Group items tagged

The NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant supports exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. This Parent Funding Opportunity Announcement is for basic science experimental studies involving humans, referred to in NOT-OD-18-212 as prospective basic science studies involving human participants. These studies fall within the NIH definition of a clinical trial and also meet the definition of basic research. Types of studies that should submit under this FOA include studies that prospectively assign human participants to conditions (i.e., experimentally manipulate independent variables) and that assess biomedical or behavioral outcomes in humans for the purpose of understanding the fundamental aspects of phenomena without specific application towards processes or products in mind. Studies conducted with specific applications toward processes or products in mind should submit under the appropriate Clinical Trials Required or Clinical Trial Optional FOA. The proposed project must be related to the programmatic interests of one or more of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) based on their scientific missions.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications for specialized Alcohol Research Centers using the P50 mechanism. The overall purpose of the NIAAA Alcohol Research Center program is to provide leadership in conducting and fostering interdisciplinary, collaborative research on a wide variety of topics relevant to the Institutes mission. These topics include, but are not limited to: the nature, etiology, genetics, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of alcohol use disorders and their biomedical, psychosocial, and economic consequences across the lifespan. Centers also are regional or national resources that contribute to the development of new research methods, technologies and approaches that sustain innovative goal-directed research

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to promote innovative research on music and health with an emphasis on developing music interventions aimed at understanding their mechanisms of action and clinical applications with little or no preliminary data. Because of the need for a multidisciplinary approach, collaborations among basic researchers, translational science researchers, music intervention experts, other clinical researchers, music health professionals, and technology development researchers are encouraged. The FOA utilizes a phased R61/R33 funding mechanism to support mechanistic research and to evaluate the clinical relevance of music interventions. The R61 phase will provide funding to either investigate the biological mechanisms or behavioral processes underlying music interventions in relevant animal models, healthy human subjects, and/or clinical populations, or can be used to develop innovative technology or approaches to enhance music intervention research. The second R33 phase will provide support for further mechanistic investigations, intervention development, or pilot clinical studies. The pilot clinical studies may focus on intervention optimization/refinement, feasibility, adherence, and/or identification of appropriate outcome measures to inform future clinical research. Transition from the R61 to the R33 phase of the award will depend on successful completion of pre-specified milestones established in the R61.

This notice solicits applications for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program- Planning (RCORP-Planning).  The purpose of RCORP-Planning is to support treatment for and prevention of substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder (OUD), in rural counties at the highest risk for substance use disorder. The overall goal of RCORP-Planning is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with opioid overdoses in high-risk rural communities by multi-sector consortiums (as defined in the  "Eligibility Information" section) planning to strengthen their organizational and infrastructural capacity to address one or more of the following focus areas at the community, county, state, and/or regional levels: Prevention:  reducing the occurrence of opioid use disorder among new and at-risk users, as well as fatal opioid-related overdoses, through activities such as community and provider education, and harm reduction measures including the strategic placement and use of overdose reversing devices, such as naloxone, and syringe services programs; (See page 20 for additional information) Treatment:  implementing or expanding access to evidence-based practices for opioid addiction/OUD treatment, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) including developing strategies to eliminate or reduce treatment costs to uninsured and underinsured patients; and Recovery:  expanding peer recovery and treatment options that help people start and stay in recovery. RCORP-Planning will support one (1) year of planning funding.

The purpose of this NOFO is to enhance the capacity of surveillance programs to implement a population-based, multiple source surveillance program for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The project will fund sites to participate in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network and will enhance surveillance activities at both prior and newly participating sites through two funding components. Component A is required for all applicants, while applying for Component B funding is optional. Component A funds surveillance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among 4-year-old and 8-year-old children. Component A activities include: adhere to standardized ADDM Network methodology; renew or establish agreements for access to BOTH health and education data sources (electronic and paper records); staff training and continued education; report clean, de-identified data with vital records/census linkages to CDC; submit at least two manuscripts; engage partners and stakeholders in activities aimed at increasing use of ADDM data; and create and implement a strategic plan for performance monitoring and evaluation. Component B funds conducting follow-up at age 16 years of children abstracted for ASD at age 8 years in 2010 and 2012, including collecting data on characteristics, functioning, and educational service delivery (including transition planning). These data will inform public health strategies to improve identification and services for children with ASD.

