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As Synthetic Biology is the attempt to engineer biology, projects should incorporate engineering principles like modularity, abstraction, standardization and orthogonality and use modelling approaches to  optimize or improve a biological or bio-based unit. Unlike descriptive biological disciplines, projects are expected to use deliberate (re)design and construction of parts, devices or systems. Projects can  derive from basic research or more applied research areas in chemical biology, biophysics, biotechnology or biomedicine. Potential advances for society should be outlined in the proposal. 

"This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages research on the biology of high confidence risk factors associated with complex brain disorders, with a focus on the intracellular, transcellular and circuit substrates of neural function. For the purposes of this FOA, the term "complex" can refer to a multifactorial contribution to risk (e.g., polygenic and/or environmental) and/or highly distributed functional features of the brain disorder. Studies may be either hypothesis-generating (unbiased discovery) or hypothesis-testing in design and may utilize in vivo, in situ, or in vitro experimental paradigms, e.g., model organisms or human cell-based assays. While behavioral paradigms and outcome measures can be incorporated into the research design to facilitate the characterization of intracellular, transcellular and circuit mechanisms, these are neither required nor expected. Studies should not attempt to "model" disorders but instead should aim to elucidate the neurobiological impact of individual or combined risk factor(s), such as the affected molecular and cellular components and their relationships within defined biological process(es). This can include the fundamental biology of these factors, components and processes. The resulting paradigms, component pathways and biological processes should be disseminated with sufficient detail to enrich common and/or federated data resources (e.g., those contributing to the Gene Ontology, Synaptic Gene Ontology, FAIR Data Informatics) in order to bridge the gap between disease risk factors, biological mechanism and therapeutic target identification. The present announcement (R21 activity code) can be used for applications to develop early stage, high-risk, exploratory approaches or establish proof-of-concept where there is little or no preliminary data."

The Klarman Family Foundation is interested in providing strategic investment in translational research that will accelerate progress in developing effective treatments for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The Program's short-term goal is to support the most outstanding science and expand the pool of scientists whose research explores the basic biology of feeding, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and/or binge eating disorder. The long-term goal is to improve the lives of patients suffering from these conditions. Examples of funding areas include but are not limited to molecular genetic analysis of relevant neural circuit assembly and function; genetic and epigenetic research; animal models created by genetically altering neural circuits; and testing of new chemical entities that might be used in animal models as exploratory treatments.  Please note that imaging studies involving humans are not eligible. Investigators conducting research in the neuro-circuitry of fear conditioning or reward behavior may also apply but must justify the relevance of their research projects to the basic biology of eating disorders. Clinical psychotherapeutic studies, medication trials and research in the medical complications of these disorders are outside the scope of this Program.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals in the areas of physical sciences, engineering, materials, mathematics, biology, computing, informatics, social science, and manufacturing of interest to DARPA's Defense Sciences Office (DSO), Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), and Biological Technologies Office (BTO).

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals in the areas of physical sciences, engineering, materials, mathematics, biology, computing, informatics, social science, and manufacturing of interest to DARPA's Defense Sciences Office (DSO), Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), and Biological Technologies Office (BTO).

This two-day conference focuses on translational aspects of addiction research among chemists, biologists, and behavioral scientists. The diversity of participants and attendees at this meeting (undergraduate students to senior faculty, chemists to psychiatrists) provides a unique venue for cross-fertilization among different disciplines and in so doing promotes new and innovative approaches to medications development in addictions biology. The meeting provides a stimulating environment for young scientists who are strongly encouraged to present their work and interact with senior scientists.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) seeks research studies that use dimensional constructs to integrate biology (e.g., brain circuit o

The National Science Foundation awards Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants in selected areas of the biological sciences. Proposals must fall within the scope of any of the clusters in the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) or the Behavioral Systems Cluster in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS). These grants provide partial support of doctoral dissertation research for improvement beyond the already existing project. Allowed are costs for doctoral candidates to participate in scientific meetings, to conduct research in specialized facilities or field settings, and to expand an existing body of dissertation research.

The National Science Foundation awards Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants in selected areas of the biological sciences. Proposals must fall within the scope of any of the clusters in the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) or the Behavioral Systems Cluster in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS). These grants provide partial support of doctoral dissertation research for improvement beyond the already existing project. Allowed are costs for doctoral candidates to participate in scientific meetings, to conduct research in specialized facilities or field settings, and to expand an existing body of dissertation research.

The goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support innovative research focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the heterogeneity and multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with the potential to create new or challenge existing scientific paradigms. This FOA encourages individual or collaborative research projects that propose innovative approaches to understand the complex biology of AD aimed to fill critical knowledge gaps.

