concussion is recognized as a serious public health epidemic, particularly in children, where rates have doubled over the last decade, with an estimated 750,000 pediatric acute concussion visits to emergency departments (eds) occurring annually in the united states alone. while many children experience symptom resolution within 2 weeks, approximately 33% experience ongoing cognitive, somatic, psychological, behavioural symptoms, or a combination of these symptoms, known as “persistent post-concussive symptoms”, or ppcs.

this funding opportunity represents the next step of the continuing canadian and american investments into pediatric concussion research, care, and knowledge exchange.

this funding opportunity will support the canadian team component of a multi-site, multidisciplinary, research team that works synergistically to discover, characterize, and validate a combination of biological measures for prognosis and/or monitoring recovery of persistent concussive symptoms with enrollment from multiple points of care and participants with a variety of injury mechanisms. biological measures that are responsive may include, but are not limited to neuroimaging, functional measures, sensory processing, metabolomics, proteomics, and other biofluid-based assays. these biological measures should then be incorporated into risk stratification algorithms to inform clinical care and patient stratification for future clinical trials. a key component of this funding opportunity will be the broad sharing of clinical, neuroimaging, physiological, and biospecimen data to further advance research in the area of persistent concussive symptoms in early and middle adolescent (ema; ages 11-17 years old) populations.

ontario is helping communities protect and recover species at risk and their habitat. the species at risk stewardship program promotes strong environmental stewardship by providing funding for species at risk protection and recovery projects by individuals, communities and groups across the province. conserving the province’s rich biodiversity now, and for future generations is a key part of the government's made-in-ontario environment plan.

applications are now being accepted by the ontario ministry of the environment, conservation and parks for the 2020-2021 species at risk stewardship program. applications must be received electronically by 3:00pm (est) on april 8, 2020.

the 2020-2021 species at risk stewardship program guidelines and application form can be found by following the links on the ontario species at risk website.

goal: to provide funding for translational research that will accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.

funding: a maximum of $1,500,000 over up to 3 years per project. encouraging applications at all funding levels from $300,000 to $1,500,000, without need for preliminary data.

seed funding for novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research on neurodegenerative diseases of aging up to $300,000 over up to 18 months.

seed funding for novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research on neurodegenerative diseases of aging up to $300,000 over up to 18 months.

goal: to provide funding for translational research that will accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.

funding: a maximum of $1,500,000 over up to 3 years per project. encouraging applications at all funding levels from $300,000 to $1,500,000, without need for preliminary data.

applicant eligibility: eligible principal applicants must be researchers working in canada at least 30% of the time at or above the level of assistant professor or equivalent, and be affiliated with a canada revenue agency-qualified donee institution located in canada. co-applicants/collaborators must be at the post-doctoral level or above and can be working outside canada.

applicants may appear in any role on any number of projects.

project eligibility: projects must meet the following conditions to be eligible:

• be translational research (excluding clinical trials and clinical trial sub-studies) that accelerates the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.
  • clinical trials and clinical trial sub-studies should be submitted to the early-phase clinical trials or rapid response programs; however other translational research using humans or human samples/data is in scope.
• be the development of a therapeutic and/or tool and/or select complementary approaches (please refer to the program details for more information on complementary approaches that are in scope)

the fy20 defense appropriations act provides funding to the department of defense gulf war illness research program (gwirp) to support research addressing gulf war illness (gwi) pathobiology, diagnosis, and treatment.  as directed by the office of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, the defense health agency j9, research and development directorate, manages the defense health program (dhp) research, development, test, and evaluation (rdt&e) appropriation.  the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp) at the u.s. army medical research and development command (usamrdc).

the fy20 gwirp program announcements and general application instructions for the following award mechanisms are posted on the grants.gov website.

applications submitted to the fy20 gwirp must address one or more of the following overarching challenges:

