Mobility Disorders
Grants of up to $250,000 per year for five years are available for research to investigate mechanisms underlying secondary conditions in mobility disorders. This program is cosponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the National Institute of Nursing Research.
Secondary conditions can include spasticity, pain, ulceration, infection, weakness, and limited motion. Examples of potential topics include 1) animal models that address secondary conditions resulting from neurodegenerative disease, injury to the nervous system, arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, amputation, and birth defects; 2) effects of chronic infection on endocrine function; 3) changes in receptor pharmacology in response to long-term treatment with agents to control spasticity, pain, or seizures; 4) changes in immune function following paralysis; 5) the role of sensory input in reducing or exacerbating spasticity or seizures; and 6) long-term gene expression in tissues affected by secondary conditions after paralysis.
Applications under this ongoing program may be submitted by 1 October 1999, 1 February 2000, or 1 June 2000.
Information: Mary Ellen Cheung, NICHD, 301-402-2242, e-mail: mm108w@nih.gov; Chhanda Dutta, NIA, 301-435-3048, e-mail: duttac@exmur.nia.nih.gov; James Panagis, NIAMS, 301-594-5055, e-mail: jp149d@nih.gov; Sanford Garfield, NIDDK, 301-594-8803, e-mail: garfields@exec.niddk.nih.gov; Scott Somers, NIGMS, 301-594-5560, e-mail: somerss@nigms.nih.gov; or Karin Helmers, NINR, 301-594-2177, e-mail: Karin_Helmers@nih.gov. Reference: PA-99-096
Computational Biology Grants
Grants are available under the U.S. Department of Energy's Computational Structural Biology Program, which seeks prediction, modeling, and simulation research for exploring the interrelationship of macromolecular sequence, structure, and function.
Full applications are due 5 October 1999 for FY 2000 awards. Approximately $2 million will be available for multiple grants during FY 2000. Applicants may request support for up to three years. Individual awards may be for up to $500,000 per year.
Contact: Charles G. Edmonds, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, SC-73, DOE, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290 USA, 301-903-0042, fax: 301-903-0567, e-mail: charles.edmonds@science.doe.gov. Reference: Program Notice 99-19. CFDA No. 81.049
Chesapeake Bay Ecology Database
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking to establish a database of people and organizations who are interested in receiving requests for proposals (RFPs) to apply for grants in support of the Chesapeake Bay ecology. Eligibility is limited to colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and state and local government agencies.
Themes of future RFPs will include 1) toxics: implementing critical elements of the Chesapeake Bay basinwide toxics reduction and prevention strategy; 2) nutrients: efforts to meet nutrient reduction goals in order to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the bay's living resources; 3) living resources: restoring and protecting living resources, their habitats, and ecological relationships; 4) land growth and stewardship: sustainable development patterns that integrate economic health, resource protection, and community participation; 5) air: linking atmospheric deposition and loading of nutrients and chemical contaminants to effects on living resources and water quality in the bay, its tributaries, and watershed; and 6) modeling: continuing to develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked airshed, watershed, and estuarine hydrodynamic/water quality/living resources models for understanding the nutrient and sediment effects in the bay system.
Contact: Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program (RFP Database), 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109, Annapolis, MD 21403 USA, 1-800-968-7229, fax: 410-267-5777, Internet: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/rfp.htm
Mouse Nervous System and Behavior
Funds to establish facilities for large-scale mutagenesis and phenotyping of nervous system functions and complex behaviors in the laboratory mouse are available under a program cosponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute on Aging, the National Eye Institute, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The established facilities are expected to serve as national resources by producing a bank of mouse strains that harbor a wide range of mutations affecting murine nervous system function and behavior. Data and biomaterials produced in projects under this initiative will thus be made widely available to the scientific community.
This is a one-time solicitation. Approximately $5.5 million will be available in FY 2000 to support 2-4 awards. Project periods can extend for up to five years. Full proposals are due 14 October 1999.
Contact: Hemin Chin, NIMH, 301-443-1706, e-mail: hemin@nih.gov; Jonathan Pollock, NIDA, 301-435-1309, e-mail: jp183r@nih.gov; Robert Karp, NIAAA, 301-443-4223, e-mail: rkarp@willco.niaaa.nih.gov; Bradley Wise, NIA, 301-496-9350, e-mail: bw86y@nih.gov; Maria Giovanni, NEI, 301-496-0484, e-mail: myg@nei.nih.gov; Gabrielle Leblanc, NINDS, 301-496-5745, e-mail: g154h@nih.gov; or Rochelle Small, NIDCD, 301-402-3464, e-mail: rochelle_small@nih.gov. Reference: RFA MH-99-007
Pediatric Brain Disorders
Exploratory and developmental research to facilitate the translation of fundamental neurobiology to pediatric brain disorders is sought by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Broad program objectives are to focus the attention of neuroscientists on detrimental processes that affect the developing brain, promote the interaction of developmental neurobiologists and clinical scientists, and provide preliminary information necessary to unravel the complexities of developmental pathogenesis.
