DoD Spinal Cord Injury Investigator-Initiated Research Award
The SCIRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) mechanism was first offered in FY09. Since then, 162 Investigator-Initiated Research Award applications have been received, and 32 have been recommended for funding. The IIRA is intended to support studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to SCI research and/or patient care. Projects are expected to be innovative, address an Area of Encouragement, and impact the health care needs of military Service members, Veterans, and/or their family members and caregivers. All applications must specifically and clearly address the military relevance of the proposed research project. Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged. Research projects may focus on any phase of research from basic through translational, including preclinical studies in animal models or human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial. Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from laboratory discovery, population-based studies, a clinicianÂ’s first-hand knowledge of patients, or anecdotal data. Applications must include preliminary or published data that is relevant to SCI and the proposed research project. Optional Qualified Collaborator: The FY13 SCIRP strongly encourages multidisciplinary collaborations among academic scientists and clinicians, industry scientists, the military Services, the VA, and other federal Government agencies. Collaborations with early-career investigators in the SCI field are encouraged. Although more than one collaborator may participate in the application, only one may be named for this option. The Principal Investigator (PI) must submit a Statement of Collaboration that clearly identifies the collaborating investigator and addresses how each of the criteria listed below are met. Additionally, the collaborator must provide a biographical sketch (see Section II.C.3) and a letter of collaboration (see Section II.C.2) describing his/her involvement in the proposed research project. It should be clear that the success of the proposed research project depends on the complementary skills and contributions of both the PI and collaborator. • The collaborator must significantly contribute to the proposed research project such that it could not be accomplished without his/her involvement. ○ A proposed research project in which the collaborator merely supplies tissue samples or access to patients will not meet the intent and will not be qualified for the higher level of funding. ○ At least a 10% level of effort is required of the collaborator. Contribution of the collaborator should be reflected in the applicationÂ’s budget. • The collaborator must be in a position with freedom to pursue independent research goals without formal mentorship. Research involving human subjects and human anatomical substances is permitted; however, clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity. A clinical trial is defined as a prospective accrual of human subjects in which an intervention (e.g., device, drug, biologic, surgical procedure, rehabilitative modality, behavioral intervention, or other) is tested with a human subject for a measurable outcome with respect to exploratory information, safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy. This outcome represents a direct effect on the human subject of that intervention or interaction. For more information on clinical trials and clinical research, a Human Subject Resource Document is provided on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) eReceipt System at https://cdmrp.org/Program_Announcements_and_Forms/. Principal Investigators (PIs) wishing to apply for funding for a clinical trial should utilize the FY13 SCIRP Clinical Trial Award mechanism (Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-13-SCIRP-CTA).
Office: U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
301-682-5507
