the fy22 defense appropriations act is anticipated to provide funding for the orthotics and prosthetics outcomes research program (oporp) to support research that evaluates orthoses and/or prostheses using patient-centric outcomes relevant to service members and military beneficiaries, veterans and other individuals with limb loss and/or limb impairment. the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the cdmrp at the u.s. army medical research and development command (usamrdc).

the fy22 oporp funding opportunity announcements for the following award mechanisms are posted on the grants.gov website.

the vision of the oporp is to ensure the highest possible quality of life for our service members, veterans, and beneficiaries through the advancement of knowledge in orthotics and prosthetics-related research. the oporp supports research on outcomes-based best practices through analysis of prosthetic and/or orthotic device options that are currently available, and not on the development of new devices or the improvement of an existing technology. projects involving spinal orthoses, pediatric populations, or analysis of short-term use devices will not be considered for the fy22 oporp.

applications submitted to the fy22 oporp must address one or more of the following strategic goals:

• optimize patient-specific technology prescription for the warfighter/veteran. applications submitted to this goal should focus on identifying optimal (1) devices and device characteristics, (2) human interface with devices, and/or (3) intuitive control systems, all grounded in an understanding of the requirements of patient-specific needs and the capabilities and limitation of available devices.
• optimize patient-specific rehabilitation regimens for the warfighter/veteran. applications submitted to this goal should address the cause and effect of an orthotic or prosthetic device on optimal type, timing, and dosing (e.g. duration, frequency, intensity) of rehabilitation for each individual in the context of each person’s unique requirements and preferences. efforts that also address the impact of provider competencies and patient training on the effectiveness of the rehabilitation regimen, as well as efforts to identify the best approaches to mitigate secondary health deficits, are encouraged.
• support standardized assessment of patient outcomes related to prosthetics and orthotics. applications submitted to this goal should seek to validate function and performance, community integration, and user satisfaction outcomes associated with various device properties and functional abilities. an important objective of this goal is to enhance the understanding of the outcomes that matter most for individuals living with orthotic and prosthetic devices.

funding opportunities-fy21 oporp, congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp) (army.mil)

clinical research award – letter of intent due may 4, 2022

independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)

• supports clinical research that evaluates orthoses and/or prostheses using patient-centric outcomes relevant to service members and military beneficiaries, veterans, and other individuals with limb loss and/or impairment.
• supported research is intended to generate clinically useful evidence with potential to optimize patient outcomes and inform clinical or policy decisions.
• • multidisciplinary collaboration among academia, industry, patient advocacy, the military services, the u.s. department of veterans affairs (va), and/or other federal government agencies is highly encouraged.
• applications submitted to the fy22 oporp cra must address at least one of the fy22 oporp strategic goals
• preclinical studies using animals are not allowed.
• clinical trials are not allowed.

the fy22 oporp cra offers two funding levels: funding level 1:

• maximum funding of $350,000 for total costs (direct costs plus indirect costs)

• maximum period of performance is 2 years funding level 2:

• maximum funding of $2,000,000 for total costs (direct costs plus indirect costs)

• maximum period of performance is 4 years

clinical trial award – letter of intent due may 4, 2022

independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)

supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on improving the health and well-being of service members and military beneficiaries, veterans, and other individuals with limb loss and/or limb impairment.

• supports clinical trials that evaluate orthoses and/or prostheses using patient-centric outcomes for the purpose of generating clinically useful evidence to enhance and optimize patient outcomes.

• multidisciplinary collaboration among academia, industry, patient advocacy, the military services, va and/or other federal government agencies is highly encouraged.

• applications submitted to the fy22 oporp cta must address at least one of the fy22 oporp strategic goals.

• preclinical studies using animals are not allowed

the fy22 oporp cta offers two funding levels: funding level 1:

• maximum funding of $350,000 for total costs (direct costs plus indirect costs)

• maximum period of performance is 3 years funding level 2:

• maximum funding of $4,000,000 for total costs (direct costs plus indirect costs)

• maximum period of performance is 4 years

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline. all applications must conform to the final funding opportunity announcements that will be available for downloading from the grants.gov website. the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov. a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrdc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420.

submission deadlines are not available until the funding opportunity announcements are released. for email notification when announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org. for more information about the oporp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

point of contact:

cdmrp public affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

 please contact jill sherman, international research facilitator for more information at:  intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

the fy22 defense appropriations act is providing funding for the epilepsy research program (erp) to understand the mechanisms of post-traumatic epilepsy (pte) and associated comorbidities to improve quality of life, especially in service members, veterans, and caregivers.  the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the cdmrp at the u.s. army medical research and development command (usamrdc).

