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FAQs: DoD Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (MSRP) Concept Award (W81XWH-11-MSRP-CA)

What is the MSRP Concept Award?

The DoD Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (MSRP) Concept Award (Funding Opportunity Number W81XWH-11-MSRP-CA) is a Department of the Army, USAMRAA research funding opportunity designed to jump-start bold, high-risk multiple sclerosis (MS) research ideas that are genuinely new. It is positioned as seed funding for concept exploration rather than conventional, stepwise research.

What is the main purpose of this award?

The central purpose is to let investigators test a highly innovative concept or an unproven theory that tackles an important MS-related problem, especially when that work could open entirely new directions for the field. The emphasis is on novelty and creativity rather than refinement, optimization, or extension of existing research.

What kind of projects are considered a strong fit?

Projects are expected to be high risk but plausibly high reward, supported by a clear scientific rationale that explains why the idea is worth testing and why it is feasible to attempt. The program is looking for research that could introduce a new paradigm, challenge established assumptions, or approach a known MS problem from an unusually original angle.

What types of projects are not a good fit for this mechanism?

Incremental advances based on published findings are described as not innovative enough for this mechanism. Proposals that look like a straightforward continuation of an established project (for example, extending an existing line of research without a genuinely new concept) are also not considered a good fit.

Is preliminary data required?

No. Preliminary data is strongly discouraged. The announcement signals that the Concept Award is not intended to support ongoing work, and substantial early results may be interpreted as evidence that the project is beyond the concept exploration stage.

Why does the program discourage preliminary data?

Because the mechanism is intentionally aimed at early, unproven ideas. Applicants are expected to argue from logic, theory, and sound rationale rather than from a portfolio of existing experimental results. If the work is already supported by substantial early data, the government indicates it may be more appropriate for another mechanism (referenced as the FY10 MSRP Idea Award).

Can I submit a project that builds directly on my existing funded research?

Based on the description provided, straightforward continuation of an established project is not viewed as a good fit. The award is intended for genuinely new ideas rather than extensions, refinements, or optimizations of ongoing research lines.

What is meant by "concept exploration" in this opportunity?

Concept exploration refers to testing a highly innovative concept or unproven theory to see whether it is plausible and worth pursuing, rather than conducting a conventional, stepwise plan that assumes the core idea is already established. The focus is on opening new investigative paths.

Are studies involving human subjects allowed?

Human subjects studies will not be supported unless they qualify as exempt research under Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 219, Section 101(b) (32 CFR 219.101(b)). If the proposed study does not qualify for exempt status, it will be administratively withdrawn and will not be funded.

Are studies using human anatomical substances allowed?

Studies involving human anatomical substances will not be supported unless they qualify as exempt research under 32 CFR 219.101(b). If the work is not exempt, the application will be administratively withdrawn and will not be funded.

What are examples of exempt research mentioned in the announcement?

The announcement notes that exempt work can include certain educational practices, specific types of educational tests or surveys, or research using existing data, documents, records, or pathological specimens when handled in a de-identified manner.

Who determines whether my research is exempt?

Exempt status is determined first by the applicant's local Institutional Review Board (IRB) of record. Applicants are expected to follow their institution's IRB process to confirm whether the work is exempt.

What happens if my proposed human-related study is not exempt?

If a proposed study involving human subjects and/or human anatomical substances does not qualify for exempt status, the application will be administratively withdrawn and will not be funded. This makes IRB planning and compliance a critical up-front consideration.

What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

This is described as a discretionary research and development opportunity that can be funded as a grant or a cooperative agreement.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 12.420 (Military Medical Research and Development).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of applicant organization, subject to any additional eligibility language that may be contained in the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on June 1, 2011. The original and current closing date is August 10, 2011. The archive date is September 9, 2011.

How many awards are expected?

The expected number of awards is 7.

What is the estimated total funding available?

The estimated total funding amount across the competition is $840,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the provided information.

Is there a minimum or maximum award amount?

The award ceiling and floor are listed as 0 in the provided extract. This typically means applicants need to refer to the detailed program announcement for specific budget caps or ranges.

What is the best way to confirm budget limits and other detailed requirements?

The extract indicates that key details (such as budget caps) may be in the full program announcement. For support in accessing the full announcement, applicants can contact the CDMRP Help Desk.

Who do I contact for help with the full announcement?

The listed contact for support in accessing the full announcement is the CDMRP Help Desk at 301-682-5507.

Where can I find additional guidance on human research protections?

Additional guidance on human research protections and exempt determinations is referenced through the USAMRMC Human Research Protection Office website.

How should an applicant justify the project if preliminary data is discouraged?

Applicants are expected to justify the project using logic, theory, and a sound scientific rationale that explains both the importance of the MS-related problem being addressed and why the proposed concept is feasible to attempt, even at an early stage.

What is the overall "bottom line" of this Concept Award?

It is a seed-funding mechanism for genuinely original MS ideas that are still early, not yet supported by preliminary datasets, and positioned to create new investigative paths rather than extend existing ones. It also tightly limits human-related work to exempt research only, with non-exempt studies being administratively withdrawn.