The ERP seeks to solicit Faulty members to join the Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center (P-TERC) in order to advance PTE research through development of early-career investigators and investigators new to the PTE field. The ERP Virtual P-TERC is a unique, interactive virtual research center providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for new PTE investigators. The overarching goal of the Virtual P-TERC is to develop successful, highly productive PTE researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment to enhance quality and expand quantity of the PTE research field.
The Virtual P-TERC is a multi-institutional career development and research training platform that consists of Faculty and their Career Guides (primary mentors) and is managed by a Director and Deputy Director.
This FY23 program announcement is soliciting Faculty members to join the Virtual P-TERC. Under this award mechanism, the application should focus on BOTH the Faculty member’s research and career development. This award allows the Faculty member (the investigator named as the Principal Investigator [PI] on the application) to pursue an impactful research project with an emphasis on discovery that investigates questions across the PTE research spectrum (Biology/Etiology, Prevention, Diagnosis/Detection, Prognosis, Treatment, and Quality of Life). Applications should address at least one of the FY23 ERP Focus Areas or provide a strong justification as to why the alternative topic is critical to advance understanding of PTE and addresses the ERP mission. This research must be performed under the guidance of a Career Guide. The Career Guide is not required to be at the same institution as the Faculty member.
The ERP encourages applications from Faculty members whose ability to commit to conducting PTE research is limited by minimal resources or a lack of resources, such as a qualified Career Guide at their institution, access to PTE research tools, opportunities for establishing collaborations, or other obstacles.
Deadlines:
Applications to the FY23 Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center Faculty (VirtualP-TERC-F) Award should address at least one of the Focus Areas listed below. Applications may address more than one Focus Area. An application that proposes research outside of these FY23 ERP Focus Areas is also acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong justification as to why the topic is critical to advance understanding of PTE and addresses the ERP mission.
• Markers and Mechanisms: Identifying biomarkers or mechanisms of PTE, which may include the following: ○ Predictive biomarkers of epileptogenesis (acute and chronic) ○ Research into the prevention of epilepsy and/or seizures
• Epidemiology: Epidemiological characterization of PTE following TBI, which may include the following: ○ Understanding and improving the quality of life of individuals with PTE, their families, and/or their care partners ○ Predictors of the development of epilepsy ○ Outcomes, including latency to and prevention of epilepsy, comorbidities, and mortality
• Longitudinal Studies: Studies of the evolution of PTE, which may include the following: ○ Understanding and improving the quality of life of individuals with PTE, their families, and/or their care partners ○ Treatment and healthcare outcomes research, including quality of care ○ Natural history of PTE and prognosis ○ Comorbidities (e.g., depression, functional deficits, sleep disorders, major illness)
• Innovative Research: Tools intended to better inform or improve upon PTE research and care, which may include the following: ○ Strategies that will improve seizure detection, characterization, visualization, or diagnosis ○ Development of new models or better characterization of existing etiologically relevant models for PTE
• Principal Investigator o Early-career investigators and investigators new to the PTE field may be named by the organization as PI. o The PI should be new to the field of PTE research as evidenced by only nominal publication and/or funding history in the field.
• Career Guide o Must hold a position at or above the level of an associate professor (or equivalent). o Must be a PTE researcher that possesses qualifications, background, and experience in BOTH TBI and epilepsy as well as a track record for mentoring investigators in the field. o There is no limit on the number of applications for which an individual may be named as Career Guide. o The Director and Deputy Director of the Virtual P-TERC cannot be listed as a Career Guide.
The PI and Career Guide DO NOT need to be located at the same organization.
The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY23 ERP Virtual P-TERC-F Award should not exceed $525,000. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.
