AGING

Title: Bioenergetics, Fatigability, and Activity Limitations in Aging (R01), (R21), (R03)
Agency: National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
CFDA Numbers: 93.866, 93.361, 93.837
PA Identifications: PA-09-190, PA-09-191, PA-09-192
Links: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-190.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-191.html (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-192.html (R03)     

Other index terms: Clinical & Translational Research, Epidemiology, Physical Activity/Exercise

This FOA invites applications proposing to investigate the role of specific bioenergetic factors, such as those noted above, in increased fatigability, reduced activity, and diminished sense of well-being in older persons. This FOA also invites applications to test the effects of interventions targeted at such factors on performance capabilities, functional status, and other outcomes that relate to quality of life. Applications submitted in response to this FOA should address fatigability as discussed above, rather than fatigue alone.

Progress in developing interventions to reduce fatigability will likely require a spectrum of translational, clinical, and epidemiologic approaches. Studies to clarify the role of fatigability and bioenergetic factors in major disability and functional limitations are particularly encouraged. Examples of potential study designs and/or corresponding research challenges include, but are not limited to: 

• Case-control or cohort studies exploring associations between alterations in specific bioenergetic factors and fatigue-related limitations in self-reported activities (e.g., walking) and/or performance tests with aging.
• Cross-sectional or longitudinal studies investigating mechanisms by which specific age-related diseases or conditions, alone or in combination, produce changes in bioenergetic factors that result in increased fatigability.
• Studies exploring potential adaptive functions of increased fatigability in specific clinical situations with aging (e.g., increased fatigability in hyperthermia limiting further activity and thermogenesis) and the bioenergetic pathways and/or factors mediating these functions.
• Physiological studies exploring the effects of humoral and/or tissue factors on altered bioenergetics associated with fatigability in older subjects; e.g., influence of cytokines on energy sensing mechanisms, substrate availability, or mitochondrial function.
• Studies investigating the role of central nervous system pathways, and peripheral factors that affect these pathways, in regulating or modulating bioenergetics with aging.
• Projects developing animal models of fatigability with aging and characterization of specific bioenergetic factors in such models.
• Methodologic studies focusing on development of new tools, or improvement of existing tools, to quantify fatigability and specific bioenergetic factors at molecular, cellular, organ, organ system, or individual levels (e.g., real-time measures of mitochondrial function in vivo, more accurate measures of energy expenditure over extended durations through actigaphy, calorimetry, or other functional or metabolic methods.)
• Physiological research to develop and evaluate approaches for quantifying maximum activity capacities in older individuals over short intervals (e.g., during a specific task) or during longer periods (i.e., days to weeks).
• Methodologic studies in older adults leading to development and validation of new or improved instruments for assessing performance fatigability; that is, measuring decrements in performance during objective tests of physical or cognitive function.
• Methodologic studies in older adults leading to development and validation of new or improved instruments for assessing perceived fatigability; that is, either:
• Self-reported fatigue in relation to objectively measured specific activities (e.g., walking, activities of daily living, aerobic or resistance exercise, cognitive tasks) or in relation to integrated measures of energy expenditure (e.g., actigraphy, indirect calorimetry, doubly labeled water) in laboratory and/or community settings;
• Self-reported fatigue in relation to self-reported descriptions of activity. Two examples of existing instruments include the Mobility-T scale (Avlund et al., 1996), in which activities are described qualitatively, and the Situational Fatigue Scale (Yang and Wu, 2005), in which activity levels are quantified.
• Epidemiologic studies to establish normative ranges of fatigability measures in older adults which could be used clinically to identify individuals at risk for long term morbidity and mortality, as well as to stratify individuals for therapeutic intervention.

• Studies evaluating interventions to reduce fatigability as a cause of activity limitations in older adults by targeting mechanisms of altered bioenergetics. Examples may Studies evaluating effects of current treatments for age-related diseases on fatigability and tissue-specific bioenergetic factors; e.g., effects of beta-blockers on performance fatigability and skeletal muscle energy production in subjects with heart failure.  

 

 

Title: Request for Proposal
Agency: Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Association for Frontotemporal Dementias
Application Deadline: October 1, 2009
Link: http://www.alzdiscovery.org

Other index terms: Drug Discovery, Neurosciences

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD) seek to accelerate and support drug discovery for FTD and related dementias through the Frontotemporal Dementia Drug Discovery Program Request for Proposals.

Research investigating the pathologic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in frontotemporal dementia and related disorders has advanced recently, creating new potential targets for drug discovery. Examples of programs appropriate for this RFP include, but are not limited to, target validation studies, development and testing of novel high throughput screening assays, medicinal chemistry on lead compounds, identification and in vitro testing of potentially disease-modifying lead compounds, testing of lead compounds in a relevant animal model for preclinical proof of concept, development and testing of targeted gene delivery strategies, development of biomarkers to accelerate drug development and early diagnosis, and innovative pilot clinical trials. Funding will not support applications for basic research.

ADDF/AFTD will provide individual grants for one year with the possibility of follow-up funding. Applications may be submitted by nonprofit academic institutions and for-profit biotechnology companies, both public and private, worldwide. Collaborative teams of neuroscientists and researchers in drug discovery disciplines such as medicinal chemistry and drug delivery are also encouraged to apply. For additional information please visit the ADDF Web site or the Link to RFP.

 

Title: Translational Research at the Aging/Cancer Interface (TRACI) (R01)
Agency: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-08-230
CFDA Number: 93.866
Link: http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-10-003.html

Other index terms: Cancer, Clinical & Translational Research

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, encourages research grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose translational research in the overlapping areas of human aging and cancer, linking basic and clinical research relevant to the care of older cancer patients through both “bench to bedside” and “bedside to bench” approaches. Ultimately, information from the research supported by this initiative should improve the health and well-being of elderly patients at risk for, or diagnosed with, cancer and decrease the functional impairment and morbidity associated with cancer in this population.
• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the Research Project Grant (R01) grant mechanism and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-08-231, that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
• Budget and Project Period. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 5 years. Applications for R01 awards are not limited in dollars but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed projects. Direct costs of $350,000 annually on average are expected.

BIODEFENSE & PUBLIC HEALTH

 

Title: Partnerships for Biodefense Food- and Water-borne Diseases (R01)
Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
LOI Deadline: August 24, 2009
Application Deadline: September 23, 2009
RFA Identification:  RFA-AI-09-027
CFDA Number:  93.856
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-09-027.html  

Other index terms: Immune Mechanisms, Infectious Diseases

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites research applications for projects that support development of therapeutics, immunotherapeutics, medical diagnostics and broad-spectrum vaccines for NIAID Category B food- and water-borne priority pathogens and toxins (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/BiodefenseRelated/Biodefense/research/CatA.htm).

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the R01 grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIAID intends to commit $7.3 million in total costs in FY2010 to fund five to ten applications in response to this FOA. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary.

• Budget and Project Period. The annual direct costs that can be requested may not exceed $750,000 without prior approval by program staff. Requested budgets must be justified by the proposed research and will be evaluated by the review panel and program staff. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 5 years.

Purpose
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports extramural research focused on understanding, controlling and preventing diseases caused by virtually all infectious agents. In response to threats presented by bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases, the NIAID Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) has established research programs to facilitate development of countermeasures for select pathogens and toxins.

Through this FOA, the NIAID invites research applications for projects that will lead to development of new and/or novel therapeutics, immunotherapeutics, medical diagnostics, or broad spectrum vaccines focused on the following NIAID Category B food- and water-borne priority pathogens and toxins:

Bacteria

• Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
• Pathogenic vibrios
• Shigella species
• Salmonella
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Yersinia enterocolitica

Viruses

• Caliciviruses
• Noroviruses

Protozoa

• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Toxoplasma gondii

Toxins

• Staphylococcus enterotoxin B
• Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin

Research may include, but is not limited to: target identification and/or validation; adaptation of products or platform technologies to biodefense applications; development of broad spectrum platforms and/or production technologies; optimization of products; process development; preclinical evaluation; scale-up; and production of quantities sufficient for preclinical regulatory requirements. Applications that include collaborations between researchers from different disciplines and/or with industry are strongly encouraged.

The NIAID recognizes that the inherent nature and demands of the product development process may require funding large, complex grants with interdependent specific aims. Furthermore, some aspects of the product development process (e.g., Good Laboratory Practice [GLP] or current Good Manufacturing Practice [cGMP] production) are inherently not innovative. Research projects funded under this FOA will be implemented in accordance with the defined project goals, interim objectives/development milestones, and the timeline for the achievement of goals and milestones. Knowing that product development is often an iterative and sequential process, and that steps early in the process may not be successful and may need to be modified or reworked, NIAID staff will be actively involved in evaluating the milestones of awardees and determining whether continued investment in the development is warranted. When appropriate, research projects funded under this FOA will incorporate measures that are consistent with the guidelines that govern Good Laboratory Practice (GLP as defined by 21 CFR(58)) and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP as defined by 21 CFR(211)).

Partnerships
A key component of this initiative is the formation of collaborative partnerships between academic researchers from different disciplines or with industry. For the purpose of this FOA, "industry" is defined as large or small, domestic or foreign, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, bioengineering, and chemical companies. Since academic organizations are often the source of new candidate products, this FOA will also support a partnership between industry and collaborator(s) as necessary from academic (or non-profit) research organizations. For this FOA, partnerships are strongly encouraged, but not required. The Principal Investigator of the project may be affiliated with industry, an academic organization or non-profit research organization.

Applications submitted to this FOA will include a Product Development Plan (PDP) to assist reviewers and program staff in project evaluation. The PDP will define the general goals of the project, intended use/indication of the proposed therapeutic or diagnostic, and biodefense/public health gap the product is intended to fill. Additionally, the PDP will detail the stage-specific product development activities that will be performed during the project period and outline plans for further development after completion of the project.

BIOINFORMATICS

Title: Recovery Act Limited Competition: Protection of Human Health by Immunology and Vaccines (U01, U19)
Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
LOI Deadline: September 15, 2009
Application Deadline: October 15, 2009
RFA Identification: RFA-AI-09-040
CFDA Number: 93.701
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-09-040.html

Other index terms: Immune Mechanisms, Infectious Diseases, Systems Biology

This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), supported by funds provided to the NIH under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act” or “ARRA”), Public Law 111-5, invites new applications from single domestic institutions, or consortia of institutions, to participate in creating a network of human immunology profiling research groups. Applications are sought that propose to study human immune responses (1) following infection, (2) prior to and following vaccination against an infectious disease, or (3) prior to and following treatment with an immune adjuvant that targets a known innate immune receptor(s). The purpose of this FOA is to capitalize on recent advances in immune profiling to measure the diversity of human immune responses under a variety of conditions, using bioinformatic, multiplex, and/or systems biology approaches to study samples from well-characterized human cohorts and to measure aspects of the human transcriptome and/or proteome. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the U01 and U19 cooperative agreement grant mechanisms.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIAID intends to commit approximately $20 million in total costs (direct plus indirect costs) in fiscal year 2010, which includes support for an Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund of up to $2 million total costs in year one and up to $5 million total costs in years two through five. The Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund will support consortium infrastructure, collaborative projects, pilot projects, and new research opportunities that arise post-award. Recovery Act funds will be used to support this FOA in fiscal year 2010 only; the NIAID will provide funds for four future years (FY 2011-2014). The NIAID anticipates that 6-10 awards will be made for fiscal year 2010, pending the number and quality of applications and the availability of funds.

