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This limited competition Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks an application from the current Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO) Hub in Tanzania to continue coordinating, as the Clinical Coordinating Center (CCC), activities of the renewed and expanded Consortium (SPARCO), including the 3 established sites in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania as well as up to 3 new Consortium sites located in additional sub-Saharan African nations. Together, the CCC, the Sickle Africa Data Coordinating Center (SADaCC, see RFA-HL-21-008), as well as established and new sites of the Consortium (RFA-HL-21-009) will constitute the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Network. This network aims to develop a sustainable resource that will advance sickle cell disease related epidemiologic, translational, and clinical research studies. The SPARCO CCC application needs to propose a feasible and meritorious plan for expanding a sickle hemoglobinopathy registry database that can facilitate patient tracking and follow-up and serve as a backbone for future SCD research. In particular, this FOA seeks an application that proposes to identify database elements and plans for harmonization of SCD phenotype definitions and ontologies, and integration of Collaborative Consortium activities with those of the DCC (SADaCC), NHLBI, Steering Committee, Observational Study Monitoring Board (OSMB), and existing training programs. The application needs to describe approaches to the development of regionally appropriate standards of SCD care, as well as approaches to the organization of research and clinical skill development activities. The application also needs to include coordination of Consortium sites to allow for development, implementation, and conduct of SCD cohort studies, as well as implementation research of preventive/ therapeutic practices.

Scientific research, along with operational support of that research, is the principal activity of the U.S. Antarctic Program in Antarctica. The National Science Foundation's Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT), Division of Polar Programs (PLR), fosters research on globally and regionally important scientific problems. In particular, the Antarctic Sciences Section supports research that expands fundamental knowledge of the region as well as research that relies on the unique characteristics of the Antarctic continent as a platform from which to support research. Antarctic fieldwork will be supported for research that can only be performed or is best performed in Antarctica. The Antarctic Sciences Section strongly encourages research using existing samples, models, and data as well as research at the intersection between disciplines.

Scientific research, along with operational support of that research, is the principal activity of the U.S. Antarctic Program in Antarctica. The National Science Foundation's Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT), Division of Polar Programs (PLR), fosters research on globally and regionally important scientific problems. In particular, the Antarctic Sciences Section supports research that expands fundamental knowledge of the region as well as research that relies on the unique characteristics of the Antarctic continent as a platform from which to support research. Antarctic fieldwork will be supported for research that can only be performed or is best performed in Antarctica. The Antarctic Sciences Section strongly encourages research using existing samples, models, and data as well as research at the intersection between disciplines.

This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits proposals for supporting basic and applied research and technology across a broad range of Earth and space science program elements relevant to one or more of the following NASA Research Programs: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. This ROSES NRA covers all aspects of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences, including, but not limited to: theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data; aircraft, stratospheric balloon, suborbital rocket, and commercial reusable rocket investigations; development of experiment techniques suitable for future SMD space missions; development of concepts for future SMD space missions; development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions; development of techniques for and the laboratory analysis of both extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, as well as terrestrial samples that support or otherwise help verify observations from SMD Earth system science missions; determination of atomic and composition parameters needed to analyze space data, as well as returned samples from the Earth or space; Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support SMD science missions; development of integrated Earth system mo dels; development of systems for applying Earth science research data to societal needs; and development of applied information systems applicable to SMD objectives and data.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to provide a vehicle for Small Business Concerns (SBCs) submitting Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications for investigator-initiated exploratory clinical trials to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The projects must focus on products related to the mission and goals of the NIDDK and may evaluate drugs, biologics, or devices, as well as surgical, behavioral or rehabilitation therapies. The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to provide a vehicle for Small Business Concerns (SBCs) submitting Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications for investigator-initiated exploratory clinical trials to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The projects must focus on products related to the mission and goals of the NIDDK and may evaluate drugs, biologics, or devices, as well as surgical, behavioral or rehabilitation therapies.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) supports a program of longitudinal cohorts to address emerging and high priority research on HIV/AIDS in the context of injection and non-injection substance abuse.  These cohorts provide a strong resource platform for current and future collaborative efforts with other investigators to address emerging questions related to HIV pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment in the context of substance abuse, as well as to foster the creativity and efficiency of investigator-initiated research projects. The diverse research activities among these cohorts include basic immunologic, and virologic studies, as well as studies on HIV prevention and treatment, and the co-morbidities and co-infections associated with HIV and substance abuse.  NIDA has determined that a coordinating center (CC) is needed in order to take advantage of these rich sources of data and bio-specimens and optimize collaborations among both the cohort investigators and other researchers not funded under the cohort program. In addition, the CC is expected to establish a virtual repository, and facilitate the leadership of the cohorts steering committee (SC), consisting of representatives from the NIDA-funded cohorts and NIDA staff. At this time, NIDA is soliciting  cooperative agreement applications for a CC to support the collaborative efforts of the cohorts that are currently funded by NIDA.

