OARS funding Biomed

Olfaction is an evolutionarily primitive sense critical for survival across the animal kingdom - finding food, searching for mates, or avoiding predation all depend on detecting, identifying, and discriminating odors. Although early steps in olfactory processing are relatively well understood, significant gaps remain in our understanding of higher-order odor representations and processing during on-going behavior. Deciphering the operating principles of olfaction requires the development of innovative and integrative approaches that combine novel theoretical frameworks, improved mathematical models, and novel behavioral paradigms across the phylogenetic spectrum, experimental methodologies, and engineering principles. This solicitation describes an Ideas Lab on "Cracking the Olfactory Code." Ideas Labs are intensive workshops focused on finding innovative solutions to grand challenge problems. The ultimate aim of this Ideas Lab organized by the Biological Sciences (BIO) and the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorates at the National Science Foundation (NSF) is to facilitate the generation and execution of innovative research projects aimed at understanding the nature of olfactory processing and sensory representations in the brain in general. The aspiration is that mixing researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds will engender fresh thinking and innovative approaches that will transform our understanding of olfactory processing in behavioral contexts while spawning new opportunities to elucidate the general nature of sensory representations in the brain. This multi-directorate program is one element of NSF's multi-year effort towards the goals of the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative (http://www.nsf.gov/brain/). US researchers may submit preliminary proposals only via FastLane for participation in the Ideas Lab in which a set of multidisciplinary ideas

Collect populations of native forbs, shrubs and grasses for BLM Seeds of Success program, and conduct germination studies of target species to understand native species requirements.

The purpose of this FOA is to support mechanistic, genetic, and other studies to evaluate causes and consequences of and risk factors for sudden cardiac death in the young. Studies are required to use data and DNA samples from the Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry (described below) as foundations for their research. 

The purpose of this Big Data to Knowledge funding opportunity (FOA) announcement is to support the development of new or significantly adapted interactive digital media that engages the public, experts or non-experts, in performing some aspect of biomedical research via crowdsourcing. To be responsive to this FOA, each application is expected to pose a challenging biomedical research problem and propose the development of engaging interactive digital media that incorporates crowdsourcing as a fundamental component of how the problem is solved. The biomedical research problem should be amenable to one or more human computation approaches, as the users must be active participants in the analysis and/or interpretation of data, rather than acting primarily as data collectors or sources of data.  

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) in support of the Human Placenta Project (HPP) aims to support the initial stages of development of entirely new or next-generation placental imaging and assessment technologies and methods that will increase our capability to assess human placental structure and function safely in vivo throughout gestation and to explore the impact of environmental influences on placental structure and function across pregnancy.

The purpose of this letter is to invite the submission of exceptionally creative conference proposals. The SciSIP program invites organizers and participants 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 BIGDATA program seeks novel approaches in computer science, statistics, computational science, and mathematics, along with innovative applications in domain science, including social and behavioral sciences, geosciences, education, biology, the physical sciences, and engineering that lead towards the further development of the interdisciplinary field of data science. The solicitation invites two types of proposals: "Foundations" (F): those developing or studying fundamental theories, techniques, methodologies, technologies of broad applicability to Big Data problems; and "Innovative Applications" (IA): those developing techniques, methodologies and technologies of key importance to a Big Data problem directly impacting at least one specific application. Therefore, projects in this category must be collaborative, involving researchers from domain disciplines and one or more methodological disciplines, e.g., computer science, statistics, mathematics, simulation and modeling, etc. While Innovative Applications (IA) proposals may address critical big data challenges within a specific domain, a high level of innovation is expected in all proposals and proposals should, in general, strive to provide solutions with potential for a broader impact on data science and its applications. IA proposals may focus on novel theoretical analysis and/or on experimental evaluation of techniques and methodologies within a specific domain. Proposals in all areas of sciences and engineering covered by participating directorates at NSF are welcome.

Depending on availability of funds, NOAA Sea Grant expects to have available about $1,600,000 for each of FY 2015 and FY 2016 for a national competition to fund marine aquaculture extension and technology transfer efforts, as part of the overall plan to support the development of environmentally and economically sustainable ocean, coastal and Great Lakes aquaculture. Aquaculture that occurs in the Great Lakes or its coastal zone is considered marine aquaculture for this competition. This Federal Funding Opportunity includes information on application and criteria for aquaculture extension proposals requesting a maximum of $300,000 in total federal funding for up to a two-year period. Matching funds are required. Proposals are required to include a partnership (e.g., with local community governments, state and Federal agencies, regional management efforts, industry, non-governmental organizations). Awards are anticipated to start no later than September 1, 2015. Additional proposals from this competition may be selected for funding in subsequent fiscal years, subject to the availability of funds.

There is a lack of compendial or biorelevant in vitro drug release assays for long-acting periodontal dosage forms. These products include biodegradable microspheres, in situ forming implants and matrix tablets. The purpose of this study is to develop a bio-relevant dissolution method for a long-acting periodontal dosage form and to identify the drug product's key physicochemical attributes that affect the drug dissolution behavior and bioavailability. The results from this study will help the FDA in developing recommendations to determine bioequivalence of generic long-acting periodontal drug products.    

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications that propose studies of the mechanism of action of a combination of two or more vaccine adjuvants (combination adjuvant). Adjuvants that are used in these studies must already have shown immune boosting activity when used individually in licensed or unlicensed vaccines (e.g. experimental or candidate vaccines).    The purpose of this FOA is to build upon the investment the NIAID has already made into adjuvant research, by combining previously identified and characterized adjuvants and characterizing their immune stimulating activity. The Cooperative Agreement grant mechanism allows for coordination of these research efforts with NIAID's overall adjuvant research objectives. The long-term goal is to promote the development of novel adjuvant combinations which will improve the immunogenicity of vaccines while addressing concerns related to reactogenicity.

