Weekly Funding Opportunities

[Med Research]

BrightFocus Foundation Alzheimer's Disease Research<https://www.brightfocus.org/grants/request-proposal-alzheimers-disease-research-program>
The goal of the program is to accelerate our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias as well as innovative approaches to better diagnose, prevent or delay the progress of the disease. Preference is made for exciting pilot projects that would not, at their present stage, be competitive for large government or industry awards. Typically, these awards are made to early stage investigators, or to more established investigators who are proposing particularly innovative research. Grants of up to $300,000 over three years will be awarded.
Due November 10, 2020. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: October 28.

Templeton World Charity Foundation: Grand Challenges for Human Flourishing<https://www.templetonworldcharity.org/rfi>
Templeton World Charity Foundation has launched a new strategy to support new scientific research on human flourishing and to translate related discoveries into practical tools. Over the next five years, the Foundation will support a range of projects across three distinct stages: discovery, development, and launch. We hope that this commitment will lead to the development of innovative solutions and the launch of new practices that make a lasting impact on human flourishing. Before picking a focal point for the discovery stage of this five-year strategy, we plan to gather new ideas through an open-submission process. To achieve this, we’ve issued this Request For Ideas (RFI) to gather input as broadly as possible. We invite researchers across disciplines to participate in an initial phase of idea generation and development. Ideas selected will be used by the Foundation to shape its priorities for scientific discovery. Applicants whose ideas are chosen through the RFI process may be eligible to apply for one of the grant opportunities based on the idea; to serve as an advisor to Templeton World Charity Foundation as it supports funding in the area; to serve as a champion/talent scout to find other people in the area whom the foundation can support; and to have their idea published in a sponsored edition of a top journal or foundation media outlet. We seek bold ideas and rigorous experiments that use new conceptual frameworks to move past age-old debates and lead to significant breakthroughs.
We expect to invest approximately $40,000,000 through the Grand Challenges for Human Flourishing. Priority will go to interdisciplinary scientific research on humanity’s cognitive, affective, social, and spiritual well-being.
We are particularly interested in capacities that can be enhanced to promote human flourishing. We are also committed to the use of open science practices, such as the preregistration of hypotheses, replication studies, and data sharing.
Ideas due November 11, 2020. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: October 28.

Alpha-1 Foundation: Research in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency<https://www.alpha1.org/Investigators/Grants/Grant-Opportunities>
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency is a genetic condition that may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age. The Alpha-1 Foundation is committed to finding a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and improving the lives of those affected worldwide. To advance this mission, the foundation is inviting LOIs for its research grants program. Through the program, grants of up to $100,000 per year for up to two years will be awarded in support of research that contributes to the understanding of the basic biology of AAT expression and the pathogenesis/management of AAT Deficiency. Consideration also will be given to projects that provide insight into the development of information that may contribute to new therapies for AAT Deficiency.
Letter of intent due November 13, 2020. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: November 2.

NSF: Law & Science (LS)<https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505704>
The Law & Science Program considers proposals that address social scientific studies of law and law-like systems of rules, as well as studies of how science and technology are applied in legal contexts. The Program is inherently interdisciplinary and multi-methodological. Successful proposals describe research that advances scientific theory and understanding of the connections between human behavior and law, legal institutions, or legal processes; or the interactions of law and basic sciences, including biology, computer and information sciences, STEM education, engineering, geosciences, and math and physical sciences. Scientific studies of law often approach law as dynamic, interacting with multiple arenas, and with the participation of multiple actors. Fields of study include many disciplines, and often address problems including, though not limited, to:

  *   Crime, Violence, and Policing
  *   Cyberspace
  *   Economic Issues
  *   Environmental Science
  *   Evidentiary Issues
  *   Forensic Science
  *   Governance and Courts
  *   Human Rights and Comparative Law
  *   Information Technology
  *   Legal and Ethical Issues related to Science
  *   Legal Decision Making
  *   Legal Mobilization and Conceptions of Justice
  *   Litigation and the Legal Profession
  *   Punishment and Corrections
  *   Regulation and Facilitation of Biotechnology (e.g., Gene Editing, Gene Testing, Synthetic Biology) and Other Emerging Sciences and Technologies
  *   Use of Science in the Legal Processes
Due January 15, 2021 and August 2, 2021. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents for January 2021 due date: January 4.

