DoD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Investigator-Initiated Research Award by Department of Defense (DoD)

The DMDRP IIRA supports translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in DMD into clinical applications. Translational research may be defined as an integration of basic science and clinical observations with the specific goal of developing new therapies. While the ultimate goal of translational research is to move an observation forward into clinical application, translational research is most effective as a two-way continuum between the bench and the bedside. Within this continuum, the IIRA supports mid-stage or later translational research projects, including early-phase, proof-of-principle clinical trials and correlative studies to better inform the development of drugs, devices, and other interventions. Research projects may also include preclinical studies utilizing animal models, human subjects, or human anatomical substances.

Studies proposed under this award should not include:
• Target discovery
• Drug screening
• Mechanism of action studies
• Hypothesis-driven pathophysiology studies