Monday, December 28, 2015

Field Initiated Projects Program

Agency: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Funding Opportunity Title: Field Initiated Projects Program
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2016-ACL-NIDILRR-IF-0124 (Research) and HHS-2016-ACL-NIDILRR-IF-0125 (Development)
Due Date: 02/22/2016

Summary:
The purpose of the Field Initiated (FI) Projects program is to generate new knowledge through research or develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. Another purpose of the FI Projects program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. In carrying out a research activity under an FI Projects research grant, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new scientific knowledge, or (2) better understanding of the subject, problem studied, or body of knowledge.

National Robotics Initiative

Program: National Robotics Initiative
Program Solicitation: NSF 16-517
Deadline: March 7, 2016
Note:  Applications to this  multi-agency funding opportunity must be submitted to NSF using NSF guidelines and instructions. NSF is the lead agency overseeing the review process.

Summary:

The NIH is collaborating on a multi-agency funding opportunity, the National Robotics Initiative (NRI), whose goal is to accelerate the development and use of robots in the United States that work beside, or cooperatively with, people (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16517/nsf16517.htm), or carry out work for people in dangerous environments.  Innovative robotics research and applications emphasizing the realization of such co-robots working in symbiotic relationships with human partners is supported by multiple agencies of the federal government including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The purpose of this program is the development of this next generation of robotics, to advance the capability and usability of such systems and artifacts, and to encourage existing and new communities to focus on innovative application areas. It will address the entire life cycle from fundamental research and development to manufacturing and deployment. Collaboration between academic, industry, non-profit and other organizations is strongly encouraged to establish better linkages between fundamental science and technology development, deployment and use.

The NIH encourages robotics research and technology development to enhance health, lengthen life and reduce illness and disability. The NIH also supports non-hypothesis driven applications, which includes technology-driven and problem-driven applications. Specifically, the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) on this solicitation are interested in targeting this solicitation to support the development of assistive robotic technology to achieve functional independence in humans; improve quality of life; assist with behavioral therapy and personalized care; and promote wellness/health. The most significant challenges will be in addressing safety issues, especially for applications to be used in home-based and long-term care settings where integration of complex systems will be required. Additionally, these assistive robots need to quickly adapt to changes of the user and the environment. Human assistive devices should be designed to assist healthcare providers and as well as the individuals needing care. Development of robotic applications is important to NIH because of their potential significant impact on healthcare in the future. Human assistive devices will revolutionize healthcare in the next 20 years as much as personal electronics have changed our daily lives in the past two decades. Affordable and accessible robotic technology can facilitate wellness and personalized healthcare. Continual health assessment and personalized intervention have the potential to offset the shrinking size of the healthcare workforce and the growing elderly and disabled population. In the future, assistive robotics will enable people to engage in all aspects of human life with endurance and dignity.

Examples of assistive robotic technology development include but are not limited to:
- Homecare and long-term personalized care robots
- Robotic wellness/health promotion and maintenance
- Robotic behavioral therapy
- Robotic aids for mobility, manipulation, human communication and cognition, vision for non-sighted persons
- Assistive robotics to eliminate health disparities across populations

Further Information:
NIH Guide Notice
National Robotics Initiative Website
Program Solicitation