New Cohorts for Environmental Exposures and Cancer Risk (CEECR; UG3 / UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-20-049.html>
Through this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences invite applications to support innovative scientific research in new prospective cohorts that addresses knowledge gaps in cancer etiology and carcinogenesis processes with a focus on environmental exposures. Applicants are encouraged to use validated and reproducible innovative techniques to measure environmental exposures relevant to the proposed scientific research questions. The cohorts should include racial/ethnic minorities and understudied populations to address the unequal burden of cancer that currently exists in those populations. In this FOA, environmental exposures refer to physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and related behavioral factors.
Due January 29, 2021. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: January 19.

Utilizing In Vitro Functional Genomics Advances for Gene-Environment (G x E) Discovery and Validation (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-20-018.html>
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit applications that fully integrate recent innovative advances of in vitro functional genomics tools/technologies and approaches for environmental health and toxicology research. The overall goal of this NIEHS led initiative is to generate proof-of-principle studies incorporating these new in vitro approaches, together with well characterized exposures, to further our understanding of gene-environment (G x E) interactions in complex human disorders.
Due February 1, 2021. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: January 19.

NSF Growing Convergence Research (GCF)<https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2019/nsf19551/nsf19551.htm>
Growing Convergence Research (GCR) at the National Science Foundation was identified as one of 10 Big Ideas. Convergence research is a means for solving vexing research problems, in particular, complex problems focusing on societal needs. It entails integrating knowledge, methods, and expertise from different disciplines and forming novel frameworks to catalyze scientific discovery and innovation. GCR identifies Convergence Research<https://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/convergence/index.jsp> as having two primary characteristics:

  *   Research driven by a specific and compelling problem. Convergence Research is generally inspired by the need to address a specific challenge or opportunity, whether it arises from deep scientific questions or pressing societal needs.
  *   Deep integration across disciplines. As experts from different disciplines pursue common research challenges, their knowledge, theories, methods, data, research communities and languages become increasingly intermingled or integrated. New frameworks, paradigms or even disciplines can form sustained interactions across multiple communities.
A distinct characteristic of convergence research, in contrast to other forms of multidisciplinary research, is that from the inception, the convergence paradigm intentionally brings together intellectually diverse researchers and stakeholders to frame the research questions, develop effective ways of communicating across disciplines and sectors, adopt common frameworks for their solution, and, when appropriate, develop a new scientific vocabulary. Research teams practicing convergence aim at developing sustainable relationships that may not only create solutions to the problem that engendered the collaboration, but also develop novel ways of framing related research questions and open new research vistas. This GCR solicitation targets multi-disciplinary team research that crosses directorate or division boundaries and is currently not supported by NSF programs, initiatives and research-focused Big Ideas. Proposers must make a convincing case that the research to be conducted is within NSF’s purview and cannot be supported by existing NSF programs and multidisciplinary initiatives. The proposers should outline a five-year research plan delineated in two phases, Phase I: years 1-2, and Phase II: years 3-5. Successful proposals will be funded initially for two years and then each team’s progress will be evaluated based on a report and presentation that the team will make to a panel of reviewers at NSF. Teams that show significant progress during the first two years will receive funding for an additional three years. Interested researchers may request up to $1,200,000 total for the first two years and $2,400,000 for the last three years.
Due February 3, 2020. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: January 21.

