OpportunityTitle: DoD Spinal Cord Injury Translational Research Partnership Award
Description: The SCIRP Translational Research Partnership Award mechanism was first offered in FY09. Since then, 13 Translational Research Partnership Award applications have been received, and 5 have been recommended for funding. The intent of the Translational Research Partnership Award (TRPA) is to promote multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary partnerships among clinicians and laboratory scientists that accelerate the movement of promising ideas in spinal cord injury research into clinical applications. This award is intended to support both new and established scientists across a broad spectrum of disciplines in research projects that are likely to have a major impact on spinal cord injury research. Training of the next generation of scientists and clinicians is encouraged; therefore, graduate and medical students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and clinician-scientists are encouraged to be part of the application. The TRPA supports the development of translational research partnerships among two or three independent investigators (known as partners). Proposals should address one of the Areas of Encouragement in spinal cord injury research in a manner that would be less readily achievable through separate efforts. At least one partner must be a clinician, and at least one partner must have experience in spinal cord injury laboratory research. A clinician is defined as an individual who is credentialed (possesses the necessary degrees, licenses, and other certifications) as a care provider in any relevant capacity at the institution of record. Biosketches should include appropriate documentation of credentials. It should be clear that all partners have substantial intellectual input into the design of the research project. A proposed project in which one of the partners merely supplies tissue samples or access to patients will not meet the intent of this mechanism. Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from a laboratory discovery, population-based studies, or a clinician&#146;s firsthand knowledge of patients and preliminary data. While the ultimate goal of translational research is to move an observation forward into clinical application, members of the partnership should view translational research as a two-way continuum between bench and bedside. Developing the research plan must involve a reciprocal flow of ideas and information within the partnership. Developmental pathways for translational research that may be useful for designing translational research studies for support under this mechanism may be found at (http://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/trwg/Pathways-to-Clinical-Goals). The Translational Research Partnership Award does not support clinical trials. The SCIRP encourages clinical trials with a focus on rehabilitation though the Clinical Trial Award &#150; Rehabilitation (for information about this 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. 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. Important aspects of the Translational Research Partnership Award are as follows: 1. Translational: The application should provide evidence for the reciprocal transfer of ideas between basic and clinical science in developing and implementing the research plan. 2. Partnership: The success of the project depends on the unique disciplines, skills, and contributions of each partner. Of the two to three partners, at least one must be a clinician, and at least one must have experience in SCI laboratory research. 3. Multi-institutional: At least two distinct institutions must be involved. 4. Impact: The proposed research should have a significant impact on the concepts or methods that are likely to accelerate the movement of promising ideas in spinal cord injury research into clinical applications. New for FY10: NESTED NEW INVESTIGATOR OPTION The SCIRP is offering opportunities for training graduate students, medical students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and clinician-scientists new to SCI research, as an option for the Translational Research Partnership Award. The intent of the Nested New Investigator Option is to provide mentored research opportunities in SCI research. It is expected that the training will provide new investigators with a meaningful and productive experience in SCI research. Only one Nested New Investigator can be requested per proposal. Applications must include the Nested New Investigator&#146;s name, biosketch, and a letter indicating their professional goals, commitment, and intentions in furthering their interest in SCI research. A letter of support is also required from the Mentor. At the application submission deadline, Nested New Investigators must be either: &#149; A graduate student, medical student, resident, or post-doctoral fellow participating in a mentored training program, or &#149; A clinician with clinical duties and/or responsibilities who is new to scientific research (i.e. no history of independent research funding in any scientific discipline), or &#149; A clinician with clinical duties and/or responsibilities who has research experience but is new to the SCI field (i.e. no history of independent research funding or scientific publications in the field of SCI research).
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;