The program will emphasize cross-discipline collaborations, novel hypotheses, and unique approaches in applying fundamental neurobiological concepts to pediatric brain disorders. Special consideration will go to proposals that enhance the application of scientific knowledge to understanding the pathobiology and treatment of these clinical disorders. NINDS has set aside $2.5 million while NICHD has allocated $500,000.
Contact: Giovanna Spinella, NINDS, 301-496-5821, fax: 301-402-0887, e-mail: gs41b@nih.gov; or Felix De La Cruz, NICHD, 301-496-1383, fax: 301-496-3791, e-mail: fd14a@nih.gov. Reference: PAS-99-080
Bone-Immune System Interactions
Investigator-initiated projects that have the potential to illuminate functional interactions between bone and the hematopoietic and immune systems are invited under a program cosponsored by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Collaborations among bone scientists, hematologists, and immunologists, and between basic scientists and clinical investigators are particularly encouraged. Proposal deadlines for this ongoing program are 1 October 1999 and 1 February 2000.
Contact: William Sharrock, NIAMS, 301-594-5055, e-mail: ws19h@nih.gov; Frank Bellino, NIA, 301-496-6402, e-mail: fb12a@nih.gov; Kenneth Gruber, NIDCR, 301-584-4836, e-mail: kenneth_gruber@nih.gov; David Badman, NIDDK, 301-594-7717, e-mail: David_Badman@nih.gov; or Charles Peterson, NHLBI, 301-435-0050, e-mail: petersoc@gwgate.nhlbi.nih.gov. Reference: PA-99-085
Mouse Pathobiology
The next application deadline for the Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research is 1 October 1999. This program, cosponsored by the National Center for Research Resources and the National Institute on Aging, helps established pathobiologists to devote time to mouse pathobiology research while also acting as mentors for beginning investigators. Candidates should be within 15 years of their specialty training; most will have a doctor of veterinary medicine degree. Four to six awards are anticipated in FY 2000 and in each succeeding year through FY 2004.
Contact: Neal West, Comparative Medicine, NCRR, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Room 6166, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA, 301-435-0744, fax: 301-480-3819, e-mail: nealw@ncrr.nih.gov. Reference: PAR-99-065
Science, Engineering, and Medicine
Applications for grants to support science, engineering, the liberal arts, and medical research should be submitted to the W. M. Keck Foundation by 15 November 1999.
This foundation concentrates on strengthening studies and programs in accredited colleges and universities and in major independent medical research institutions. The foundation particularly seeks research that explores new directions and that could lead to breakthrough discoveries and the development of new technologies. The foundation also seeks to ensure that students receive a high-quality, well-rounded education.
Annual grants total approximately $44 million. Examples of recent awards include $1 million to Ohio State University to develop a specialized gene-transfer area in the university's neurobiotechnology facility, and $5 million to the California Institute of Technology to support interdisciplinary research on biological systems.
Contact: Sandra Glass, Program Vice President, W. M. Keck Foundation, 555 South Flower Street, Suite 3230, Los Angeles, CA 90071 USA, 213-680-3833, fax: 213-614-0934, e-mail: info@wmkeck.org, Internet: http://www.wmkeck.org
Organ Damage in Autoimmune Diseases
Research on the genetic bases and molecular pathways of target organ damage in rheumatic and autoimmune diseases is sought by the NIEHS and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, along with 10 other federal agencies. This program seeks basic, translational, or clinical research, but not epidemiological or clinical treatment research. Approximately $3 million is available for the first-year support of 10-15 grants.
Examples of possible projects include 1) development of new in vitro models to analyze effects of inflammatory, immune, and other mechanisms of injury; 2) development of new experimental systems, including genetically engineered animal models, to study cellular, molecular, environmental, and genetic aspects of target organ involvement; 3) mechanistic studies on initiation and perpetuation of local immune and inflammatory responses that occur in organs involved with autoimmune diseases; 4) identification of biochemical, structural, or other markers that may correlate with early, preclinical target organ involvement and may predict disease progression; and 5) analysis of environmental, genetic, and immune factors that determine the particular target organ involved.
