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