BIOMARKERS

Title: Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R01), (R21)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identifications: PA-09-197, PA-09-198
CFDA Numbers: 93.393, 93.394
Links: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-197.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-198.html (R21)

Other index terms: Blood & Hematologic Disorders, Cancer

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), encourages research grant applications from institutions/organizations for the development and validation of biomarkers for: a) early detection, prediction of progression, and recurrence of hematopoietic malignancies, especially in high-risk individuals; and, b) for risk assessment of primary and secondary hematopoietic malignancies. This FOA is also encourages the development and improvement of specific technologies and methods for quantitative detection of novel biomarkers associated with hematopoietic malignancies.

This FOA uses the NIH research project R01 grant mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-09-198 that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) Grant mechanism.

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA uses the NIH research project R01 grant mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-09-198 that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) Grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

 

 

Title: Development and Validation of Disease Biomarkers (R01)
Agency:  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-09-204
CFDA Numbers: 93.847, 93.273, 93.361
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-204.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive Disorders & Gastrointestinal Systems, Obesity, Health Disparities & Differences, Renal & Kidney Diseases

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health, will provide resources to validate candidate biomarkers for well-defined human diseases of the liver, kidney, urological tract, and digestive and hematologic systems, as well as endocrine and metabolic disorders, diabetes and its complications, and obesity, for which there are no or very few biomarkers, or for which standard biomarkers are currently prohibitively invasive or expensive. A biomarker is an indicator of a disease process, and could replace hard clinical end points as a measure of the effect of new therapies. Appropriate studies will validate candidate biomarkers in well-defined patient populations, provide new technologies to monitor biomarkers or establish reliable assays for validated markers. Progress in this area has the potential to advance translational research related to efficacy of treatments and bio-behavioral interventions. This FOA is not appropriate for biomarker discovery projects. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism.  Developmental/Exploratory Research (R21) applications within the scientific scope of the FOA can be submitted in response to the NIH Parent R21 PA http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-181.html.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

This initiative includes but is not limited to:

• Studies in well-characterized patients or in biological samples from well-characterized patients, to show that a biomarker or a set of biomarkers is unique for a disease of interest.
• Limited studies in human subjects to determine whether a biomarker correlates well with pathogenesis, disease processes, progression or regression of disease, response to therapy, accepted clinical endpoints, symptom management, etc.
• Studies to design or improve the biomarker assay system to be robust, repeatable, quantitative and translatable to many laboratories, or to fall within costs that are appropriate for clinical use.
• Work to establish sampling or biomarker monitoring strategies that are non-invasive and/or acceptable to patients and clinical staff.

Research objectives include but are not limited to:

• Minimally invasive to non-invasive markers of liver, biliary, pancreas and kidney fibrosis.
• Markers of sensory and autonomic diabetic neuropathy prior to loss of function.
• Markers or imaging methods to detect renal dysfunction at all stages of diabetic nephropathy.
• Markers of liver or kidney cell injury, repair, regeneration and markers that predict drug induced hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, or that can distinguish progressive liver injury from transient adaptive aminotransaminase elevations due to drugs.
• Markers of liver and total body iron and copper accumulation.
• Markers of disease activity for inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, celiac disease, hepatitis (autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, HIV-coinfected hepatitis), cholangitis (PSC, PBC), esophagitis, vasculitis, inflammation in kidney, pancreas, adipose tissue in obesity or diabetes, and chronic wounds secondary to diabetic neuropathy.
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine or serum) based markers for use in diagnosis, prediction of progression, or defining pathophysiology for chronic urologic pain conditions, such as interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers of use to predict risk of development and/or progression of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (i.e., BPH with accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers that may distinguish patient subgroups and various etiologic mechanisms for urologic disorders with overlapping symptom profiles (e.g., IC/PBS, CP/CPPS, and LUTS associated with BPH).
• Markers of gastrointestinal mechanical physiologic function and quantitative dysfunction (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastroparesis).
• Markers of pancreatic beta cell function, mass and inflammation.
• Tissue-specific markers of insulin resistance.
• Tissue-specific markers of angiogenesis (fat, muscle, pancreas, nervous tissue).
• Easily assessable, quantitative markers of liver, pancreas and kidney function, dysfunction, and disease.
• Markers of early transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and tolerance.
• Markers of bile lithogenicity.
• Markers for early detection of hepatocellular dysplasia or early hepatocellular or cholangio-carcinoma.
• Markers for early detection of esophageal intestinal metaplasia or early Barrett's esophagus.
• Markers for the efficacy of bio-behavioral interventions to minimize complications of the identified disease and to increase management of symptoms.
• Examination of the accuracy of biomarkers across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and gender.

 

Title: The Early Detection Research Network: Biomarker Developmental Laboratories (U01)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
LOI Deadline: September 29 2009
Application Deadline: October 29, 2009
RFA Identification:  RFA-CA-09-017
CFDA Number: 93.393, 93.394
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-09-017.html

Other index terms: Cancer

PRE-APPLICATION MEETING
The NCI anticipates holding a pre-application meeting on September 29, 2009 at 9:00 AM - noon EDT to which all interested prospective applicants are invited. NCI program and review staff members will make presentations to explain the goals and objectives for the NCI Early Detection Research Network and its components, including Biomarker Developmental Laboratories. The discussion will also cover the preparation of applications and the peer review process. An NCI Grants Management Specialist will be available to answer financial questions. The meeting will be videocast with an opportunity for internet viewers to submit questions by e-mail.

• Purpose. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits cooperative agreement applications for Biomarker Developmental Laboratories (BDLs), one of the four components of the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN). EDRN is a national consortium funded to discover, develop, and validate biomarkers for early cancer detection, risk assessment, and the molecular diagnosis and prognosis of early cancer. The BDLs have responsibility for the development and characterization of new, or the refinement of existing, biomarkers and biomarker assays. The other three main components of the EDRN are: the Biomarker Reference Laboratories (BRLs), which serve as Network resources for clinical and laboratory validation of biomarkers; the Clinical Validation Centers (CVCs), which conduct clinical research on the validation of biomarkers in early cancer detection and risk assessment and serve as resource centers for the EDRN by participating in collaborative biomarker validation studies and collaborating with EDRN BDLs and BRLs; and the Data Management and Coordinating Center (DMCC), which supports statistical and computational analyses, informatics infrastructure, and the coordination of network-wide meetings and conferences.
• Mechanism of Support. This FOA utilizes the NIH Cooperative Agreement (U01) award mechanism. Parallel FOAs for other EDRN components include RFA-CA-09-018 (U01) for CVCs, RFA-CA-09-019 (U24) for BRLs, and RFA-CA-09-020 (U24) for DMCC.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NCI expects to commit $10-11 million per year to fund 20 - 25 BDLs.

• Budget and Project Period. An applicant may request a project period of up to 5 years at a budget of up to $600,000 per year (direct costs).

 

BLOOD & HEMATOLOGIC DISORDERS

Title: Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R01), (R21)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identifications: PA-09-197, PA-09-198
CFDA Numbers: 93.393, 93.394
Links: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-197.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-198.html (R21)

Other index terms: Biomarkers, Cancer

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), encourages research grant applications from institutions/organizations for the development and validation of biomarkers for: a) early detection, prediction of progression, and recurrence of hematopoietic malignancies, especially in high-risk individuals; and, b) for risk assessment of primary and secondary hematopoietic malignancies. This FOA is also encourages the development and improvement of specific technologies and methods for quantitative detection of novel biomarkers associated with hematopoietic malignancies.

This FOA uses the NIH research project R01 grant mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-09-198 that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) Grant mechanism.

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA uses the NIH research project R01 grant mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-09-198 that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) Grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

CANCER

Title: Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R01), (R21)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identifications: PA-09-197, PA-09-198
CFDA Numbers: 93.393, 93.394
Links: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-197.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-198.html (R21)

Other index terms: Biomarkers, Blood & Hematologic Disorders

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), encourages research grant applications from institutions/organizations for the development and validation of biomarkers for: a) early detection, prediction of progression, and recurrence of hematopoietic malignancies, especially in high-risk individuals; and, b) for risk assessment of primary and secondary hematopoietic malignancies. This FOA is also encourages the development and improvement of specific technologies and methods for quantitative detection of novel biomarkers associated with hematopoietic malignancies.

This FOA uses the NIH research project R01 grant mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-09-198 that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) Grant mechanism.

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA uses the NIH research project R01 grant mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-09-198 that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) Grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

 

Title: Junior and Senior Brain Tumor Foundation for Children Scholar Awards
Agency:  Brain Tumor Foundation for Children
Application Deadline: October 1, 2009
Link: www.braintumorkids.org/content/BTFC Scholars Award 2009.pdf

Other index terms: Child & Adolescent Health, Neurosciences

The Brain Tumor Foundation for Children in Atlanta, GA, is currently offering up to $75,000 in “Junior and Senior Brain Tumor Foundation for Children Scholar Awards” ($25,000 and $50,000 respectively) to support research projects that focus on pediatric brain tumor investigation.  We are currently accepting applications – with a deadline of October 1, 2009 – from qualified researchers in the eight southeastern states in which we presently provide services (AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, SC, and TN).  For additional information please visit the Brain Tumor Foundation website: http://www.braintumorkids.org/.

 

Title: Translational Research at the Aging/Cancer Interface (TRACI) (R01)
Agency: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-08-230
CFDA Number: 93.866
Link: http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-10-003.html

Other index terms: Aging, Clinical & Translational Research

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, encourages research grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose translational research in the overlapping areas of human aging and cancer, linking basic and clinical research relevant to the care of older cancer patients through both “bench to bedside” and “bedside to bench” approaches. Ultimately, information from the research supported by this initiative should improve the health and well-being of elderly patients at risk for, or diagnosed with, cancer and decrease the functional impairment and morbidity associated with cancer in this population.
• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the Research Project Grant (R01) grant mechanism and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-08-231, that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
• Budget and Project Period. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 5 years. Applications for R01 awards are not limited in dollars but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed projects. Direct costs of $350,000 annually on average are expected.

 

Title: International Myeloma Foundation Research Grant
Agency: International Myeloma Foundation
Application Deadline: August 31, 2009
Link: http://myeloma.org/main.jsp?source=link&source_link_id=168&type=article&tab_id=1&menu_id=0&id=69

Other index terms: Clinical & Translational Research

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) offers senior and junior research grants. Current year applications must be submitted by August 31, 2009. 
Applications are available in PDF format or in Rich Text (RTF) format, suitable for use in a word processor.

Junior Grant Application	Senior Grant Application
PDF Format	PDF Format
RTF Format	RTF Format

Junior Grant, or the Brian D. Novis Award, provides $50,000 for 1 year. Eligible applicants must have completed postdoctoral studies or clinical training not later than August 1 of the previous year, and be able to devote a minimum of 50% of total effort to the research project during the Award year.

Senior grant provides $80,000 for one year. These awards are targeted to established investigators with a track record in myeloma or related research, and are designed for projects, which represent a different focus, direction or area of research from those in which they are currently funded. In most cases, these awards will be for pilot projects to obtain sufficient funding for larger applications from NIH or similar larger funding agencies.

For additional information please visit the IMF website.

