Department of Defense (DoD) Multiple Sclerosis Research Program Funding Opportunities

The FY16 Defense Appropriations Act provides $6 million (M) to the Department of Defense Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (MSRP) to support innovative, high-impact multiple sclerosis (MS) research.  As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency, Research, Development, and Acquisition (DHA RDA) Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

FY16 MSRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are posted on Grants.gov. 

Pilot Clinical Trial Award – Preproposal due 5/26/16

Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).

All applications submitted in this funding opportunity must address the Treatment of MS Symptoms.

• Symptoms may include: Pain, Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction, Visual Impairment, Motor Impairment, Impaired Mobility, Loss of Bladder Control, Sexual Dysfunction, Depression, and Anxiety.

Note: Studies of disease-modifying or regenerative therapies that secondarily impact symptoms will not be considered for funding.

• Supports early-phase, proof-of-principle clinical trials to investigate hypothesis-based, innovative interventions that have the potential to result in a profound impact on the management of multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Pre-application submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Scientific rationale and/or preliminary data required.
• Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption approvals, if applicable, must be in place before an award will be made.
• Preclinical and correlative studies are not allowed.
• Anticipation is that budgets will not exceed $600,000 in direct costs.
• Period of performance not to exceed 3 years.

Exploration - Hypothesis Development Award (New for FY16)- Preproposal due 5/26/2016

Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).

All applications submitted in this funding opportunity must address the Biology, Measurement, or Treatment of MS Symptoms.

•  Symptoms may include: Pain, Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction, Visual Impairment, Motor Impairment, Impaired Mobility, Loss of Bladder Control, Sexual Dysfunction, Depression, and Anxiety.

Note:  Studies of disease-modifying or regenerative therapies that secondarily impact symptoms will not be considered for funding.

• Supports the initial exploration of innovative, high-risk, high-gain, and potentially groundbreaking concepts in the MS research field.
• Pre-application (Letter of Intent) submission is required.
• Projects involving human subjects or human biological substances must be exempt under 32 CFR 219.101(b)(4) or eligible for expedited review under 32 CFR 219.110 or 21 CFR 56.110.
• Preliminary data is not required.
• Clinical trials not allowed.
• Anticipation is that budgets will not exceed $150,000 in direct costs.
• Period of performance not to exceed 2 years.

Investigator-Initiated Research Award – Preproposal due 5/26/2016
Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).
All applications submitted in this funding opportunity must address Obstacles to Remyelination in MS.
Note: Projects addressing the mechanisms of demyelination will not be considered for funding.

Supports highly rigorous, high-impact research with the potential to make an important contribution to MS.