NEI Vision Research Epidemiology Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

There are multiple deadlines for this program – September 25, January 25 and May 25 from 2021 through 2024.

 

The Funding Mechanism is a Cooperative Agreement (UG1) so NEI will be actively involved.

Summary:

 

The National Eye Institute (NEI) supports investigator-initiated, complex, multi-center and other high resource risk epidemiologic studies under the cooperative agreement mechanism, UG1 activity code. Specifically, the purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support new and innovative ocular epidemiology research.

Purpose: 

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support epidemiologic studies that utilize creative and innovative approaches to studying vision diseases and disorders with high public impact and whose findings will inform prevention and treatment strategies as well as basic sciences research.

Background:

Clinical vision research projects, including epidemiologic studies, are part of NEI’s core strategy for improving visual health and decreasing visual impairment in populations through research on the burden of disease, its causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Projects should focus on NEI’s mission to protect and improve visual health including, but not limited to:

• Determining the burden of eye diseases and their visual outcomes in a changing population, particularly disparities in the burden and the influences of sociocultural, environmental, economic, and demographic factors.
• Improving early diagnosis of ocular diseases and their underlying processes through new screening and detection strategies.
• Determining risk factors for ocular diseases.
• Identifying and assessing strategies that will overcome barriers to eye care and convert evidence-based findings into improved patient and population outcomes.
• Studying the interplay of factors that exacerbate or mitigate risk for eye diseases.

The NEI encourages applications to support ocular epidemiologic research. These projects are supported under the cooperative agreement mechanism.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Scientific/Research staff as plans for an application are being developed (see Section VII, Agency Contacts), preferably no later than 12 weeks prior to the anticipated application submission date.

More information can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-204.html

 

 

India Collaborative Vision Research Program (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

 The deadlines are  November 8, 2021, November 8, 2022, November 8, 2023.

 

Summary:

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages Multiple Principal Investigator (Multi-PD/PI) applications from United States (U.S.)-based institutions with an Indian institution partner to establish bilateral collaborations that will advance science and technology important to understanding, preventing, and treating blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, and their complications. 

Applications are encouraged from organizations/institutions that propose to conduct research on the basic biology and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases through collaborations with Indian investigators on the following: diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, including rare and genetic diseases such as congenital cataracts, as well as other eye conditions such as ocular inflammation/uveitis, refractive error, low vision, and corneal injury. Basic, translational, or epidemiological research may be proposed. Clinical trials will not be supported under this FOA.

 

A. Background

Scientific collaborations between the U.S. and India have been successfully conducted for several years under a variety of bilateral agreements.  Recognizing that continuing collaborative research focused on eye diseases and visual disorders would be of mutual benefit to the U.S. and India, the National Eye Institute (NEI), the Indian Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and a Joint Working Group (JWG) developed a strategic plan for collaborations and to facilitate the expedited review and clearance of proposed bilateral projects.  Both the NEI and the DBT have pledged funds to support joint activities pursued under this bilateral program.

Several eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, AMD, and glaucoma are complex and influenced by multiple genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors including family, nutrition, and exposure to toxins.  During the past decade, progress has been made identifying these factors. In AMD, for example, environmental factors including smoking and sunlight have been shown to increase risk, and a diet rich in fatty acids has been shown to decrease risk. There are likely other unknown factors that are involved in precipitating AMD and other ocular diseases.  Large scale genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and informatic methods using emergent or current technologies to study unique populations are encouraged to identify new factors that can affect susceptibility to these diseases and/or ocular infections, as well as biomarkers that will provide the basis for accurate diagnostic tests and predict treatment outcome.

There are also many eye conditions and complications such as inflammation that affect some intracommunity populations to a much greater extent, providing a valuable resource for learning more about visual restoration as well as the pathogenesis and physiology of a disorder. For instance, the impact of environmental pollutants, including those generated by cooking stoves, on the development of cataracts, as well as the susceptibility of toxins to cause infections, such as ocular TB and trachoma, are not well understood.  Research on these populations that will further our understanding of neural plasticity including neurogenesis, cognition, and processing after the treatment of visual disorders and injury are also of interest to NEI and the DBT. 

Research Objectives

This FOA is intended to support collaborations between the U.S. and India that focus on the basic biology, epigenetic, and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases and visual disorders.