 

 

Title: Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
LOI Deadlines: October 23, 2009; May 23, 2010; October 23, 2010; May 23, 2011; October 23, 2011
Application Deadlines: November 23, 2009; June 23, 2010,November 23, 2010; June 23, 2011; November 23, 2011
PAR Identification: PAR-09-162
CFDA Numbers: 93.393, 93.396
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-162.html

Other index term: Health Differences & Disparities

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) and the Division of Cancer Biology (DCB), at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), invites applications from investigators from diverse populations with interest in research projects focused on the basic biology of cancer. NCI continues to encourage institutions to diversify their faculty populations and thus to increase the participation of individuals currently underrepresented in basic cancer research such as individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research. Institutions are encouraged to identify candidates who will increase diversity on a national or institutional basis. The purpose of this FOA is to close the gap that currently exists between new investigators and NCI R01 funded investigators and to ensure that those who have entered the research pipeline remain in the pipeline. This initiative will also provide a bridge to investigators that have completed their training and may need extra time to develop a full R01 proposal. A major goal of this FOA is to enhance funding opportunities for all investigators including investigators supported by the Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) such as the Career Development Awards, Diversity Supplements and those investigators participating as co-leaders on research projects in the Minority Serving Institution (MSI)/Cancer Center Partnership (MI/CCP) program, and any eligible investigators interested in developing innovative studies in basic cancer biology.

This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism. Applicants with interests in the basic causes and mechanisms underlying cancer health disparities may consider applying for another FOA (PAR-09-160) entitled “Exploratory/Developmental Grants Program for Basic Cancer Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R21)”.

Background
The CRCHD through its Diversity Training Branch (DTB) employs several funding mechanisms providing a continuum of support to investigators from diverse populations designed at increasing the number of competitive investigators in cancer research at NCI. While many of the investigators funded through the K mechanisms have successfully obtained extramural funding there are still a large number that have been unsuccessful at obtaining funding at the R01 level. Therefore, it is imperative to continue to support those investigators actively pursuing basic cancer research studies who do not have substantial preliminary data to be fully competitive at the R01 level; however they could compete at the R21 level with the data they have generated during their training period. The CRCHD in collaboration with the Division of Cancer Biology (DCB) seeks to offer an exploratory grant (R21) mechanism to encourage investigators from diverse populations to submit proposals focused on basic cancer biology.

Specific Research Objectives
Research applications should focus on basic cancer research and cancer health disparities, consistent with the research interests of both the Division of Cancer Biology (DCB, http://dcb.nci.nih.gov/), and the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD, http://crchd.cancer.gov/). The DCB supports research in the broad areas of cancer cell biology, cancer etiology, cancer immunology, and hematology, DNA, and chromosome aberrations, structural biology, and the tumor microenvironment. The CRCHD supports cancer health disparity research that is focused on basic, hypothesis-driven studies that explicitly address the unequal burden of cancer amongst racial/ethnic minorities or other underserved populations across the cancer continuum (prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship).

Research topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

• Investigations of aberrant and/or modified processes that promote cell transformation, proliferation or inhibition of cell death, and the identification of connecting pathways that ensure tumor cell survival
  
• Investigations of cancer-related mechanisms of DNA damage/repair, and related molecular, cytogenetic, epigenetic, and chromosomal effects during induction and progression to malignancy
  
• Investigations of biological and chemical carcinogens and their properties, mechanisms of oncogenesis and carcinogenesis, interactions of oncogenic microbiological agents with their hosts, and basic studies to identify possible targets for preventive or therapeutic measures
  
• Investigations of interactions of cancer cells with the host microenvironment in order to delineate the molecular mechanisms of tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, progression and metastasis
  
• Investigations of the immune response to tumors, hematopoietic differentiation, the biology of hematopoietic tumors (including AIDS lymphomas), and immunologic aspects of bone-marrow transplantation
  
• Investigations of cancer-related structural biology, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, nanotechnology, molecular and cellular imaging, combinatorial chemistry, bioinformatics, computational and mathematical modeling, theoretical approaches to cancer biology and the development of the technologies and software that enable this research
  
• Investigations of genes, proteins, and signaling networks responsible for observed cancer-relevant disparities among human populations in any of the topics listed above.

The NCI recognizes a unique and compelling need to promote diversity in the basic cancer research workforce. Through this FOA, the NIH is particularly interested in encouraging the recruitment and retention of the following classes of candidates:

A. individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; 

B. individuals with disabilities; and

C. individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research.

The R21 mechanism is intended to encourage new exploratory and developmental research projects. For example, such projects could assess the feasibility of a novel area of investigation or a new experimental system that has the potential to enhance health-related research. Another example could include the unique and innovative use of an existing methodology to explore a new scientific area. 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.

Applications for R21 awards should describe projects distinct from those supported through the traditional R01 mechanism. For example, long-term projects, or projects designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area, will not be considered for R21 awards. Applications submitted under this mechanism should be exploratory and novel. These studies should break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.

 

 

Title: The Early Detection Research Network: Biomarker Developmental Laboratories (U01)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
LOI Deadline: September 29 2009
Application Deadline: October 29, 2009
RFA Identification: RFA-CA-09-017
CFDA Number: 93.393, 93.394
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-09-017.html

PRE-APPLICATION MEETING
The NCI anticipates holding a pre-application meeting on September 29, 2009 at 9:00 AM - noon EDT to which all interested prospective applicants are invited. NCI program and review staff members will make presentations to explain the goals and objectives for the NCI Early Detection Research Network and its components, including Biomarker Developmental Laboratories. The discussion will also cover the preparation of applications and the peer review process. An NCI Grants Management Specialist will be available to answer financial questions. The meeting will be videocast with an opportunity for internet viewers to submit questions by e-mail.

• Purpose. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits cooperative agreement applications for Biomarker Developmental Laboratories (BDLs), one of the four components of the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN). EDRN is a national consortium funded to discover, develop, and validate biomarkers for early cancer detection, risk assessment, and the molecular diagnosis and prognosis of early cancer. The BDLs have responsibility for the development and characterization of new, or the refinement of existing, biomarkers and biomarker assays. The other three main components of the EDRN are: the Biomarker Reference Laboratories (BRLs), which serve as Network resources for clinical and laboratory validation of biomarkers; the Clinical Validation Centers (CVCs), which conduct clinical research on the validation of biomarkers in early cancer detection and risk assessment and serve as resource centers for the EDRN by participating in collaborative biomarker validation studies and collaborating with EDRN BDLs and BRLs; and the Data Management and Coordinating Center (DMCC), which supports statistical and computational analyses, informatics infrastructure, and the coordination of network-wide meetings and conferences.
• Mechanism of Support. This FOA utilizes the NIH Cooperative Agreement (U01) award mechanism. Parallel FOAs for other EDRN components include RFA-CA-09-018 (U01) for CVCs, RFA-CA-09-019 (U24) for BRLs, and RFA-CA-09-020 (U24) for DMCC.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NCI expects to commit $10-11 million per year to fund 20 - 25 BDLs.
• Budget and Project Period. An applicant may request a project period of up to 5 years at a budget of up to $600,000 per year (direct costs).

CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH

Title: Barth Syndrome Foundation Announces 2009 Request for Research Proposals
Agency: Barth Syndrome Foundation
Application Deadline:  October 31, 2009
Link: http://www.barthsyndrome.org/english/View.asp?x=1635    

Other index term: Genetics

The Barth Syndrome Foundation, a nonprofit organization that strives to save lives through education, advances in treatment, and pursuit of a cure for Barth syndrome, has announced the availability of funding for research internationally on the natural history, biochemical basis, and treatment of Barth syndrome.

Barth syndrome is a serious X-linked genetic condition associated with cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, skeletal muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, growth delay, and diverse biochemical abnormalities (including defects in mitochondrial metabolism and phospholipid biosynthesis). Because many clinical and biochemical abnormalities of Barth syndrome remain poorly understood, the foundation is seeking proposals for research that may shed light on any aspect of the syndrome.

The foundation is most interested in providing "seed money" to be used by experienced investigators for the testing of initial hypotheses and collection of preliminary data leading to successful long-term funding by the National Institutes of Health and other major granting institutions around the world. In addition, the foundation is especially interested in attracting new investigators to the very interesting field of Barth syndrome research.

The foundation anticipates awarding several one- or two-year grants of up to $40,000 each.  Complete program guidelines are available at the Barth Syndrome Foundation Web site (http://www.barthsyndrome.org/english/View.asp?x=1635).

 

Title: Junior and Senior Brain Tumor Foundation for Children Scholar Awards
Agency: Brain Tumor Foundation for Children
Application Deadline:October 1, 2009
Link: www.braintumorkids.org/content/BTFC Scholars Award 2009.pdf

Other index terms: Cancer, Child & Adolescent Health

The Brain Tumor Foundation for Children in Atlanta, GA, is currently offering up to $75,000 in “Junior and Senior Brain Tumor Foundation for Children Scholar Awards” ($25,000 and $50,000 respectively) to support research projects that focus on pediatric brain tumor investigation.  We are currently accepting applications – with a deadline of October 1, 2009 – from qualified researchers in the eight southeastern states in which we presently provide services (AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, SC, and TN).  For additional information please visit the Brain Tumor Foundation website: http://www.braintumorkids.org/.

CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

 

Title: Bioenergetics, Fatigability, and Activity Limitations in Aging (R01), (R21), (R03)
Agency: National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
CFDA Numbers: 93.866, 93.361, 93.837
PA Identifications: PA-09-190, PA-09-191, PA-09-192
Links: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-190.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-191.html (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-192.html (R03)     

Other index terms: Aging, Epidemiology, Physical Activity/Exercise

This FOA invites applications proposing to investigate the role of specific bioenergetic factors, such as those noted above, in increased fatigability, reduced activity, and diminished sense of well-being in older persons. This FOA also invites applications to test the effects of interventions targeted at such factors on performance capabilities, functional status, and other outcomes that relate to quality of life. Applications submitted in response to this FOA should address fatigability as discussed above, rather than fatigue alone.

Progress in developing interventions to reduce fatigability will likely require a spectrum of translational, clinical, and epidemiologic approaches. Studies to clarify the role of fatigability and bioenergetic factors in major disability and functional limitations are particularly encouraged. Examples of potential study designs and/or corresponding research challenges include, but are not limited to: 

• Case-control or cohort studies exploring associations between alterations in specific bioenergetic factors and fatigue-related limitations in self-reported activities (e.g., walking) and/or performance tests with aging.
• Cross-sectional or longitudinal studies investigating mechanisms by which specific age-related diseases or conditions, alone or in combination, produce changes in bioenergetic factors that result in increased fatigability.
• Studies exploring potential adaptive functions of increased fatigability in specific clinical situations with aging (e.g., increased fatigability in hyperthermia limiting further activity and thermogenesis) and the bioenergetic pathways and/or factors mediating these functions.
• Physiological studies exploring the effects of humoral and/or tissue factors on altered bioenergetics associated with fatigability in older subjects; e.g., influence of cytokines on energy sensing mechanisms, substrate availability, or mitochondrial function.
• Studies investigating the role of central nervous system pathways, and peripheral factors that affect these pathways, in regulating or modulating bioenergetics with aging.
• Projects developing animal models of fatigability with aging and characterization of specific bioenergetic factors in such models.
• Methodologic studies focusing on development of new tools, or improvement of existing tools, to quantify fatigability and specific bioenergetic factors at molecular, cellular, organ, organ system, or individual levels (e.g., real-time measures of mitochondrial function in vivo, more accurate measures of energy expenditure over extended durations through actigaphy, calorimetry, or other functional or metabolic methods.)
• Physiological research to develop and evaluate approaches for quantifying maximum activity capacities in older individuals over short intervals (e.g., during a specific task) or during longer periods (i.e., days to weeks).
• Methodologic studies in older adults leading to development and validation of new or improved instruments for assessing performance fatigability; that is, measuring decrements in performance during objective tests of physical or cognitive function.
• Methodologic studies in older adults leading to development and validation of new or improved instruments for assessing perceived fatigability; that is, either:
• Self-reported fatigue in relation to objectively measured specific activities (e.g., walking, activities of daily living, aerobic or resistance exercise, cognitive tasks) or in relation to integrated measures of energy expenditure (e.g., actigraphy, indirect calorimetry, doubly labeled water) in laboratory and/or community settings;
• Self-reported fatigue in relation to self-reported descriptions of activity. Two examples of existing instruments include the Mobility-T scale (Avlund et al., 1996), in which activities are described qualitatively, and the Situational Fatigue Scale (Yang and Wu, 2005), in which activity levels are quantified.
• Epidemiologic studies to establish normative ranges of fatigability measures in older adults which could be used clinically to identify individuals at risk for long term morbidity and mortality, as well as to stratify individuals for therapeutic intervention.