• treatments: eliminate the health consequences associated with gwi and revolutionize treatment
• diagnosis: better define and diagnose gwi
• subtyping: distinguish symptom clusters to better target treatments, identify underlying causes, and elucidate differences in severity
• determinants: validate exposures associated with gwi and impacts on organs and systems
• consequences: determine whether gwi is associated with greater risk for developing other disease states including neurological diseases, cancers, or other life-threatening and severely debilitating conditions
• communicate: help veterans, their caregivers, researchers and health care providers communicate effectively about gwi, its symptoms, and potential treatments

https://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/gwirp

idea award – preproposal due may 29, 2020

independent investigators at all academic levels

• supports innovative, high-risk/high-reward research in the earliest stages of development that will contribute to markers or treatments for gulf war illness (gwi).
• emphasis is on impact and innovation; applications must articulate how results will lead to a clinical impact for veterans with gwi, even if a clinical impact is not an immediate outcome.
• preliminary data not required.
• clinical trials not allowed.
• submission of a pre-application is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• biorepository contribution option:
• supports additional costs associated with submission of samples and data to the gwirp-supported boston biorepository, recruitment, and integrative network
• applicants must submit a biorepository contribution statement providing a detailed accounting of proposed costs and a commitment to work with the gwirp-supported biorepository resource network.
• application to this option is not a requirement for idea award submission.
• maximum funding of $150,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• maximum funding of $170,000 for direct costs with the biorepository contribution option (plus indirect costs).
• maximum period of performance is 2 years

research advancement award – preproposal due may 29, 2020

independent investigators at all academic levels

• supports applied research in gwi that is aimed at continued expansion and validation of markers and treatments that are supported by evidence in the gwi field. 
• preliminary data in field of gwi and other supporting information are required.
• applications must articulate how results will lead to a clinical impact for veterans with gwi, even if a clinical impact is not an immediate outcome.
• clinical trials not allowed.
• submission of a pre-application is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• biorepository contribution option:
• supports additional costs associated with submission of samples and data to the gwirp supported biorepository resource network.
• applicants must submit a biorepository contribution statement providing a detailed accounting of proposed costs and a commitment to work with the gwirp-supported biorepository resource network.
• application to this option is not a requirement for research advancement award submission.
• maximum funding of $625,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• maximum funding of $645,000 for direct with the biorepository contribution option (plus indirect costs).
• maximum period of performance is 3 years

clinical evaluation award – preproposal due may 29, 2020

independent investigators at all academic levels

• supports translational of validated gwi research, including qualified and replicated preclinical findings, to a gulf war veteran population.
• statistically powered biomarker trials with the potential to validate use of biomarkers as clinical endpoints or proof-of-concept intervention trials (e.g., pilot, first in human, phase i-iia) are encouraged under this funding opportunity.
• preliminary data are required.
• funding for this award mechanism must support research in a gulf war veteran population.  proof of availability and access to necessary cohort(s) and/or critical reagents must be provided.
• submission of a pre-application is required; application submission is by invitation only.

biorepository contribution option:

• supports additional costs associated with submission of samples and data to the gwirp-supported biorepository resource network.
• applicants must submit a biorepository contribution statement providing a detailed accounting of proposed costs and a commitment to work with the gwirp-supported biorepository resource network.
• application to this option is not a requirement for clinical evaluation award submission.

clinical consortium collaboration option:

• supports additional costs associated with collaboration with the gwirp- supported gulf war illness clinical trials and interventions consortium (gwictic).
• applicants must submit a clinical consortium collaboration statement providing a detailed accounting of proposed costs and clearly articulating the qualifications of the research team and institution to participate as a new clinical research site in the consortium.
• application to this option is not a requirement for clinical evaluation award submission.
  • maximum funding of $1,500,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
  • maximum funding of $1,520,000 for direct costs with the biorepository contribution option (plus indirect costs).
  • maximum funding of $1,700,000 for direct costs with the clinical consortium collaboration option (plus indirect costs).
  • maximum period of performance is 3 years