the fy22 erp funding opportunity announcements for the following award mechanisms is posted on the grants.gov website. 

applications submitted to the fy22 erp must address one or more of the following focus areas:

• innovative research:  tools intended to better inform or improve upon pte research and care, which may include the following:

o   strategies that will improve seizure detection, characterization, visualization, or diagnosis

o   development of new models or better characterization of existing etiologically relevant models for pte

• markers and mechanisms:  identifying biomarkers or mechanisms of pte, which may include the following:

o   predictive biomarkers for epileptogenesis (acute and chronic)

o   research into the prevention of epilepsy and/or seizures

• epidemiology: epidemiological characterization of pte following traumatic brain injury (tbi), which may include the following:

o   understanding and improving the quality of life of individuals with pte, their families, and their caregivers

o   predictors of the development of epilepsy

o   outcomes, including latency to and prevention of epilepsy, comorbidities, and mortality

• longitudinal studies: studies of the evolution of pte, which may include the following:

o   understanding and improving quality of life of individuals with pte, their families, and their caregivers

o   treatment and healthcare outcomes research, including quality of care

o   natural history of pte and prognosis

o   comorbidities (e.g., depression, functional deficits, sleep disorders, major illness)

funding opportunities-fy22 erp, congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp) (army.mil)

idea development award – letter of intent due may 19, 2022

research partnership award – letter of intent due may 19, 2022

the initiating pi and each named co-pi must be at or above the level of an assistant professor (or equivalent) at the time of the application submission deadline.

o  the pi and each named co-pi can be from any field or discipline, but must demonstrate suitable experience relevant to the proposed research.

supports new or existing collaborative research partnerships between/among investigators to address a research problem or question in a manner that would be unachievable through separate efforts.

o  research must address the short-term and long-term impact on the pte research field, patient care, and/or those living with pte.

o  research must be relevant to military service members, their families, and veterans with pte.

o  the application must demonstrate the study team’s experience in pte research, including expertise in the fields of both tbi and epilepsy.

o  applications must include preliminary and/or published data.

o  employing collaborations with members of the pte lived experience community to optimize research impact is encouraged but not required.

o  clinical trials are not allowed.

o  a letter of intent is required; an invitation to submit a full application is not required.

the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $1,300,000 for total costs.

o  indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.

o  the maximum period of performance is 3 years.

**new for fy22**

virtual post-traumatic epilepsy research center (p-terc) – letter of intent due may 19. 2022

virtual post-traumatic epilepsy research center (virtual p-terc) leadership (director and deputy director)

o must be independent investigators at or above the level of associate professor (or equivalent).

o  must have pte research funding (past and present) and have a record of pte publications in peer-reviewed journals.

 the scientific expertise of the director and deputy director should be complementary and within different disciplines along the epilepsy care spectrum.

the director and deputy director are not required to be located at the same organization.

solicits applications for the virtual p-terc director and deputy director, who will establish the virtual p-terc and lead the center in meeting its overarching goal.

 the overarching goal of the virtual p-terc is to develop successful, highly productive pte researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment to enhance quality and expand quantity of the pte research field.

 the virtual p-terc should be a unique, interactive virtual research center providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for new pte investigators.

 the virtual p-terc should foster convergent science wherein investigators from different disciplines solve specific problems together and take a cross-disciplinary approach to move the pte field forward.

 the virtual p-terc leadership are expected to catalyze the growth and professional development of the faculty in collaboration with the faculty member’s career guide, assess the progress of the faculty, promote the cross-pollination of different scientific disciplines, and facilitate communication and collaboration among all of the faculty and career guides.

 a letter of intent is required; an invitation to submit a full application is not required.

the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $1,250,000 for direct costs.

 indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.

 the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

virtual post-traumatic epilepsy research center faculty award – letter of intent fur may 19, 2022

principal investigator (faculty member)

 independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent) may be named by the organization as the pi on the application.

 the pi should be new to the field of pte research as evidenced by only nominal publication and/or funding history in the field.

career guide

 must hold a position at or above the level of an associate professor (or equivalent).

 must be a pte researcher that possesses qualifications, background, and experience in both tbi and epilepsy as well as a track record for mentoring investigators in the field.

the pi and career guide do not need to be located at the same organization.

solicits applications for faculty members to join the virtual p-terc.

 supports an impactful research project with an emphasis on discovery that investigates questions across the pte research spectrum.

 supports the career development of the faculty member to advance and sustain an independent career at the forefront of pte research.

 research must address the short-term and long-term impact on the pte research field, patient care, and/or those living with pte.

 research must be relevant to military service members, their families, and veterans with pte.

 preliminary data are encouraged but not required.

 employing collaborations with members of the pte lived experience community to optimize research impact is encouraged but not required.

 clinical trials are not allowed.

 a letter of intent is required; an invitation to submit a full application is not required.

 the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $500,000 for direct costs.

 indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.

 the maximum period of performance is 3 years.

