DoD Neurofibromatosis Investigator-Initiated Award | HT9425 23 NFRP IIRA

Opportunity Information: Apply for HT9425 23 NFRP IIRA

The DoD Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award is a competitive funding opportunity designed to support rigorous, high-impact research that can meaningfully advance neurofibromatosis (NF) science and, ultimately, improve patient care. The award is meant for investigator-driven ideas, so projects can originate from many starting points, including basic laboratory discoveries, population and epidemiology work, clinical observations drawn from direct patient care, or even well-supported anecdotal patterns that warrant deeper investigation. A key requirement is that applications must be grounded in relevant evidence: proposals need to include preliminary and/or published data directly tied to NF and to the specific research plan being proposed. While the program is open to research across essentially any phase of the research pipeline, it explicitly excludes clinical trials, so applicants need to frame their work as preclinical, translational, mechanistic, or otherwise non-trial research.

A major optional component of this opportunity is participation in the NF Open Science Initiative (NF-OSI), an effort the FY23 NFRP supports to speed progress in NF by encouraging early data access and proactive data sharing across the research community. The NF-OSI centers on the NF Data Portal (nf.synapse.org), which functions as a public repository for sharing and exploring NF-related datasets, analysis tools, resources, and publications, with a strong emphasis on raw source data rather than polished, publication-ready figures. In other words, the portal is intended for underlying data points and experimental outputs (including images and other primary artifacts) that allow independent researchers to reanalyze findings and confirm results. The program particularly encourages use of the portal for studies that generate large-scale or high-dimensional datasets, such as gene expression and other omics data (genomic variants, methylation, proteomics), drug and combination screening outputs, cellular physiology and chromatin activity datasets, imaging, kinomics, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and data arising from clinical studies (as distinct from clinical trials).

For researchers who choose the NF-OSI option, the program outlines clear expectations around responsible, structured sharing. Data contributors are expected to follow FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) to improve reproducibility and reuse. The portal also supports practical realities of research timelines by allowing investigators to store data privately and then release it publicly after an embargo period, which can help balance early sharing with publication plans. Applications selecting the NF-OSI option must spell out a concrete commitment in a Data and Research Resources Sharing Plan, including milestones for when and how data or resources will be made available, and how they will remain accessible even after the award period ends. They must also explain how joining the NF-OSI will directly advance or accelerate NF research, not just comply with a sharing requirement. Importantly, for projects funded under the NF-OSI option, continued funding is tied to meeting the initiative's data submission expectations, making compliance an active condition of award performance rather than a purely aspirational goal.

Administratively, this opportunity is issued by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, through the US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). The funding opportunity number is HT9425 23 NFRP IIRA, categorized as discretionary funding, and it may be issued as either a grant or a cooperative agreement. The activity area is science and technology and other research and development, under CFDA 12.420. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to applicants (subject to any additional eligibility language in the full announcement). The posting indicates an anticipated number of approximately five awards. The original opportunity timeline shown includes a creation date of May 22, 2023 and an original closing date of August 25, 2023. The award ceiling is listed as 0 in the provided extract, which typically signals that applicants should rely on the detailed program announcement for the actual budget limits, funding levels (including any tiering such as the referenced Level 2 funding for NF-OSI participants), and specific cost restrictions.

• The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD Neurofibromatosis Investigator-Initiated Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 22, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 25, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for HT9425 23 NFRP IIRA

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