Military Infectious Diseases Applied Research Award | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Military Infectious Diseases Applied Research Award (MID ARA)?

The Military Infectious Diseases Applied Research Award (MID ARA) is a Department of the Army funding opportunity administered under USAMRAA. It supports applied research intended to produce practical, testable solutions to military-relevant infectious disease problems, with an emphasis on moving promising concepts closer to real-world use.

2) What CFDA program is this opportunity associated with?

This opportunity is under CFDA 12.420, titled Military Medical Research and Development.

3) What type of research does MID ARA fund?

The program funds applied research. It is oriented toward demonstrating technical feasibility, generating proof-of-concept data, and maturing candidate approaches into forms that could realistically move toward clinical evaluation, rather than supporting early exploratory discovery alone.

4) What does "applied research" mean in this announcement?

Applied research, as described for this opportunity, includes hypothesis testing and proof-of-concept studies using in vitro and/or in vivo models, as well as activities that evaluate, mature, and potentially downselect product candidates. The goal is to produce evidence that justifies the next development steps.

5) What kinds of solutions or products are anticipated?

The announcement explicitly anticipates research that advances drugs, biologics and vaccine constructs, or devices and systems, with the intent of producing a candidate product, technology, or strategy that can move forward along a translational path.

6) Is the program focused on basic discovery research?

No. The emphasis is on bridging the gap between an idea and a tangible medical product or capability. The work is expected to push a promising concept closer to real-world application by producing practical, testable outcomes and a credible development package.

7) Can projects include in vitro and/or in vivo studies?

Yes. The applied research definition includes proof-of-concept studies using in vitro and/or in vivo models.

8) Does this opportunity support downselection of candidates?

Yes. The scope includes activities that evaluate, mature, and potentially downselect product candidates as part of refining approaches toward development.

9) Are preclinical safety and toxicity studies allowed?

Yes. The scope can include preclinical safety and toxicity work when it is sufficient to help support future regulatory submissions such as an Investigational New Drug (IND) application or an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE).

10) Does the program expect a path toward human testing?

Yes. The expected outcome goes beyond generating new knowledge; it aims for candidate health products, technologies, or strategies positioned to move into human testing, supported by a clear translational path.

11) What was the specific FY11 focus area for MID ARA?

For FY11, MID ARA targeted reducing illness and death associated with infections in trauma-induced wounds among Wounded Warriors, with a focus on combat-related wound infections.

12) What types of battlefield infection challenges is the program concerned with?

The opportunity highlights severe battlefield injuries where infection risk is complicated by factors such as tissue damage, contamination, delayed evacuation, and resistant organisms. Projects are expected to address infections occurring in these trauma-induced wounds.

13) What kinds of approaches fit the FY11 focus?

Approaches that can prevent, detect, control, or treat infections in combat-related traumatic wounds align with the stated FY11 focus, provided they meet the applied research emphasis and support movement toward clinical evaluation.

14) What award mechanisms were used?

This was a discretionary funding opportunity using either cooperative agreement or grant mechanisms. The selected mechanism may reflect different levels of government involvement depending on the award instrument.

15) How many awards were anticipated?

About five awards were anticipated.

16) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated that cost sharing or matching funds were not required.

17) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning applications could come from a wide range of organizations (subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may have been included in the full announcement text).

18) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on August 17, 2011. The original and current closing date was December 7, 2011.

19) Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The listing indicates it was archived on January 6, 2012, and the closing date was December 7, 2011.

20) Who should be contacted for access issues or questions about the full announcement?

The point of contact listed was the CDMRP Help Desk at 301-682-5507.