DoD FY15 Reconstructive Transplant Research (RTR) Translational Research Award | Apply Online

FAQs: DoD FY15 Reconstructive Transplant Research (RTR) Translational Research Award (RTR TRA)

What is the DoD FY15 RTR Translational Research Award (RTR TRA)?

The RTR Translational Research Award (RTR TRA) is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) funding opportunity designed to move promising reconstructive transplant concepts closer to real-world clinical use. It emphasizes translational research that generates the kinds of data packages and model systems needed to navigate the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory review process and be ready to launch a clinical trial.

What is the main purpose of this award?

The main purpose is to support well-grounded translational projects that can de-risk and advance reconstructive transplantation toward FDA review and eventual clinical trials. The program is geared toward producing regulatory-relevant evidence rather than purely exploratory work.

Which DoD program and appropriation supported this opportunity?

This opportunity was offered under the Defense Health Program (DHP) research appropriation and reflects DoD interest in advancing clinical and rehabilitative medicine research relevant to service members and other eligible beneficiaries who may need complex reconstructive solutions.

Who solicited and administered the applications?

Applications were solicited by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) on behalf of the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Research, Development, and Acquisition (RDA) Directorate. The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) managed and executed the announcement and any resulting awards, including day-to-day submission, review logistics, and award administration.

Who provided strategic oversight for the program?

Strategic oversight was provided by Joint Program Committee 8 (Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program), while CDMRP handled program execution and administration.

What kind of research does this mechanism emphasize (basic, clinical, or translational)?

This mechanism emphasizes translational research. It is intended to bridge laboratory science and clinical practice, with proposals expected to show a two-way translation where clinical realities shape lab work and lab findings are refined through clinical insight.

Was this award mechanism new in FY15?

Yes. The RTR Translational Research Award (RTR TRA) was introduced for the first time in FY15.

What is meant by a “two-way bridge” between lab science and clinical practice?

In this program, translation is not treated as a one-direction pipeline from bench to bedside. Instead, proposals are expected to integrate clinical insights into the design of laboratory work and use laboratory findings to inform clinically relevant development steps, reflecting iterative collaboration between clinicians and laboratory scientists.

Does the opportunity encourage collaborative or multidisciplinary teams?

Yes. The announcement explicitly encourages collaboration between laboratory scientists and clinicians and anticipates multidisciplinary teams. Examples of disciplines relevant to successful translation include immunology, surgery, rehabilitation, monitoring technologies, and patient-centered outcomes.

What are the required Focus Areas applicants had to address?

To be responsive, applicants had to address at least one Focus Area. The Focus Areas listed were:

• Immune system regulation (e.g., improving tolerance, reducing rejection, lowering immunosuppression burden)
• Improved access to reconstructive transplantation (approaches that expand availability or feasibility)
• Reconstructive transplantation rehabilitation (methods and protocols that improve functional recovery)
• Graft surveillance and clinical monitoring (tools and strategies to detect rejection, complications, or graft health earlier and more reliably)
• Psychosocial issues associated with VCA (vascularized composite allotransplantation), including psychological readiness, identity, adherence, and long-term wellbeing

What is VCA in the context of this opportunity?

VCA stands for vascularized composite allotransplantation. In the opportunity description, VCA examples include face, hand, or limb transplantation, where psychosocial factors such as identity, adherence, and long-term wellbeing strongly influence outcomes.

What kinds of outcomes or impacts did the Focus Areas suggest the DoD cared about?

The Focus Areas indicate the program was interested not only in surgical success, but also in long-term function, safety, and quality of life. This includes immune management, reliable monitoring, effective rehabilitation, broader feasibility/access, and psychosocial outcomes.

What evidence or prior work was required to be included in an application?

Applications were expected to include preliminary and/or published data relevant to reconstructive transplant research and directly tied to the proposed project. While the program recognized that ideas may originate from lab discoveries, population-based studies, or clinical observations, proposals still needed credible supporting evidence.

Was the program intended to fund exploratory ideas without supporting data?

No. The intent was to fund well-supported translational projects that can produce regulatory-grade data packages and validated model systems, rather than exploratory work in the abstract.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number was W81XWH-15-RTR-TRA.

What type of funding instruments were used?

The opportunity supported awards through grants and cooperative agreements under the broad category of science and technology research and development.

How much total funding was estimated, and how many awards were expected?

The estimated total funding was $3,000,000, with an expectation of about three awards. This implied a competitive selection and potentially sizable per-award support depending on project scope.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of organizations could apply (such as universities, nonprofits, companies, hospitals, and other entities), subject to any clarifications that may have appeared in the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted, and what was the application deadline?

The opportunity was posted on July 23, 2015. The application deadline was December 1, 2015.

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on December 31, 2015.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing associated with it was 12.420, titled Military Medical Research and Development, which is commonly used for DoD medical R&D assistance awards.

What makes a project “responsive” to the RTR TRA?

Based on the description provided, a responsive project would (1) address at least one of the listed Focus Areas, (2) be translational in nature with a clear bench-and-clinic feedback loop, and (3) include preliminary and/or published evidence directly supporting the proposed work, with the goal of generating regulatory-relevant data and validated model systems that enable FDA review and clinical trial readiness.

What is the practical role of CDMRP versus DoD leadership in this program?

CDMRP functioned as the day-to-day program office handling submission, review logistics, and award administration. DoD leadership and oversight bodies set priorities and ensured funded work aligned with defense health needs.