Department of Defense Grant for Investigator-Initiated Reconstructive Transplant Research

The FY22 RTRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is intended to support studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to reconstructive transplant research, patient care, and/or quality of life. Though the RTRP IIRA mechanism supports groundbreaking research, all projects must demonstrate solid scientific rationale with military-relevant utility. Important aspects of this award mechanism include:

– Study Design and Feasibility: The proposed study design should be clearly described, rigorous, and support maximal reproducibility and translational feasibility. A statistical plan with appropriate power analysis should be included, as applicable.

– Impact: The short- and long-term impact of the proposed research should be clearly articulated. Projects must address at least one of the FY22 RTRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award Focus Areas.

– Military Relevance: All projects must be responsive to the healthcare needs of military Service Members and/or Veterans recovering from traumatic injury, and/or their family members, caregivers or clinicians, as well as the general public. Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged, but not required. 

– Preliminary Data: Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from laboratory discovery, population-based studies, a clinician’s first-hand knowledge of patients, or anecdotal data. Preliminary and/or published data that are relevant to reconstructive transplantation and that support the rationale for the proposed research must be included.

Investigator-Initiated Research Award applications may focus on any phase of research from basic through translational, including preclinical studies in animal models, human subjects, human anatomical substances, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial.