Host/ Gut Microbiota Response to Stressors Informing Resiliency | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the focus of the ONR opportunity "Host/Gut Microbiota Response to Stressors Informing Resiliency"?

This Office of Naval Research (ONR) grant opportunity seeks research that explains how behavioral and physical stressors alter the gut microbiota, and how those microbiota changes may influence a host's physiological and psychological outcomes (and potentially cognitive outcomes). The emphasis is on identifying the gut microbiota as a possible mediator of resilience or vulnerability under stressors relevant to naval operations, not just documenting that stress affects health or performance.

What problem is ONR trying to solve with this funding topic?

ONR is aiming to move beyond correlational observations and toward a clearer understanding of whether changes in gut microbial communities can help explain why some hosts show better resilience (or greater vulnerability) when exposed to demanding operational stressors. The topic targets stressors that resemble naval and military environments and seeks insight into mechanisms that link stress, microbiome shifts, and host outcomes.

Are human studies expected to be funded under this topic?

No. The announcement states that human studies are not expected to be funded under this topic. This suggests ONR is primarily looking for animal models, controlled experimental systems, and/or technology development that can later inform operationally relevant insights.

What kinds of stressors are considered relevant for proposals?

ONR is interested in stressors that mirror demanding military environments, including disrupted circadian rhythms and unusual living conditions (explicitly including submarine-like environments), rapid or extreme environmental transitions such as altitude or temperature shifts, elevated ambient noise, fatigue, and psychological stressors like anticipatory anxiety or fear.

What types of host outcomes or responses should be measured?

Proposals are expected to measure host responses and connect behavioral outcomes with organism-level physiology, tissue-level effects, and molecular changes. Examples referenced include stress physiology, immune changes, neurobehavioral outcomes, and performance-relevant behaviors, paired with gut microbiome profiling to explain what changes and when.

What does ONR mean by connecting measurements across multiple biological levels?

The opportunity emphasizes integrating behavioral outcomes with organism-level physiology, tissue-level effects, and molecular changes, while also tracking how the gut microbial community shifts in composition and activity. In other words, ONR is looking for multi-level, coordinated measurements that can relate microbiome dynamics to host function under stress exposure.

Is microbiome profiling alone sufficient for this topic?

Based on the description, ONR is looking for studies that pair gut microbiome profiling with host readouts and that go beyond simple associations. A key goal is to determine whether microbial community members, microbial metabolites, or microbial functions contribute to the host response rather than only correlating with it.

What is the second major objective of the opportunity?

A key objective is to determine whether particular microbial community members, microbial metabolites, or microbial functions actually contribute to the host response to stressors. ONR is pushing for mechanistic links, such as identifying which bacteria, pathways, or metabolic products might amplify or buffer stress effects.

Does ONR encourage mechanistic studies rather than correlations?

Yes. The announcement emphasizes identifying mechanistic links, not merely correlations. This includes isolating specific microbial factors (community members, metabolites, or functions) that shape host responses under stress.

What role do cross-host or cross-species comparisons play in this topic?

The opportunity notes that comparing data across different hosts may help infer microbial functions that shape stress responses. This points to approaches such as cross-species comparisons, different genetic backgrounds, or different baseline microbiomes as potentially valuable for identifying functional contributions.

What is meant by the "gut-brain axis" in the context of this opportunity?

ONR highlights signaling routes along the gut-brain axis and is interested in how microbial products and host signaling pathways connect gastrointestinal changes to nervous system function and behavior. The description points to neural, endocrine, immune, and metabolic communication channels as plausible routes that translate microbiome changes into changes in mood, cognition, or stress physiology.

What is the third major objective of the opportunity?

The third objective supports development of new tools that enable real-time analysis inside the gastrointestinal tract. ONR highlights the need for technologies that can measure microbes, the surfaces they adhere to (such as mucosal layers), and microbial products in situ, with enough resolution to map microbial heterogeneity rather than treating the gut as uniform.

What kind of technology development is ONR looking for?

The opportunity describes a technology push for sensing, sampling, imaging, or analytical platforms that can operate closer to real time inside the gastrointestinal tract. The goal is to capture dynamics and location-specific microbial behavior and metabolite production that may be missed by conventional endpoint stool sampling.

Why does ONR emphasize in situ and near real-time gastrointestinal measurements?

The intent is to better link location-specific microbial behavior and metabolite production to function, and to improve understanding of how localized microbial communities interact with host tissues during stress exposure. The description also notes a desire to capture microbial heterogeneity across the gut rather than treating it as a single uniform environment.

What category of funding is this opportunity associated with?

This is described as an ONR discretionary research grant opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).

Is cost sharing required?

No. The announcement states that cost sharing is not required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals can come from a broad range of entity types as allowed by the full solicitation.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 13 SN 0024.

When was the opportunity posted, and what was the closing date?

It was posted on August 13, 2013. The original and current closing date listed is November 21, 2013.

Are there white paper requirements or sequencing steps applicants should watch for?

Yes. The announcement notes that white paper due dates and any sequencing requirements should be confirmed in the BAA/Special Notice instructions, and applicants are directed to retrieve the complete requirements via the full announcement on Grants.gov.

Where do applicants find the complete requirements and instructions?

The announcement directs applicants to retrieve the complete requirements via the full announcement on Grants.gov.

Who should be contacted for technical questions about the research topic?

Dr. Linda A. Chrisey (Program Officer) is listed as the point of contact for technical questions.

Who should be contacted for business or contracting questions?

Ganesh Krish (Contract Specialist) is listed as the point of contact for business questions.

Who handles technical issues with the Grants.gov portal?

The announcement indicates that Grants.gov support handles portal-related technical issues.