DOD Military Infectious Diseases Applied Research Award

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All applications MUST specifically address at least one of the MID-ARA Focus Areas related to combat-related or trauma-induced wound infections. Research projects incorporating high-throughput drug screening and/or in silico modeling, as well as applications focused on areas other than those listed below should NOT be submitted. The MID-ARA Focus Areas are:• Development of new methods for rapid multi-pathogen/multi-phenotype detection of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), nosocomial pathogens, and/or rapid multi-pathogen/multi-phenotype characterization of antimicrobial resistance patterns.• Development of assays for host immune response biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis (with associated outcomes) of infection to inform clinical wound management decisions (e.g., optimal wound closure time, optimal duration of antibiotics for osteomyelitis).• Development and preclinical testing of novel chemotypes (chemical classes/materials), biologics as potential therapeutics or prophylactics for wound infection, and/or biofilm formation, maintenance, or propagation. Innovative treatment approaches (e.g., chelators, antibody, phage, antimicrobial peptides, quorum-sensing inhibitors, and host immunoaugmentation, etc.) are encouraged.NOTES FOR ALL FOCUS AREAS:• Preference will be given to approaches that address infections with one or more multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), particularly, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and/or invasive fungal (mold) pathogens.• Preference will be given to studies leading toward topical treatments for prevention and management of wound infection. Overview: The FY14 DMRDP MID-ARA seeks applied research applications focused on the reduction of combat-related or trauma-induced wound infection morbidity and mortality. These awards are expected to yield potential health products, approaches, or technologies positioned for human testing. The intent of the FY14 DMRDP MID-ARA is to support:• Hypothesis-testing and/or proof-of-concept studies in in vitro and/or in vivo models;• Refinement of concepts and ideas into potential solutions with a view toward evaluating technical feasibility of emerging approaches, technologies, and promising new products;• Evaluation, maturation, and/or down-selection of potential product candidates (drugs, biologic/vaccine constructs, or devices/systems) in vitro and/or in vivo and;• Completion of preclinical safety and/or toxicity studies sufficient to support Investigational New Drug/Investigational Device Exemption (IND/IDE) applications.Awards may support studies with human subjects but may not be used to support clinical trials. A clinical trial is defined as a prospective accrual of human subjects where an intervention (e.g., device, drug, biologic, surgical procedure, rehabilitative modality, behavioral intervention, or other) is tested on a human subject for a measurable outcome with respect to exploratory information, safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy. This outcome represents a direct effect on the human subject of that intervention or interaction.Awards may not be used to support fundamental basic research. Basic research is defined as research directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications toward process or products in mind.Presentation of preliminary data is required. Investigators must demonstrate logical reasoning and a sound scientific rationale established through a critical review and analysis of the literature for the application to be competitive. Research projects should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale.Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option: The FY14 DMRDP MID-ARA mechanism supports applications that include meaningful and productive collaborations. The Partnering PIOption under this mechanism is structured to accommodate up to three PIs who will each receive a separate award. One partner is identified as the Initiating PI and the other partner(s) as the Partnering PI(s). All investigators should collaborate in the development and submission of the proposed research project. It should be clear that each investigator has a significant level of intellectual input and brings complementary strengths to the project. Multidisciplinary and multi-organizational projects are allowed. If multi-organizational, participating organizations must be willing to resolve potential intellectual and material property issues and remove any barriers that might interfere with successful completion of the research.

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