DoD Epilepsy Research Partnership Award by Department of Defense

The intent of the FY19 ERP RPA is to create an avenue for collaborative research partnerships between/among investigators to address a research problem or question in a manner that would be unachievable through separate efforts. The FY19 ERP RPA offers two levels of funding. Funding Level I is intended to support preclinical or pre-validation research. Funding Level II is intended to support research requiring access to a patient cohort for a prospective study. Funding Level II applications that evaluate the feasibility of using combinations of measures (e.g., neuropsychological assessments, imaging, and genomics) are encouraged. Furthermore, Level II applications should describe how the association of TBI and subsequent PTE will be assessed or characterized to include a description of the nature of the TBIs in the cohort. The description of the TBI characterization should discuss how the TBIs will be studied using statistical methods as part of the statistical plan for Level II Applications. Applications should therefore describe how the anticipated outcome(s) can be attributable to the results of the proposed research (short-term gains), as well as consider the long-term scientific gains from the proposed research project. Applications should be impact-based.

The FY19 ERP RPA is open to eligible applicants whose named Principal Investigators (PIs) are at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) from any field or discipline. The application should demonstrate the study team’s experience in both TBI and epilepsy research. The FY19 ERP RPA requires that a minimum of two investigators (i.e., partners) jointly design a single research project. It should be clear that each partner had equal intellectual input into the design of the research project. Any partner may submit as the PI; the other partner(s) will be designated as the Co-PI(s). Multi-institutional research is encouraged but not required.

The success of the project must be supported by the unique skills and contributions of each partner. The proposed studies must demonstrate how they will accelerate research that addresses the ERP’s mission (see Section II.A, Program Description) toward clinical applications. All applications must include a Collaboration Statement (Attachment 10).

The anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for a Funding Level II FY19 ERP RPA will not exceed $2,000,000. The maximum period of performance is 4 years. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.

The requested budget level should be appropriate for the scope of research proposed.

FY19 ERP RPA Focus Areas: The Focus Areas below are specific to the FY19 ERP RPA and should be carefully considered as part of the application process.

• Markers and Mechanisms

• Epidemiology

• Longitudinal Studies

An application that proposes research outside of these FY19 ERP RPA Focus Areas is acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong rationale. These should be carefully considered as part of the application process.

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