DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS
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Multiple Sclerosis

NEWS RELEASE

Released: January 26, 2017

Defense Health Program
Department of Defense Multiple Sclerosis Research Program
Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17)

Due to the current Continuing Resolution, the Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) Defense Appropriations bill has not been passed. Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (MSRP), the MSRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY17 funding opportunities.

FY17 MSRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in March 2017. Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released. This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the MSRP.

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), J9 Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation. The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Award Mechanism Eligibility Focus Area Key Mechanism Elements Funding
Exploration - Hypothesis Development Award Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent). All applications submitted in this funding opportunity must address one of the three Focus Areas described below:

(1) Obstacles to Remyelination and/or Obstacles to Axonal Protection in MS

Note: Projects addressing the mechanisms of demyelination and neurodegeneration or secondary injury following inflammation will not be considered for funding.

(2) Biological Correlates of Disease Activity and Progression

Studies may identify or validate markers using pre-existing bio-specimens and/or data acquired from well-characterized, adequately controlled, and sufficiently powered studies.

Note: Acquisition of new specimens will not be supported.

(3) The Biology, Measurement, or Treatment of MS Symptoms

Symptoms may include: Pain, Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction, Visual Impairment, Motor Impairment, Impaired Mobility, Loss of Bladder Control, Sexual Dysfunction, Depression, and Anxiety.

Note: Studies of disease-modifying or regenerative therapies that secondarily impact symptoms will not be considered for funding.
  • Pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
  • Supports the initial exploration of innovative, high-risk, high-gain, and potentially groundbreaking concepts in the MS research field.
  • Preliminary data are not required.
  • Clinical trials not allowed.
  • Maximum funding of $150,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
  • Maximum period of performance is 2 years
Investigator-Initiated Research Award Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent). All applications submitted in this funding opportunity must address one of the two Focus Areas described below:

(1) Obstacles to Remyelination and/or Obstacles to Axonal Protection in MS

Note: Projects addressing the mechanisms of demyelination and neurodegeneration or secondary injury following inflammation will not be considered for funding.

(2) Biological Correlates of Disease Activity and Progression

Studies may identify or validate markers using pre-existing bio-specimens and/or data acquired from well-characterized, adequately controlled, and sufficiently powered studies.

Note: Acquisition of new specimens will not be supported.
  • Pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
  • Supports highly rigorous, high-impact research with the potential to make an important contribution to MS research and/or patient care.
  • Preliminary data are required.
  • Clinical trials not allowed.
  • Maximum funding of $600,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
  • Maximum period of performance is 3 years

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline. All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website. The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov. A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420.

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov. Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released. For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org. For more information about the MSRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil


Last updated Thursday, May 26, 2022