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  all applications must conform to the final funding opportunity announcements available for downloading from the grants.gov website.  the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov.  a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrdc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420. 

for email notification when announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org.  for more information about the erp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

point of contact:

cdmrp help desk
301-682-5507
help@ebrap.org

for more information, please contact jill sherman, international research facilitator at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

the fy22 defense appropriations act provides funding for the ocrp to support patient-centered research to prevent, detect, treat, and cure ovarian cancer to enhance the health and well-being of service members, veterans, their family members, and all women impacted by this disease.  as directed by the office of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, the defense health agency j9, research and development directorate, manages the defense health program research, development, test, and evaluation appropriation.  the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the cdmrp at the u.s. army medical research and development command (usamrdc).

the fy22 ocrp funding opportunity announcements for the following award mechanisms are be posted on the grants.gov website. 

applications submitted to the fy22 ocrp must address one or more of the following areas of emphasis:

• understand the basic biology and etiology of ovarian cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence, genetics and other critical events
• develop novel therapeutic strategies for treatment and prevention
• identify and develop new strategies for screening, early-stage detection, prevention, accurate diagnosis and prognosis
• identify and implement strategies to improve the survivorship and quality of life
• address health disparities
• address precision medicine 

alternatively, with adequate justification, applications may identify and address another area of importance related to the ovarian cancer. justification must be provided in the application.

funding opportunities-fy22 ocrp, congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp), us dod (army.mil)

investigator-initiated research award – preproposal due may 2, 2022

must be an independent investigator at or above the level of assistant professor (or equivalent).

partnering pi option:

• ·     up to two investigators may collaborate on a single application, each of whom will be recognized as a pi and receive a separate award..
• ·    supports high-impact research that addresses a critical need and has the potential to make an important contribution to ovarian cancer or patient/survivor care. 
• ·    impact is an important review criterion.
• ·    preliminary data are required.
• ·    clinical trials are not allowed.
• ·    the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $600,000 for direct costs.
• ·    maximum funding of $800,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs) for the partnering pi option.
• ·    indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·    the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

ovarian cancer academy award – early-career investigator – preproposal due may 2, 2022

must be within 5 years of last postdoctoral research position (ph.d.), clinical fellowship (m.d.), or equivalent as of the full application submission deadline. 

a statement of eligibility is required with the submission of the full application.

• ·    the ocrp ovarian cancer academy is a unique, interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty.
• ·    early-career investigators whose ability to commit to conducting ovarian cancer research is limited by minimal resources or lack of resources or other overwhelming obstacles are encouraged to apply.
• ·    a designated mentor who is an experienced ovarian cancer researcher with ovarian cancer funding is required.
• ·    a designated mentor may only mentor one early-career investigator.
• ·    the designated mentor is not required to be at the same institution as the early-career investigator.
• ·    preliminary data are required.
• ·    clinical trials are allowed.
• ·    pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• ·    the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $725,000 for direct costs.
• ·    indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·    the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

pilot award – preproposal due may 2, 2022

investigators at the level of postdoctoral fellow or clinical fellow (or equivalent) and above may be named by the organization as the principal investigator (pi) on the application.

• ·    supports the exploration of innovative concepts or theories in ovarian cancer that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will drive the field forward.
• ·    innovation and impact are important review criteria.
• ·    the outcome of research supported by this award should be the generation of robust preliminary data that can be used as a foundation for future research projects; thus, preliminary data are not required but are allowed.
• ·    clinical trials are not allowed.
• ·    pre-application is required and is blinded; application is by invitation only.
• ·    the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $250,000 for direct costs.
• ·    indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·    the maximum period of performance is 2 years.

proteogenomics research award – preproposal due may 2, 2022

investigators at the level of postdoctoral fellow or clinical fellow (or equivalent) and above may be named by the organization as the pi on the application.

• ·    supports the genomic and/or transcriptomic and/or proteomic analysis of currently available clinical specimens with a focus on answering biologic and pathophysiologic questions of clinical relevance in ovarian cancer.
• ·    innovation and impact are important review criteria.
• ·    analysis of clinical trial-derived specimens and/or large patient specimen cohorts is encouraged.
• ·    clinical trials are not allowed.
• ·    preliminary data are not required but are allowed.
• ·    pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• ·    the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $250,000 for direct costs.
• ·    indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·    the maximum period of performance is 2 years.

