OpportunityTitle: DoD Spinal Cord Injury Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Description: The SCIRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) mechanism was first offered in FY09. Since then, 70 Investigator-Initiated Research Award applications have been received, and 13 have been recommended for funding. The IIRA is intended to support studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to SCI research and/or patient care. Projects should be innovative, address an Area of Encouragement, and be applicable to the health care needs of the Armed Forces, their family members, and/or the U.S. veteran population. All applications must specifically and clearly address the military relevance of the proposed research. Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged. Research projects may focus on any phase of research from basic through translational, including preclinical studies in animal models or human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial. Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from laboratory discovery, population-based studies, a clinician&#146;s first-hand knowledge of patients, or anecdotal data. Proposals must include preliminary and/or published data originating from the PI, research team, or partners that is relevant to the topic area and the proposed project. Clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism. The SCIRP encourages clinical trials with a focus on rehabilitation through the Clinical Trial Award &#150; Rehabilitation (for information about this award mechanism, see http://cdmrp.army.mil). Principal Investigators (PIs) wishing to apply for funding for a clinical trial focused on Rehabilitative Medicine should utilize this mechanism. A clinical trial is defined as a prospective accrual of patients where an intervention is tested on a human subject for a measurable outcome for safety and/or efficacy. Clinical trials require informed consent on the subject, and may include identifiable information. Use of Human Subjects and Human Biological Substances: All DOD-funded research involving human subjects and human biological substances must be reviewed and approved by the USAMRMC Office of Research Protections (ORP), Human Research Protection Office (HRPO), in addition to local IRBs. The HRPO is mandated to comply with specific laws and directives governing all research involving human subjects that is conducted or supported by the DOD. These laws and directives are rigorous and detailed, and will require information in addition to that supplied to the local review board. Allow a minimum of 6 months for regulatory review and approval processes for studies involving human subjects. Optional Qualified Collaborator(s): The FY10 SCIRP strongly supports collaborative research between basic scientists and clinical researchers, and between academic scientists and biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry scientists. Collaborations that bring new perspectives from other disciplines or bring new investigators into the SCI field are also strongly encouraged. Collaborations that meet the criteria below will qualify for a higher level of funding. To utilize the Optional Qualified Collaborator: 1) The PI must submit a Statement of Collaboration that clearly identifies the collaborating investigator and addresses how each of the criteria below are met, and 2) The collaborator must provide a letter of collaboration describing his/her involvement in the proposed work. It should be clear that the success of the project depends on the unique skills and contributions of each partner. Optional Qualified Collaborator Criteria: &#149; The collaborator(s) must significantly contribute to the project such that the proposed work could not be accomplished without his/her involvement. &#9675; A proposed project in which the collaborator(s) merely supplies tissue samples or access to patients will not meet the intent and will not be qualified for the higher level of funding. &#149; Either the PI or the collaborator(s) must have SCI research experience as demonstrated through publications and/or funding history. &#149; The collaborator(s) must be at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent). &#149; At least a 10% level of effort is required of the collaborator(s). Contribution of the collaborator should be reflected in the application&#146;s budget.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: CDMRP Help Desk
GrantorContactText: PA HELP:  301-619-7079; cdmrp.pa@amedd.army.mil &lt;br/&gt;eReceipt HELP:  301-619-5507; help@cdmrp.org &lt;br/&gt;