DoD Neurofibromatosis Exploration- Hypothesis Development Award | W81XWH 18 NFRP EHDA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Exploration - Hypothesis Development Award?

It is a Department of Defense research funding opportunity designed to help investigators test bold, early-stage ideas in neurofibromatosis (NF). The award supports exploratory, hypothesis-driven studies intended to generate initial evidence that can justify larger follow-on projects later.

What is the main purpose of this award?

The main purpose is to fund innovative, high-risk/high-payoff concepts in NF research that could open new directions for the field. It is positioned as a catalyst for early exploration rather than a mechanism for incremental research.

What types of research projects does this opportunity prioritize?

This opportunity prioritizes innovative concepts that may be considered high-risk but have the potential for high payoff, including ideas that could create entirely new directions in neurofibromatosis research. It emphasizes exploratory studies designed to clarify feasibility and generate credible initial results.

Does the project need to be hypothesis-driven?

Yes. A central expectation is that the proposed project is built around a clear, well-formulated, and testable hypothesis. Applicants are expected to explain why the hypothesis is plausible and important and present a study design that can realistically evaluate it.

Is preliminary data required to apply?

No. Preliminary or published data can strengthen an application and are encouraged, but they are not required. This makes the mechanism suitable for novel concepts that do not yet have extensive supporting results.

What kind of study approach is expected?

The opportunity calls for an exploratory study design that can realistically test the proposed hypothesis. The overall intent is to produce evidence and clarity needed to support larger, follow-on projects in the future.

Is this award intended to support incremental research progress?

No. The mechanism is described as focusing on innovation and early exploration rather than incremental work.

Who is offering this grant opportunity?

It is offered by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, through the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA).

What funding instrument types are available under this opportunity?

The funding instrument types listed include grants and cooperative agreements. This means some awards may be more investigator-directed (grants), while others may involve more substantial involvement or coordination with the sponsoring agency (cooperative agreements), depending on the award terms.

What does it mean that cooperative agreements may be used?

Based on the opportunity description, cooperative agreements may involve more substantial involvement or coordination with the sponsoring agency compared to a standard grant. The specific level of involvement would depend on the terms of the award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, indicating that a broad range of applicant organizations may apply. Any additional eligibility clarifications would be provided in the full announcement.

What topic area or category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with a focus on neurofibromatosis (NF) research.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 12.420.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The listing indicates the opportunity was created (posted) on May 14, 2018, with an original closing date of August 9, 2018.

How many awards were expected to be made?

The listing notes an expected number of awards of four.

Is there an award ceiling or maximum budget listed?

No explicit award ceiling is provided in the summary information (it is listed as 0). This typically indicates that applicants need to consult the full funding announcement for budget limits, cost caps, or other funding constraints that may apply.

Where can applicants find details like budget limits and other constraints?

The summary indicates that key funding constraints (such as budget limits or caps) may not be included there, and applicants would need to consult the full funding announcement for those details.

What makes this award a good fit for early-stage or unconventional ideas?

It is specifically intended to support bold, early-stage ideas, allows limited preliminary data, and aims to fund exploratory studies that can establish initial credibility for concepts that could later be expanded into larger projects.

What outcomes is this award trying to enable?

The award is intended to generate evidence and clarity around a testable hypothesis in NF research, producing credible initial results that can serve as a foundation for more extensive follow-on research efforts.