DoD Lupus, Concept Award

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The LRP Concept Award mechanism is being offered for the first time in FY17. The LRP Concept Award supports the exploration of highly innovative new concepts or untested theories that address important problems relevant to lupus. This award mechanism supports high-risk studies that have the potential to reveal new avenues for investigation. The Concept Award is not intended to support an incremental progression of an already established research project. The application must describe how the new idea will enhance the existing knowledge of lupus or develop an innovative and novel course of investigation. Research completed through a Concept Award may generate sufficient preliminary data to enable the Principal Investigator (PI) to prepare an application for future research. Presentation of preliminary data is not consistent with the intent of the Concept Award mechanism. Inclusion of preliminary data is discouraged. The following are important aspects of the Concept Award: • Innovation: Innovation is the most important review criterion. Innovative research may introduce a new paradigm, look at existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. Research that represents an incremental advancement on previously published work is not considered innovative. • Impact: The proposed research should impact an area of paramount importance in lupus disease. It is the responsibility of the PI to clearly and explicitly describe the potential impact(s) of the proposed study on lupus and to convey its level of significance. • Research Strategy: The scientific rationale and experimental methodology should demonstrate critical understanding and in-depth analysis of lupus. Experimental strategies may be novel or may be based on strong rationale derived from a literature review. • Focus Areas: The proposed research must address at least one of the FY17 LRP Focus Areas

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