Group items tagged

Supports research to measure and model the concentration and distribution of gases and aerosols in the lower and middle atmosphere. Also supports research on the chemical reactions among atmospheric species; the sources and sinks of important trace gases and aerosols; the aqueous-phase atmospheric chemistry; the transport of gases and aerosols throughout the atmosphere; and the improved methods for measuring the concentrations of trace species and their fluxes into and out of the atmosphere.

The Chemistry of Life Processes (CLP) program supports the investigation of problems at the Chemistry-Biology interface in which the primary approach or tools employed are those of chemistry. The fundamental examination of mechanisms, dynamics, recognition and structure/function relationships at the molecular level is at the core of the CLP program. Projects that integrate experimental and theoretical chemical approaches into studies of biomolecules or biomolecular processes in the domain of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids will be considered. The use of small molecules such as ligands, inhibitors, signal transducers or molecular beacons to interrogate biological systems is a characteristic mode of inquiry for CLP investigators. The program also welcomes the application of computational and spectroscopic methods to examine Nature's macromolecular machinery and processes. Appropriate areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to, peptide design, protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions, post-translational modification alternative base pairs, epigenetics, signal and energy transduction pathways, and molecular definition of emerging "codes" such as those associated with glycomics and histones. Mechanisms of enzyme and metalloenzyme activity, ribozyme and/or riboswitch function and of DNA damage and covalent modification are also central themes in the program. Proposals that predominantly utilize biological tools or techniques may be more appropriate for the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB). Proposals that address biomedical problems may be more appropriate for the National Institutes of Health or other health-directed funding agencies.

The Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program focuses on basic research in chemistry that addresses the creation or study of macromolecular, supramolecular and nanoscopic species and other organized structures that show unique chemical and physical properties and reactivities. Research of interest to this program includes the following: (1) Novel synthesis relevant to the program topics, innovative surface functionalization methodologies, surface monolayer chemistry, template-directed synthesis, and the formation of clusters, aggregates, nanoparticles, polymers and large (macro)molecular architectures. (2) The study of molecular scale interactions that give rise to molecular, macromolecular or nanoparticulate self-assembly into discrete structures; understanding unique chemical and physicochemical properties and reactivities that result from the organized or nanoscopic structures; the study of forces and dynamics that are responsible for spatial organization in discrete organic, inorganic or hybrid systems (excluding extended solids); and chemically dynamic systems like molecular machines. (3) Investigations that utilize advanced experimental or computational methods to understand or to predict the chemical structure, properties and reactivities of unique macromolecular, supramolecular and nanostructures. Studies involving extended solids and bulk materials are not appropriate for this program, and proposals for which the primary focus is on (bio)materials or device properties / engineering are also not appropriate for this program.

DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the field of UV laser technology that will enable enhanced detection and discrimination of specific biological and chemical compounds using Raman spectroscopy. The goal of the Laser UV Sources for Tactical Efficient Raman (LUSTER) program is to develop compact, efficient, high-power ultraviolet lasers capable of achieving output power >1 W, wall-plug efficiency >10%, linewidth < 0.01 nm and all at wavelengths between 220-240 nm. Various methods such as direct electrical injection, electron beam pumping, second harmonic generation or other alternatives will be considered as long as all of the metrics can be met or exceeded. See the full DARPA-BAA-14-20 document attached.

The purpose of this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is to solicit research proposals for Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) requirements for the CBDP Ebola BAA for the FY2015-2016 program. DTRA, with industry and government partners, has been working aggressively for the past decade to understand and counter Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV). DTRA's program is currently supporting the accelerated development of a therapeutic through preclinical Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling activities as well as the clinical evaluation for one EBOV vaccine. The program co-developed the rapid field deployable diagnostic systems currently in use in West Africa. The program has also been adapting and improving upon North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) approved and high performance computing methods of modeling EBOV to perform analysis of the current EBOV outbreak. Recognizing that industry may have solutions applicable to the current EBOV outbreak in West Africa, this BAA has been released to ensure that all potential near-term solutions are considered.