• Studies evaluating interventions to reduce fatigability as a cause of activity limitations in older adults by targeting mechanisms of altered bioenergetics. Examples may Studies evaluating effects of current treatments for age-related diseases on fatigability and tissue-specific bioenergetic factors; e.g., effects of beta-blockers on performance fatigability and skeletal muscle energy production in subjects with heart failure.  

 

 

Title: International Myeloma Foundation Research Grant
Agency: International Myeloma Foundation
Application Deadline: August 31, 2009
Link: http://myeloma.org/main.jsp?source=link&source_link_id=168&type=article&tab_id=1&menu_id=0&id=69

Other index terms: Cancer

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) offers senior and junior research grants. Current year applications must be submitted by August 31, 2009. 
Applications are available in PDF format or in Rich Text (RTF) format, suitable for use in a word processor.

Junior Grant Application	Senior Grant Application
PDF Format	PDF Format
RTF Format	RTF Format

Junior Grant, or the Brian D. Novis Award, provides $50,000 for 1 year. Eligible applicants must have completed postdoctoral studies or clinical training not later than August 1 of the previous year, and be able to devote a minimum of 50% of total effort to the research project during the Award year.

Senior grant provides $80,000 for one year. These awards are targeted to established investigators with a track record in myeloma or related research, and are designed for projects, which represent a different focus, direction or area of research from those in which they are currently funded. In most cases, these awards will be for pilot projects to obtain sufficient funding for larger applications from NIH or similar larger funding agencies.

For additional information please visit the IMF website.

 

 

Title: Translational Research at the Aging/Cancer Interface (TRACI) (R01)
Agency: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-08-230
CFDA Number: 93.866
Link: http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-10-003.html

Other index terms: Aging, Cancer

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, encourages research grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose translational research in the overlapping areas of human aging and cancer, linking basic and clinical research relevant to the care of older cancer patients through both “bench to bedside” and “bedside to bench” approaches. Ultimately, information from the research supported by this initiative should improve the health and well-being of elderly patients at risk for, or diagnosed with, cancer and decrease the functional impairment and morbidity associated with cancer in this population.
• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the Research Project Grant (R01) grant mechanism and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-08-231, that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
• Budget and Project Period. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 5 years. Applications for R01 awards are not limited in dollars but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed projects. Direct costs of $350,000 annually on average are expected.

DIABETES

Title: Development and Validation of Disease Biomarkers (R01)
Agency:  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-09-204
CFDA Numbers: 93.847, 93.273, 93.361
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-204.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive Disorders & Gastrointestinal Systems, Obesity, Health Disparities & Differences, Renal & Kidney Diseases

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health, will provide resources to validate candidate biomarkers for well-defined human diseases of the liver, kidney, urological tract, and digestive and hematologic systems, as well as endocrine and metabolic disorders, diabetes and its complications, and obesity, for which there are no or very few biomarkers, or for which standard biomarkers are currently prohibitively invasive or expensive. A biomarker is an indicator of a disease process, and could replace hard clinical end points as a measure of the effect of new therapies. Appropriate studies will validate candidate biomarkers in well-defined patient populations, provide new technologies to monitor biomarkers or establish reliable assays for validated markers. Progress in this area has the potential to advance translational research related to efficacy of treatments and bio-behavioral interventions. This FOA is not appropriate for biomarker discovery projects. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism.  Developmental/Exploratory Research (R21) applications within the scientific scope of the FOA can be submitted in response to the NIH Parent R21 PA http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-181.html.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

This initiative includes but is not limited to:

• Studies in well-characterized patients or in biological samples from well-characterized patients, to show that a biomarker or a set of biomarkers is unique for a disease of interest.
• Limited studies in human subjects to determine whether a biomarker correlates well with pathogenesis, disease processes, progression or regression of disease, response to therapy, accepted clinical endpoints, symptom management, etc.
• Studies to design or improve the biomarker assay system to be robust, repeatable, quantitative and translatable to many laboratories, or to fall within costs that are appropriate for clinical use.
• Work to establish sampling or biomarker monitoring strategies that are non-invasive and/or acceptable to patients and clinical staff.

Research objectives include but are not limited to:

• Minimally invasive to non-invasive markers of liver, biliary, pancreas and kidney fibrosis.
• Markers of sensory and autonomic diabetic neuropathy prior to loss of function.
• Markers or imaging methods to detect renal dysfunction at all stages of diabetic nephropathy.
• Markers of liver or kidney cell injury, repair, regeneration and markers that predict drug induced hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, or that can distinguish progressive liver injury from transient adaptive aminotransaminase elevations due to drugs.
• Markers of liver and total body iron and copper accumulation.
• Markers of disease activity for inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, celiac disease, hepatitis (autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, HIV-coinfected hepatitis), cholangitis (PSC, PBC), esophagitis, vasculitis, inflammation in kidney, pancreas, adipose tissue in obesity or diabetes, and chronic wounds secondary to diabetic neuropathy.
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine or serum) based markers for use in diagnosis, prediction of progression, or defining pathophysiology for chronic urologic pain conditions, such as interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers of use to predict risk of development and/or progression of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (i.e., BPH with accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers that may distinguish patient subgroups and various etiologic mechanisms for urologic disorders with overlapping symptom profiles (e.g., IC/PBS, CP/CPPS, and LUTS associated with BPH).
• Markers of gastrointestinal mechanical physiologic function and quantitative dysfunction (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastroparesis).
• Markers of pancreatic beta cell function, mass and inflammation.
• Tissue-specific markers of insulin resistance.
• Tissue-specific markers of angiogenesis (fat, muscle, pancreas, nervous tissue).
• Easily assessable, quantitative markers of liver, pancreas and kidney function, dysfunction, and disease.
• Markers of early transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and tolerance.
• Markers of bile lithogenicity.
• Markers for early detection of hepatocellular dysplasia or early hepatocellular or cholangio-carcinoma.
• Markers for early detection of esophageal intestinal metaplasia or early Barrett's esophagus.
• Markers for the efficacy of bio-behavioral interventions to minimize complications of the identified disease and to increase management of symptoms.
• Examination of the accuracy of biomarkers across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and gender.

 

Titles: NIDDK Small Grants for Clinical Scientists to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R03)
Agency: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
LOI Deadline: 30 days prior to the application due date
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm 
CFDA Number: 93.847
PAR Identification: PAR-09-223
Link:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-223.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive & Gastrointestinal Diseases, Obesity, Renal & Kidney Disease

The overall goal of this R03 is to foster the research careers of clinical scientists who are new investigators from diverse underrepresented groups and who are conducting research within the mission areas of the NIDDK. The objective is to strengthen the capacity for basic, translational and clinical research focused on eliminating health disparities.

High-priority research areas include Type 2 diabetes, obesity, end-stage renal disease, sickle cell disease, hepatitis C virus and liver disease, complications from infection with HIV, peptic ulcer disease and H. Pylori, diseases of the prostate, gallbladder disease, and urinary tract disease. These disorders place a disproportionate health burden on racial and ethnic minority populations and are focal areas of research for the NIDDK.

 

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS & GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEMS

Title: Development and Validation of Disease Biomarkers (R01)
Agency:  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-09-204
CFDA Numbers: 93.847, 93.273, 93.361
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-204.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive Disorders & Gastrointestinal Systems, Obesity, Health Disparities & Differences, Renal & Kidney Diseases

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health, will provide resources to validate candidate biomarkers for well-defined human diseases of the liver, kidney, urological tract, and digestive and hematologic systems, as well as endocrine and metabolic disorders, diabetes and its complications, and obesity, for which there are no or very few biomarkers, or for which standard biomarkers are currently prohibitively invasive or expensive. A biomarker is an indicator of a disease process, and could replace hard clinical end points as a measure of the effect of new therapies. Appropriate studies will validate candidate biomarkers in well-defined patient populations, provide new technologies to monitor biomarkers or establish reliable assays for validated markers. Progress in this area has the potential to advance translational research related to efficacy of treatments and bio-behavioral interventions. This FOA is not appropriate for biomarker discovery projects. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism.  Developmental/Exploratory Research (R21) applications within the scientific scope of the FOA can be submitted in response to the NIH Parent R21 PA http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-181.html.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

This initiative includes but is not limited to:

• Studies in well-characterized patients or in biological samples from well-characterized patients, to show that a biomarker or a set of biomarkers is unique for a disease of interest.
• Limited studies in human subjects to determine whether a biomarker correlates well with pathogenesis, disease processes, progression or regression of disease, response to therapy, accepted clinical endpoints, symptom management, etc.
• Studies to design or improve the biomarker assay system to be robust, repeatable, quantitative and translatable to many laboratories, or to fall within costs that are appropriate for clinical use.
• Work to establish sampling or biomarker monitoring strategies that are non-invasive and/or acceptable to patients and clinical staff.

Research objectives include but are not limited to:

• Minimally invasive to non-invasive markers of liver, biliary, pancreas and kidney fibrosis.
• Markers of sensory and autonomic diabetic neuropathy prior to loss of function.
• Markers or imaging methods to detect renal dysfunction at all stages of diabetic nephropathy.
• Markers of liver or kidney cell injury, repair, regeneration and markers that predict drug induced hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, or that can distinguish progressive liver injury from transient adaptive aminotransaminase elevations due to drugs.
• Markers of liver and total body iron and copper accumulation.
• Markers of disease activity for inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, celiac disease, hepatitis (autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, HIV-coinfected hepatitis), cholangitis (PSC, PBC), esophagitis, vasculitis, inflammation in kidney, pancreas, adipose tissue in obesity or diabetes, and chronic wounds secondary to diabetic neuropathy.
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine or serum) based markers for use in diagnosis, prediction of progression, or defining pathophysiology for chronic urologic pain conditions, such as interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers of use to predict risk of development and/or progression of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (i.e., BPH with accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers that may distinguish patient subgroups and various etiologic mechanisms for urologic disorders with overlapping symptom profiles (e.g., IC/PBS, CP/CPPS, and LUTS associated with BPH).
• Markers of gastrointestinal mechanical physiologic function and quantitative dysfunction (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastroparesis).
• Markers of pancreatic beta cell function, mass and inflammation.
• Tissue-specific markers of insulin resistance.
• Tissue-specific markers of angiogenesis (fat, muscle, pancreas, nervous tissue).
• Easily assessable, quantitative markers of liver, pancreas and kidney function, dysfunction, and disease.
• Markers of early transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and tolerance.
• Markers of bile lithogenicity.
• Markers for early detection of hepatocellular dysplasia or early hepatocellular or cholangio-carcinoma.
• Markers for early detection of esophageal intestinal metaplasia or early Barrett's esophagus.
• Markers for the efficacy of bio-behavioral interventions to minimize complications of the identified disease and to increase management of symptoms.
• Examination of the accuracy of biomarkers across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and gender.

