DoD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Investigator-Initiated Research Award

archived

The DMDRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in Duchenne research into clinical applications. Translational research may be defined as an integration of basic science and clinical observations with the specific goal of developing new therapies. The ultimate goal of translational research is to move a concept or observation forward into clinical application. However, Principal Investigators (PIs) should not view translational research as a one-way continuum from bench to bedside. The research plan should involve a reciprocal flow of ideas and information between basic and clinical science. Within this continuum, the IIRA supports later-stage translational research projects, including early-phase, proof-of-principle clinical trials and correlative studies to better inform development of drugs, devices, and other interventions. Research projects may also include preclinical studies utilizing animal models, human subjects, or human anatomical substances. Studies proposed under this award should not include: • Target discovery • Drug screening • Mechanism of action studies All applications must include preliminary data that are relevant to Duchenne and the proposed project. Clinical trials are supported by this award mechanism and, if proposed, require the submission of Attachment 12: Human Subject Recruitment and Safety Procedures. Optional Features: The IIRA mechanism allows for the inclusion of the following options, which would allow the applicant to request additional funds as described in Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions. The Government reserves the right to fund an application at a lower funding level if it does not meet the eligibility criteria or intent of the optional feature(s). Optional Multidiscipline Collaborator (OMC): The FY17 DMDRP strongly encourages multidisciplinary collaborations among academic scientists and clinicians, industry scientists, the military Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other Federal government agencies. The goal of the OMC is to bring new perspectives from other disciplines or bring new investigators into the Duchenne field by supporting projects that include multidisciplinary collaborations including, but not limited to immunology, nanotechnology, or orthopaedics. Optional Nested Resident or Medical Student Traineeship: The intent of the Nested Resident or Medical Student Traineeship is to provide mentored research opportunities in Duchenne. It is expected that the training will provide a valuable opportunity to develop the experience necessary to advance the trainee’s research career in Duchenne. Only one traineeship may be requested per application. Plans for training and mentorship must be well developed and clearly described by the PI in Attachment 9: Statement of Traineeship.

High