For calendar year 2014, the Iacocca Family Foundation will accept grant applications to support innovative and promising research projects that will lead to a cure for type 1 diabetes.  The Foundation will accept novel projects which directly accelerate a cure for type 1 diabetes or inform the understanding of the disease by a related or complementary mechanism of action.  Investigators in traditional type 1 diabetes research, as well as investigators currently working on other autoimmune diseases are encouraged to apply, provided that the proposed project focuses directly on type 1 diabetes and supports the mission of the Foundation. The deadline for submission of proposals is Friday, January 31, 2014.  All applications must be e-mailed in PDF format to the Foundation by 5:00pm EST on January 31, 2014, as well as postmarked and mailed.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications that propose to accelerate the development of promising technologies for single cell analysis by taking them through the downstream optimization and validation process and establishing them as robust, well-characterized tools ready to transform our understanding of the biological properties of individual cells and the role those properties have in modulating the states of surrounding cells, tissues, and organs. This FOA solicits projects where proof-of-principle of the proposed technology or methodology has been established and supportive preliminary data are available. A current R21 award is not necessary. Projects should reflect the potential of single cell analysis to have a major impact on our understanding of biomedical processes, fulfill a critical unmet need by offering compelling advantages to end-users, and demonstrate the technology can be applied to multiple types of cells. It is expected that applications will have well-defined goal(s) with intermediate quantitative milestones. Projects proposing to use established technologies where the novelty resides in the biological or clinical question being pursued will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed.

The National Park Service (NPS) is requesting proposals from a potential recipient to collaboratively develop a Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) for Haleakala National Park, located on the island of Maui in the state of Hawaii. The NRCA will provide an evaluation of current ecological conditions and discernible trends for natural resources and ecosystem processes, identify critical data and knowledge gaps, and highlight existing and potential threats to natural resources and ecosystems within the park. This assessment will rely on existing scientific data from multiple sources, as well as the best professional judgment of an interdisciplinary team of specialists (headed by the recipient principal investigator), to evaluate current status and suggest future conditions for natural resources in the park. The assessment will focus on a subset of terrestrial, aquatic and marine resources and processes selected by the park for particular attention. Products include a final report in a specified format, which includes relevant graphs, charts and maps, as well as separate GIS products and associated metadata.

This ROSES-2014 NRA (NNH14ZDA001N) solicits basic and applied research in support of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). This NRA covers all aspects of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences, including, but not limited to: theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data; aircraft, scientific balloon, sounding rocket, International Space Station, CubeSat, and suborbital reusable launch vehicle investigations; development of experiment techniques suitable for future SMD space missions; development of concepts for future SMD space missions; development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions; development of techniques for and the laboratory analysis of both extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, as well as terrestrial samples that support or otherwise help verify observations from SMD Earth system science missions; determination of atomic and composition parameters needed to analyze space data, as well as returned samples from the Earth or space; Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support SMD science missions; development of integrated Earth system models; development of systems for applying Earth science research data to societal needs; and development of applied information systems applicable to SMD objectives and data. 

This ROSES-2014 NRA (NNH14ZDA001N) solicits basic and applied research in support of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). This NRA covers all aspects of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences, including, but not limited to: theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data; aircraft, scientific balloon, sounding rocket, International Space Station, CubeSat, and suborbital reusable launch vehicle investigations; development of experiment techniques suitable for future SMD space missions; development of concepts for future SMD space missions; development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions; development of techniques for and the laboratory analysis of both extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, as well as terrestrial samples that support or otherwise help verify observations from SMD Earth system science missions; determination of atomic and composition parameters needed to analyze space data, as well as returned samples from the Earth or space; Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support SMD science missions; development of integrated Earth system models; development of systems for applying Earth science research data to societal needs; and development of applied information systems applicable to SMD objectives and data.