 

 

Titles: NIDDK Small Grants for Clinical Scientists to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R03)
Agency: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
LOI Deadline: 30 days prior to the application due date
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm 
CFDA Number: 93.847
PAR Identification: PAR-09-223
Link:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-223.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive & Gastrointestinal Diseases, Obesity, Renal & Kidney Disease

The overall goal of this R03 is to foster the research careers of clinical scientists who are new investigators from diverse underrepresented groups and who are conducting research within the mission areas of the NIDDK. The objective is to strengthen the capacity for basic, translational and clinical research focused on eliminating health disparities.

High-priority research areas include Type 2 diabetes, obesity, end-stage renal disease, sickle cell disease, hepatitis C virus and liver disease, complications from infection with HIV, peptic ulcer disease and H. Pylori, diseases of the prostate, gallbladder disease, and urinary tract disease. These disorders place a disproportionate health burden on racial and ethnic minority populations and are focal areas of research for the NIDDK.

DRUG DISCOVERY

Title: Request for Proposal
Agency: Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Association for Frontotemporal Dementias
Application Deadline: October 1, 2009
Link: http://www.alzdiscovery.org

Other index terms: Aging, Neurosciences

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD) seek to accelerate and support drug discovery for FTD and related dementias through the Frontotemporal Dementia Drug Discovery Program Request for Proposals.

Research investigating the pathologic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in frontotemporal dementia and related disorders has advanced recently, creating new potential targets for drug discovery. Examples of programs appropriate for this RFP include, but are not limited to, target validation studies, development and testing of novel high throughput screening assays, medicinal chemistry on lead compounds, identification and in vitro testing of potentially disease-modifying lead compounds, testing of lead compounds in a relevant animal model for preclinical proof of concept, development and testing of targeted gene delivery strategies, development of biomarkers to accelerate drug development and early diagnosis, and innovative pilot clinical trials. Funding will not support applications for basic research.

ADDF/AFTD will provide individual grants for one year with the possibility of follow-up funding. Applications may be submitted by nonprofit academic institutions and for-profit biotechnology companies, both public and private, worldwide. Collaborative teams of neuroscientists and researchers in drug discovery disciplines such as medicinal chemistry and drug delivery are also encouraged to apply. For additional information please visit the ADDF Web site or the Link to RFP.

 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Title: Bioenergetics, Fatigability, and Activity Limitations in Aging (R01), (R21), (R03)
Agency: National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
CFDA Numbers: 93.866, 93.361, 93.837
PA Identifications: PA-09-190, PA-09-191, PA-09-192
Links: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-190.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-191.html (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-192.html (R03)     

Other index terms: Aging, Clinical & Translational Research, Physical Activity/Exercise

This FOA invites applications proposing to investigate the role of specific bioenergetic factors, such as those noted above, in increased fatigability, reduced activity, and diminished sense of well-being in older persons. This FOA also invites applications to test the effects of interventions targeted at such factors on performance capabilities, functional status, and other outcomes that relate to quality of life. Applications submitted in response to this FOA should address fatigability as discussed above, rather than fatigue alone.

Progress in developing interventions to reduce fatigability will likely require a spectrum of translational, clinical, and epidemiologic approaches. Studies to clarify the role of fatigability and bioenergetic factors in major disability and functional limitations are particularly encouraged. Examples of potential study designs and/or corresponding research challenges include, but are not limited to: 

• Case-control or cohort studies exploring associations between alterations in specific bioenergetic factors and fatigue-related limitations in self-reported activities (e.g., walking) and/or performance tests with aging.
• Cross-sectional or longitudinal studies investigating mechanisms by which specific age-related diseases or conditions, alone or in combination, produce changes in bioenergetic factors that result in increased fatigability.
• Studies exploring potential adaptive functions of increased fatigability in specific clinical situations with aging (e.g., increased fatigability in hyperthermia limiting further activity and thermogenesis) and the bioenergetic pathways and/or factors mediating these functions.
• Physiological studies exploring the effects of humoral and/or tissue factors on altered bioenergetics associated with fatigability in older subjects; e.g., influence of cytokines on energy sensing mechanisms, substrate availability, or mitochondrial function.
• Studies investigating the role of central nervous system pathways, and peripheral factors that affect these pathways, in regulating or modulating bioenergetics with aging.
• Projects developing animal models of fatigability with aging and characterization of specific bioenergetic factors in such models.
• Methodologic studies focusing on development of new tools, or improvement of existing tools, to quantify fatigability and specific bioenergetic factors at molecular, cellular, organ, organ system, or individual levels (e.g., real-time measures of mitochondrial function in vivo, more accurate measures of energy expenditure over extended durations through actigaphy, calorimetry, or other functional or metabolic methods.)
• Physiological research to develop and evaluate approaches for quantifying maximum activity capacities in older individuals over short intervals (e.g., during a specific task) or during longer periods (i.e., days to weeks).
• Methodologic studies in older adults leading to development and validation of new or improved instruments for assessing performance fatigability; that is, measuring decrements in performance during objective tests of physical or cognitive function.
• Methodologic studies in older adults leading to development and validation of new or improved instruments for assessing perceived fatigability; that is, either:
• Self-reported fatigue in relation to objectively measured specific activities (e.g., walking, activities of daily living, aerobic or resistance exercise, cognitive tasks) or in relation to integrated measures of energy expenditure (e.g., actigraphy, indirect calorimetry, doubly labeled water) in laboratory and/or community settings;
• Self-reported fatigue in relation to self-reported descriptions of activity. Two examples of existing instruments include the Mobility-T scale (Avlund et al., 1996), in which activities are described qualitatively, and the Situational Fatigue Scale (Yang and Wu, 2005), in which activity levels are quantified.
• Epidemiologic studies to establish normative ranges of fatigability measures in older adults which could be used clinically to identify individuals at risk for long term morbidity and mortality, as well as to stratify individuals for therapeutic intervention.

• Studies evaluating interventions to reduce fatigability as a cause of activity limitations in older adults by targeting mechanisms of altered bioenergetics. Examples may Studies evaluating effects of current treatments for age-related diseases on fatigability and tissue-specific bioenergetic factors; e.g., effects of beta-blockers on performance fatigability and skeletal muscle energy production in subjects with heart failure.  

GENETICS

Title: Barth Syndrome Foundation Announces 2009 Request for Research Proposals
Agency: Barth Syndrome Foundation
Application Deadline:  October 31, 2009
Link: http://www.barthsyndrome.org/english/View.asp?x=1635    

Other index term: Child & Adolescent Health

The Barth Syndrome Foundation, a nonprofit organization that strives to save lives through education, advances in treatment, and pursuit of a cure for Barth syndrome, has announced the availability of funding for research internationally on the natural history, biochemical basis, and treatment of Barth syndrome.

Barth syndrome is a serious X-linked genetic condition associated with cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, skeletal muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, growth delay, and diverse biochemical abnormalities (including defects in mitochondrial metabolism and phospholipid biosynthesis). Because many clinical and biochemical abnormalities of Barth syndrome remain poorly understood, the foundation is seeking proposals for research that may shed light on any aspect of the syndrome.

The foundation is most interested in providing "seed money" to be used by experienced investigators for the testing of initial hypotheses and collection of preliminary data leading to successful long-term funding by the National Institutes of Health and other major granting institutions around the world. In addition, the foundation is especially interested in attracting new investigators to the very interesting field of Barth syndrome research.

The foundation anticipates awarding several one- or two-year grants of up to $40,000 each.  Complete program guidelines are available at the Barth Syndrome Foundation Web site (http://www.barthsyndrome.org/english/View.asp?x=1635).

 

 

 

HEALTH DISPARITIES & DIFFERENCES

Title: Development and Validation of Disease Biomarkers (R01)
Agency:  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-09-204
CFDA Numbers: 93.847, 93.273, 93.361
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-204.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive Disorders & Gastrointestinal Systems, Obesity, Health Disparities & Differences, Renal & Kidney Diseases

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health, will provide resources to validate candidate biomarkers for well-defined human diseases of the liver, kidney, urological tract, and digestive and hematologic systems, as well as endocrine and metabolic disorders, diabetes and its complications, and obesity, for which there are no or very few biomarkers, or for which standard biomarkers are currently prohibitively invasive or expensive. A biomarker is an indicator of a disease process, and could replace hard clinical end points as a measure of the effect of new therapies. Appropriate studies will validate candidate biomarkers in well-defined patient populations, provide new technologies to monitor biomarkers or establish reliable assays for validated markers. Progress in this area has the potential to advance translational research related to efficacy of treatments and bio-behavioral interventions. This FOA is not appropriate for biomarker discovery projects. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism.  Developmental/Exploratory Research (R21) applications within the scientific scope of the FOA can be submitted in response to the NIH Parent R21 PA http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-181.html.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

This initiative includes but is not limited to:

• Studies in well-characterized patients or in biological samples from well-characterized patients, to show that a biomarker or a set of biomarkers is unique for a disease of interest.
• Limited studies in human subjects to determine whether a biomarker correlates well with pathogenesis, disease processes, progression or regression of disease, response to therapy, accepted clinical endpoints, symptom management, etc.
• Studies to design or improve the biomarker assay system to be robust, repeatable, quantitative and translatable to many laboratories, or to fall within costs that are appropriate for clinical use.
• Work to establish sampling or biomarker monitoring strategies that are non-invasive and/or acceptable to patients and clinical staff.

Research objectives include but are not limited to:

• Minimally invasive to non-invasive markers of liver, biliary, pancreas and kidney fibrosis.
• Markers of sensory and autonomic diabetic neuropathy prior to loss of function.
• Markers or imaging methods to detect renal dysfunction at all stages of diabetic nephropathy.
• Markers of liver or kidney cell injury, repair, regeneration and markers that predict drug induced hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, or that can distinguish progressive liver injury from transient adaptive aminotransaminase elevations due to drugs.
• Markers of liver and total body iron and copper accumulation.
• Markers of disease activity for inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, celiac disease, hepatitis (autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, HIV-coinfected hepatitis), cholangitis (PSC, PBC), esophagitis, vasculitis, inflammation in kidney, pancreas, adipose tissue in obesity or diabetes, and chronic wounds secondary to diabetic neuropathy.
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine or serum) based markers for use in diagnosis, prediction of progression, or defining pathophysiology for chronic urologic pain conditions, such as interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers of use to predict risk of development and/or progression of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (i.e., BPH with accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers that may distinguish patient subgroups and various etiologic mechanisms for urologic disorders with overlapping symptom profiles (e.g., IC/PBS, CP/CPPS, and LUTS associated with BPH).
• Markers of gastrointestinal mechanical physiologic function and quantitative dysfunction (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastroparesis).
• Markers of pancreatic beta cell function, mass and inflammation.
• Tissue-specific markers of insulin resistance.
• Tissue-specific markers of angiogenesis (fat, muscle, pancreas, nervous tissue).
• Easily assessable, quantitative markers of liver, pancreas and kidney function, dysfunction, and disease.
• Markers of early transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and tolerance.
• Markers of bile lithogenicity.
• Markers for early detection of hepatocellular dysplasia or early hepatocellular or cholangio-carcinoma.
• Markers for early detection of esophageal intestinal metaplasia or early Barrett's esophagus.
• Markers for the efficacy of bio-behavioral interventions to minimize complications of the identified disease and to increase management of symptoms.
• Examination of the accuracy of biomarkers across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and gender.

