DOD, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program, Exploration – Hypothesis Development Award

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The Exploration – Hypothesis Development Award supports the initial exploration of innovative, high-risk, high-gain, and potentially groundbreaking concepts in the TSC research field. The studies supported by this award mechanism are expected to generate preliminary data for future avenues of scientific investigation. The proposed research project should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on a strong scientific rationale and study design. Applications should demonstrate the ability to achieve interpretable results in the absence of preliminary data supporting the hypothesis. The following are important aspects of the Exploration – Hypothesis Development Award: Innovation: Innovative research may introduce a new paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, examine existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. Research that is an incremental advance upon published data is not considered innovative and is not consistent with the intent of the award mechanism. Although not all-inclusive, the following examples are ways in which the proposed research project may be innovative: ○ Explores a novel idea and/or research question in TSC research and/or patient care. ○ Uses or develops novel methods or technologies to address a question in TSC research and/or patient care. ○ Applies or adapts existing methods or technologies for novel TSC research or clinical purposes that differ fundamentally from those originally intended. Impact: The primary goal of this mechanism is to pioneer transformative research that could lay the foundation for a new direction in the field of TSC.

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