therapeutic/biomarker trial award – preproposal due may 29, 2020

independent investigators at all academic levels

• supports large-scale, pivotal (phase iib or iii) trials that revolutionize the clinical management of gwi.
• proposed research should lead to an approach that is fundamentally better than interventions already approved or in clinical development.
  • objective biomarkers to measure the biological effect of an investigational therapeutic or predictive/cohort-selective biomarkers that indicate whether a specific therapy will be effective in an individual gulf war veteran or gulf war veteran subgroup must be included in the trial design.
  • investigators must have experience in successfully leading large-scale projects and demonstrated the ability to implement a clinical project successfully.
  • funding must be used to support a clinical trial.
  • preproposal submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
  • biorepository contribution option:
  • supports additional costs associated with submission of samples and data to the gwirp-supported biorepository resource network
  • application must submit a biorepository contribution statement providing a detailed accounting of proposed costs and a commitment to work with the gwirp=supported biorepository resource network.
  • application to this option is not a requirement for therapeutic/biomarker trial award submission.
  • clinical consortium collaboration option:
  • supports additional costs associated with collaboration with the gwirp-supported gulf war illness clinical trials and interventions consortium
  • applicants must submit a clinical consortium collaboration statement providing a detailed accounting of proposed costs and clearly articulates the qualifications of the research tea and institution to participate as a new clinical research site in the consortium.
  • application to this option is not a requirement for therapeutic/biomarker trial award submission.
  • funding must be used to support a clinical trial.
    • maximum funding of $5,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
    • maximum funding of $5,020,000 for direct costs with the biorepository contribution option (plus indirect costs).
    • maximum funding of $5,500,000 for direct costs with the clinical consortium collaboration option (plus indirect costs).
    • maximum period of performance is 4 years

patient-provider and health communications award – preproposal due may 29, 2020

independent investigators at all academic levels

• supports projects aimed at tools and processes to raise awareness of gwi research and clinical findings within communities, including veterans with gwi and/or their caregivers or advocates, healthcare providers who serve veterans with gwi, or public health professional relevant to veterans with gwi.
• maintenance and sustainment of the dissemination effort past the award period for continued awareness of gwi research and clinical findings to diverse audiences is an important review criterion.
• must include a description of evaluation metrics and tracking to assist in measuring the success of the communication tool process.
• must include at least one consumer gwi advocate, who will be integral throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.
• clinical trials not allowed.
• preproposal submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
  • maximum funding of $600,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
  • maximum period of performance is 3 years

new investigator award – preproposal due may 29, 2020

investigators may apply under one of the following three eligibility categories:

transitioning postdoctoral fellow: senior postdoctoral fellows with at least 3 years of postdoctoral training

early-career investigator: independent investigators within 5 years since their last training position

new gwi researcher: established independent investigators who have received less than $300,000 in federally funded, non-mentored gwi research

• encourages applications from early-stage and established investigators new to the field of gwi research.
• previous experience in gwi research is not required; however, collaborations with experienced gwi researchers are strongly encouraged.
• preliminary data not required.
• clinical trials not allowed.
  • preproposal submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
  • biorepository contribution option:
  • supports additional costs associated with submission of samples and data to the gwirp-supported biorepository resource network.
  • applicants must submit a biorepository contribution statement providing a detailed accounting of proposed costs and a commitment to work with the gwirp-supported biorepository resource network.
  • application to this option is not a requirement for new investigator award submission.
    • maximum funding of $500,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
    • maximum funding of $520,000 for direct costs with the biorepository contribution option (plus indirect costs)
    • the maximum period of performance is 3 years

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  all applications must conform to the final program announcements and general application instructions available for electronic downloading from the grants.gov website.  the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov.  a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrdc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420. 

