DOD Bone Marrow Failure Idea Development Award

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The BMFRP IDA is intended to support innovative ideas and high-impact approaches based on scientifically sound evidence to move toward the BMFRP’s vision of understanding and curing BMF diseases. This award mechanism is designed to support new ideas. Proposed research studies should have a high probability of revealing new avenues of investigation. The research project should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale and a well-developed and articulated research approach. Personnel on the proposed team should have a strong background in BMF disease research. This funding opportunity is open to Established Investigators (EIs) and Early-Career Investigators (ECIs). The following are significant features of this award mechanism: • Innovation: Innovative research may introduce a new paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other creative qualities. This may include high-risk, potentially high-gain, approaches to BMF disease research, provided the application demonstrates the potential for significant impact on the field of research and/or patient care and/or quality of life. Research that is only an incremental advance is not considered innovative. • Impact: Proposed research projects should address a central critical issue or question in BMF disease research or clinical care. High-impact research, if successful, will significantly advance current methods and concepts for the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and/or treatment of BMF diseases. • Translational Potential: The translational potential of the project should be considered and described. Applications should address how the research will translate findings into prevention strategies and/or a cure for BMF diseases. • Preliminary Data: Preliminary data, such as unpublished results from the laboratory of the Principal Investigator (PI) or collaborators named on the application and/or data from the published literature relevant to BMF diseases and the proposed research project, may be included but are not required. If preliminary data are not included, the proposed research should be based on a strong rationale with sound logical support from published literature. • Personnel: Personnel are considered a crucial element of the BMFRP IDA. The application should demonstrate expertise in BMF diseases through the PI’s background, the research team, or through collaboration. Collaborations should be documented. -Established Investigator: An EI applying for the IDA is defined as an independent investigator at or above the level of Associate Professor (or equivalent) or an Assistant Professor (or equivalent) with 10 years or more from their first faculty appointment (or equivalent). The EI should have BMF disease-related expertise and background as demonstrated by funding and publication records. The EI should plan research collaborations and dedicate a level of effort appropriate for the successful conduct of the proposed work. -Early-Career Investigator: An ECI applying for the IDA should be an independent investigator at the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) with less than 10 years from their first faculty appointment (or equivalent). Time spent on extended family medical leave will not count against the 10 year eligibility restriction, and associated lapses in research time and appointments should be articulated in the application. Current appointment status and aggregate time from first faculty appointment (or equivalent) should be clearly articulated in the PI’s biographical sketch. Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible as ECIs. The ECI’s training should demonstrate the ECI’s ability to accomplish the proposed work. Institutional commitment beyond financial backing such as, but not limited to, independent laboratory space, dedicated research time, and potential collaborations should be demonstrated. The level of effort dedicated to the proposed work by the ECI should be appropriate for the successful conduct of the research project.

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