The FY21 GWIRP Research Advancement Award 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. The Research Advancement Award targets the Qualification phase of the research pipeline as outlined in Section II.A.2.
Preliminary Data: Inclusion of preliminary data in the field of GWI and other supporting information is required. The project should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on existing evidence in the GWI field that holds translational potential.
Impact: 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. All applications must focus on features of GWI and Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War affected by GWI. The application should clearly and explicitly articulate the project’s potential impact on GWI.
The types of activities supported include 1) expansion of limited data on candidate markers, mechanistic targets, therapeutics, or other interventions; 2) replication of druggable mechanistic targets, further development of leading compounds, or the collection of preclinical data for repurposing an existing approved drug or for new Investigational New Drug (IND) application submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Applicants proposing to test FDA-approved drugs in animal models for efficacy must explain why preclinical testing is required prior to clinical pilot trials in humans.
Deadlines:
• Required Pre-Application Deadline: May 7, 2021
• Application Submission Deadline: Aug. 19, 2021
Considering The Gulf War Illness Landscape and the GWIRP’s mission, all FY21 GWIRP applications must address at least one of the following overarching challenges unless adequate justification for exception is provided.*
- Treatments: Eliminate the health consequences associated with GWI and/or revolutionize treatment
- Diagnosis: Better define and diagnose GWI
- Subtyping: Distinguish subtypes to better target treatments, monitor therapy, identify severity of GWI, or to identify why GWI is worse for some Veterans than for others
- Determinants: Identify and validate determinants of GWI, including latency and impacts on organs and systems
- Consequences: Determine whether GWI alters risk for developing neurological conditions, cancers, or other serious conditions; or whether GWI alters outcomes of other infections/ diseases
- Communicate & Educate: Help Veterans, their caregivers, and clinicians communicate effectively about GWI, its symptoms, and potential treatments
Independent investigators at any academic level (or equivalent) may be named by the organization as the PI on the application. There are no limitations on the number of applications for which an investigator may be named as a PI. An eligible PI, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status, must be employed by, or affiliated with, an eligible organization.
The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY21 GWIRP Research Advancement Award will not exceed $600,000. If applying under the Biorepository Contribution Option, direct costs will not exceed $620,000. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.