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  all applications must conform to the final funding opportunity announcements available for downloading from the grants.gov website.  the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov.  a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrdc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420. 

for email notification when announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org.  for more information about the ocrp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

point of contact:

cdmrp help desk
301-682-5507
help@ebrap.org

please contact jill sherman, international research facilitator for more information at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

recognizing memorial university's obligation to ensure that researchers engage with the northern and indigenous people in a respectful, ethical, and deeply collaborative way in keeping with the memorial university’s policy on research impacting indigenous groups, we are pleased to launch the indigenous and northern relationship development fund.

the purpose of this fund is to help researchers establish new relationships or strengthen existing ones. these relationships are important in order to develop collaborative, co-created research projects based on mutual respect and acknowledgment of the deep understanding and knowledge indigenous and northern people bring to such projects as well as ensuring that the academic research and engagement projects meet the needs of the people and the regions where such research takes place.

applicant guide.

for more information, please contact jill sherman, international research facilitator, at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

a partnership between memorial university of newfoundland and labrador, the university of the arctic (uarctic), and yukon university, the purpose of this fund is to support researchers with established relationships and partnerships in the arctic region interested in continuing their research and education programs in the region in keeping with the uarctic values, memorial university’s policy on research impacting indigenous groups and supporting priorities within canada’s arctic and northern policy framework.

applicant guide.

for more information, please contact jill sherman, international research facilitator at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

in a climate-changing world, canada’s high dependence on imported fresh fruits and vegetables makes it vulnerable to food systems disruption. we are able to grow many fruits and vegetables in canada; however, in large part because of our long winters and high costs of production, we import the majority of our fresh produce from other countries. this over-reliance on imports, coupled with growing public awareness of the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly growing practices, means there is a timely opportunity to improve canada’s ability to grow fresh fruits and vegetables out of season.

the homegrown innovation challenge will identify teams and support the development of tools and technologies that enable canadian farmers and producers to sustainably and competitively grow berries out of season. by solving the interconnected challenges that currently prevent out-of-season production of berries at scale, the homegrown innovation challenge will catalyze a range of solutions relevant to a broad array of fruit and vegetable crops in canada and around the world.

the challenge was launched in february 20222, and is funded and delivered by the weston family foundation.

key points

• the program will award $33m in total over six years, and an innovation team making it to the end of the challenge can receive grants totaling up to $8m.
• applications for the spark phase ($50k to help bring together a team and develop a full proposal for the shepherd phase) are due may 3^rd 2022. applications for entry into the shepherd phase ($1m to build out a small proof of concept) are due dec 20^th 2022. applying to the spark phase is not a prerequisite to apply for the shepherd phase.
• we encourage multi-stakeholder teams to apply; the lead organization must be a cra-qualified donee (qd), though non-qds (including international and for-profit entities) can participate as part of a team. we are happy to support team-building through a number of channels.
• we are hosting an informational webinar on april 13^th, 2022 at 1 pm et.
• for more information please check our english and french websites (http://homegrownchallenge.ca/ and https://deficultiverlinnovation.ca/) or contact hgc staff (challenge@westonfoundation.ca or defi@westonfoundation.ca).

he fy22 defense appropriations act is providing funding for the bcrp to support innovative, high-impact research with clinical relevance that will accelerate progress to end breast cancer for service members, veterans, and the general public.  the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the cdmrp at the u.s. army medical research and development command (usamrdc).

the bcrp is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated fy22 funding opportunities.  this pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the government.  the fy22 bcrp funding opportunity announcements for the following award mechanisms will be posted on the grants.gov website.  pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the announcements are released. 

applications submitted to the fy22 bcrp must address one or more of the following overarching challenges:

• prevent breast cancer (primary prevention)
• identify determinants of breast cancer initiation, risk, or susceptibility
• distinguish deadly from non-deadly breast cancers
• conquer the problems of overdiagnosis and overtreatment
• identify what drives breast cancer growth; determine how to stop it
• identify why some breast cancers become metastatic
• determine why/how breast cancer cells lie dormant for years and then re-emerge; determine how to prevent lethal recurrence
• revolutionize treatment regimens by replacing them with ones that are more effective, less toxic, and impact survival
• eliminate the mortality associated with metastatic breast cancer

funding opportunities - fy22 breast cancer research program, congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp), us dod (army.mil)

breakthrough award levels 1 and 2 – letter of intent due may 2, 2022

• ·     investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)
• ·     applications from postdoctoral fellows are encouraged under funding levels 1 and 2.
• ·     each investigator may be named as a principal investigator (pi) or initiating pi on only one application per funding level for the breakthrough award levels 1 and 2.
• ·     there are no limitations on the number of applications for which an investigator may be named as a partnering pi. however, investigators are discouraged from being named as a partnering pi on multiple fy22 breakthrough award levels 1 and 2 applications unless they are clearly unique, meaningful collaborations addressing distinct research questions.
  • ·     supports promising research that has high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer.
  • ·     research should have the potential for a major impact and accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.
  • ·     potential impact of the research may be near-term or long-term, but it must move beyond a minor advancement and have the potential to lead to a new approach that is fundamentally better than interventions already approved or in clinical development.
  • ·     partnering pi option allows two pis, termed initiating and partnering pis, to partner on a single application.

