DoD Epilepsy Idea Development Award

archived

The ERP Idea Development Award (IDA) mechanism was first offered in FY15. Since then, 24 IDA applications have been received, and 5 have been recommended for funding. The intent of the ERP IDA is to solicit research to understand the magnitude and underlying mechanisms of PTE, especially in Service members and Veterans while also benefitting the civilian community. To this end, the ERP has identified FY16 Focus Areas by which the intent of the IDA mechanism can be facilitated (see Section I.B., FY16 ERP IDA Focus Areas). These should be carefully considered as part of the application process. The FY16 ERP IDA offers two levels of funding. Level I is intended to support investigator-initiated research that may be high-risk and/or high-gain. Level II is intended to support advanced studies that may be multidisciplinary in nature and/or have multiple collaborators. For the Level II Collaborator Option, applications must demonstrate how the collaborators bring their unique skills to the project, and how the work cannot be accomplished without their involvement. Collaborators are defined as individuals without whom an application cannot be completed. Level II applications including multiple collaborators should include a Collaboration Statement (Attachment 10). While not required, applications to either Level I or II should provide relevant preliminary data. Preliminary data may come from the Principal Investigator’s (PI’s) published work, pilot data, or from peer-reviewed literature. Note: When starting the pre-application process (see Section II.B., Pre-Application Submission Content), PIs should ensure that they have selected the appropriate application category (Funding Level) as described in the paragraph above. The IDA is open to PIs at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) from any field or discipline who seek to bring their expertise to address the ERP’s mission (see Section I.A., Program Description). However, as part of the application, the PI should demonstrate that the study team has experience in both TBI and epilepsy research. FY16 ERP IDA Focus Areas: The FY16 ERP IDA is seeking applications in the Focus Areas described below. Applications should address at least one of the following FY16 ERP IDA Focus Areas. An application that proposes research outside of these FY16 ERP IDA Focus Areas is acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong rationale as to the relevance of the research to the ERP’s FY16 mission. • Epidemiology: Epidemiological characterization of PTE following TBI, which may include: ○ Risk factors such as demographics, genetic factors, organic head injury factors, or type of insult ○ Differentiation of PTE and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) ○ Outcomes including latency to epilepsy, morbidities and comorbidities, and mortality ○ Pre-existing conditions including psychological and psychiatric risk factors Note: Applications proposing epidemiological research should be submitted under the Epidemiology Option. • Markers and Mechanisms: Identifying markers or mechanisms (via clinical prospective or preclinical models) that address PTE: ○ Early detection ○ Diagnosis ○ Prognosis ○ Morbidity ○ Comorbidity ○ Mortality ○ Risk stratification • Models of PTE: Development of new models or better characterization of existing etiologically relevant models for PTE, including repetitive TBI. • Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures: Exploration of the epidemiology, mechanisms, risk factors, or markers of PNES subsequent to TBI. Preclinical research on non-pharmacological interventions in this population is also encouraged. Note: Research focusing on interventional clinical trials (e.g., pharmacological interventions) is strongly discouraged.

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