The FY19 PRCRP Idea Award with Special Focus supports innovative, untested, high-risk/ potentially high-reward concepts, theories, paradigms, and/or methods in cancer research that are relevant to active duty Service members, Veterans, other military beneficiaries, and the American public. The "Special Focus" of this award mechanism is on exposures, conditions, or circumstances that are unique to the military, disproportionately represented in a military beneficiary population, or may affect force readiness. Cancers or circumstances with cancer risk that may affect the Service members' support system (military families) are of special importance for total mission readiness. The advancement of knowledge in cancer research, patient care, and/or treatment options in the Military Health System (MHS) is critical to active duty Service members, Veterans, other military beneficiaries, and the American public. Relevance to military health should be articulated with respect to the overall MHS, the FY19 PRCRP Military Health Focus Areas in Section II.A.2, and the mission of the DHP and the FY19 PRCRP.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is soliciting research to commence a multi-site study on the human health effects of exposures to drinking water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Proposed study sites must include communities using PFAS-contaminated private residential wells or public water systems. Exposure assessment will be based on measured PFAS serum levels as well as estimated PFAS serum levels derived from pharmacokinetic modeling of reconstructed PFAS drinking water concentrations over time. Specifically, grant awardees will be required to conduct historical reconstruction/water modeling in order to determine the PFAS concentration. Effect biomarkers such as lipids and tests of immune and thyroid function derived from pharmacokinetic modeling of reconstructed PFAS drinking water concentrations over time will be evaluated. ATSDR intends this research to be a two-part program consisting of (1) a mandatory core research protocol to allow ATSDR to aggregate the core data and to compare laboratory and statistical analyses across sites, and (2) each successful awardee will have the option to propose additional investigator-initiated research questions and hypotheses related to the overall goals of this NOFO.

The REPS Office of the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section seeks proposals for a program entitled "World Affairs in Theory and Practice." Implemented at the New Delhi American Center (NDAC), this competitive program will draw from a target audience of high-achieving undergraduate-level students connected to academic programs in the fields of international affairs, sustainable development, human rights, health policy business, and related disciplines. Participants will complete one of three MOOCs (Massive, Open, Online Courses) on themes of global health, environmental security, and international trade offered by American universities and expertly facilitated at the NDAC. Courses will meet weekly and will last 4-6 weeks, depending on the format of each MOOC selected for the series. Following the completion of each MOOC course, participants will participate in a live simulation of diplomatic negotiations around a similar theme as their course, helping them understand complex issues in theory and practice. Finally, participants will be introduced to EducationUSA advisors from the U.S. India Educational Foundation (USIEF) for counseling on options for pursuing higher education in the United States.

Founded in 1972, the Tourette Association of America has emerged as the premier national nonprofit organization working to make life better for all people affected by Tourette and tic disorders. The association advances its work by raising public awareness and fostering social acceptance; working to advance scientific understanding, treatment options, and care; educating professionals to better serve the needs of children, adults, and families challenged by Tourette and tic disorders; advocating for public policies and services that promote positive school, work, and social environments; providing help, hope, and a supportive community across the nation; and empowering its community to deal with the complexities of this spectrum of disorders. To that end, grants of up to $150,000 over two years will be awarded for basic and clinical studies related to any aspect of Tourette syndrome. To be eligible, investigators are required to have an advanced degree such as a PhD, MD, or equivalent or be an allied professional with an advanced degree in a related field. Investigators from nonprofit and for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Pre-proposals must be received no later than November 1, 2017. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by February 15, 2018.