 

Title: Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
LOI Deadlines: October 23, 2009; May 23, 2010; October 23, 2010; May 23, 2011; October 23, 2011
Application Deadlines: November 23, 2009; June 23, 2010,November 23, 2010; June 23, 2011; November 23, 2011
PAR Identification: PAR-09-162
CFDA Numbers: 93.393, 93.396
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-162.html

Other index term: Cancer

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) and the Division of Cancer Biology (DCB), at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), invites applications from investigators from diverse populations with interest in research projects focused on the basic biology of cancer. NCI continues to encourage institutions to diversify their faculty populations and thus to increase the participation of individuals currently underrepresented in basic cancer research such as individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research. Institutions are encouraged to identify candidates who will increase diversity on a national or institutional basis. The purpose of this FOA is to close the gap that currently exists between new investigators and NCI R01 funded investigators and to ensure that those who have entered the research pipeline remain in the pipeline. This initiative will also provide a bridge to investigators that have completed their training and may need extra time to develop a full R01 proposal. A major goal of this FOA is to enhance funding opportunities for all investigators including investigators supported by the Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) such as the Career Development Awards, Diversity Supplements and those investigators participating as co-leaders on research projects in the Minority Serving Institution (MSI)/Cancer Center Partnership (MI/CCP) program, and any eligible investigators interested in developing innovative studies in basic cancer biology.

This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism. Applicants with interests in the basic causes and mechanisms underlying cancer health disparities may consider applying for another FOA (PAR-09-160) entitled “Exploratory/Developmental Grants Program for Basic Cancer Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R21)”.

Background
The CRCHD through its Diversity Training Branch (DTB) employs several funding mechanisms providing a continuum of support to investigators from diverse populations designed at increasing the number of competitive investigators in cancer research at NCI. While many of the investigators funded through the K mechanisms have successfully obtained extramural funding there are still a large number that have been unsuccessful at obtaining funding at the R01 level. Therefore, it is imperative to continue to support those investigators actively pursuing basic cancer research studies who do not have substantial preliminary data to be fully competitive at the R01 level; however they could compete at the R21 level with the data they have generated during their training period. The CRCHD in collaboration with the Division of Cancer Biology (DCB) seeks to offer an exploratory grant (R21) mechanism to encourage investigators from diverse populations to submit proposals focused on basic cancer biology.

Specific Research Objectives
Research applications should focus on basic cancer research and cancer health disparities, consistent with the research interests of both the Division of Cancer Biology (DCB, http://dcb.nci.nih.gov/), and the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD, http://crchd.cancer.gov/). The DCB supports research in the broad areas of cancer cell biology, cancer etiology, cancer immunology, and hematology, DNA, and chromosome aberrations, structural biology, and the tumor microenvironment. The CRCHD supports cancer health disparity research that is focused on basic, hypothesis-driven studies that explicitly address the unequal burden of cancer amongst racial/ethnic minorities or other underserved populations across the cancer continuum (prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship).

Research topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

• Investigations of aberrant and/or modified processes that promote cell transformation, proliferation or inhibition of cell death, and the identification of connecting pathways that ensure tumor cell survival
  
• Investigations of cancer-related mechanisms of DNA damage/repair, and related molecular, cytogenetic, epigenetic, and chromosomal effects during induction and progression to malignancy
  
• Investigations of biological and chemical carcinogens and their properties, mechanisms of oncogenesis and carcinogenesis, interactions of oncogenic microbiological agents with their hosts, and basic studies to identify possible targets for preventive or therapeutic measures
  
• Investigations of interactions of cancer cells with the host microenvironment in order to delineate the molecular mechanisms of tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, progression and metastasis
  
• Investigations of the immune response to tumors, hematopoietic differentiation, the biology of hematopoietic tumors (including AIDS lymphomas), and immunologic aspects of bone-marrow transplantation
  
• Investigations of cancer-related structural biology, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, nanotechnology, molecular and cellular imaging, combinatorial chemistry, bioinformatics, computational and mathematical modeling, theoretical approaches to cancer biology and the development of the technologies and software that enable this research
  
• Investigations of genes, proteins, and signaling networks responsible for observed cancer-relevant disparities among human populations in any of the topics listed above.

The NCI recognizes a unique and compelling need to promote diversity in the basic cancer research workforce. Through this FOA, the NIH is particularly interested in encouraging the recruitment and retention of the following classes of candidates:

A. individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; 

B. individuals with disabilities; and

C. individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research.

The R21 mechanism is intended to encourage new exploratory and developmental research projects. For example, such projects could assess the feasibility of a novel area of investigation or a new experimental system that has the potential to enhance health-related research. Another example could include the unique and innovative use of an existing methodology to explore a new scientific area. 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.

Applications for R21 awards should describe projects distinct from those supported through the traditional R01 mechanism. For example, long-term projects, or projects designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area, will not be considered for R21 awards. Applications submitted under this mechanism should be exploratory and novel. These studies should break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.

 

 

Titles: NIDDK Small Grants for Clinical Scientists to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R03)
Agency: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
LOI Deadline: 30 days prior to the application due date
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm 
CFDA Number: 93.847
PAR Identification: PAR-09-223
Link:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-223.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive & Gastrointestinal Diseases, Obesity, Renal & Kidney Disease

The overall goal of this R03 is to foster the research careers of clinical scientists who are new investigators from diverse underrepresented groups and who are conducting research within the mission areas of the NIDDK. The objective is to strengthen the capacity for basic, translational and clinical research focused on eliminating health disparities.

High-priority research areas include Type 2 diabetes, obesity, end-stage renal disease, sickle cell disease, hepatitis C virus and liver disease, complications from infection with HIV, peptic ulcer disease and H. Pylori, diseases of the prostate, gallbladder disease, and urinary tract disease. These disorders place a disproportionate health burden on racial and ethnic minority populations and are focal areas of research for the NIDDK.

IMMUNE MECHANISMS

Title: Partnerships for Biodefense Food- and Water-borne Diseases (R01)
Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
LOI Deadline: August 24, 2009
Application Deadline: September 23, 2009
RFA Identification:  RFA-AI-09-027
CFDA Number:  93.856
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-09-027.html  

Other index terms: Biodefense & Public Health, Infectious Diseases

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites research applications for projects that support development of therapeutics, immunotherapeutics, medical diagnostics and broad-spectrum vaccines for NIAID Category B food- and water-borne priority pathogens and toxins (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/BiodefenseRelated/Biodefense/research/CatA.htm).

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the R01 grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIAID intends to commit $7.3 million in total costs in FY2010 to fund five to ten applications in response to this FOA. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary.

• Budget and Project Period. The annual direct costs that can be requested may not exceed $750,000 without prior approval by program staff. Requested budgets must be justified by the proposed research and will be evaluated by the review panel and program staff. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 5 years.

Purpose
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports extramural research focused on understanding, controlling and preventing diseases caused by virtually all infectious agents. In response to threats presented by bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases, the NIAID Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) has established research programs to facilitate development of countermeasures for select pathogens and toxins.

Through this FOA, the NIAID invites research applications for projects that will lead to development of new and/or novel therapeutics, immunotherapeutics, medical diagnostics, or broad spectrum vaccines focused on the following NIAID Category B food- and water-borne priority pathogens and toxins:

Bacteria

• Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
• Pathogenic vibrios
• Shigella species
• Salmonella
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Yersinia enterocolitica

Viruses

• Caliciviruses
• Noroviruses

Protozoa

• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Toxoplasma gondii

Toxins

• Staphylococcus enterotoxin B
• Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin

Research may include, but is not limited to: target identification and/or validation; adaptation of products or platform technologies to biodefense applications; development of broad spectrum platforms and/or production technologies; optimization of products; process development; preclinical evaluation; scale-up; and production of quantities sufficient for preclinical regulatory requirements. Applications that include collaborations between researchers from different disciplines and/or with industry are strongly encouraged.

The NIAID recognizes that the inherent nature and demands of the product development process may require funding large, complex grants with interdependent specific aims. Furthermore, some aspects of the product development process (e.g., Good Laboratory Practice [GLP] or current Good Manufacturing Practice [cGMP] production) are inherently not innovative. Research projects funded under this FOA will be implemented in accordance with the defined project goals, interim objectives/development milestones, and the timeline for the achievement of goals and milestones. Knowing that product development is often an iterative and sequential process, and that steps early in the process may not be successful and may need to be modified or reworked, NIAID staff will be actively involved in evaluating the milestones of awardees and determining whether continued investment in the development is warranted. When appropriate, research projects funded under this FOA will incorporate measures that are consistent with the guidelines that govern Good Laboratory Practice (GLP as defined by 21 CFR(58)) and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP as defined by 21 CFR(211)).

Partnerships
A key component of this initiative is the formation of collaborative partnerships between academic researchers from different disciplines or with industry. For the purpose of this FOA, "industry" is defined as large or small, domestic or foreign, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, bioengineering, and chemical companies. Since academic organizations are often the source of new candidate products, this FOA will also support a partnership between industry and collaborator(s) as necessary from academic (or non-profit) research organizations. For this FOA, partnerships are strongly encouraged, but not required. The Principal Investigator of the project may be affiliated with industry, an academic organization or non-profit research organization.

Applications submitted to this FOA will include a Product Development Plan (PDP) to assist reviewers and program staff in project evaluation. The PDP will define the general goals of the project, intended use/indication of the proposed therapeutic or diagnostic, and biodefense/public health gap the product is intended to fill. Additionally, the PDP will detail the stage-specific product development activities that will be performed during the project period and outline plans for further development after completion of the project.

 

Title: Recovery Act Limited Competition: Protection of Human Health by Immunology and Vaccines (U01, U19)
Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
LOI Deadline: September 15, 2009
Application Deadline: October 15, 2009
RFA Identification: RFA-AI-09-040
CFDA Number: 93.701
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-09-040.html

Other index terms: Bioinformatics, Infectious Diseases, Systems Biology

This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), supported by funds provided to the NIH under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act” or “ARRA”), Public Law 111-5, invites new applications from single domestic institutions, or consortia of institutions, to participate in creating a network of human immunology profiling research groups. Applications are sought that propose to study human immune responses (1) following infection, (2) prior to and following vaccination against an infectious disease, or (3) prior to and following treatment with an immune adjuvant that targets a known innate immune receptor(s). The purpose of this FOA is to capitalize on recent advances in immune profiling to measure the diversity of human immune responses under a variety of conditions, using bioinformatic, multiplex, and/or systems biology approaches to study samples from well-characterized human cohorts and to measure aspects of the human transcriptome and/or proteome. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the U01 and U19 cooperative agreement grant mechanisms.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIAID intends to commit approximately $20 million in total costs (direct plus indirect costs) in fiscal year 2010, which includes support for an Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund of up to $2 million total costs in year one and up to $5 million total costs in years two through five. The Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund will support consortium infrastructure, collaborative projects, pilot projects, and new research opportunities that arise post-award. Recovery Act funds will be used to support this FOA in fiscal year 2010 only; the NIAID will provide funds for four future years (FY 2011-2014). The NIAID anticipates that 6-10 awards will be made for fiscal year 2010, pending the number and quality of applications and the availability of funds.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Title: Partnerships for Biodefense Food- and Water-borne Diseases (R01)
Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
LOI Deadline: August 24, 2009
Application Deadline: September 23, 2009
RFA Identification:  RFA-AI-09-027
CFDA Number:  93.856
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-09-027.html  

Other index terms: Biodefence & Public Health, Immune Mechanisms

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites research applications for projects that support development of therapeutics, immunotherapeutics, medical diagnostics and broad-spectrum vaccines for NIAID Category B food- and water-borne priority pathogens and toxins (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/BiodefenseRelated/Biodefense/research/CatA.htm).

