation of biological and clinical measures of TBI-related progressive neurodegeneration and neurocognitive decline associated with increased risk for dementia and /or traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES) (clinicopathologic diagnostic counterpart to the neuropathological diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)). Investigations should be based on existing, well-characterized populations of patients with a history of TBI that are enriched for increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia and can continue to be followed longitudinally; additional subjects may be recruited as appropriate. The overall goal is to advance knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and clinical characterization of the chronic effects of TBI that distinguish static-chronic TBI cognitive impairment from those that lead to progressive neurodegeneration associated with TES and dementia. A critical feature of this FOA includes the broad sharing of clinical, neuroimaging, physiological, and biospecimen data to further advance research in this area

Understanding how behavior emerges from the dynamic patterns of electrical and chemical activity of brain circuits is universally recognized as one of the great, unsolved mysteries of science. Advances in recent decades have elucidated how individual elements of the nervous system and brain relate to specific behaviors and cognitive processes. However, there remains much to discover to attain a comprehensive understanding of how the healthy brain functions, specifically, the general principles underlying how cognition and behavior relate to the brain's structural organization and dynamic activities, how the brain interacts with its environment, and how brains maintain their functionality over time.

The purpose of this FOA is to provide support for institutional research training programs in areas relevant to the NINDS mission. These institutional research training programs should produce well-trained neuroscientists who leave the program with the research skills and scientific knowledge to make a significant contribution to neuroscience research. Programs should be designed to enhance the breadth and depth of training in NINDS mission areas by incorporating didactic, research and career development components in the context of a defined scientific theme. Programs may support basic, clinical and/or translational research. Critical components of programs supported by this FOA include mechanisms to ensure a thorough understanding of experimental design, strong statistics and analytical skills, and skills for communicating science, both orally and in writing, to a wide variety of audiences. Regardless of theme, programs should provide opportunities and activities that will foster the development of quantitative literacy and the application of quantitative approaches to the trainees' research. NINDS institutional training programs are intended to be 1-2 years in duration and support training of one or more of the following groups: dissertation stage predoctoral students in their 3rd and/or 4th year of graduate school, postdoctoral fellows and fellowship-stage clinicians. (NINDS does not support first or second year graduate students under this PAR).