DoD Tick-Borne Disease Idea Award | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the DoD Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Idea Award (FY16)?

The TBDRP Idea Award (FY16) is a competitive Department of Defense research funding opportunity designed to spark genuinely new, creative approaches to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. It is intended to support early-stage research concepts that may be exploratory or unproven, but that could lead to major breakthroughs.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The central goal is to accelerate progress toward better outcomes for people affected by tick-borne disease by supporting high-risk, high-reward projects that could open new directions in the field, rather than predictable extensions of ongoing work.

What kind of research does the program want to fund?

The program emphasizes innovation and seeks proposals that introduce a new paradigm, challenge widely held assumptions, or reframe an old problem using a fresh perspective. The focus is on uniquely creative and bold ideas with substantial potential payoff if successful.

Does the program support incremental or follow-on research?

No. The announcement explicitly indicates it is not trying to fund incremental science, such as the obvious next experiment that naturally follows from prior results or work that simply extends existing projects in a predictable way.

Are early-stage or exploratory projects allowed?

Yes. A defining feature of the award is support for early-stage concepts that are high-risk but potentially high-reward, including exploratory or unproven approaches.

Do applications need a hypothesis, or can they be purely exploratory?

Applications are expected to be scientifically grounded and driven by a well-formulated, testable hypothesis. The project should include a strong rationale based on logical reasoning and/or careful analysis of the existing scientific literature.

Is preliminary data required to apply?

No. Preliminary data can strengthen an application, but it is not mandatory. The opportunity notes that unpublished data from the PI or collaborators and relevant published findings are encouraged when available, but lack of preliminary data is not intended to exclude strong, innovative concepts.

Can unpublished data be included in the application?

Yes. The announcement encourages the inclusion of unpublished data from the PI or collaborators when available, along with relevant published findings.

Who is considered a New Investigator under this opportunity?

New Investigators are defined as researchers who are early in their faculty appointments or who are still establishing independent research careers. Specific eligibility requirements for the New Investigator category are provided in the full announcement's eligibility section.

Are New Investigators encouraged to apply?

Yes. The mechanism explicitly welcomes New Investigators and includes a review structure designed to make that encouragement meaningful.

How are New Investigator applications reviewed compared to Established Investigators?

New Investigator applications are reviewed in a separate grouping from Established Investigators and are evaluated using criteria tailored to the New Investigator career stage.

Are collaborations recommended or expected for New Investigators?

New Investigators are strongly encouraged to collaborate with experienced tick-borne disease researchers or other experts with complementary skills. The PI is expected to explain how collaborations address gaps in expertise and strengthen the team's ability to answer the research question.

What types of research subjects are allowed (human subjects or specimens)?

Research involving human subjects and human anatomical substances is allowed under this funding opportunity, subject to the program's scope and compliance requirements.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. Clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity.

How does this opportunity define a clinical trial?

The announcement uses a standard definition: a clinical trial is a prospective study where participants are accrued and an intervention (such as a drug, device, biologic, surgery, behavioral program, or similar) is tested with measurable outcomes related to safety, effectiveness, or efficacy.

If a project involves humans, does that automatically make it a clinical trial?

No. The opportunity notes that work may involve humans and still be allowable if it does not meet the definition of a clinical trial. Applicants are directed to the CDMRP eBRAP Human Subject Resource Document for guidance.

Who issued this funding opportunity?

This opportunity was issued by DOD-AMRAA.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH 16 TBDRP IA.

What funding instruments are used for awards under this opportunity?

The funding instrument types include grants and cooperative agreements.

What is the CFDA number and activity category associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 12.420 and falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types unless further limited by clarifying language in the full notice.

When was the application deadline for this FY16 opportunity?

The original and final closing date for FY16 was November 16, 2016.

How many awards were expected to be made?

The opportunity anticipated making about three awards.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The posting shows the award ceiling as 0, which typically indicates applicants should rely on the program announcement for specific budget limits or that the ceiling was not captured in that database field.

Where should applicants look for more guidance on human subjects requirements?

Applicants are directed to the CDMRP eBRAP Human Subject Resource Document for guidance on determining whether proposed work involving humans meets the clinical trial definition and for related compliance considerations.

What is the key theme reviewers will likely look for based on the announcement description?

The key theme is innovation: proposals should be bold, creative, and capable of changing how a problem is approached in tick-borne disease research, while still being grounded in a testable hypothesis and a strong scientific rationale.