The DoD is Offering the Multiple Sclerosis Early Investigator Research Award

The MSRP EIRA supports MS-focused research opportunities for individuals in the early stages of their careers, under the guidance of one or more designated Mentors. This opportunity allows for early-stage investigators to develop a research project, investigate a problem or question in MS research, and further their intellectual development as an MS researcher of the future. All application components for the EIRA are expected to be written by the Principal Investigator (PI), with appropriate direction from the Mentor(s).

Key features of the award mechanism are as follows:

·        Principal Investigator: The postdoctoral investigator is considered the PI of the application and must exhibit strong potential for, and commitment to, pursuing a career as an investigator at the forefront of MS research; however, the PI is not required to have previous MS research experience.

·        Mentor(s): Applications must include at least one Mentor, appropriate to the proposed research project, who has experience in MS research and mentoring as demonstrated by a record of active funding, recent publications, and successful mentorship. The primary Mentor can be a junior faculty member, in which case the PI is encouraged to include a secondary Mentor with a more robust track record in MS research and mentorship. The selected Mentor(s) should also demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of the PI toward independence as an MS researcher.

·        Researcher Development Plan: The PI must outline an individualized, MS-focused Researcher Development Plan, which should include a clearly articulated strategy for acquiring the necessary skills, competence, and expertise that will enable the PI to successfully complete the proposed research project and foster the PI’s development as an independent MS researcher. An environment appropriate to the proposed mentoring and research project must be clearly described, although any deficiencies of resources and/or mentorship at the PI’s institution can be mitigated through collaboration(s) with other institutions. If the PI will be utilizing resources at another institution to successfully complete the proposed project, then the PI is strongly encouraged to designate a secondary Mentor at the collaborating institution.

·        Research Project: The proposed research project should address the critical needs of the MS community as outlined in the FY24 MSRP EIRA Focus Areas above. The scientific rationale and experimental methodology should demonstrate in-depth analysis of the research problem presented. The feasibility of the research design and methods should be well- defined, and a clear plan should be articulated as to how the proposed goals of the project can be achieved. Describe the anticipated outcomes (short-term gains) from the proposed research and how they will be used as a foundation for future research projects. Explain the anticipated long-term gains from the proposed research project, including how the new understanding may ultimately contribute to the goal of advancing MS research, patient care, and/or quality of life.

·        For the “Correlates of Disease Activity and Progression in MS” Focus Area, applications must demonstrate access to the relevant specimens and/or data of the proposed cohort. Refer to Attachment 10: Letter(s) Confirming Access to Specimens and/or Data for more details.

·        For projects involving animal models of MS: Applicants should be prudent in the choice of animal model(s) for their proposed research project. Applicants must justify the relevance of their proposed animal model(s) to the specific aspect of human MS to be studied. 9: Animal Research Plan is required.

The MSRP EIRA supports MS-focused research opportunities for individuals in the early stages of their careers, under the guidance of one or more designated Mentors. This opportunity allows for early-stage investigators to develop a research project, investigate a problem or question in MS research, and further their intellectual development as an MS researcher of the future. All application components for the EIRA are expected to be written by the Principal Investigator (PI), with appropriate direction from the Mentor(s).

Key features of the award mechanism are as follows:

·        Principal Investigator: The postdoctoral investigator is considered the PI of the application and must exhibit strong potential for, and commitment to, pursuing a career as an investigator at the forefront of MS research; however, the PI is not required to have previous MS research experience.

·        Mentor(s): Applications must include at least one Mentor, appropriate to the proposed research project, who has experience in MS research and mentoring as demonstrated by a record of active funding, recent publications, and successful mentorship. The primary Mentor can be a junior faculty member, in which case the PI is encouraged to include a secondary Mentor with a more robust track record in MS research and mentorship. The selected Mentor(s) should also demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of the PI toward independence as an MS researcher.

·        Researcher Development Plan: The PI must outline an individualized, MS-focused Researcher Development Plan, which should include a clearly articulated strategy for acquiring the necessary skills, competence, and expertise that will enable the PI to successfully complete the proposed research project and foster the PI’s development as an independent MS researcher. An environment appropriate to the proposed mentoring and research project must be clearly described, although any deficiencies of resources and/or mentorship at the PI’s institution can be mitigated through collaboration(s) with other institutions. If the PI will be utilizing resources at another institution to successfully complete the proposed project, then the PI is strongly encouraged to designate a secondary Mentor at the collaborating institution.

·        Research Project: The proposed research project should address the critical needs of the MS community as outlined in the FY24 MSRP EIRA Focus Areas above. The scientific rationale and experimental methodology should demonstrate in-depth analysis of the research problem presented. The feasibility of the research design and methods should be well- defined, and a clear plan should be articulated as to how the proposed goals of the project can be achieved. Describe the anticipated outcomes (short-term gains) from the proposed research and how they will be used as a foundation for future research projects. Explain the anticipated long-term gains from the proposed research project, including how the new understanding may ultimately contribute to the goal of advancing MS research, patient care, and/or quality of life.

·        For the “Correlates of Disease Activity and Progression in MS” Focus Area, applications must demonstrate access to the relevant specimens and/or data of the proposed cohort. Refer to Attachment 10: Letter(s) Confirming Access to Specimens and/or Data for more details.

·        For projects involving animal models of MS: Applicants should be prudent in the choice of animal model(s) for their proposed research project. Applicants must justify the relevance of their proposed animal model(s) to the specific aspect of human MS to be studied. 9: Animal Research Plan is required.