DoD Gulf War Illness New Investigator Research Award
The New Investigator Award mechanism was first offered in FY14. That year, 11 New Investigator Award applications were received, and 4 were recommended for funding. New for FY15: The GWIRP New Investigator Award contains explicit prescriptive language (see below) to guide applicants wishing to propose investigations of potential biomarkers of GWI. The intent of the GWIRP New Investigator Award is to support investigators new to the field of GWI research at different stages of career development. This award enables such investigators to compete for funding separately from investigators with established programs of GWI research. Previous experience in GWI research is allowed, but not required. However, Principal Investigators (PIs) with a limited background in GWI research are strongly encouraged to strengthen their applications through collaboration with investigators who are experienced in GWI research and/or possess other relevant expertise. It is the PIâ₏™s responsibility to describe how the collaboration(s) will augment his/her ability to address the research question. All applicants for the New Investigator Award must meet specific eligibility criteria under one of the following categories, as described in Section I.C., Eligibility Information. â₏¢ Transitioning Postdoctoral Fellow â₏¢ Early-Career Investigator â₏¢ New GWI Researcher The New Investigator Award is designed to promote new ideas in GWI research and establish proof-of-principle for further development in future studies. Applications are not required to include preliminary data; however, preliminary data may be used to support the objectives of an application. These data are not required to have come from the GWI research field. Applications not supported by preliminary data should be based on sound scientific rationale and may reflect clinical observations or seek to evaluate discoveries made in relation to other chronic multisymptom illnesses for their application in GWI. Regardless of the approach, the focus should be clearly on Veterans with GWI. It is the responsibility of the PI to clearly and explicitly articulate the projectâ₏™s potential impact on GWI. The New Investigator Award supports research focusing on the complex of symptoms known as GWI, improving the case definition and diagnosis of GWI, characterizing disease symptoms, and better understanding the pathobiology. The New Investigator Award encourages basic through clinical research aimed at identification of objective measures (e.g., biomarkers) to distinguish healthy Veterans from those with GWI or improve understanding of the pathobiology underlying symptoms associated with GWI. Studies that characterize chronic effects of neurotoxic exposures at dosages comparable to that encountered in-theatre during the Gulf War are of interest. Studies using animal models should focus on long-term and latent effects of toxic exposures to closely represent the current status of GWI patients. All studies using animal models should use an established model unless there is a compelling scientific justification for the development or use of a new model. Development of new animal models is discouraged. The New Investigator Award can also be used for testing of GWI-targeted pharmacologic agents in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) studies, and toxicology testing, including Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling pharmacology/toxicology testing. Preclinical development of non-pharmacological interventions is also acceptable.
Office: U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
301-682-5507