for email notification when program announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org.  for more information about the gwirp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

point of contact:

cdmrp help desk
301-682-5507
help@ebrap.org

the fy20 defense appropriations act provides funding to the department of defense lung cancer research program (lcrp) to support innovative, high-impact lung cancer research.  as directed by the office of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, the defense health agency j9, research and development directorate manages the defense health program (dhp) research, development, test, and evaluation (rdt&e) appropriation.  the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp) at the u.s. army medical research and development command (usamrdc).

the fy20 lcrp program announcements and general application instructions for the following award mechanisms are posted on the grants.gov website.

applications submitted to the fy20 lcrp must address one or more of the following areas of emphasis:

*identify innovative strategies for the screening and early detection of lung cancer.

*understand the molecular mechanisms of initiation and progression to lung cancer.

*identify innovative strategies for prevention of the occurrence of lung cancer.

*identify innovative strategies for the treatment of lung cancer.

*identify innovative strategies for the prevention of recurrence of or metastases from lung cancer.

*develop or optimize prognostic or predictive markers to assist with therapeutic decision-making.

*understand mechanisms of resistance to treatment (primary and secondary).

*understand contributors to lung cancer development other than tobacco.

*identify innovative strategies for lung cancer care delivery (disparities/clinical management/ surveillance/symptom management).

relevance to military health: the lcrp seeks to support research that is relevant to the healthcare needs of military service members, veterans, and their families. relevance to military health will be considered in determining relevance to the mission of the dhp and fy20 lcrp during programmatic review.   investigators are strongly encouraged to consider the following characteristics as examples of how a project may demonstrate relevance to military health:

*use of military or veteran populations, biospecimens, data/databases, or programs in the proposed research

*collaboration with department of defense or department of veterans affairs (va) investigators

*description of how the knowledge, information, products, or technologies gained from the proposed research could be implemented in a dual-use capacity to address a military need that also benefits the civilian population

*explanation of how the project addresses an aspect of lung cancer that has direct relevance to military service members, veterans, or other military health system beneficiaries, including environmental exposures other than tobacco

https://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/lcrp

career development award – letter of intent due july 15, 2020

• independent investigators the level of assistant professor, instructor, or equivalent; must be within 5 years of first faculty appointment.
• must not have received a career development award previously from any program within the congressionally directed medical research programs.
• must not have received more than $300,000 in total direct costs for previous or concurrent lung cancer research as a pi of one or more federally or privately funded, non-mentored, peer-reviewed grants.
• mentor
• at or above the level of associate professor (or equivalent).
• must have a strong publication and funding record in lung cancer research.
• supports early-career, independent researchers to conduct research under the mentorship of an experienced lung cancer researcher.
• clinical trials not allowed.
• preliminary data discouraged.
• military relevance strongly encouraged.
• maximum funding of $250,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• period of performance should not exceed 2 year.

clinical translational research partnership award – letter of intent due july 15, 2020

investigators at or above the level of assistant professor (or equivalent).

• supports translational studies that include a clinical trial.
• intended to fund partnerships between clinicians and laboratory scientists that accelerate ideas in lung cancer into clinical applications.
• one partner is strongly encouraged to be from either a military treatment facility of a department of veterans affairs medical center.
• non-traditional partnerships are encouraged.
• preliminary lung cancer relevant data required.
• military relevance strongly encouraged.
• patient research advocate involvement encouraged.
• maximum combined funding of $1,200,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• period of performance should not exceed 3 years.

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  all applications must conform to the final program announcements and general application instructions available for electronic downloading from the grants.gov website.  the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov.  a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrdc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420. 

for email notification when program announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org.  for more information about the lcrp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website.

point of contact:

cdmrp help desk

301-682-5507

help@ebrap.org

e.w.r. steacie memorial fellowships recognize early-stage academic researchers in the natural sciences and engineering and support them to enhance their research capacity, so that they can become leaders in their field and inspire others. nserc awards up to six steacie fellowships each year. steacie fellowships honour the memory of dr. edgar william richard steacie.