Applications may include, but are not limited to collaborations addressing the following areas:

• Family based genome wide association studies (GWAS) on available cohorts of consanguineous families from India to identify genetic variants that predispose to both Mendelian and complex forms of eye disease;
• Validation of novel GWAS findings in appropriate animal models;
• Identification of biomarkers that predict and/or assess risk and response to interventions;
• Studies of environmental factors that predict risk of eye diseases such as imprinting and other epigenetic effects;
• Studies to determine the underlying biology of ocular diseases including, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts, myopia and presbyopia;
• Studies focusing on the basic science of neuroplasticity of vision including perceptual learning and adaptation after eye injury;
• Studies of the mechanisms through which environmental pollutants/toxins contribute to ocular diseases and their complications including infection and inflammation;
• Identification of factors that influence the success of corneal transplantation and recovery after surgery. 
  

 

Collaborations

The FOA requires that the collaboration between the U.S. and Indian research teams be submitted as a Multiple Principal Investigator (Multi-PD/PI) application with both of the lead scientists from each country as the PD/PI.  Applications may be derived from existing collaborations with an established history of interaction, or from new partnerships developed in response to this FOA. The collaboration must be based on interactive relationships that maximize the expertise of the individual U.S. and Indian research teams.

Through this FOA, U.S. and Indian collaborating investigators should work together to develop and submit an application to National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the India Ministry of Science and Technology's Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The Indian application should follow DBT guidance using the 'Proposal Submission form for R&D Projects' format available at the DBT eProMIS portal: http://www.dbtepromis.nic.in/sample_forms.htm. In addition to a detailed research plan, the application must include a leadership plan that describes the roles, responsibilities, and working relationship of the PD/PIs, as well as information about performance sites, the proposed work to be accomplished at each site, and a complete budget for the collaboration. Only those applications that are determined to be meritorious will be considered for joint funding and will be supported by the DBT and NIH under this program.  The DBT

will provide funds for the Indian component and NIH will fund the US component.

The NIH Research Project Grant will directly support salaries of U.S. personnel and research activities within the U.S.  It is anticipated that the Indian award will fund the Indian component and will support research activities within India, salaries of Indian research personnel, and other research cost as per DBT norms.  All research in India will be conducted in accordance with both U.S. and Government of India regulations for the protection of human subjects. 

Note:  Organizations must register and apply with their eRA Commons.  All U.S. and Indian applicants must have an active DUNS number and SAM registration in order to complete the eRA Commons registration.

Applications Not Responsive to this FOA

The following applications will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed for this FOA:

• Applications that include clinical trials
• Applications that include research topics that do not fall within the NEI mission and/or the NIH referral guidelines such as the diagnosis and treatment of ocular cancers 

Applicants are encouraged to confer with an appropriate NEI Scientific/Research Contactto discuss the relevance of the research topic to the NEI mission.

More information can be found at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-249.html

 

 

 

NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional)

 The deadline is August 20, 2021.

Summary

The NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program supports early stage investigators of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative research projects with the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important areas relevant to the mission of NIH. For the program to support the best possible researchers and research, applications are sought which reflect the full diversity of the research workforce. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups and from the full spectrum of eligible institutions in all geographic locations are strongly encouraged to apply to this Funding Opportunity Announcement. In addition, applications in all topics relevant to the broad mission of NIH are welcome, including, but not limited to, topics in the behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, and formal sciences and topics that may involve basic, translational, or clinical research. The NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program complements other ongoing efforts by NIH and its Institutes and Centers to fund early stage investigators. The NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program of the NIH Common Fund.

 

More info can be found at : https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-21-016.html

 

Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in Neuroscience

Agency: The Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund, Inc.
Program: Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in Neuroscience
Deadline: February 15, 2018

Summary:
The Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Awards in the Neurosciences supports, in the early stages of their careers, young investigators engaged in basic or clinical research that may lead to a better understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

The Klingenstein Fund and the Simons Foundation recognize that to accomplish this goal it is necessary to encourage a variety of new approaches. Several areas within the neurosciences are of particular interest:

Cellular and molecular neuroscience—Studies of the mechanisms of neuronal excitability and development, and of the genetic basis of behavior.

Neural systems—Studies of the integrative function of the nervous system.

Translational research—Studies designed to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and our understanding of the causes of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

References:
Klingenstein Fund Website
Philanthropy News Digest RFPS

ARVO Publications Grant

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

NEI Research Grant for Vision Related Secondary Data Analysis

Agency: NEI

Funding Opportunity Title: NEI Research Grant for Vision Related Secondary Data Analysis

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-16-168

Due Date: Standard Due Dates, June 16, October 16 and February 16

Summary:

The goal of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to fund meritorious vision related research projects that involve secondary data analyses using existing database resources. The development of statistical methodology necessary for improving methods to analyze vision health data using existing vision data may also be proposed.