The Science of Science & Innovation Policy (SciSIP) program supports research designed to advance the scientific basis of science and innovation policy. Research funded by the program thus develops, improves and expands models, analytical tools, data and metrics that can be applied in the science policy decision making process. For example, research proposals may develop behavioral and analytical conceptualizations, frameworks or models that have applications across a broad array of SciSIP challenges, including the relationship between broader participation and innovation or creativity. Proposals may also develop methodologies to analyze science and technology data, and to convey the information to a variety of audiences. Researchers are also encouraged to create or improve science and engineering data, metrics and indicators reflecting current discovery, particularly proposals that demonstrate the viability of collecting and analyzing data on knowledge generation and innovation in organizations. Among the many research topics supported are:examinations of the ways in which the contexts, structures and processes of science and engineering research are affected by policy decision, the evaluation of the tangible and intangible returns from investments in science and from investments in research and development, the study of structures and processes that facilitate the development of usable knowledge, theories of creative processes and their transformation into social and economic outcomes, the collection, analysis and visualization of new data describing the scientific and engineering enterprise. The SciSIP program invites the participation of researchers from all of the social, behavioral and economic sciences as well as those working in domain-specific applications such as chemistry, biology, physics, or nanotechnology. The program welcomes proposals for individual or multi-investigator research projects, doctoral dissertation improvement awards, conferences, wo

Studies funded by our Basic Research RFP will fall into one the following key areas, which are listed in random order: 1. Studies focused on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms regulating SMN expression or mediating SMN function. Results should lead to a better understanding of the requirements for SMN protein biologically, informing therapy development. Such studies may also identify genetic modifiers, upstream regulators of SMN expression / splicing / function, and downstream effectors of SMN functional activity, resulting in novel drug targets.      2.  Studies resulting in greater understanding of the pathophysiology of SMA, using well-validated animal or cellular models of the SMA. This includes focus on the tissue requirements for SMN protein, clarifying the cellular autonomy of the disease in motor neurons and other cells, peripheral versus central manifestations of the disease, and other areas.  3. Early proof-of concept assessment of novel therapeutic approaches for SMA in well-validated animal or cellular models of the disease. 4. Work focused on generating research and clinical trial tools, such as new animal models for SMA, phenotypic cellular assays for SMA, biomarkers or outcome measures for SMA clinical trials, newborn screening protocols, and others.

The BMFRP Idea Development Award is intended to support innovative ideas and high-impact approaches based on scientifically sound evidence to move toward the BMFRP vision of understanding and curing BMF diseases. This award mechanism is designed to support new ideas. Proposed research studies should have a high probability of revealing new avenues of investigation. Research projects should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale and a developed and well-articulated research approach. Personnel on the proposed team should have a strong background in BMF research. This funding opportunity is open to established and early career investigators. New for FY15: To encourage the application of early career investigators to the FY15 Idea Development Award Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity, the FY15 BMFRP has included an opportunity for one or more scientifically meritorious applications from applicants fitting the outlined description of an early career investigator. All early career investigators will be assessed using different criteria for Personnel during the review process (Section III. B.1, Personnel). The definition of an early career investigator for the BMFRP is an investigator within 10 years of completing a terminal degree (doctorate or any medical degree), excluding time spent in medical residency, or during family medical leave. This should be clearly articulated by the applicant in the biographical sketch.

The goal of a Bioengineering Research Partnership (BRP) is to drive the development and speed the adoption of promising tools and technologies that can address important biomedical problems for which insufficient or no solutions exist.  The use of engineering principles is encouraged to establish these tools and technologies as robust, well-characterized solutions that fulfill an unmet need. A synergistic partnership between engineering and the life, physical, and computational sciences is also encouraged, where the unique skills of each discipline combine to enhance our understanding of life science processes or the practice of medicine. The purpose of this FOA is to encourage BRP applications that: 1) establish a robust engineering solution to a problem in biomedical research or the practice of medicine; 2) develop a strategic alliance of multidisciplinary partners based on a well-defined leadership plan; and 3) realize a specific endpoint within 5-10 years based on a detailed plan with a timeline and quantitative milestones.

 The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support Large Animal Testing Centers to evaluate in vivo genome editing technologies developed by other investigators in the Somatic Cell Genome Editing Program (SCGE). Each Testing Center will use wild-type pigs or non-human primates, as well as reporter animals developed under RFA-RM-18-013. The Testing Centers will work collaboratively with investigators funded under RFA-RM-18-016 and RFA-RM-18-017 to assess efficacy and safety of in vivo genome editing and delivery technologies. Testing Centers will breed, archive and maintain cohorts of well characterized and genotyped large animals, establish methods and protocols for the evaluation of the delivery systems and editing tools, conduct testing and provide results to the SCGE Dissemination and Coordination Center. Such activities will accelerate the translation of genome editing technologies into treatments for human diseases.  