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the R01 grant mechanism.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIAID intends to commit $7.3 million in total costs in FY2010 to fund five to ten applications in response to this FOA. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary.

• Budget and Project Period. The annual direct costs that can be requested may not exceed $750,000 without prior approval by program staff. Requested budgets must be justified by the proposed research and will be evaluated by the review panel and program staff. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 5 years.

Purpose
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports extramural research focused on understanding, controlling and preventing diseases caused by virtually all infectious agents. In response to threats presented by bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases, the NIAID Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) has established research programs to facilitate development of countermeasures for select pathogens and toxins.

Through this FOA, the NIAID invites research applications for projects that will lead to development of new and/or novel therapeutics, immunotherapeutics, medical diagnostics, or broad spectrum vaccines focused on the following NIAID Category B food- and water-borne priority pathogens and toxins:

Bacteria

• Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
• Pathogenic vibrios
• Shigella species
• Salmonella
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Yersinia enterocolitica

Viruses

• Caliciviruses
• Noroviruses

Protozoa

• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Toxoplasma gondii

Toxins

• Staphylococcus enterotoxin B
• Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin

Research may include, but is not limited to: target identification and/or validation; adaptation of products or platform technologies to biodefense applications; development of broad spectrum platforms and/or production technologies; optimization of products; process development; preclinical evaluation; scale-up; and production of quantities sufficient for preclinical regulatory requirements. Applications that include collaborations between researchers from different disciplines and/or with industry are strongly encouraged.

The NIAID recognizes that the inherent nature and demands of the product development process may require funding large, complex grants with interdependent specific aims. Furthermore, some aspects of the product development process (e.g., Good Laboratory Practice [GLP] or current Good Manufacturing Practice [cGMP] production) are inherently not innovative. Research projects funded under this FOA will be implemented in accordance with the defined project goals, interim objectives/development milestones, and the timeline for the achievement of goals and milestones. Knowing that product development is often an iterative and sequential process, and that steps early in the process may not be successful and may need to be modified or reworked, NIAID staff will be actively involved in evaluating the milestones of awardees and determining whether continued investment in the development is warranted. When appropriate, research projects funded under this FOA will incorporate measures that are consistent with the guidelines that govern Good Laboratory Practice (GLP as defined by 21 CFR(58)) and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP as defined by 21 CFR(211)).

Partnerships
A key component of this initiative is the formation of collaborative partnerships between academic researchers from different disciplines or with industry. For the purpose of this FOA, "industry" is defined as large or small, domestic or foreign, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, bioengineering, and chemical companies. Since academic organizations are often the source of new candidate products, this FOA will also support a partnership between industry and collaborator(s) as necessary from academic (or non-profit) research organizations. For this FOA, partnerships are strongly encouraged, but not required. The Principal Investigator of the project may be affiliated with industry, an academic organization or non-profit research organization.

Applications submitted to this FOA will include a Product Development Plan (PDP) to assist reviewers and program staff in project evaluation. The PDP will define the general goals of the project, intended use/indication of the proposed therapeutic or diagnostic, and biodefense/public health gap the product is intended to fill. Additionally, the PDP will detail the stage-specific product development activities that will be performed during the project period and outline plans for further development after completion of the project.

 

 

Title: Recovery Act Limited Competition: Protection of Human Health by Immunology and Vaccines (U01, U19)
Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
LOI Deadline: September 15, 2009
Application Deadline: October 15, 2009
RFA Identification: RFA-AI-09-040
CFDA Number: 93.701
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-09-040.html

Other index terms: Bioinformatics, Infectious Diseases, Systems Biology

This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), supported by funds provided to the NIH under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act” or “ARRA”), Public Law 111-5, invites new applications from single domestic institutions, or consortia of institutions, to participate in creating a network of human immunology profiling research groups. Applications are sought that propose to study human immune responses (1) following infection, (2) prior to and following vaccination against an infectious disease, or (3) prior to and following treatment with an immune adjuvant that targets a known innate immune receptor(s). The purpose of this FOA is to capitalize on recent advances in immune profiling to measure the diversity of human immune responses under a variety of conditions, using bioinformatic, multiplex, and/or systems biology approaches to study samples from well-characterized human cohorts and to measure aspects of the human transcriptome and/or proteome. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the U01 and U19 cooperative agreement grant mechanisms.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIAID intends to commit approximately $20 million in total costs (direct plus indirect costs) in fiscal year 2010, which includes support for an Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund of up to $2 million total costs in year one and up to $5 million total costs in years two through five. The Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund will support consortium infrastructure, collaborative projects, pilot projects, and new research opportunities that arise post-award. Recovery Act funds will be used to support this FOA in fiscal year 2010 only; the NIAID will provide funds for four future years (FY 2011-2014). The NIAID anticipates that 6-10 awards will be made for fiscal year 2010, pending the number and quality of applications and the availability of funds.

NEUROSCIENCES

Title: Request for Proposal
Agency: Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Association for Frontotemporal Dementias
Application Deadline: October 1, 2009
Link: http://www.alzdiscovery.org

Other index terms: Aging, Neurosciences

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD) seek to accelerate and support drug discovery for FTD and related dementias through the Frontotemporal Dementia Drug Discovery Program Request for Proposals.

Research investigating the pathologic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in frontotemporal dementia and related disorders has advanced recently, creating new potential targets for drug discovery. Examples of programs appropriate for this RFP include, but are not limited to, target validation studies, development and testing of novel high throughput screening assays, medicinal chemistry on lead compounds, identification and in vitro testing of potentially disease-modifying lead compounds, testing of lead compounds in a relevant animal model for preclinical proof of concept, development and testing of targeted gene delivery strategies, development of biomarkers to accelerate drug development and early diagnosis, and innovative pilot clinical trials. Funding will not support applications for basic research.

ADDF/AFTD will provide individual grants for one year with the possibility of follow-up funding. Applications may be submitted by nonprofit academic institutions and for-profit biotechnology companies, both public and private, worldwide. Collaborative teams of neuroscientists and researchers in drug discovery disciplines such as medicinal chemistry and drug delivery are also encouraged to apply. For additional information please visit the ADDF Web site or the Link to RFP.

 

 

Title: Junior and Senior Brain Tumor Foundation for Children Scholar Awards
Agency: Brain Tumor Foundation for Children
Application Deadline: October 1, 2009
Link: www.braintumorkids.org/content/BTFC Scholars Award 2009.pdf

Other index terms: Cancer, Child & Adolescent Health

The Brain Tumor Foundation for Children in Atlanta, GA, is currently offering up to $75,000 in “Junior and Senior Brain Tumor Foundation for Children Scholar Awards” ($25,000 and $50,000 respectively) to support research projects that focus on pediatric brain tumor investigation.  We are currently accepting applications – with a deadline of October 1, 2009 – from qualified researchers in the eight southeastern states in which we presently provide services (AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, SC, and TN).  For additional information please visit the Brain Tumor Foundation website: http://www.braintumorkids.org/.

OBESITY

Title: Development and Validation of Disease Biomarkers (R01)
Agency:  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-09-204
CFDA Numbers: 93.847, 93.273, 93.361
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-204.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive Disorders & Gastrointestinal Systems, Obesity, Health Disparities & Differences, Renal & Kidney Diseases

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health, will provide resources to validate candidate biomarkers for well-defined human diseases of the liver, kidney, urological tract, and digestive and hematologic systems, as well as endocrine and metabolic disorders, diabetes and its complications, and obesity, for which there are no or very few biomarkers, or for which standard biomarkers are currently prohibitively invasive or expensive. A biomarker is an indicator of a disease process, and could replace hard clinical end points as a measure of the effect of new therapies. Appropriate studies will validate candidate biomarkers in well-defined patient populations, provide new technologies to monitor biomarkers or establish reliable assays for validated markers. Progress in this area has the potential to advance translational research related to efficacy of treatments and bio-behavioral interventions. This FOA is not appropriate for biomarker discovery projects. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism.  Developmental/Exploratory Research (R21) applications within the scientific scope of the FOA can be submitted in response to the NIH Parent R21 PA http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-181.html.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

This initiative includes but is not limited to:

• Studies in well-characterized patients or in biological samples from well-characterized patients, to show that a biomarker or a set of biomarkers is unique for a disease of interest.
• Limited studies in human subjects to determine whether a biomarker correlates well with pathogenesis, disease processes, progression or regression of disease, response to therapy, accepted clinical endpoints, symptom management, etc.
• Studies to design or improve the biomarker assay system to be robust, repeatable, quantitative and translatable to many laboratories, or to fall within costs that are appropriate for clinical use.
• Work to establish sampling or biomarker monitoring strategies that are non-invasive and/or acceptable to patients and clinical staff.

Research objectives include but are not limited to:

• Minimally invasive to non-invasive markers of liver, biliary, pancreas and kidney fibrosis.
• Markers of sensory and autonomic diabetic neuropathy prior to loss of function.
• Markers or imaging methods to detect renal dysfunction at all stages of diabetic nephropathy.
• Markers of liver or kidney cell injury, repair, regeneration and markers that predict drug induced hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, or that can distinguish progressive liver injury from transient adaptive aminotransaminase elevations due to drugs.
• Markers of liver and total body iron and copper accumulation.
• Markers of disease activity for inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, celiac disease, hepatitis (autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, HIV-coinfected hepatitis), cholangitis (PSC, PBC), esophagitis, vasculitis, inflammation in kidney, pancreas, adipose tissue in obesity or diabetes, and chronic wounds secondary to diabetic neuropathy.
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine or serum) based markers for use in diagnosis, prediction of progression, or defining pathophysiology for chronic urologic pain conditions, such as interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers of use to predict risk of development and/or progression of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (i.e., BPH with accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers that may distinguish patient subgroups and various etiologic mechanisms for urologic disorders with overlapping symptom profiles (e.g., IC/PBS, CP/CPPS, and LUTS associated with BPH).
• Markers of gastrointestinal mechanical physiologic function and quantitative dysfunction (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastroparesis).
• Markers of pancreatic beta cell function, mass and inflammation.
• Tissue-specific markers of insulin resistance.
• Tissue-specific markers of angiogenesis (fat, muscle, pancreas, nervous tissue).
• Easily assessable, quantitative markers of liver, pancreas and kidney function, dysfunction, and disease.
• Markers of early transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and tolerance.
• Markers of bile lithogenicity.
• Markers for early detection of hepatocellular dysplasia or early hepatocellular or cholangio-carcinoma.
• Markers for early detection of esophageal intestinal metaplasia or early Barrett's esophagus.
• Markers for the efficacy of bio-behavioral interventions to minimize complications of the identified disease and to increase management of symptoms.
• Examination of the accuracy of biomarkers across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and gender.

