Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) -- Neurofibromatosis Research Program -- Early Investigator Research Award

Funding Agency:
Department of Defense

The Early Investigator Research Award supports NF-focused research opportunities for individuals in the early stages of their careers, under the guidance of a Designated Mentor. This opportunity allows for early-stage investigators to develop a research project, investigate a problem or question in NF research, and further their intellectual development as an NF researcher of the future. The postdoctoral investigator is considered the Principal Investigator (PI) of the application and must exhibit strong potential for, and commitment to, pursuing a career as an investigator at the forefront of NF research; however, the PI is not required to have previous NF research experience. Applications must include at least one mentor, appropriate to the proposed research project, who has experience in NF research and mentoring as demonstrated by a record of active funding, recent publications, and successful mentorship. The Designated Mentor can be a junior faculty member, in which case the PI is encouraged to include a co-mentor with a more robust track record in NF research and mentorship. The selected mentor(s) should also demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of the PI toward independence as an NF researcher.

Deadlines:
• Required Pre-Application Submission Deadline:  Aug. 11, 2023
• Application Submission Deadline: Aug. 25, 2023

Agency Website

Areas of Interest

Areas of Emphasis: The FY23 NFRP strongly encourages research applications that specifically address the critical needs of the NF community in one or more of the Areas of Emphasis listed below. All applications are also encouraged to include materials and data from diverse populations in their research.

• NF2 and Schwannomatosis-related areas (e.g., hearing, balance, schwannoma, ependymoma, meningioma, LZTR1, SMARCB1)

• Endpoint validation, biomarker discovery, and technological innovation for assessments

• Application of data science

• Non-tumor manifestations not limited to: o Pain o Cognitive manifestations o Sleep

• Heterogeneity of NF-related phenotypes

• Genetics, genomics, epigenetics, systems biology, metabolomics, or similar approaches

• Preclinical efficacy studies

• Target identification and drug discovery

• Nutritional, environmental, and other modifiers of NF

• Health services research

Eligibility Requirements

The PI must: • Be involved in a postdoctoral training or medical residency program • Possess up to 4 years of continuous postdoctoral research experience by the Early Investigator Research Award application submission deadline • Possess a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., D.O./Ph.D.) or a clinical doctoral degree (i.e., M.D./D.O. or Ph.D. in a clinical discipline) from an accredited organization or program • Commit at least 50% of their effort toward the proposed NF research project

An eligible PI, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status, must be employed by, or affiliated with, an eligible organization.

Amount

$200,000

Amount Description

The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY23 NFRP Early Investigator Research Program Award should not exceed $200,000. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.

Funding Type

Award
Grant

Eligibility

Medical Fellow/Resident
Post Doctoral Fellows

Category

Environmental & Life Sciences
Medical
Medical - Basic Science
Medical - Clinical Science
Medical - Translational

External Deadline

August 11, 2023