The ERP Idea Development Award (IDA) mechanism was first offered in FY15. Since then, 64 IDA applications have been received, and 11 have been recommended for funding.
The intent of the FY17 ERP IDA is to solicit research to understand the magnitude and underlying mechanisms of PTE. The FY17 ERP IDA offers two levels of funding. Funding Level I is intended to support high-risk or high-gain research from Principal Investigators (PIs) at or above the level of a postdoctoral fellow (or equivalent), but below the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent). Note that PIs submitting Funding Level I applications will be required to verify their eligibility for this award. Funding Level II is intended to support a more mature, hypothesis-driven research project. To be considered for an FY17 ERP IDA Funding Level II, the PI must be an independent investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent). While not required, applications to either Funding Level I or II should provide relevant preliminary data. Preliminary data for either Funding Level may come from the PI’s published work, pilot data, or from peer-reviewed literature. The requested budget level should be appropriate for the scope of research proposed.
Deadlines:
FY17 ERP IDA Focus Areas: The research impact for the FY17 ERP IDA is expected to benefit the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. To this end, applications should address at least one of the following FY17 ERP IDA Focus Areas. An application that proposes research outside of these FY17 ERP IDA Focus Areas is acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong rationale. These should be carefully considered as part of the application process.
• Epidemiology: Epidemiological characterization of PTE following TBI, which may include: ○ Risk factors such as demographics, genetic factors, organic head injury factors, or type of insult ○ Differentiation of PTE and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) ○ Outcomes including latency to epilepsy, morbidities and comorbidities, and mortality ○ Pre-existing conditions including psychological and psychiatric risk factors
• Markers and Mechanisms: Identifying markers or mechanisms (via clinical prospective or preclinical models) that address PTE: ○ Early detection ○ Diagnosis ○ Prognosis ○ Morbidity ○ Comorbidity ○ Mortality ○ Risk stratification
• Models of PTE: Development of new models or better characterization of existing etiologically relevant models for PTE, including repetitive TBI.
• Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures: Exploration of the epidemiology, mechanisms, risk factors, or markers of PNES subsequent to TBI.
Funding Level I: The PI must be at or above the level of postdoctoral fellow (or equivalent), but below the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).
Funding Level II: The PI must be an independent investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).
For Funding Level I: The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY17 ERP IDA award will not exceed $300,000. The maximum period of performance is 2 years. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.
For Funding Level II: The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY17 ERP IDA award will not exceed $500,000. The maximum period of performance is 3 years. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.