Research Objectives:

The NEI supports an extensive portfolio of clinical trials and large-scale epidemiologic research project wherein numerous data collection activities are required to meet each project's specific aims.  The resultant wealth of data generated by these studies often provides unique, cost-effective opportunities to pursue new questions. 

This FOA may be used to develop new statistical methodologies or to test new hypotheses using existing data.  This FOA actively encourages the use of existing database resources to conduct additional analyses secondary to a project's originally-intended primary purpose; it will not support the collection of new data. 

This FOA supports secondary data analysis on existing data sets. A typical project is expected to make substantial progress towards having vision related manuscript(s) submitted in peer reviewed journals within the first year.

Data sets are not limited to those collected under NEI support but these data sets are of the highest programmatic interest.  Applicants should consider the relevance of their proposed analyses to NEI programs and priorities as described in the National Plan for Eye and Vision Research, which is available on the NEI website. http://www.nei.nih.gov.

The full program announcement can be found at the NIH Guide. 

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 Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Website

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

NEI Clinical Study Planning Grant (R34)

Agency: National Eye Institute
Program: NEI Clinical Study Planning Grant (R34)
Funding Opportunity Number: PA-16-038
Deadline: February 16, June 16 and October 16 for new applications
Award Budget: Direct Costs of $150,000 per year
Award Project Period: The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period. The maximum period is two years.

Summary:
The NEI Clinical Study Planning Grant provides support for the development of a comprehensive research protocol for a large-scale clinical trial or epidemiologic study. This grant provides early peer review of the proposed clinical study in terms of its rationale, design, organizational structure and implementation plan. The Planning Grant is used to support the development of a detailed MOP.  While the grant may be used to support preliminary studies which refine study procedures or document recruitment potential, the grant must not be used to generate preliminary data in support of the rationale for the trial.

Prospective applicants should note that funding of a Clinical Study Planning Grant does not guarantee nor imply funding for any subsequent competitive application for the support of a full-scale study.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the relevance of their proposed research to NEI programs and priorities as described in the NEI Vision Research, Needs, Gaps, and Opportunities.

Scope:
This FOA is designed to: (1) permit early peer review of the rationale for the proposed clinical trial or epidemiology study; (2) provide support for the development of a detailed MOP; and (3) support the development of other essential elements of the clinical study.

Activities supported by this FOA may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

- Developing/finalizing the MOP. Basic elements in the MOP should include identification of the patient population; inclusion and exclusion criteria; adequate plans for recruitment and retention of participants; experimental   design and protocols; clear definition of the research hypothesis and outcome measures; quality control/assurance procedures; data management and analytical techniques; sample size estimates with justification; administrative procedures, including regulatory approvals if necessary; collaborative arrangements; duties and responsibilities of the study chairperson, clinical sites, coordinating center, and other central resources such as a reading center; monitoring plans to assure patient protection and data integrity; and plans for addressing Federal gender/minority inclusion and human subjects protection requirements.
- Establishing and documenting collaborative arrangements.
- Instituting means to assure standardization of procedures across sites and among staff.
- Developing tools needed for data collection and data management.
- Developing/finalizing data and safety monitoring plans in the application.  Do not name individuals for the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) or Data Monitoring and Oversight Committee (DMOC), but include areas of expertise that will be pertinent in forming these groups.
- Developing plans for any training that is required to carry out the proposed study. This may include, for example, training of data collectors and individuals who will carry out the planned intervention.

See the full announcement for more information.

Upcoming Changes to NIH Grant Instructions and Forms

NIH is making quite a few changes to the NIH grant instructions and forms.  The changes will be implemented in two phases with the first phase effecting grants due on or after January 25, 2016 and the second phase effecting grants due on or after May 25, 2016.  Here are the areas that will be impacted and guide notices explaining the changes so you can familiarize yourself with them.

