Agency: ARVO
Funding Opportunity Title: ARVO Publications Grant
Deadline: Applications accepted at any time.
Summary:
ARVO’s Publications Grant is available to authors who need funding assistance to publish in one of our three journals: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS); Journal of Vision (JOV); and Translational Vision Science & Technology (TVST). This grant is supported by the ARVO Foundation and aligns with ARVO’s goal to capture the full spectrum of vision science in our family of journals.
The grant will provide support to several individuals per year at a maximum of $1,500 per grant.
Application Process:
Corresponding authors must apply for a Publications Grant prior to submitting an article to an ARVO journal. To apply, the corresponding author must submit:
- An application.
- A support letter from an administrator at the author’s institution, describing the need for the grant and lack of funds. ARVO will not consider applications without a support letter. We recommend that the letter be on institution letterhead stationery. Acceptable letter formats include a PDF attachment to the application form or a hard-copy letter mailed to:
ARVO
Attn: Journals Department
1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852
References:
ARVO Solicitation
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Brain Machine Interface Prototype Development for Vision Restoration
Agency: Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC)
Funding Opportunity Title: Brain Machine Interface Prototype Development for Vision Restoration
Solicitation Number: MTEC-16-02-Brain Machine Interface
Deadline: August 22, 2016
What is Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium?
The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is an enterprise partnership in collaboration with industry and academia to facilitate research and development activities, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and other Government agencies in the biomedical sciences (including but not limited to drugs, biologics, vaccines, medical software and medical devices) to protect, treat and optimize the health and performance of U.S. military personnel. MTEC is a nonprofit corporation with the following principal objectives:
(a) biomedical research and prototyping;
(b) exploration of private sector technology opportunities;
(c) technology transfer; and
(d) deployment of intellectual property and follow-on production.
This solicitation, issued by the MTEC Consortium Manager (CM), Advanced Technology International, dba SCRA Applied R&D, represents a Request for Project Proposals (RPP) for MTEC’s support of the Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program (CRMRP) technology objectives. Strategic oversight for the award(s) supported by this RPP will be provided by CRMRP.
The Internal Revenue Service recently approved MTC’s application for tax exempt status. MTC is a 501c3 nonprofit.
Summary of Technology Objectives for Brain Machine Interface Project
The overarching goal of this program, is to provide a prototype visual prosthesis for human testing within 5 years that (1) provides the ability to navigate for ambulation, identify faces and objects critical to daily life, and read large print, and (2) is economically feasible. Applications to MTEC should clearly state how the proposed research provides an innovative solution to a critical problem in the development of a brain machine interface prototype for vision restoration.
A critical step towards realization of the overarching goals is the development of an appropriate brain-machine interface. Applications must address the following focus area in vision restoration to be considered:
Specifically, MTEC seeks the prototype development of a device that:
1. Stimulates visual pathways in either the a)the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) or b) primary visual cortex.
2. Provides appropriate punctate stimuli with either a) electrical stimulation or b) optical stimulation for photolysis of caged excitatory neurotransmitters, photoswitches, or optogenetics (an optical stimulation delivery device is being sought, NOT the development of caged neurotransmitters, photoswitches or optogenetic tools).
3. Provides density of stimulation for the equivalent of at least 20/40 in the central 2° of visual field.
4. Stimulates neurons normally responsive to the peripheral field providing the equivalent of at least 70° of horizontal visual field for each eye.
5. Proposal must address specific anatomical challenges associated with implantation and communicating with the stimulation device.
6. Proposal must address biocompatibility (i.e.,the prosthesis should ideally function for the lifetime of the patient).
7. Components of the device must be demonstrated as a prototype in animal or appropriate in vitro models.
MTEC seeks applications from investigators comprising multi-disciplinary teams from a wide spectrum of disciplines including, but not limited to, basic science, engineering, translational research, and clinical research.
The current effort aims to promote highly innovative, groundbreaking research; high- impact research with near-term clinical relevance; multidisciplinary, synergistic research; and translational studies to support the fluid transfer of knowledge from basic principles to a working visual prosthesis prototype. Results of studies conducted through this effort should inform the developmental pathway for a visual prosthesis prototype.
Proposed projects must be based on logical reasoning and sound scientific rationale. Please note that awards are not to be exploratory in nature and require a foundation of preliminary data.
Research involving animal or human subjects is allowed, in accordance with the PPG.
