DoD Neurofibromatosis New Investigator Award | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - DoD Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) New Investigator Award

1) What is the DoD NFRP New Investigator Award?

The DoD Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) New Investigator Award is a funding opportunity designed to build and strengthen the pipeline of scientists working on neurofibromatosis (NF). It supports the continued development of early-stage, independent investigators and also encourages established researchers from other disciplines to pivot into NF-focused research.

2) What is the main goal of this award?

The main goal is to expand and strengthen the community of researchers working on NF by supporting early independent investigators and enabling researchers with relevant expertise in other fields to redirect their work toward NF research questions.

3) Is prior neurofibromatosis (NF) research experience required to apply?

No. A defining feature of this opportunity is that prior NF research experience is not required. The program is intentionally positioned to attract investigators who are new to NF but have strong skills and track records in related disciplines.

4) Which types of researchers does this opportunity aim to attract?

The opportunity targets (1) early-stage, independent investigators who are continuing to develop their research programs, and (2) established researchers from other disciplines who want to pivot into NF research.

5) What kinds of non-NF backgrounds may be especially relevant for this award?

The announcement highlights adjacent areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, genetics, pharmacology, immunology, bioengineering, and computational biology as examples of expertise that can translate well into impactful NF-focused projects.

6) If I am new to NF research, what can make my application more competitive?

The program indicates that applicants who are newer to NF may be more competitive if they partner with a collaborator who already has meaningful expertise in the NF field. This helps ensure the project is grounded in current knowledge, uses relevant models, and accounts for practical translational considerations.

7) What research scope is supported by the New Investigator Award?

The scope is broad across the research spectrum, as long as the proposed work is not a clinical trial. Projects may address basic, translational, or preclinical questions in NF.

8) Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?

No. The opportunity supports research across the spectrum except for clinical trials in human participants. The announcement explicitly states that the work must not be a clinical trial.

9) Does the program require evidence that the proposed project is feasible?

Yes. Even though the award is intended for early-stage investigators and researchers new to NF, applicants are still expected to present credible evidence that the work is feasible and meaningfully connected to NF.

10) Are preliminary data required?

Yes. Applications must include preliminary data and/or published results that are relevant both to NF and to the specific aims of the proposed project. The intent is to avoid purely speculative proposals and require an empirical foundation or proof-of-concept that supports the approach.

11) What does "preliminary data and/or published results relevant to NF and the project aims" mean in practice?

Based on the description, the proposal should include supporting observations, proof-of-concept results, and/or publications that tie directly to NF and also directly support the proposed project aims. The application should demonstrate that the team can execute the plan and that the work will advance NF research.

12) What are the expectations for rigor and reproducibility?

A major emphasis of the opportunity is rigor and reproducibility, particularly for preclinical studies. Applicants are expected to follow established standards for transparent reporting and study design so the results are reliable, interpretable, and more likely to translate into real-world impact.

13) What rigor framework is referenced for preclinical research design?

The announcement explicitly points to principles described by Landis et al. (Nature, 2012) as a framework for improving the predictive value of preclinical research.

14) What study design practices are highlighted under the Landis et al. (2012) principles?

The opportunity emphasizes practices such as thoughtful randomization where appropriate, blinding to reduce bias, clear sample-size estimation and justification, and careful, transparent handling of data and exclusions.

15) Do these rigor expectations apply only to preclinical experiments?

While the Landis et al. recommendations are framed around preclinical experimentation, the opportunity indicates that the underlying expectations apply broadly, meaning the same general commitment to transparency and bias reduction should be reflected across supported research types.

16) Are there specific guidelines mentioned for animal model studies?

Yes. For projects involving animal models, the opportunity encourages alignment with the ARRIVE guidelines, which are widely used to ensure in vivo experiments are properly planned and reported to improve quality and reproducibility.

17) Who released this funding opportunity?

This opportunity was released by the Department of Defense (DOD-AMRAA).

18) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number listed is W81XWH-16-NFRP-NIA.

19) What activity category is associated with this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development.

20) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 12.420.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant pool is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may appear in the full announcement.

22) What types of award instruments are expected under this opportunity?

The award instrument types included grants and cooperative agreements.

23) What is the practical difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement for this program?

The posting notes that, depending on the award mechanism, there may be varying degrees of involvement or coordination with the funding agency during the project period, which is consistent with the difference between grants and cooperative agreements.

24) How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making about four awards.

25) What was the closing date for this posting?

The original and current closing date for this specific posting was August 1, 2016.

26) What kind of projects are not a good fit for this award based on the description?

Based on the provided description, projects that propose clinical trials in human participants or projects that are purely speculative without preliminary data and/or relevant published results would not align with the stated expectations.

27) Can a project be basic, translational, or preclinical and still be responsive?

Yes. The supported research scope is described as broad, including basic, translational, and preclinical research, as long as it does not involve conducting a clinical trial.

28) How does the program balance openness to new investigators with expectations for strong science?

The program explicitly welcomes applicants without prior NF experience but still requires (1) evidence of feasibility and NF relevance via preliminary data and/or published results, and (2) strong attention to rigor and reproducibility, especially in preclinical work.