The ERP seeks to advance PTE research through development of early-career investigators and investigators new to the PTE field. The ERP Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center (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. Candidates for Virtual P-TERC Faculty will apply and be selected through a separate funding opportunity. The Virtual P-TERC Leadership (the Director and the Deputy Director) should catalyze the growth and professional development of the Faculty in collaboration with the Faculty member’s Career Guide, assess the progress of Faculty, promote the cross-pollination of different scientific disciplines, and facilitate communication and collaboration among all of the Faculty and Career Guides, as well as with national research societies and representatives from the community with lived PTE experience. In addition to fostering scientific development, the Virtual P-TERC, through its Leadership, should provide for professional and leadership development of the Faculty to include skills and competencies needed to fund and manage a productive laboratory.
The Virtual P-TERC should foster convergent science wherein investigators from different disciplines solve specific problems together and take a cross-disciplinary approach to move the PTE field forward. The Center should give Faculty opportunities to operate within a collegial, highly dynamic, and cutting-edge environment to lead PTE research to a new frontier. The intention is that through the Virtual P-TERC, collaborations will foster new growth and research advancements toward better understanding of PTE.
This FY22 program announcement is soliciting applicants for the Virtual P-TERC Director and Deputy Director, who will lead the Center in meeting its overarching goal. Virtual P-TERC Director and Deputy Director (referred to as the Virtual P-TERC Leadership) must be established PTE researchers, can be at different institutions, and can be from different disciplines along the PTE research spectrum. The Virtual P-TERC Leadership must demonstrate a strong record of mentoring and training independent investigators, a commitment to leadership, and the ability to objectively assess the progress of all Faculty in the Virtual P-TERC. Independent investigators new to the PTE field who are interested in applying to become a member of the Virtual P-TERC should refer to the FY22 Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center Faculty Award.
Deadlines:
Virtual P-TERC Leadership (Director and Deputy Director):
The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY22 ERP Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center Leadership Award will not exceed $1,250,000. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.