○     each pi is expected to bring distinct contributions to the application.

○     the application should clearly demonstrate that both pis have equal intellectual input into the design of the project and will devote similar and appropriate levels of effort to the conduct of the project.

○     applications where one pi is providing samples, animal models, or investigational agents while the other pi is conducting most or all of the experiments and analyses do not meet the intent of the partnering pi option.

○     different funding levels, based on the scope of research, are available for the breakthrough award. each level has a defined research scope. it is the responsibility of the pi to select the level that aligns with the scope of the proposed research. the funding level should be selected based on the research scope of the proposed research and not the amount of the budget.

the following are general descriptions, although not all-inclusive, of the scope of research projects that would be appropriate to propose under each funding level:

• ·     funding level 1: innovative, high-risk/ high-reward research that is in the earliest stages of idea development or is an untested theory that addresses an important problem. to foster research that yields new avenues of investigation, preliminary data are not required. proof of concept is the anticipated outcome.
• ·     funding level 2: research that is already supported by substantial preliminary or published data and strongly validates clinical translation in a well-defined context within the breast cancer landscape.
• ·     funding level 2 – population science and prevention studies: research that is already supported by substantial preliminary or published data and strongly validates clinical translation in a well-defined context within the breast cancer landscape. with compelling justification, population science and prevention studies may request higher levels of funding and an additional year in the period of performance. such studies may require additional resources due to the participation of human subjects and/or use of human biospecimens.

funding levels 1 and 2

• ·     submission of a letter of intent is required prior to full application submission.
• ·     clinical trials are not allowed.

funding level 1:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $450,000 for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
  • ·     the maximum period of performance is 3 years.

funding level 1 with partnering pi option:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $750,000 for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
  • ·     the maximum period of performance is 3 years.

funding level 2:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $1 million (m) for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·     the maximum period of performance is 3 years.

funding level 2 – population science and prevention studies:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $1.5m for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
  • ·     the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

funding level 2 with partnering pi option:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $1.5m for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·     the maximum period of performance is 3 years.

funding level 2 – population science and prevention studies with partnering pi option:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $2m for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
  • ·     the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

era of hope scholar award – letter of intent due may 3, 2022

independent, non-mentored investigators within 6 years of their last training position as of the application submission deadline (excluding time spent on family medical leave). 

postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows (including residents and interns), and other researchers currently in training positions are not eligible.

an investigator may be names as the pi on only one fy22 era of hope scholar award application.

• ·      supports individuals early in their careers who have demonstrated significant potential to effect meaningful change in breast cancer.
  • ·      individuals should be exceptionally talented scientists who have shown that they are the “best and brightest” in their field(s) through extraordinary creativity, vision, innovation, and productivity.
  • ·      pis must demonstrate experience in forming effective partnerships and collaborations and exhibit strong potential for future leadership in breast cancer research.
  • ·      applications should articulate a vision that challenges current dogma and demonstrates an ability to look beyond tradition and convention.
    • ·     experience in breast cancer research is not required; however, the application must focus on breast cancer, and the pi must maintain a 50% dedication of their full-time effort during the award period to breast cancer research.
    • ·     applications must include two or more breast cancer advocates on the research team.
    • ·     submission of a letter of intent is required prior to full application submission.
    • ·     clinical trials are allowed.
    • ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $3m for direct costs.
    • ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
    • the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  all applications must conform to the final funding opportunity announcements available for downloading from the grants.gov website.  the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov.  a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrdc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420. 

for email notification when announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org.  for more information about the bcrp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

point of contact:

cdmrp help desk
301-682-5507
help@ebrap.org

for more information, please contact jill sherman, international research facilitator, at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

the fy22 defense appropriations act is providing funding for the bcrp to support innovative, high-impact research with clinical relevance that will accelerate progress to end breast cancer for service members, veterans, and the general public.  the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the cdmrp at the u.s. army medical research and development command (usamrdc).

the bcrp is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated fy22 funding opportunities.  this pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the government.  the fy22 bcrp funding opportunity announcements for the following award mechanisms will be posted on the grants.gov website.  pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the announcements are released. 