Although seven critical specifications of the visual prosthesis prototype are outlined in the above, we encourage you to submit even if you cannot currently meet all seven specifications. However, it is expected that an Offeror’s approach to the visual prosthesis prototype will one day satisfy all seven critical specifications.
Funding Availability and Type of Funding Instrument Issued:
Total funding for awards made from this Funding Opportunity for Fiscal Year 2016 is $2.0M. Awards will be funded based on Milestone completion. The Government intends to award three - Phase 1 awards at $332K each (direct and indirect costs). The Government intends to award one Phase 2 award at $1.0M (direct and indirect costs). The Offeror must include both Phase 1 and Phase 2 study plans and define specific Milestones for the end of Phase 1 and Phase 2. The Government will make a Phase 2 award based on progress towards completion of Phase 1. The Period of Performance (POP) for Phase 1 is not to exceed 12 months. Progress Reports are due to the Government quarterly. The Final Report is due at the end of month 12 for Phase 2 selection. The POP for Phase 2 is not to exceed 24 months. Quarterly Progress Reports and a Final Progress Report are required for Phase 2. As of the release date of this RPP, future year Defense Appropriations Bills have not been passed and there is no guarantee that any additional funds will be made available to support this program. The funding estimated for this RPP is approximate and subject to realignment. Funding of proposals received in response to this RPP is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program. MTEC reserves the right to reduce the second year award, if the Offeror's technology after the first year excels only in a limited number of the requirements/goals/tasks listed in the announcement. MTEC reserves the right to encourage two or three of the first year awardees to collaborate in the second year award to maximize performance across the greatest number of the requirements/goals/tasks listed in the announcement, and may allocate the second year funds in accordance with participation in such a collaboration.
The Government-selected Research Project Awards will be funded under the Other Transaction Agreement Number W81XWH-15-9-0001 (or subsequent OTAs in support of MTEC) with MTEC administered by the CM, SCRA Applied R&D. The CM will negotiate and execute a Base Agreement with MTEC members. This Base Agreement will be governed by the same provisions as the OTA between the Government and MTEC. Subsequently, any proposal that is selected for award will be funded through a Research Project Award issued under the Base Agreement. A sample of the MTEC Base Agreement can be found on the Members Only portion of the MTEC website at www.mtec-sc.org. At the time of the submission, if Offerors have not yet executed a Base Agreement, then Offerors must certify on the cover page of their proposals that, if selected for award, they will abide by the terms and conditions of the latest version of the MTEC Base Agreement. If the Offeror already has executed an MTEC Base Agreement with the MTEC CM, then the Offeror must state on the cover page of its proposals that, if selected for award, it anticipates the proposed effort will be funded under its executed MTEC Base Agreement No. 20XX-XXX.
Offerors are advised to check the MTEC website periodically during the proposal preparation period for any changes to the MTEC Base Agreement terms and conditions.
References:
Full Solicitation
MTEC website
Funding Opportunity Title: Brain Machine Interface Prototype Development for Vision Restoration
Solicitation Number: MTEC-16-02-Brain Machine Interface
Deadline: August 22, 2016
What is Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium?
The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is an enterprise partnership in collaboration with industry and academia to facilitate research and development activities, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and other Government agencies in the biomedical sciences (including but not limited to drugs, biologics, vaccines, medical software and medical devices) to protect, treat and optimize the health and performance of U.S. military personnel. MTEC is a nonprofit corporation with the following principal objectives:
(a) biomedical research and prototyping;
(b) exploration of private sector technology opportunities;
(c) technology transfer; and
(d) deployment of intellectual property and follow-on production.
This solicitation, issued by the MTEC Consortium Manager (CM), Advanced Technology International, dba SCRA Applied R&D, represents a Request for Project Proposals (RPP) for MTEC’s support of the Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program (CRMRP) technology objectives. Strategic oversight for the award(s) supported by this RPP will be provided by CRMRP.
The Internal Revenue Service recently approved MTC’s application for tax exempt status. MTC is a 501c3 nonprofit.
Summary of Technology Objectives for Brain Machine Interface Project
The overarching goal of this program, is to provide a prototype visual prosthesis for human testing within 5 years that (1) provides the ability to navigate for ambulation, identify faces and objects critical to daily life, and read large print, and (2) is economically feasible. Applications to MTEC should clearly state how the proposed research provides an innovative solution to a critical problem in the development of a brain machine interface prototype for vision restoration.
A critical step towards realization of the overarching goals is the development of an appropriate brain-machine interface. Applications must address the following focus area in vision restoration to be considered:
Specifically, MTEC seeks the prototype development of a device that:
1. Stimulates visual pathways in either the a)the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) or b) primary visual cortex.