This award is designed to support young scientists just embarking on their independent research careers.  The applicants' research interests should be consonant with those of the March of Dimes' mission: The  Mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes defines a birth defect as any abnormality of structure or function, whether inherited, or acquired in utero and presenting in infancy or early childhood. Deviations from reproductive health of women and men as an underlying basis of birth defects, i.e. preconceptional events, perinatal course, and premature births, are appropriate subjects for research support. Relevance is interpreted broadly to include fundamental cell biology (embryogenesis, cell lineage, differentiation), genetics and genomics, fundamental cellular and clinical pathogenesis of disorders of importance to mothers and infants, biomedical engineering and imaging, and social and behavioral aspects. Each application should be accompanied by a Letter of Support from a Nominator (see below). The award is $150,000 for two years, including 10 percent indirect costs to sponsoring institutions.

The Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS) supports research aimed at understanding why organisms are structured the way they are and function as they do. Proposals should focus on organisms as a fundamental unit of biological organization. Principal Investigators (PIs) are encouraged to apply systems approaches that will lead to conceptual and theoretical insights and predictions about emergent organismal properties. Areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to, developmental biology and the evolution of developmental processes, nervous system development, structure, and function, physiological processes, functional morphology, symbioses, interactions of organisms with biotic and abiotic environments, and animal behavior.

The National Science Foundation awards Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants in selected areas of the biological sciences. Proposals must fall within the scope of any of the clusters in the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) or the Behavioral Systems Cluster in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS). These grants provide partial support of doctoral dissertation research for improvement beyond the already existing project. Allowed are costs for doctoral candidates to participate in scientific meetings, to conduct research in specialized facilities or field settings, and to expand an existing body of dissertation research.

Pathway supports innovative basic, clinical, translational, epidemiological, behavioral, or health services research relevant to any diabetes type, diabetes-related disease state, or diabetes complication. The Association seeks exceptional candidates from a broad range of disciplines, including medicine, biology, chemistry, computing, physics, mathematics and engineering.

There is a need to develop technologies that support research using zebrafish models of biomedical value. The zebrafish has become increasingly important as a biological resource, because of its small size, short generation time, easy manipulation of embryos and optical transparency. This animal model is used to study aspects of gene structure and function that can be directly related to human genetics and disease. Zebrafish are also important for studies in diverse disciplines, including pharmacology, toxicology, neurobiology, behavior and developmental biology. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages applications from small business concerns (SBCs) for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects that propose innovative research and development of technology, including reagents and high throughput equipment, to support different aspects of the creation, detection, identification and characterization of zebrafish models of human disease and preservation of genetic stocks.

Established in 2009, the Hilda and Preston Davis Foundation was created to "...to advance the development of all areas of the lives of children and young adults…with special emphasis…on those suffering from eating disorders." The primary goal of The Hilda and Preston Davis Foundation Awards Program for Eating Disorders Research is to support innovative, clinically relevant research that seeks to understand the underlying biology of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, leading to improved patient care. To meet this goal, the Program provides vital support to Senior Postdoctoral Fellows and Junior Faculty Investigators working in non-profit academic, medical and research institutions in the United States to build a strong workforce dedicated to the etiology of eating disorders, its associated pathologies, and to drive therapeutic and treatment development.

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The over-arching goal of this Common Fund 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 Curriculum or Methods Development in cryoelectron microscopy (cryoEM) and cryoelectron tomography (cryoET) for biology research.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages transdisciplinary and translational research that will identify the specific biological or biobehavioral pathways through which physical activity and/or weight control (either weight loss or avoidance of weight gain) may affect cancer prognosis and survival. Research applications should test the effects of physical activity, alone or in combination with weight control (either weight loss or avoidance of weight gain), on biomarkers of cancer prognosis among cancer survivors identified by previous animal or observational research on established biomarkers other than insulin/glucose metabolism, especially those obtained from tumor tissue sourced from repeat biopsies where available. Because many cancer survivor populations will not experience recurrence but will die of comorbid diseases or may experience early effects of aging, inclusion of biomarkers of comorbid diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease) and of the aging process are also sought. Applications should use experimental designs (e.g., randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), fractional factorial designs), and include transdisciplinary approaches that bring together behavioral intervention expertise, cancer biology, and other basic and clinical science disciplines relevant to the pathways being studied.

Established in 2009, the Hilda and Preston Davis Foundation was created to "...to advance the development of all areas of the lives of children and young adults…with special emphasis…on those suffering from eating disorders." The primary goal of The Hilda and Preston Davis Foundation Awards Program for Eating Disorders Research is to support innovative, clinically relevant research that seeks to understand the underlying biology of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, leading to improved patient care. To meet this goal, the Program provides vital support to Junior Faculty Investigators and Senior Postdoctoral Fellows working in non-profit academic, medical and research institutions in the United States to build a strong workforce dedicated to the etiology of eating disorders, its associated pathologies, and to drive therapeutic and treatment development. Applicants at the Senior Postdoc level should refer to the Guidelines for Senior Postdoctoral Fellows.

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.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows program provides the nation's most comprehensive learning experience at the nexus of health, science, and policy in Washington, D.C. It is an outstanding opportunity for exceptional midcareer health professionals and behavioral and social scientists with an interest in health and health care policy. Fellows participate in the policy process at the federal level and use that leadership experience to improve health, health care, and health policy.