The Chemical Synthesis program focuses on the development of new, efficient synthetic methodologies and on the synthesis of complex molecules and molecular ensembles. Typical synthetic targets involve novel structures, structures displaying unique properties, or structures providing pathways to discover and elucidate new phenomena. Examples of supported research areas include the development of innovative reagents, catalysts for synthetic transformations, discovery of new synthetic methods, target-oriented synthesis, green synthesis, and synthesis of novel organic, organometallic, and inorganic structures. Research in this program will generate fundamental knowledge of chemical synthesis that enables the development of new avenues of basic chemical research and transformative technologies. The Chemical Synthesis program does not support projects whose main objective is on the property of the systems even though it may involve a large synthetic component.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Executive Office of the President, is seeking applications from public nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals) to perform research and analysis of data to inform drug policy. This project seeks to further refine a methodology for obtaining drug early warning indicators from expanded testing of urine samples that were previously collected and tested as part of an existing drug test protocol. This method was initially developed using local criminal justice populations - including persons in pre-trial or lock-up, parolees or probationers, and drug court participants. 

MGI recognizes the importance of materials science to the well-being and advancement of society and aims to "deploy advanced materials at least twice as fast as possible today, at a fraction of the cost." DMREF integrates materials discovery, development, property optimization, and systems design and optimization, with each employing a toolset to be developed within a materials innovation infrastructure. The toolset will synergistically integrate advanced computational methods and visual analytics with data-enabled scientific discovery and innovative experimental techniques to revolutionize our approach to materials science and engineering.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the research and development necessary to advance spectroscopic imaging technologies, methods, study designs, and analyses to non-invasively measure the rate and extent to which a topically applied compound becomes available in the epidermis, at or near a site of action within the skin. The expectation is that the funded work will produce an accurate, sensitive and reproducible approach that measures the amount of drug present in the epidermis at each of a series of depths below the skin surface, which can be utilized to monitor epidermal pharmacokinetics by repeated measurements over time.

NineSigma, representing Wärtsilä Moss, seeks innovative technologies that can remove water vapor from a continuous air flow. Technologies based on new principles, even at a research stage, are especially welcomed. Wärtsilä provides environmentally and economically sound integrated solutions for various merchant vessels including LNG carriers. When LNG tanks are emptied they have to be aerated to remove all combustible gases. These tanks are however very cold (-40°C) and any vapor in the air will freeze inside the tank. The current air dehumidification method Wärtsilä Moss installs on LNG carriers is based on chillers that cool the air down to 5°C to remove most of the water vapor, followed by passing the air through a desiccant tower packed with activated alumina. Although this approach is effective it is not easy to scale and the installed capacity is not always used in an optimal way. Thus, the client seeks novel techniques which are being developed to dehumidify air or an inert gas like N2.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) seeks to support up to 10 Imaging Scientists who will work at the interface of biology, microscopy hardware, and imaging software at imaging centers across the United States. "Imaging Scientists" might be engineers, physicists, mathematicians, computer scientists, or biologists who have focused on technology development in either microscopy or data analysis fields. The primary goal of the program is to increase interactions between biologists and technology experts. The Imaging Scientists will have expertise in microscopy hardware and/or imaging software. A successful "Imaging Program" will employ an Imaging Scientist who: a) works collaboratively with experimental biologists on projects at the imaging center; b) participates in courses that disseminate advanced microscopy methods and analysis; c) trains students and postdocs in imaging technology; d) participates in a network of CZI Imaging Scientists to identify needs and drive advances in the imaging field; e) attends twice-yearly CZI scientific workshops and meetings in imaging and adjacent biomedical areas. Each grant will fund salary and fringe benefits for an Imaging Scientist at the center, a modest travel and teaching budget, plus 15% indirect costs. The award period is three years plus an additional two years if the Imaging Program passes a review at year three.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) intends to publish a series of Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) for Cooperative Agreements to solicit applications for a network of researchers collaborating across justice and community-based service settings to transform community-level responses to opioid misuse and opioid use disorder in justice-involved populations. Opioid misuse and opioid use disorder consequences exist at the intersection of health and justice systems. Improving the capacity of the justice system to respond to opioid crisis with evidence-based approaches that include the use of medications for OUD requires strong partnerships between justice systems and healthcare as well as other community based organizations. Supporting the development of these relationships and novel models of justice-healthcare and other community collaborations is a critical target in addressing the current opioid crisis. NIDA is interested in launching a network of investigators who can rapidly conduct research to address the opioid crisis in justice settings. A variety of research methods will be used, including clinical trials, implementation science research, policy evaluations and/or modeling approaches. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and appropriate projects. This FOA is expected to use a multicomponent cooperative agreement mechanism. The FOA is expected to be published in October 2018 with an expected application due date in December 2018.