THE ADMINISTRATION for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families' Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) announces the availability of funds under the Street Outreach Program (SOP). SOP WORKS to increase young people’s personal safety, social and emotional well-being, self-sufficiency, and to help them build permanent connections with families, communities, schools, and other positive social networks. These services, which are provided in areas where street youth congregate, are designed to assist such youth in making healthy choices and to provide them access to shelter and services which include: outreach, gateway services, screening and assessment, harm reduction, access to emergency shelter, crisis stabilization, drop-in centers, which can be optional, and linkages/referrals to services. THE AWARD process for FY2018 SOP allows for annual awards over a three-year project period, as funds are available.

Despite clear progress made during the last 15 years on cellular transplantation for T1D, the most recent results demonstrate a long term limited viability of engrafted islets and, as a result, limited insulin independence under different novel modalities of immunosuppressive (IS) regimens tested.  In addition, even the most innovative IS regimens required for transplant survival still have significant immediate side effects and long-term safety is uncertain. These problems together with the scarcity of donor organs and the complexity of transplants mandates a renewed emphasis on the investigation of novel methods within the field of tissue engineering for the development of a bio-artificial, cell-based hormone replacement therapy that may minimize the need of IS. To support this, it is necessary to develop/optimize novel/smart/safe biomaterials, scaffolds, bio-matrices and bio-barriers that may protect grafted cells from immune rejection and simultaneously promote appropriate vascularization/innervation with an efficient exchange of nutrients to optimize cellular long-term survival and proper function.  It is also necessary to investigate methods to use different cell sources including human progenitor cells and induced pluripotent stem cells as a valid option for cell replacement therapy. 

In celebrating its 350th anniversary, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany offers a series of research grants to stimulate innovative research in challenging areas of future importance. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany intends to provide several research grants of up to EUR 350,000 per year for 3 years in various research areas with the option of extension or expansion. Grants are offered for research in the following areas: Healthy Lives / Drug Discovery: Challenge 1: What is the next game-changing molecule or technology to help cure cancer or autoimmune disease? Life Reimagined / Synthetic Biology: Challenge 1: What is the next generation production technology for biologics? Challenge 2: Can you revolutionize microbiome research? Materials & Solutions: Challenge 1: Can you develop a new generation of intelligent materials? Challenge 2: Can you develop advances in characterization, control and surface chemistry? Challenge 3: Can you develop better atomic layer processes - from modelling to materials? Digitalization / Computing: Challenge 1: How can in-silico research benefit from deep learning or quantum computing?

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) announces the opportunity for investigators with relevant active research project grants and cooperative agreements to submit administrative supplements according to PA-18-591, Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional), for funded projects that could accelerate scientific progress towards the development of vaccines targeting opioids (e.g. heroin, fentanyl, etc.).  Parent projects do not need to have an opioid element to submit a supplement request.

The Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) forecasts the possible availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 funds to make three-year grants to approximately 10 entities to develop capacity, bring to scale, and sustain evidence-based programs that empower older adults and adults with disabilities to better manage their chronic conditions. ACL intends to compete these 10 grants via two options (both with 36-month grant periods): (A) Sustainable Systems Grants: approximately six grants of $500,000 to $900,000 focused on developing integrated, sustainable systems for delivering evidence-based chronic disease self-management education and self-management support programs. (B) Capacity-Building Grants: approximately four grants of $50,000 to $150,000 to build capacity to introduce and deliver evidence-based chronic disease self-management education and self-management support programs within underserved areas and/or populations.

The Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) forecasts the possible availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 funds to make three-year grants to approximately 10 entities to develop capacity, bring to scale, and sustain evidence-based falls prevention programs that will help to reduce the number of falls, fear of falling, and/or fall-related injuries in older adults. ACL aims to compete these 10 grants via two options (both with 36-month grant periods): (A) Sustainable Systems Grants: approximately six grants of $400,000 to $600,00 focused on developing integrated, sustainable systems for delivering falls prevention programs; (B) Capacity-Building Grants: approximately four grants of $50,000 to $150,000 to build capacity to introduce and deliver falls prevention programs within underserved areas and/or populations.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to incorporate social outcomes (quality of life, untreated pain, etc.) and cost effectiveness into FDA's existing model and policy analysis tool. Work resulting from this funding opportunity should provide more holistic insight into the opioid crisis and enhance decision makers' ability to propose and consider policy options. Such work will require the integration of new structural components, new data, and new analyses into the model. Given the paucity of data surrounding opioids interventions, this effort will also require studies to collect information about the costs, social outcomes, and other details associated with potential policies.

We encourage applications from innovators working in all aspects of pediatric oncology, pediatric surgical care, and influenza. Specific areas of focus include: Pediatric Oncology -Innovations in pediatric oncology port technologies -Drugs that target pediatric-specific driver genes -Bedside, rapid tumor genetic testing Pediatric Surgical Care -Pediatric-specific implants for trauma & fracture care including growth-enabling spine & trauma orthopedic implants -Innovative treatment options for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis -Surgical robotics to treat pediatric patients Influenza -Pediatric-focused innovations in influenza -Novel solutions for influenza vaccine delivery -Influenza pre-exposure including antivirals prophylaxis formulation Applications will be accepted across: -Pharmaceuticals -Medical devices -Consumer products -Global public health -Health technologies -Cross-sector initiatives (an integration of one or more areas of focus mentioned above) Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers and judges on their ability to meet the following criteria: -Potential impact -Uniqueness of solution & level of competition in the current market -Quality & feasibility of the technology -Team credibility & capabilities -Plans for utilizing JLABS @ Washington, DC

To that end, grants of up to $400,000 over up to two years will be awarded in support of promising approaches designed to help create a higher value healthcare system. The proposed research should be focused on developing actionable solutions to one or more of the symptoms of low value health care: high and rising healthcare costs; unwarranted variation in prices; unaffordable cost of care burden on patients and families; unacceptable variation in quality; and/or lack of transparency in both price and outcomes. Eligible approaches include models of care, coverage, or system change that seek to improve value by addressing one or more of the symptoms of low value and/or reduce routine treatments, tests, and screenings for patients for whom the potential harms (including financial harm) outweigh potential benefits; provide tools to help consumers make decisions about their healthcare based on value, including the cost of care to patients (in addition to other patient-centered factors); promote conversations between patients and their clinicians and care teams about preferences and trade-offs related to alternative treatment options and /or out of pocket cost burden to patients and families; and/or test interventions geared to reducing racial and ethnic disparities through the provision of higher value healthcare.

The two required strategies are: 1) Enhance and maximize a state PDMP and 2) Implement community or insurer/health system interventions aimed at preventing prescription drug overdose and abuse. The two optional strategies are: 3) Conduct policy evaluations and/or 4) Develop and implement Rapid Response Projects. The targeted outcomes of each strategy will vary and may include programmatic outcomes, as well as changes in behaviors thought to be linked to drug overdose morbidity or mortality. Awardees will be expected to implement robust evaluations of their program activities using timely data from a variety of sources.

Founded in 1972, the Tourette Association of America (formerly known as the Tourette Syndrome Association) has emerged as the premier national nonprofit organization working to make life better for all people affected by Tourette and tic disorders. The association advances its work by raising public awareness and fostering social acceptance; working to advance scientific understanding, treatment options, and care; educating professionals to better serve the needs of children, adults, and families challenged by Tourette and tic disorders; advocating for public policies and services that promote positive school, work, and social environments; providing help, hope, and a supportive community across the nation; and empowering its community to deal with the complexities of this spectrum of disorders. To that end, grants of up to $150,000 over two years will be awarded for basic and clinical studies on all aspects of Tourette syndrome. To be eligible, investigators are required to have an advanced degree such as a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent or be allied professionals with advanced degrees such as R.N.s, Drs. of O.T., social workers, and related fields. Investigators from nonprofit and for-profit organizations can apply.