There is a lack of compendial or biorelevant in vitro drug release assays for long-acting contraceptive intrauterine systems. The objective of this study is to investigate dissolution methods, both real time and accelerated conditions, for levonorgestrel intrauterine system (5-year application) and to analyze their capability of detecting manufacturing differences, predicting in vivo performance, and to evaluate method robustness. The results from this study will help the FDA in developing recommendations to determine bioequivalence of generic intrauterine systems.   

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications that propose studies of the mechanism of action of a combination of two or more vaccine adjuvants (combination adjuvant). Adjuvants that are used in these studies must already have shown immune boosting activity when used individually in licensed or unlicensed vaccines (e.g. experimental or candidate vaccines). The purpose of this FOA is to build upon the investment the NIAID has already made into adjuvant research, by combining previously identified and characterized adjuvants and characterizing their immune stimulating activity. The Cooperative Agreement grant mechanism allows for coordination of these research efforts with NIAIDs overall adjuvant research objectives. The long-term goal is to promote the development of novel adjuvant combinations which will improve the immunogenicity of vaccines while addressing concerns related to reactogenicity.

NIJ seeks proposals for funding to assist in defraying the costs associated with postconviction DNA testing in cases of violent felony offenses (as defined by State law) in which actual innocence might be demonstrated. Funds may be used to identify and review such postconviction cases and to locate and analyze associated biological evidence.

This announcement solicits applications for Early Detection of Vision Problems in Young Children. The purpose of this grant program is to increase the detection and diagnosis of visual impairment in children aged five (5) years and younger in five (5) States by enhancing the capacity of the State public health agencies to use and apply quality improvement principles and practices to implement universal vision screening for preschool-aged children. Funds will be provided to a single entity to convene a learning collaborative comprised of five States to work together jointly to identify challenges, interventions, implementation, and measurement related to implementing universal vision screening for preschool-aged children. To facilitate collaborative learning and quality improvement efforts, the awardee may ask each of the five participating States to consider forming a vision screening quality improvement team. The optimal team would include representatives from the State Title V program, State early childhood and education programs, State health surveillance and information systems (e.g., immunization registry), community health centers, pediatric primary and vision specialty care, and family organizations. The awardee may convene the State teams to apply rapid test cycles to increase coordination among the relevant State agencies, providers, and community organizations to support the tracking, disseminating, and spreading of innovative and promising practices necessary to achieve the program purpose. Program Aim: By 2018, increase by 20 percent over 2011-2012 levels, the proportion of children aged five (5) years and younger who receive vision screening and diagnosis in five (5) States according to the National Survey of Children¿s Health measure. http://www.childhealthdata.org/learn/NSCH To accomplish the program purpose and aim, it is expected the awardee will: · Establish a multidisciplinary project advisory group made up of stakeholders includin

The Fund recognizes that young investigators may find it difficult to remain in pediatric research because of a lack of funding. Therefore, the purpose of this program is to encourage the development of medical research in child health by awarding small grants to new researchers, helping them gain a foothold in this important area. The Fund will make up to 30 awards total with two funding cycles (15 awards each).

Today, nearly one in eight American adults has diabetes, and diagnosed diabetes costs the United States $245 billion each year. By 2050, if our current course as a nation continues, one in three American adults will have diabetes. The cost to this country - in lives, lost productivity and hard dollars - will be an enormous personal and societal burden that could overwhelm our healthcare system and bankrupt our nation. America has never faced anything like this before, and we are working to ensure that this frightening future never comes to fruition. Researchers are making important progress in the fight against this disease, but frankly, it's not fast enough, it's not dramatic enough, it's not good enough. There's a reason for that: It's not funded enough.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (hereinafter, "NMFS") is responsible for the stewardship, conservation, and management of pinniped species in Alaska, including the Steller sea lion, Northern fur seal, ringed seal, bearded seal, spotted seal, ribbon seal, and harbor seal. Two of these pinnipeds are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act: the endangered western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions and the threatened Arctic subspecies of ringed seals (a third species, the Beringia DPS of bearded seals, was also listed as threatened but the listing was vacated by the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska). NMFS has the responsibility to foster the recovery of these ESA-listed species and research is necessary to support our recovery programs for these species. Non-ESA-listed pinniped species or populations in Alaska are listed as strategic stocks under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and/or are important as a subsistence resource to Alaska Natives and co-managed by NMFS and Alaska Native co-management partners. Research is also an important component to co-management of these animals. Beginning in fiscal year (hereinafter, "FY") 2015, certain priority pinniped research in Alaska will be administered through a competitively-funded, merit-based grants program. This program concerns only Alaskan pinnipeds for which NMFS bears responsibility; proposals focusing on marine mammals under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not be considered for funding under this grant program. This document describes how to prepare and submit proposals for funding in FY 2015 and how NMFS will determine which proposals will be funded.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support projects developing technologies and tools to detect and quantify HIV brain reservoirs and how they may be altered by exposure to substances of abuse.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks to stimulate research on mid-life adults (those 50 to 64 years of age) that can inform efforts to optimize health and wellness as individuals age, and prevent illness and disability in later years.

In accordance with Dr. Heiser's instructions, grant funds must be used, not for treatment of patients, but for basic laboratory research directed at a better understanding of leprosy and its bacterial agent. The aspiration of the Program in 2015, is the application of the outcomes of more recent research on leprosy biomarker/diagnostic research to the global effort to truly eliminate the disease.