A primary emphasis of the USSOCOM Biomedical, Human Performance, and Canine Research Program is to identify and develop techniques, knowledge products, and materiel (medical devices, drugs, and biologics) for early intervention in life-threatening injuries, prolonged field care (PFC), human performance optimization, and canine medicine/performance. Special Operations Forces (SOF) medical personnel place a premium on medical equipment that is small, lightweight, ruggedized, modular, multi-use, and designed for operation in extreme environments. The equipment must be easy to use, require minimum maintenance, and have low power consumption. Drugs and biologics should not require refrigeration or other special handling. All materiel and related techniques must be simple and effective, and easily modified for commercialization. Research projects may apply existing scientific and technical knowledge for which concept and/or patient care efficacy have already been demonstrated to meet SOF requirements.
The proposed research must be relevant to active duty Service members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public. Relevant research must be responsive to the health care needs of the Armed Forces, family members of the Armed Forces, the U.S. Veterans and civilian populations. Proposals/applications must address a relevant health problem responsive to one of the Research Areas of Interest (RAI) identified below. Additional RAI’s may be added during the life of the BAA (FY23-FY28). The following RAIs are in no particular order:
- Damage Control Resuscitation
- Prolonged Field Care (PFC)
- Portable Lab Assays and Diagnostics
- Force Health Protection and Environmental Medicine
- Brain Health
- Immune Response
- Chronic Pain
- Automation of Systematic Reviews and Metanalysis
- Medical Simulation and Training Technologies
- Human Performance Optimization
- Canine Medicine and Performance
Awards are made to organizations only. Organizations eligible to apply include national, international, for-profit, non-profit, public, and private organizations. Refer to the General Submission Instructions, Appendix 3.B, for general eligibility information.
Eligible investigators include all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status, who are employed by, or affiliated with, an eligible organization. The USAMRAA makes awards to eligible organizations, not to individuals.
The Anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance will not exceed $3 Million annually. The number of awards is indeterminate and contingent upon funding availability. Any funding that is received by the USSOCOM that is appropriate for a research area described within this BAA may be utilized to fund awards. Refer to Section II.D.5. Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.