The vision of the FY13 NFRP is to decrease the clinical impact of NF. Toward this end, the NFRP seeks to support innovative, high-impact research that will foster new directions for and address neglected issues in NF research; sponsor multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations that will bring new perspectives to the field; foster the next generation of NF investigators; promote translational and clinical studies to move promising ideas from bench to bedside; develop a balanced portfolio of meritorious research related to all aspects of NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. Areas of Emphasis: The FY13 NFRP strongly encourages research applications that specifically address the critical needs of the NF community in one or more of the following Areas of Emphasis: • Cognitive and social dysfunction in the setting of NF; • Drug discovery for the treatment of NF; • Heterogeneity of neurofibromas and other NF-related tumors using genomics, epigenetics, systems biology, or other similar approaches; • Manifestations of NF post-adolescence; • Novel disease markers such as imaging and proteomics of NF; • Pain in the setting of NF. The Exploration – Hypothesis Development Award supports the initial exploration of innovative, high-risk, high-gain, and potentially groundbreaking concepts in the NF research field. The proposed research project should provide initial principles of an innovative question/concept and results of studies conducted through this award may provide the scientific rationale upon which a new hypothesis can be based. This award is designed to provide investigators with the opportunity to pursue serendipitous observations. The presentation of preliminary or published data is encouraged, but not required. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) to clearly and explicitly articulate how the proposed research project is innovative and how the concept is novel.