Contact: Jerrold Heindel, NIEHS, PO Box 12233, Mail Drop EC-23, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA, 919-541-0781, fax: 919-541-5064, e-mail: heindelj@niehs.nih.gov. Reference: RFA AR-99-003
Beryllium Disease Research
Research to understand cellular and molecular events that underlie the transition from antigen sensitization to beryllium to actual chronic beryllium disease is invited under a program jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the NIEHS, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Areas of interest include genetic basis of beryllium sensitivity and development of chronic beryllium disease, inflammation and granuloma formation, development of in vitro and in vivo models of beryllium sensitivity, biomarkers of beryllium sensitization and progression of chronic beryllium disease, and methods of prevention.
Contact: George Malindzak, NIEHS, PO Box 12233, Mail Drop EC-23, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA, 919-541-3289, fax: 919-541-5064, e-mail: malindzak@niehs.nih.gov. Reference: PA-99-075
Molecular Epidemiology of Prostate Carcinogenesis
The National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the NIEHS invite investigator-initiated research grant applications of molecular epidemiologic studies for understanding prostate cancer development and progression. The purpose of this initiative is to stimulate development and application of biological markers of prostate cancer risk and tumor aggressiveness in developing strategies for prostate cancer prevention and control. Of special interest are studies of markers to elucidate multi-ethnic differences in prostate cancer susceptibility.
Examples of topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) etiology and tumor progression; 2) biomarkers; 3) diet and lifestyle factors; 4) primary prevention; 5) identification of risk factors (e.g., environmental, hormonal, viral exposure, sexually transmitted diseases, lifestyle, ethnicity) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia or chronic prostatitis and clarification of their possible relationships to the development of prostate cancer; 6) elucidation of the role of environmental response genes (i.e., genes that control the distribution and metabolism of toxicants, genes for DNA repair pathways, genes for cell death and differentiation, receptor genes, etc.) in the development of prostate cancer; 7) enhanced understanding of the impact of occupational and environmental exposures on the risk of prostate cancer, including interactions with genetic factors; and 8) exploration and elucidation of the role of timing of environmental exposures during critical periods of normal prostate gland development (e.g., fetal period, childhood, puberty) relevant to future risk of carcinogenesis.
Applications may be submitted by foreign and domestic for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and public and private institutes such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. Letters of intent are due 20 October 1999, while full applications are due 19 November 1999.
Contact: Kumiko Iwamoto, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, NCI, Executive Plaza North, Suite 535, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA, 301-496-9600, fax: 301-402-4279, e-mail: ki6n@nih.gov. Reference: PA-99-055
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority offers an internship program for students in engineering, science, computer, business, and communications. The MWRA currently has 75 internship positions available.
Examples of positions include 1) a harbor monitoring intern to provide technical support for the MWRA's Harbor Quality Monitoring Program; 2) a laboratory intern to perform routine tests using prescribed procedures on water, air, and wastewater, and to compile and prepare data for scientists; 3) a water quality lab intern to assist engineers and technicians with the collection of water samples and to conduct basic laboratory and field analyses; and 4) an engineering intern to provide technical support to engineers, to read and interpret data from blueprints and record plans, and to assist in the preparation of charts and graphs.
Contact: Denise Perkins, Intern Coordinator, MWRA, Public Affairs Department, 100 First Avenue, Boston, MA 02129 USA, 617-241-6057, extension 1193, fax: 617-241-6025
Tumor Classification
The National Cancer Institute seeks efforts to harness the power of comprehensive molecular analysis technologies to make the classification of tumors more informative. Investigators are invited to form multidisciplinary research groups to conduct studies aimed at defining comprehensive profiles of molecular alterations in tumors that can be used to identify subsets of patients. These profiles will provide the basis for future studies to validate the clinical utility of molecular-based classification schemes.
In some cases, collaborations between investigators from academic, government, and commercial organizations may be necessary to include all the expertise required by a specific project.
Approximately $10 million is available to support 8-10 new grants. Letters of intent are requested by 5 October 1999, while full proposals are due 16 November 1999.
Contact: James Jacobson, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, NCI, 6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 700, MSC 7388, Bethesda, MD 20892-7388 USA, 301-402-4185, fax: 301-402-7819, e-mail: jj37d@nih.gov. Reference: RFA CA-98-027
Viral Assays
Proposals to refine nucleic acid-based assays to identify infection of organ and tissue donors by bloodborne viruses (particularly HIV and hepatitis C) are sought by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The most promising technologies appear to be nucleic acid amplification systems such as polymerase chain reaction, ligase chain reaction, nucleic acid-based sequence amplification, strand displacement amplification, branched DNA, and transcription-mediated amplification. One three-year award is anticipated.
Contact: Lynda A. Bindseil, Contracting Officer, Contracts Operations Branch, NHLBI, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 6100, MSC 790-2, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA, 301-435-0355. Reference: Sol. NHLBI-HB-99-10
Last Updated: July 19, 1999