This solicitation applies to nine CHE Disciplinary Chemistry Research Programs: Chemical Catalysis (CAT); Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI); Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms-A (CSDM-A); Chemical Structure Dynamics and Mechanisms-B (CSDM-B); Chemical Synthesis (SYN); Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods (CTMC); Chemistry of Life Processes (CLP); Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS); and Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN). All proposals submitted to these nine CHE Disciplinary Research Programs (other than the following exceptions) must be submitted through this solicitation, otherwise they will be returned without review.

The annual program is intended to provide research support to the most promising young faculty members in the early stages of an academic career in the chemical or life sciences and to foster the invention of methods, instruments, and materials with the potential to open up new avenues of research in science.

Computational neuroscience provides a theoretical foundation and a rich set of technical approaches for understanding complex neurobiological systems, building on the theory, methods, and findings of computer science, neuroscience, and numerous other disciplines. Through the CRCNS program, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF), the French National Research Agency (Agence Nationale de la Recherche, ANR), the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), and Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) support collaborative activities that will advance the understanding of nervous system structure and function, mechanisms underlying nervous system disorders, and computational strategies used by the nervous system.

The USAFA is seeking unclassified research white papers and proposals that do not contain proprietary information. If proprietary information is submitted it is the offerors' responsibility to mark the relevant portions of their proposal as specified in USAFA-BAA-2015. CAStLE performs a range of structural integrity research tasks in support of multiple Government, academic and commercial sponsors. Among these pursuits, CAStLE engages in a wide range of corrosion engineering and material science research efforts, with more emphasis on applied research, and that part of development not related to a specific system or hardware procurement. Current CAStLE research strengths include: high temperature materials development; advanced barrier coatings; static strength, static stability design, corrosion modeling, prevention and control; validation testing, analysis and methods development; computational structural and fracture mechanics; failure analysis, flight data acquisition system development, installation, maintenance and data analysis; structural risk analysis, and support of the USAF Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP). The interaction between corrosion and cracking damage mechanisms and their effect on the structural integrity has been a long-standing interest of CAStLE. There is Department of Defense (DoD) level interest in material degradation in structures-to include corrosion, cracking and other service-related damage mechanisms. The DoD level material degradation interest is the subject of this CALL, while also serving a dual public purpose.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support non-commercial lab-to-user dissemination of novel, reliable imaging and bioengineering technologies, including devices, software, methods, chemical agents, etc. Proposed technologies should have been prototyped, validated, and are potentially highly impactful to the research community. However, their beyond-the-lab dissemination via commercialization or industry partnership is not anticipated. Projects should focus on transforming functioning prototypes to usable tools and delivering them to end users for high-quality research in a reliable manner. Related activities may include, but are not limited to, quality control, scale-up production, user training, and technical improvements that are within the scope of the prototyped technology and limited to applying proven techniques or existing resources. Projects that involve clinical trials, commercialization, academic-industry partnership, or service using existing equipment are not responsive to this FOA.

The Therapeutic Idea Award is designed to promote new ideas aimed at drug or treatment discovery that are still in the early stages of development. Projects that focus primarily on investigating the pathophysiology of ALS are not within the scope of this Funding Opportunity. Development and/or modification of preclinical model systems or the application of high- throughput screens to define or assess lead compounds for ALS treatment are of interest. Development of methods to adequately measure target binding and proximal downstream effects (target engagement) and the potential for undesirable activities at related but unintended targets (selectivity) are also encouraged. While the inclusion of preliminary data is not prohibited, the strength of the application should not rely on preliminary data, but on the innovative approach. All proposed research projects should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale that holds translational potential to improve ALS treatment and/or advance a novel treatment modality. Innovation and impact are important aspects of the Therapeutic Idea Award. Research deemed innovative may introduce a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, introduce novel concepts or technologies, or exhibit other uniquely creative qualities that may lead to potential therapeutics for ALS. Impact may be near-term or long-term, but must be significant and move beyond an incremental advancement.

To study in vivo synaptic structure and function in Alzheimer's and related dementia; and to advance development of methods to study synapses in animal models and humans.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits R01 grant applications to develop novel technologies that will enable no less than one order of magnitude improvement in DNA sequencing, and practical methods for direct RNA sequencing. Advances in genomics and more broadly in biomedical research have been greatly facilitated by significant and sustained DNA sequencing throughput increases and cost decreases. The goal now is to improve the quality and efficiency of DNA sequencing and enable direct RNA sequencing (e.g., longer read lengths, faster turn-around time, greater accuracy, and higher-throughput etc.) at reasonable costs with the anticipation that significant advances in any of these and related areas would make significant contributions to the mission of NHGRI and the field of genomics, including to many of NHGRI's other technology development goals. Also listed under R21