 

 

Titles: NIDDK Small Grants for Clinical Scientists to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R03)
Agency: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
LOI Deadline: 30 days prior to the application due date
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm 
CFDA Number: 93.847
PAR Identification: PAR-09-223
Link:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-223.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive & Gastrointestinal Diseases, Obesity, Renal & Kidney Disease

The overall goal of this R03 is to foster the research careers of clinical scientists who are new investigators from diverse underrepresented groups and who are conducting research within the mission areas of the NIDDK. The objective is to strengthen the capacity for basic, translational and clinical research focused on eliminating health disparities.

High-priority research areas include Type 2 diabetes, obesity, end-stage renal disease, sickle cell disease, hepatitis C virus and liver disease, complications from infection with HIV, peptic ulcer disease and H. Pylori, diseases of the prostate, gallbladder disease, and urinary tract disease. These disorders place a disproportionate health burden on racial and ethnic minority populations and are focal areas of research for the NIDDK.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/EXERCISE

Title: Bioenergetics, Fatigability, and Activity Limitations in Aging (R01), (R21), (R03)
Agency: National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
CFDA Numbers: 93.866, 93.361, 93.837
PA Identifications: PA-09-190, PA-09-191, PA-09-192
Links: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-190.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-191.html (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-192.html (R03)     

Other index terms: Aging, Clinical & Translational Research, Epidemiology

This FOA invites applications proposing to investigate the role of specific bioenergetic factors, such as those noted above, in increased fatigability, reduced activity, and diminished sense of well-being in older persons. This FOA also invites applications to test the effects of interventions targeted at such factors on performance capabilities, functional status, and other outcomes that relate to quality of life. Applications submitted in response to this FOA should address fatigability as discussed above, rather than fatigue alone.

Progress in developing interventions to reduce fatigability will likely require a spectrum of translational, clinical, and epidemiologic approaches. Studies to clarify the role of fatigability and bioenergetic factors in major disability and functional limitations are particularly encouraged. Examples of potential study designs and/or corresponding research challenges include, but are not limited to: 

• Case-control or cohort studies exploring associations between alterations in specific bioenergetic factors and fatigue-related limitations in self-reported activities (e.g., walking) and/or performance tests with aging.
• Cross-sectional or longitudinal studies investigating mechanisms by which specific age-related diseases or conditions, alone or in combination, produce changes in bioenergetic factors that result in increased fatigability.
• Studies exploring potential adaptive functions of increased fatigability in specific clinical situations with aging (e.g., increased fatigability in hyperthermia limiting further activity and thermogenesis) and the bioenergetic pathways and/or factors mediating these functions.
• Physiological studies exploring the effects of humoral and/or tissue factors on altered bioenergetics associated with fatigability in older subjects; e.g., influence of cytokines on energy sensing mechanisms, substrate availability, or mitochondrial function.
• Studies investigating the role of central nervous system pathways, and peripheral factors that affect these pathways, in regulating or modulating bioenergetics with aging.
• Projects developing animal models of fatigability with aging and characterization of specific bioenergetic factors in such models.
• Methodologic studies focusing on development of new tools, or improvement of existing tools, to quantify fatigability and specific bioenergetic factors at molecular, cellular, organ, organ system, or individual levels (e.g., real-time measures of mitochondrial function in vivo, more accurate measures of energy expenditure over extended durations through actigaphy, calorimetry, or other functional or metabolic methods.)
• Physiological research to develop and evaluate approaches for quantifying maximum activity capacities in older individuals over short intervals (e.g., during a specific task) or during longer periods (i.e., days to weeks).
• Methodologic studies in older adults leading to development and validation of new or improved instruments for assessing performance fatigability; that is, measuring decrements in performance during objective tests of physical or cognitive function.
• Methodologic studies in older adults leading to development and validation of new or improved instruments for assessing perceived fatigability; that is, either:
• Self-reported fatigue in relation to objectively measured specific activities (e.g., walking, activities of daily living, aerobic or resistance exercise, cognitive tasks) or in relation to integrated measures of energy expenditure (e.g., actigraphy, indirect calorimetry, doubly labeled water) in laboratory and/or community settings;
• Self-reported fatigue in relation to self-reported descriptions of activity. Two examples of existing instruments include the Mobility-T scale (Avlund et al., 1996), in which activities are described qualitatively, and the Situational Fatigue Scale (Yang and Wu, 2005), in which activity levels are quantified.
• Epidemiologic studies to establish normative ranges of fatigability measures in older adults which could be used clinically to identify individuals at risk for long term morbidity and mortality, as well as to stratify individuals for therapeutic intervention.

• Studies evaluating interventions to reduce fatigability as a cause of activity limitations in older adults by targeting mechanisms of altered bioenergetics. Examples may Studies evaluating effects of current treatments for age-related diseases on fatigability and tissue-specific bioenergetic factors; e.g., effects of beta-blockers on performance fatigability and skeletal muscle energy production in subjects with heart failure.  

RENAL & KIDNEY DISEASE

Title: Development and Validation of Disease Biomarkers (R01)
Agency:  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PA Identification: PA-09-204
CFDA Numbers: 93.847, 93.273, 93.361
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-204.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive Disorders & Gastrointestinal Systems, Obesity, Health Disparities & Differences, Renal & Kidney Diseases

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health, will provide resources to validate candidate biomarkers for well-defined human diseases of the liver, kidney, urological tract, and digestive and hematologic systems, as well as endocrine and metabolic disorders, diabetes and its complications, and obesity, for which there are no or very few biomarkers, or for which standard biomarkers are currently prohibitively invasive or expensive. A biomarker is an indicator of a disease process, and could replace hard clinical end points as a measure of the effect of new therapies. Appropriate studies will validate candidate biomarkers in well-defined patient populations, provide new technologies to monitor biomarkers or establish reliable assays for validated markers. Progress in this area has the potential to advance translational research related to efficacy of treatments and bio-behavioral interventions. This FOA is not appropriate for biomarker discovery projects. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism.  Developmental/Exploratory Research (R21) applications within the scientific scope of the FOA can be submitted in response to the NIH Parent R21 PA http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-181.html.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

This initiative includes but is not limited to:

• Studies in well-characterized patients or in biological samples from well-characterized patients, to show that a biomarker or a set of biomarkers is unique for a disease of interest.
• Limited studies in human subjects to determine whether a biomarker correlates well with pathogenesis, disease processes, progression or regression of disease, response to therapy, accepted clinical endpoints, symptom management, etc.
• Studies to design or improve the biomarker assay system to be robust, repeatable, quantitative and translatable to many laboratories, or to fall within costs that are appropriate for clinical use.
• Work to establish sampling or biomarker monitoring strategies that are non-invasive and/or acceptable to patients and clinical staff.

Research objectives include but are not limited to:

• Minimally invasive to non-invasive markers of liver, biliary, pancreas and kidney fibrosis.
• Markers of sensory and autonomic diabetic neuropathy prior to loss of function.
• Markers or imaging methods to detect renal dysfunction at all stages of diabetic nephropathy.
• Markers of liver or kidney cell injury, repair, regeneration and markers that predict drug induced hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, or that can distinguish progressive liver injury from transient adaptive aminotransaminase elevations due to drugs.
• Markers of liver and total body iron and copper accumulation.
• Markers of disease activity for inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, celiac disease, hepatitis (autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, HIV-coinfected hepatitis), cholangitis (PSC, PBC), esophagitis, vasculitis, inflammation in kidney, pancreas, adipose tissue in obesity or diabetes, and chronic wounds secondary to diabetic neuropathy.
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine or serum) based markers for use in diagnosis, prediction of progression, or defining pathophysiology for chronic urologic pain conditions, such as interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers of use to predict risk of development and/or progression of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (i.e., BPH with accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• Genomic and tissue (e.g., urine and serum) based markers that may distinguish patient subgroups and various etiologic mechanisms for urologic disorders with overlapping symptom profiles (e.g., IC/PBS, CP/CPPS, and LUTS associated with BPH).
• Markers of gastrointestinal mechanical physiologic function and quantitative dysfunction (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastroparesis).
• Markers of pancreatic beta cell function, mass and inflammation.
• Tissue-specific markers of insulin resistance.
• Tissue-specific markers of angiogenesis (fat, muscle, pancreas, nervous tissue).
• Easily assessable, quantitative markers of liver, pancreas and kidney function, dysfunction, and disease.
• Markers of early transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and tolerance.
• Markers of bile lithogenicity.
• Markers for early detection of hepatocellular dysplasia or early hepatocellular or cholangio-carcinoma.
• Markers for early detection of esophageal intestinal metaplasia or early Barrett's esophagus.
• Markers for the efficacy of bio-behavioral interventions to minimize complications of the identified disease and to increase management of symptoms.
• Examination of the accuracy of biomarkers across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and gender.

 

 

Titles: NIDDK Small Grants for Clinical Scientists to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R03)
Agency: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
LOI Deadline: 30 days prior to the application due date
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm 
CFDA Number: 93.847
PAR Identification: PAR-09-223
Link:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-223.html

Other index terms: Diabetes, Digestive & Gastrointestinal Diseases, Obesity, Renal & Kidney Disease

The overall goal of this R03 is to foster the research careers of clinical scientists who are new investigators from diverse underrepresented groups and who are conducting research within the mission areas of the NIDDK. The objective is to strengthen the capacity for basic, translational and clinical research focused on eliminating health disparities.

High-priority research areas include Type 2 diabetes, obesity, end-stage renal disease, sickle cell disease, hepatitis C virus and liver disease, complications from infection with HIV, peptic ulcer disease and H. Pylori, diseases of the prostate, gallbladder disease, and urinary tract disease. These disorders place a disproportionate health burden on racial and ethnic minority populations and are focal areas of research for the NIDDK.

SYSTEMS BIOLOGY

Other index terms: Bioinformatics, Immune Mechanisms, Infectious Diseases
Title: Recovery Act Limited Competition: Protection of Human Health by Immunology and Vaccines (U01, U19)
Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
LOI Deadline: September 15, 2009
Application Deadline: October 15, 2009
RFA Identification: RFA-AI-09-040
CFDA Number: 93.701
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-09-040.html

This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), supported by funds provided to the NIH under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act” or “ARRA”), Public Law 111-5, invites new applications from single domestic institutions, or consortia of institutions, to participate in creating a network of human immunology profiling research groups. Applications are sought that propose to study human immune responses (1) following infection, (2) prior to and following vaccination against an infectious disease, or (3) prior to and following treatment with an immune adjuvant that targets a known innate immune receptor(s). The purpose of this FOA is to capitalize on recent advances in immune profiling to measure the diversity of human immune responses under a variety of conditions, using bioinformatic, multiplex, and/or systems biology approaches to study samples from well-characterized human cohorts and to measure aspects of the human transcriptome and/or proteome. 

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the U01 and U19 cooperative agreement grant mechanisms.

• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIAID intends to commit approximately $20 million in total costs (direct plus indirect costs) in fiscal year 2010, which includes support for an Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund of up to $2 million total costs in year one and up to $5 million total costs in years two through five. The Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund will support consortium infrastructure, collaborative projects, pilot projects, and new research opportunities that arise post-award. Recovery Act funds will be used to support this FOA in fiscal year 2010 only; the NIAID will provide funds for four future years (FY 2011-2014). The NIAID anticipates that 6-10 awards will be made for fiscal year 2010, pending the number and quality of applications and the availability of funds.