applications submitted to the fy22 bcrp must address one or more of the following overarching challenges:

• prevent breast cancer (primary prevention)
• identify determinants of breast cancer initiation, risk, or susceptibility
• distinguish deadly from non-deadly breast cancers
• conquer the problems of overdiagnosis and overtreatment
• identify what drives breast cancer growth; determine how to stop it
• identify why some breast cancers become metastatic
• determine why/how breast cancer cells lie dormant for years and then re-emerge; determine how to prevent lethal recurrence
• revolutionize treatment regimens by replacing them with ones that are more effective, less toxic, and impact survival
• eliminate the mortality associated with metastatic breast cancer

funding opportunities - fy22 breast cancer research program, congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp), us dod (army.mil)

breakthrough award level 3 – preproposal due april 28, 2022

• ·     independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent).
• ·     there are no limits on the number of pre-applications for which an investigator may be named as a pi, initiating pi, or partnering pi for the breakthrough award level 3.
• ·     investigators are discouraged from being named on multiple pre- applications unless they are clearly addressing distinct

research questions

• ·     supports promising research that has high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer.
  • ·     research should have the potential for a major impact and accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.
  • ·     potential impact of the research may be near-term or long-term, but it must move beyond a minor advancement and have the potential to lead to a new approach that is fundamentally better than interventions already approved or in clinical development.
  • ·     applications are expected to identify the breast cancer patients or at-risk individuals who would ultimately benefit from the proposed research.
  • ·     partnering pi option allows two pis, termed initiating and partnering pis, to partner on a single application.

○     each pi is expected to bring distinct contributions to the application.

○     the application should clearly demonstrate that both pis have equal intellectual input into the design of the project and will devote similar and appropriate levels of effort to the conduct of the project.

○     applications where one pi is providing samples, animal models, or investigational agents while the other pi is conducting most or all of the experiments and analyses do not meet the intent of the partnering pi option.

different funding levels, based on the scope of research are available for the breakthrough award. each level has a defined research scope. it is the responsibility of the pi to select the level that aligns with the scope of the proposed research. the funding level should be selected based on the research scope and not on the amount of the budget.

the following is a general description, although not all-inclusive, of the scope of research projects that would be appropriate to propose under this funding level:

• ·      funding level 3: advanced translational studies with a high degree of project readiness. where relevant, proof of availability of and access to necessary data, human samples, cohort(s), and/or critical reagents must be provided. if the proposed research would ultimately require u.s. food and drug administration (fda) involvement, applications must demonstrate availability of and access to clinical reagents (e.g., therapeutic molecules) and patient population(s). applications must state a realistic timeline for near-term clinical investigation. small-scale clinical trials (e.g., first in human; phase 1/1b) may be appropriate.

additional elements

• ·      pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• ·      applications must include two or more breast cancer advocates on the research team.
• ·      clinical trials are allowed.

funding level 3:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $4m for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
  • ·     the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

funding level 3 with partnering pi option:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $5m for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·     the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

breakthrough award level 4 – preproposal due april 28, 2022

• ·      independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent).
• ·      there are no limits on the number of pre-applications for which an investigator may be named as a pi, initiating pi, or partnering pi for the breakthrough award level 4.

investigators are discouraged from being named on multiple pre- applications unless they are clearly addressing distinct research questions.

• ·     supports promising research that has high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer.
  • ·     research should have the potential for a major impact and accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.
  • ·     potential impact of the research may be near-term or long-term, but it must move beyond a minor advancement and have the potential to lead to a new approach that is fundamentally better than interventions already approved or in clinical development.
  • ·      applications are expected to identify the breast cancer patients or at-risk individuals who would ultimately benefit from the proposed research.
  • ·     partnering pi option allows two pis, termed initiating and partnering pis, to partner on a single application.

○     each pi is expected to bring distinct contributions to the application.

○     the application should clearly demonstrate that both pis have equal intellectual input into the design of the project and will devote similar and appropriate levels of effort to the conduct of the project.

○     applications where one pi is providing samples, animal models, or investigational agents while the other pi is conducting most or all of the experiments and analyses do not meet the intent of the partnering pi option.

