DoD Lupus, Concept Award for Innovative Lupus Research

The LRP Concept Award supports the exploration of highlyinnovative new concepts or untested theories that address important problemsrelevant to lupus.  This award mechanismsupports high-risk, high-reward studies that have the potential to revealentirely new avenues for investigation. The application must describe how the new idea will enhance the existingknowledge of lupus or develop an innovative and novel course of investigation.  The Concept Award is not intended to supportan incremental progression of an already established research project.  Research completed through a Concept Awardmay generate sufficient preliminary data to enable the Principal Investigator(PI) to prepare an application for future research.  Inclusion of preliminary data is not required.

The following are important aspects of the Concept Award:

·        Innovation:  Innovative research mayintroduce a new paradigm, look at existing problems from new perspectives, orexhibit other highly creative qualities. Research that represents an incremental advancement on previouslypublished work is not considered innovative.  It is the responsibility of the PI to clearlyand explicitly describe how the proposed research is innovative and will leadto novel avenues of investigation in lupus research.

·        Impact:  The proposed research, ifsuccessful, should impact an area of paramount importance in lupus disease.  It is the responsibility of the PI to clearlyand explicitly describe the potential impact(s) of the proposed study forindividuals living with lupus and to convey its level of significance.

·        ResearchStrategy:  Thescientific rationale and experimental methodology should demonstrate criticalunderstanding and in-depth analysis of lupus. Experimental strategies may be novel or may be based on strong rationalederived from a literature review.

·        FocusAreas:  Theproposed research must address atleast one of the FY19 LRP Focus Areas. 

Clinical trials are not allowed under this Program Announcement.

The proposed research must be relevant to active dutyService members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public.

The anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire periodof performance for an FY19 LRP Concept Award will not exceed $200,000.  Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions,for detailed funding information.

The CDMRP expects to allot approximately $1.2M to fund approximately six ConceptAwardapplications.  Funding of applicationsreceived is contingent upon the availability of Federal funds for this programas well as the number of applications received, the quality and merit of theapplications as evaluated by scientific and programmatic review, and therequirements of the Government.  Funds tobe obligated on any award resulting from this funding opportunity will beavailable for use for a limited time period based on the fiscal year of thefunds.  It is anticipated that awardsmade from this FY19 funding opportunity will be funded with FY19 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2025.

Awards will be made no later than September 30, 2020.  For additional information, refer to Section II.F.1,Federal Award Notices.

The types of awards made under the Program Announcement willbe assistance agreements (grants or cooperative agreements).  The level of involvement on the part of theDepartment of Defense (DoD) during project performance is the key factor indetermining whether to award a grant or cooperative agreement.

An assistance agreement (grant or cooperative agreement) isappropriate when the Federal Government transfers a “thing of value” to a“state, local government,” or “other recipient” to carry out a public purposeof support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States, instead ofacquiring property or service for the direct benefit and use of the U.S.Government.  An assistance agreement cantake the form of a grant or cooperative agreement.  If “no substantial involvement” on the partof the funding agency is anticipated, a grant award will be made (31 USC6304).  Conversely, if substantialinvolvement on the part of the funding agency is anticipated, a cooperativeagreement will be made (31 USC 6305) and the award will identify the specificsubstantial involvement.  Substantialinvolvement may include collaboration, participation, or intervention in theresearch to be performed under the award. The award type, along with the start date, will be determined during thenegotiation process.