DoD Neurofibromatosis New Investigator Award | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The DoD Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) New Investigator Award (Funding Opportunity Number W81XWH 14 NFRP NIA) is a Department of the Army, USAMRAA funding opportunity designed to help build the next generation of researchers working on neurofibromatosis (NF). The program has been running since FY1999 and, up to the time of this announcement, had received 256 applications with 56 recommended for funding, which gives a sense of both competitiveness and the program's track record of investing in early career growth within the NF space.

The main purpose of the award is career development through independent research support. It is aimed at two broad groups: promising independent investigators who are still establishing themselves, and established investigators from other areas who want to shift their research focus into NF. Prior experience in NF research is not required, which is an important feature of this mechanism because it explicitly encourages new perspectives and cross disciplinary entry into the field. At the same time, the announcement signals an expectation of NF-relevant expertise on the team by strongly encouraging applicants with limited NF background to include a collaborator who is already experienced in NF research. In practice, this means the program is open to newcomers, but it still wants proposals grounded in the realities of NF biology, patient needs, and existing evidence.

In terms of scientific scope, the award supports research across the pipeline from basic through translational work. That includes preclinical studies using animal models, studies involving human subjects, and research using human anatomical substances. It can also include correlative studies tied to an existing clinical trial, meaning projects that analyze samples or data connected to a trial that is already underway. A key restriction is that applicants may not propose a clinical trial under this particular award. Investigators who want to run a clinical trial are directed to use the FY14 NFRP Clinical Trial Award mechanism instead. This boundary matters because it shapes what kinds of endpoints, participant interventions, and regulatory plans are allowable; under the New Investigator Award, human research can be done, but not as an intervention trial that tests a new therapy or treatment strategy.

A notable requirement is that applications must include preliminary and/or published data relevant to NF and the proposed project. This signals that, even though the mechanism is meant for newer investigators, proposals still need a clear foundation showing feasibility and a credible connection to NF. The grant is not framed as purely exploratory without supporting evidence; it expects applicants to demonstrate early proof of concept, relevant observations, or prior results that directly inform the project aims.

The announcement also places strong emphasis on rigor, transparency, and reproducibility. Projects are expected to follow recognized standards for study design and reporting, specifically referencing the Nature 2012 paper by Landis and colleagues on transparent reporting to improve the predictive value of preclinical research. Even though those recommendations were written primarily for preclinical work, the opportunity makes clear that the underlying best practices apply broadly, including randomization, blinding, sample size estimation, and clear data handling procedures. For applicants using animals, the opportunity encourages alignment with the ARRIVE guidelines (Animal Research Reporting In Vivo Experiments), which are widely used to improve the planning and reporting quality of animal studies. Taken together, this means the program is not only funding NF research ideas, but also pushing applicants to design studies in a way that is more likely to be reproducible and, ultimately, translatable to patient benefit.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity was posted May 27, 2014, with a closing date of July 24, 2014, and it was later archived August 23, 2014. The funding instrument type is listed as a cooperative agreement and grant under a science and technology research and development activity category. The program anticipated making about three awards with an estimated total funding level of $1,920,000, and it did not require cost sharing or matching funds. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full text of the announcement.

For applicants and institutions needing help with access or submission logistics, the announcement points to the eBRAP (electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal) resources, including a human subjects resource document hosted within eBRAP for additional guidance on clinical research definitions and requirements. Support is available through the CDMRP Help Desk at 301-682-5507 or help@eBRAP.org, which is the listed contact for issues accessing the full announcement electronically.

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Next opportunity: DoD Neurofibromatosis Clinial Trial Award

Previous opportunity: DoD Neurofibromatosis Investigator Initiated Research Award

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