○     different funding levels, based on the scope of research are available for the breakthrough award. each level has a defined research scope. it is the responsibility of the pi to select the level that aligns with the scope of the proposed research. the funding level should be selected based on the research scope and not on the amount of the budget.

the following is a general description, although not all-inclusive, of the scope of research projects that would be appropriate to propose under this funding level:

funding level 4: large-scale projects that will transform and revolutionize the clinical management and/or prevention of breast cancer. human clinical trials are required. pis are expected to have experience in successfully leading large- scale projects and demonstrated ability (through personal experience or via a commitment from a collaborating clinical investigator) to implement a clinical project successfully. where relevant, applications must demonstrate availability of and access to necessary data, human samples, cohort(s), and/or critical reagents. for proposed research that will require fda involvement, project readiness requirements at the time of application submission include: proof of availability of and access to clinical reagents (e.g., therapeutics) that meet regulatory compliance guidelines; proof of availability of and access to appropriate subject population(s); validated projections for patient recruitment; and submission of an investigational new drug or investigational device exemption application to the fda, if applicable.

additional elements

• ·      pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• ·      applications must include two or more breast cancer advocates on the research team.

clinical trials are required.

funding level 4 and funding level 4 with partnering pi option:

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $10m for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·     the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

innovator award – preproposal due april 28, 2022

• ·      associate professor (or equivalent) or above
• ·      previous bcrp innovator award recipients are ineligible.

an investigator may be named as pi on only one innovator award pre- application.

• ·      supports visionary individuals who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovative work, and paradigm-shifting leadership in any field including, but not limited to, breast cancer.
• ·      provides these individuals with the opportunity and freedom to pursue novel, visionary, high-risk ideas that could accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.
• ·      experience in breast cancer research is not required; however, the application must focus on breast cancer, and the pi must maintain a 50% dedication of their full-time effort during the award period to breast cancer research.
• ·      applications must include two or more breast cancer advocates on the research team.
• ·      pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• ·      clinical trials are allowed.
• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $7m for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·      the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

transformative breast cancer consortium award – preproposal due april 28, 2022

• ·      independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)
• ·      the consortium director is required to commit and maintain at least 25% level of time and effort during the award period.
• ·      an investigator may be named as consortium director on only one pre- application.
• ·      there are no limits on the number of pre-applications for which an investigator may be named as a project team pi.
  • ·      supports collaborations and ideas that will transform or improve the lives of individuals with, and/or at risk for, breast cancer and will significantly accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.
  • ·      requires a synergistic, highly integrated, multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional research team of leading scientists, clinicians, and consumer advocates who will be assembled into a consortium to address a major problem in a way that could not be accomplished by a single investigator or group.
  • ·      the consortium should have at least four, but no more than five, project teams, each investigating different projects under a central hypothesis. each team’s work must be integrated within the consortium so that every component is working toward the consortium’s central hypothesis.
    • ·      the proposed consortium’s overall work is expected to be innovative.  in addition, the transformative breast cancer consortium award will include funds for “seed projects” to pursue brand new, high-risk/high-reward concepts that arise from the work, during the award period.
  • ·      this award is not intended to replace, supplement, duplicate, or compete with other collaborative research efforts, such as the national cancer institute (nci) specialized programs of research excellence (spores), and it should not represent a collection of related program project grants or subprojects.
    • ·      research funded under this award mechanism should result in answers that will fundamentally and significantly transform and disrupt the present breast cancer landscape.

applications must include the following:

• ·      research that includes truly innovative and brand-new paradigm-shifting work in breast cancer that will address vital issues in a unique way. the issues may be one (or more) of the fy22 bcrp overarching challenges or, with justification, may be a different issue that meets the intent of the award mechanism and addresses the mission of ending breast cancer. if the application identifies a different fundamental issue, it must be coupled with at least one of the fy22 bcrp overarching challenges.
• ·      research that includes different disciplines that come together to address ending breast cancer with an ecologic approach. the consortium’s proposed research must look at all aspects of the disease and bring together these different perspectives into one overarching plan for a deep, definitive dive into the fy22 bcrp overarching challenge(s) or other fundamental issue identified in the application. the plan also should include issues related to the hypothesis that have not been previously addressed or answered.
  • ·      a plan that describes in detail the integration across the consortium in all aspects, including administration, logistics, and substance. applications must describe the substantive integration across and among teams that are necessary for the work. the required communication plan and administrative management plan will not suffice to show integration, nor will identifying individual team members who will cross teams. a detailed explanation of the substantive research processes that will be integrated is required.
  • ·      although not all inclusive, applications that propose the following as the primary effort(s) or central hypothesis of the consortium will not meet the intent of this award mechanism:
  • ·      nci program project or spore grants or applications
    • ·      conducting drug screens or testing a “cocktail” of therapeutics
    • ·      targeting a single gene or protein
    • ·      developing a new derivative or formulation of an old drug
    • ·      conducting genomic landscape mapping analyses
    • ·      seeking to improve existing technologies (e.g., mammography or magnetic resonance imaging screening)

additional elements

• ·      pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• ·      the award mechanism is structured with a consortium director and at least three, but not more than four, project team pis.
• ·      applications must include at least one breast cancer consumer advocate per project team.
• ·      clinical trials (up to and including phase 1 or equivalent) are allowed but not required, and the primary thrust of the application should not be a clinical trial.
• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $25m for direct costs.
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·     the maximum period of performance is 4 years.

