Ethical considerations are intrinsic to the conduct of robotic and bionic device research. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications that propose research on ethical questions associated with all stages of the design, testing, and/or implementation of bionic and robotic devices.
Application Due Dates: Jan. 26, 2024; January 21, 2025
RFA-EB-23-005 Expiration Date New Date January 22, 2025 per issuance of NOT-EB-24-003. (Original Expiration Date: January 27, 2024 )
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to support research that analyzes and/or addresses bioethical issues related to bionic and robotic devices. Such devices include both invasive and non-invasive technologies used by and for humans to replace, regulate, or otherwise assist human function. The increasing ability of bionic and robotic devices to enable patients to overcome limitations caused by disease and injury and the growing use of these devices in healthcare has surfaced ethical questions. These questions include those related to the invasiveness and autonomy of individuals using bionic and robotic devices, such as: How much autonomy can/should be provided to bionic and robotic devices used on humans? What ethical issues are posed by removing an implantable device at the end of a study? What are the ethical consequences of implanting devices into human beings that potentially modify function?
To address the broad scope and reach of advances in robotics and bionics, applications are invited from investigators representing a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to ethics, engineering, clinical medicine, biology, neuroscience, law, health disparities and inequities research, health services and implementation research, public health, bioinformatics and health information sciences, behavioral and social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, communication science) and the humanities (e.g., history, religion, philosophy, literature).
The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.