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is to support the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN). The goal for CHTN is to collect and distribute high quality human tissue specimens to facilitate basic and early translational cancer research, as well as assay development. The CHTN is designed as a unique biospecimen resource in that it is based on prospective collection and distribution of samples upon specific investigators requests. Samples to be collected from patients include pre-cancerous, cancerous, and benign neoplastic tissues, as well as specimens corresponding to non-neoplastic diseases and uninvolved tissues. This FOA solicits applications for CHTN awards from institutions/teams capable of contributing to the mission of CHTN by: (1) providing prospective investigator-defined procurement of high-quality malignant, benign, diseased, and uninvolved (normal adjacent) tissues and fluids from patients throughout North America and elsewhere; (2) assisting individual investigators with regard to specific specimen needs of their research; (3) assisting in developing and disseminating knowledge on high quality practices for successfully operating a biospecimen repository; and (4) educating the community about the importance of the availability of high quality human tissue specimens for medical research. Depending on their profile and capabilities, applicants must indicate whether they propose to function as the CHTN adult biospecimen division or the pediatric specimen division. Nonetheless, it will be acceptable for an adult biospecimen division, if capable, to contribute pediatric samples for networked requests. This FOA is open to all qualified applicants irrespective of their previous association with the CHTN.

The FY19 TBDRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) intends to support highly rigorous, high-impact studies that have the potential to make important contributions to Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases research, patient care, and/or quality of life. This award mechanism promotes a wide range of research from basic through translational, including preclinical studies in animal models or human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial to establish proof-of-principle for further development in future studies. Applications should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale that is established through logical reasoning, preliminary data, and critical review and analysis of the literature.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) supports large-scale clinical vision research projects, including randomized clinical trials and epidemiologic studies. At the time of submission, applications requesting support for these activities are expected to provide detailed information regarding the study rationale, design, analytic techniques, protocols and procedures, facilities and environment, organizational structure, and collaborative arrangements. This information is best conveyed in a well-documented Manual of Procedures (MOP), the development of which represents a costly and time-consuming activity. This FOA is designed to facilitate activities central to the refinement of a study protocol and procedures and the development of a detailed MOP. The NEI Clinical Study Planning Grant may be used to support the development of a MOP, as well as to conduct preliminary studies to refine study procedures or document recruitment potential. The grant must not be used to generate data on the effects of a proposed intervention. This NEI FOA is applicable to both epidemiologic and clinical trial research studies.

The National Vaccine Program Office would like to announce the anticipated availability of funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 cooperative agreement awards] under the authority of section 1702(a) of the Public Health Service Act. The FOA will solicit applications for projects conducting research through implementing and evaluating interventions related to fostering informed vaccine decision making by assessing or addressing vaccine confidence or hesitancy, particularly via vaccine education and communication. The work funded by NVPO cannot also be funded by other awards. The 2010 National Vaccine Plan (NVP) recognizes the importance of communication activities that are strategic, science-based, transparent, and culturally appropriate when it comes to utilizing communication to enhance informed vaccine decision making and vaccination acceptance. The National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) collaborates with federal partners to provide strategic direction for the coordination of the vaccine and immunization enterprise for the National Vaccine Plan (NVP) implementation http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/vacc _plan/2010%20Plan/nationalvaccineplan.pdf. NVPO will partner with 2-3 organizations to collaborate on projects that will fall specifically under goal 3 of the NVP (i.e., support communications to enhance informed vaccine decision-making) as well as within the recommendations of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee June 2015 Report: Assessing the State of Vaccine Confidence in the United States: Recommendations from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/nvpo/nvac/reports/nvac-vaccine-confidence-public-health-report-2015.pdf. That report emphasized the importance of developing measurement tools, as well as interventions for supporting healthcare providers, communities, and policies which foster confidence in vaccines.

The BMFRP Idea Development Award is intended to support innovative ideas and high-impact approaches based on scientifically sound evidence to move toward the BMFRP vision of understanding and curing BMF diseases. This award mechanism is designed to support new ideas. Proposed research studies should have a high probability of revealing new avenues of investigation. The research project should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale and a well-developed and articulated research approach. Personnel on the proposed team should have a strong background in BMF disease research.