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  all applications must conform to the final funding opportunity announcements available for downloading from the grants.gov website.  the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov.  a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrdc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420. 

for email notification when announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org.  for more information about the bcrp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

point of contact:

cdmrp help desk
301-682-5507
help@ebrap.org

 for more information, please contact jill sherman, international research facilitator, at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

the fy22 defense appropriations act is anticipated to provide funding for the alsrp to support development of effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als).  the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the cdmrp at the u.s. army medical research and development command (usamrdc).

the fy22 alsrp funding opportunity announcements for the following award mechanisms are posted on the grants.gov website. 

funding opportunities-fy22 alsrp, congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp) (army.mil)

pilot clinical trial award – preproposal due april 29, 2022

independent investigators at or above the level of assistant professor (or equivalent)

• ·     supports exploratory clinical trials of novel therapeutics to demonstrate feasibility and inform the design of more advanced trials in als.
• ·     must support a clinical trial and may not be used for preclinical research studies.
• ·     preliminary data are required.
• ·     applications investigating a therapeutic must include plans to generate biomarker data.  biomarkers may measure target engagement, pharmacodynamic effects, and/or be predictive/cohort-selective.

clinical care tier: 

• ·     applications not investigating a novel therapeutic, but proposing a clinical trial to optimize established als clinical care may submit under the clinical care tier.
• ·     types of efforts that will be supported include:

○       optimization of respiratory care strategies

○       improvements to approved devices and assistive technologies

○       specific symptom management strategies

• ·      pre-application submission is required; full application submission is by invitation only.
• ·      maximum funding of $2,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• ·     maximum funding of $1,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs) if applying for the clinical care tier
• ·     maximum period of performance is 3 years.

therapeutic development award – preproposal due april 29, 2022

independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)

• ·     supports secondary preclinical validation and investigational new drug (ind)-enabling studies of therapeutics for als.
• ·     preliminary data are required, including strong rationale and efficacy data for the chosen therapeutic in at least one als-relevant model system.
• ·     biomarker development and/or characterization (if not already validated), in parallel to the main therapeutic effort, is a critical component of the therapeutic development award.
  • ·       pre-application submission is required; full application submission is by invitation only.
  • ·        maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $1,000,000 for direct costs
  • ·        indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institutions negotiated rate agreement.
  • ·        the maximum period of performance is 3 years

clinical biomarker development award – preproposal due april 29, 2022

independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent) 

• ·     supports maximization of clinical als resources and biorepositories to better define subtypes, predict therapeutic response, or assess prognosis.
• ·     emphasis is on the development of clinical biomarkers to enrich clinical trials in als. biomarkers may measure target engagement, pharmacodynamic effects, and/or be predictive/cohort-selective.
• ·     data and resource sharing (biosamples/data sets/analyses) are important and scored criteria.
• ·     types of efforts that will be supported include:

○    using patient-based resources to link biosamples to rigorous molecular data

○     collecting and analyzing biospecimens as a companion to an anticipated/ongoing clinical trial

○    correlating clinical trial-related data (e.g., biosample analyses, imaging, or epidemiological data) with clinical outcomes/ responses to therapies

pre-application submission is required; full application submission is by invitation only.

• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is  $500,000 for direct costs
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement
• ·     maximum period of performance is 2 years

therapeutic idea award – preproposal due april 29, 2022

independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent) 

• ·     supports hypothesis-driven preclinical therapeutic development.
• ·     projects focusing primarily on investigating als pathophysiology, without consideration of therapeutic development, are outside the scope of this award mechanism.
• ·     preliminary data are not required.
• ·     early career investigators are encouraged to apply.
• ·     biomarker option:  applications that include development of biomarkers in parallel to the main therapeutic effort and that meet criteria outlined in the funding opportunity announcement will qualify for a higher level of funding.
• ·     pre-application submission is required; full application submission is by invitation only.
• ·     the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $500,000 for direct costs
• ·     indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.
• ·     biomarker option: the maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $600,000 for direct costs
• ·     maximum period of performance is 2 years

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  all applications must conform to the final funding opportunity announcements available for downloading from the grants.gov website.  the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov.  a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrdc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420.

for email notification when announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org.  for more information about the alsrp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

point of contact:

cdmrp help desk
301-682-5507
help@ebrap.org

for more information, please contact jill sherman, international research facilitator, at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.