Assay Validation of High Quality Markers for Clinical Studies in Cancer (UH3 and UH2 / UH3 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
UH3<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-20-314.html>
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to accelerate the adoption and validation of molecular/cellular/imaging markers (referred to as “markers” or “biomarkers”) and assays for cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and prediction of response or resistance to treatment, as well as markers for cancer prevention and control. This FOA will also support the validation of pharmacodynamic markers and markers of toxicity. Applicants to this FOA must have an assay(s) whose performance has been analytically validated in specimens similar to those for the intended clinical use of the marker(s) and assay(s). As chemotherapies and/or radiation therapies are increasingly combined with immunotherapies to enhance the durability of anti-cancer responses, assays for measuring multiple markers, including immune markers, can be developed and validated simultaneously.
The UH3 mechanism will support the clinical validation of established assays for up to 3 years using specimens from retrospective or prospective clinical trials or studies. This FOA may be used to validate existing assays for use in other trials, observational studies, or population studies. Efforts to harmonize clinical laboratory tests, including investigation into the performance and reproducibility of assays across multiple clinical laboratories, are also appropriate for this funding opportunity. Projects proposed for this FOA will require multi-disciplinary interaction and collaboration among scientific investigators, oncologists, statisticians, and clinical laboratory scientists.
UH2 / UH3<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-20-313.html>
Through this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications to support the validation of molecular/cellular/imaging markers (referred to as “markers” or “biomarkers”) and assays for cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and prediction of response or resistance to treatment, as well as markers for cancer prevention and control. This FOA will support investigator-initiated research for both analytical, and clinical validation of assays to be used in cancer treatment, control, or prevention trials supported by the NCI. This FOA will also support the validation of pharmacodynamic markers and markers of toxicity. Applicants should have assays that work on human samples and whose importance is well justified for development into clinical assays. As chemotherapies and/or radiation therapies are increasingly combined with immunotherapies to enhance durability of anti-cancer responses, assays for measuring multiple markers, including immune markers, can be developed and validated simultaneously.
The UH2 phase of this FOA supports analytical validation of assays for these molecular/cellular/imaging markers, which must be achieved within 2 years before assays may undergo clinical validation. The UH3 phase of this FOA supports clinical validation of analytically validated assays for up to 3 years using well-annotated biospecimens from retrospective or prospective clinical trials or studies.
This FOA may be used to validate existing assays for use in other cancer clinical trials, observational studies, or population studies. Efforts to harmonize clinical laboratory tests, including investigation into the performance and reproducibility of assays across multiple clinical laboratories, are also appropriate for this funding opportunity. Projects proposed for this FOA will require multi-disciplinary interaction and collaboration among scientific investigators, oncologists, statisticians, and clinical laboratory scientists. This FOA is not intended to support early-stage development of technology or the conduct of clinical trials but is intended for validation of assays to the point where they could be integrated into clinical trials/studies as investigational assays. Investigators responding to this FOA must address both UH2 and UH3 phases. Milestones to be accomplished in the UH2 phase for transition to the UH3 phase must be proposed by the investigators.
Due February 18, 2021; July 9, 2021; October 8, 2021; February 14, 2022; July 11, 2022; October 11, 2022; February 14, 2023; July 10, 2023; and October 10, 2023. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents for February 2021 due date: February 8.

NLM Grants for Scholarly Works in Biomedicine and Health (G13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-046.html>
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits grant applications for the preparation of book-length manuscripts and other works of academic and/or public health policy value to U.S. health professionals, public health officials, biomedical researchers and historians of the health sciences.
Due February 26, 2021; February 24, 2022; and February 24, 2023. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents for February 2021 due date: February 15.

NSF Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences: Investigator-Initiated Research Projects (MCB)<https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21509/nsf21509.htm>
The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) supports quantitative, mechanistic, predictive, and theory-driven fundamental research designed to promote understanding of complex living systems at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular levels. While recognizing the need for thorough and accurate descriptions of biological complexes and pathways, the priority of the Division is to support work that advances the field by capturing the predictive power of mechanistic, quantitative, and evolutionary approaches. Proposals are solicited to support research relevant to the four MCB core clusters:

  *   Cellular Dynamics and Function<https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504861'>
  *   Genetic Mechanisms<https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504862'>
  *   Molecular Biophysics<https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504858'>
  *   Systems and Synthetic Biology<https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504863'>
MCB gives high priority to research projects that use theory, methods, and technologies from life and physical sciences, mathematics, computational sciences, and engineering to address major biological questions that elucidate the rules governing subcellular and cellular processes. Research supported by MCB uses a range of experimental and computational approaches—including in vivo, in vitro and in silico strategies—and a broad spectrum of model and non-model organisms, including microbes and plants. Typical research supported by MCB integrates theory and experimentation. Projects are particularly welcome that address the emerging areas of: multi-scale integration; transformative methods and resources (when driven by compelling biological questions); molecular and cellular evolution; the synthesis of life-like systems; and the quantitative prediction of the phenome from genomic information. Highest funding priority is given to applications that have outstanding intellectual merit and strong broader impacts, while proposals with weaknesses in either category (or those that are perceived as likely to have an incremental impact) will not be competitive. Proposals that are motivated by relevance to human health and disease treatment are not appropriate for the Division and will be returned without review.
Applications accepted anytime. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: Ten business days before submission to the sponsor.