2. Provides appropriate punctate stimuli with either a) electrical stimulation or b) optical stimulation for photolysis of caged excitatory neurotransmitters, photoswitches, or optogenetics (an optical stimulation delivery device is being sought, NOT the development of caged neurotransmitters, photoswitches or optogenetic tools).
3. Provides density of stimulation for the equivalent of at least 20/40 in the central 2° of visual field.
4. Stimulates neurons normally responsive to the peripheral field providing the equivalent of at least 70° of horizontal visual field for each eye.
5. Proposal must address specific anatomical challenges associated with implantation and communicating with the stimulation device.
6. Proposal must address biocompatibility (i.e.,the prosthesis should ideally function for the lifetime of the patient).
7. Components of the device must be demonstrated as a prototype in animal or appropriate in vitro models.
MTEC seeks applications from investigators comprising multi-disciplinary teams from a wide spectrum of disciplines including, but not limited to, basic science, engineering, translational research, and clinical research.
The current effort aims to promote highly innovative, groundbreaking research; high- impact research with near-term clinical relevance; multidisciplinary, synergistic research; and translational studies to support the fluid transfer of knowledge from basic principles to a working visual prosthesis prototype. Results of studies conducted through this effort should inform the developmental pathway for a visual prosthesis prototype.
Proposed projects must be based on logical reasoning and sound scientific rationale. Please note that awards are not to be exploratory in nature and require a foundation of preliminary data.
Research involving animal or human subjects is allowed, in accordance with the PPG.
Although seven critical specifications of the visual prosthesis prototype are outlined in the above, we encourage you to submit even if you cannot currently meet all seven specifications. However, it is expected that an Offeror’s approach to the visual prosthesis prototype will one day satisfy all seven critical specifications.
Funding Availability and Type of Funding Instrument Issued:
Total funding for awards made from this Funding Opportunity for Fiscal Year 2016 is $2.0M. Awards will be funded based on Milestone completion. The Government intends to award three - Phase 1 awards at $332K each (direct and indirect costs). The Government intends to award one Phase 2 award at $1.0M (direct and indirect costs). The Offeror must include both Phase 1 and Phase 2 study plans and define specific Milestones for the end of Phase 1 and Phase 2. The Government will make a Phase 2 award based on progress towards completion of Phase 1. The Period of Performance (POP) for Phase 1 is not to exceed 12 months. Progress Reports are due to the Government quarterly. The Final Report is due at the end of month 12 for Phase 2 selection. The POP for Phase 2 is not to exceed 24 months. Quarterly Progress Reports and a Final Progress Report are required for Phase 2. As of the release date of this RPP, future year Defense Appropriations Bills have not been passed and there is no guarantee that any additional funds will be made available to support this program. The funding estimated for this RPP is approximate and subject to realignment. Funding of proposals received in response to this RPP is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program. MTEC reserves the right to reduce the second year award, if the Offeror's technology after the first year excels only in a limited number of the requirements/goals/tasks listed in the announcement. MTEC reserves the right to encourage two or three of the first year awardees to collaborate in the second year award to maximize performance across the greatest number of the requirements/goals/tasks listed in the announcement, and may allocate the second year funds in accordance with participation in such a collaboration.
The Government-selected Research Project Awards will be funded under the Other Transaction Agreement Number W81XWH-15-9-0001 (or subsequent OTAs in support of MTEC) with MTEC administered by the CM, SCRA Applied R&D. The CM will negotiate and execute a Base Agreement with MTEC members. This Base Agreement will be governed by the same provisions as the OTA between the Government and MTEC. Subsequently, any proposal that is selected for award will be funded through a Research Project Award issued under the Base Agreement. A sample of the MTEC Base Agreement can be found on the Members Only portion of the MTEC website at www.mtec-sc.org. At the time of the submission, if Offerors have not yet executed a Base Agreement, then Offerors must certify on the cover page of their proposals that, if selected for award, they will abide by the terms and conditions of the latest version of the MTEC Base Agreement. If the Offeror already has executed an MTEC Base Agreement with the MTEC CM, then the Offeror must state on the cover page of its proposals that, if selected for award, it anticipates the proposed effort will be funded under its executed MTEC Base Agreement No. 20XX-XXX.
Offerors are advised to check the MTEC website periodically during the proposal preparation period for any changes to the MTEC Base Agreement terms and conditions.
References:
Full Solicitation
MTEC website
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