Phase I Changes – Effective on or after January 25, 2016

Rigor and Transparency in Research – NIH is changing application requirements and review language to enhance reproducibility of research findings through increased scientific rigor and transparency. These changes will take effect for most research grant applications (including small business and complex research grant applications), but will not impact institutional training and individual fellowship applications until Phase II.  Changes include:

Updates to application guide instructions for preparing your research strategy attachment
Use of a new "Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources" attachment (uploaded in Other Attachments section of R&R Other Project Information form)
Additional rigor and transparency questions reviewers will be asked to consider when reviewing applications

NIH Guide Notice

Vertebrate Animals – NIH is removing redundancy with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee review while meeting the requirements of the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Changes include:

Updated guidance on criteria to be addressed (description of procedures; justifications; minimization of pain and distress; and euthanasia)
A description of veterinary care is no longer required
Justification for the number of animals has been eliminated
A description and justification of the method of euthanasia is required only if the method is not consistent with AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals

NIH Guide Notice

Definition of Child – NIH is redefining the age of a child for the purposes of NIH's inclusion policy to individuals under 18 years old instead of under 21 years old.

NIH Guide Notice
 
Research Training – NIH is updating requirements and instructions for several attachments on the PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan form to reflect recent policy guidance and reduce applicant burden. Changes include:

"Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity" - applicants will be asked to focus on recruitment
"Human Subjects" - applicants must describe how the institution will ensure that trainees only participate in exempt human subjects research or non-exempt human subjects research that has IRB approval; no longer necessary to provide a list of potential grants trainees may work on and associated IRB information
"Vertebrate Animals" - applicants must describe how the institution will ensure that trainees only participate in vertebrate animal research that has IACUC approval; no longer necessary to provide a list of potential grants trainees may work on and associated IACUC information
"Progress Report" - requirement to report on publications that arose from work conducted by the trainee while supported by the training grant will be moved to the Just-in-Time process

Phase II changes – effective on or after May 25, 2016
New grant forms will be released. In addition the following changes will also take effect:

Rigor and Transparency – NIH is extending Phase 1 changes to include institutional training and individual fellowship applications. They are adding a new "Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources" attachment to the following forms in FORMS-D application packages:

PHS 398 Research Plan
PHS 398 Career Development Supplemental Form
PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
New “Plan for the Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility” attachment will be added to the PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan form in FORMS-D application packages.

NIH Guide Notice

Vertebrate Animals – NIH is extending Phase 1 changes to include institutional training and individual fellowship applications. They are adding new questions regarding euthanasia to the following forms in FORMS-D application packages to replace the euthanasia criteria in the vertebrate animals section:
PHS 398 Research Plan
PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
Inclusion Reporting – NIH is adding an optional PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report form to FORMS-D application packages. The new form, with additional study descriptors, will replace the optional Planned Enrollment Report and Cumulative Inclusion Enrollment Report forms found in FORMS-C application packages. They will provide more details about these changes prior to release of the updated forms.

Data Safety Monitoring – NIH is adding a new “Data Safety Monitoring Plan” to the following forms in FORMS-D application packages:

PHS 398 Research Plan
PHS 398 Career Development Supplemental Form
PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan
This new attachment must be included with all applications involving clinical trials.

Although the requirement of a data and safety monitoring plan for clinical trials is not new, the use of a separate attachment to collect this information will emphasize its importance and facilitate systematic enforcement of its presence.

Research Training – NIH is changing the research training data table format. Changes include:

Reducing the number of tables from 12 to 8
Minimizing the reporting of individual-level information
Extending the tracking of trainee outcomes from 10 to 15 years
NIH’s xTRACT system to help applicants prepare the new tables will be available October 16, 2015.

NIH Guide Notice

Appendices – NIH is reevaluating the current appendix policy. A notice describing specific appendix policy changes will be issued by spring 2016.

New PHS Assignment Request Form (Formerly a Cover Letter) - NIH is adding an optional PHS Assignment Request Form to FORMS-D application packages to provide a consistent way to collect application referral information, including:

Awarding component (NIH institute) assignment preference
Study Section preference
List of potential reviewers in conflict, and why
List of scientific expertise needed to review the application

NIH Guide Notice

Font Requirements -  NIH is providing additional flexibility regarding the fonts allowed in PDF attachments included in grant applications. Although they will continue to recommend specific fonts, they will also allow other fonts (both serif and non-serif) as long as they comply with specific type density and line spacing guidelines.

NIH Guide Notice

Biosketch Clarifications – NIH  is clarifying biosketch instructions. Clarifications include:

Indicating that a URL for a publication list is optional and, if provided, must be to a government website (.gov) like My Bibliography
Allowing publications (peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed) and research products to be cited in both the personal statement and the contributions to science sections
Explicitly stating that graphics, figures and tables are not allowed