NSF: Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research (Transitions)<https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21508/nsf21508.htm>
The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) has developed a new opportunity to enable researchers with a strong track record of prior accomplishment to pursue a new avenue of research or inquiry. This funding mechanism is designed to facilitate and promote a PI’s ability to effectively adopt empowering technologies that might not be readily accessible in the PI’s current research environment or collaboration network. Transformative research likely spans disciplines and minimizing the practical barriers to doing so will strengthen research programs poised to make significant contributions. The award is intended to allow mid-career or later-stage researchers (Associate or Full Professor, or equivalent) to expand or make a transition in their research programs via a sabbatical leave or similar mechanism of professional development and then develop that research program in their own lab. This award will also enable the PI to acquire new scientific or technical expertise, facilitate the investigator’s competitiveness, and potentially lead to transformational impacts in molecular and cellular bioscience. The award would fund up to six months of PI salary during the first sabbatical or professional development year, followed by support for continued research for two subsequent years upon the PI’s return to normal academic duties. Requests for flexibility in the timing of the sabbatical or professional development year will be considered with appropriate justification. Please contact the cognizant program director for the solicitation. Through this solicitation MCB and NSF hope to develop a novel mechanism that will encourage investigators to expand and/or transition to new research areas aligned with MCB priorities, to increase retention of investigators in science, and to ensure a diverse scientific workforce that remains engaged in active research. Proposals that are motivated to understand the molecular and cellular basis of disease and disease treatments are not appropriate for the Division and will be returned without review. Proposals addressing major open questions at the intersections of biology with other disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering are of particular interest to the program.
Proposals accepted anytime. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: Ten business days before submission to the sponsor.

Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism (INIA) Consortia (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-20-013.html>
INIA provides a foundation for addressing emerging NIAAA research priorities. Technologies exploring spatial and temporal resolution of brain function measures are currently being advanced by the NIH Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies [BRAIN] initiative and methods to measure behavior from previously inaccessible sources and with greater temporal resolution are emerging. Artificial intelligence tools and methods are also emerging which will expand analytical capabilities in alcohol research. These new technologies and paradigms provide opportunities for researchers to investigate the diversity of alcohol use disorder (AUD) among affected individuals and generate new therapeutic targets. The INIA initiative is an avenue for applying emerging neuroscience research capabilities derived from BRAIN and other sources toward understanding the neurobiology of AUD. This FOA invites research that will contribute to advancing integrative research efforts on novel mechanism-focused hypotheses pertaining to the development and remediation of excessive drinking associated with AUD. Potential themes could include current research gaps such as negative affect (e.g., anxiety, hyperkatifeia, emotional pain, dysphoria) and cognitive control dysfunction (e.g., impulse control) contributing to addiction. In addition, we encourage research addressing hypotheses exploring interactions between alcohol and other relevant causal influences on the development of AUD pathology such as trauma, pain conditions, and social isolation. In addition to complying with NIH’s Sex as a Biological Variable policy, investigators are encouraged to examine mechanisms underlying sex differences in AUD related measures. Further, capitalizing on technological advances from BRAIN and from other sources in examining brain microcircuitry, functional interactions between neurons and surrounding specific cell types and structure, and microbiome influences on brain function represent additional research considerations for understanding excessive alcohol drinking.
Due May 26, 2021. Med-RA deadline to receive draft documents: May 13.

To search for additional funding opportunities, please visit CoM’s unofficial funding opportunities blog<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__fsucomgrants.wordpress.com_&d=DwMGaQ&c=HPMtquzZjKY31rtkyGRFnQ&r=EXkFPz4CfHp2YvDR6s1e2OHGNt7ixTIGEDylKw2SIo1FQ8O9soOgOzmn5ZTHU62o&m=-WQkPIXZLCgXlX-d14DY8B-SG-GvP9FZHr_Gv8sUuTQ&s=ErAzzubGxiJsWCKGnlFjfXV6980C-DCl-AxzFLHMVYQ&e=>.

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