Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson’s, Investigator- Initiated Research Award | W81XWH 21 NETP IIRA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NETP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?

The Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson's (NETP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a discretionary Department of Defense (DoD) funding opportunity intended to advance Parkinson's disease research specifically in the context of neurotoxin exposure and treatment-related Parkinson's.

Which agency is offering and administering this opportunity?

This opportunity is from the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, and is administered through USAMRAA (U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH-21-NETP-IIRA.

What is the main purpose or intent of this award?

The intent is to fund highly rigorous, multidisciplinary, and high-impact projects that can meaningfully move the field forward. This includes research that clarifies disease mechanisms linked to toxic exposures, improves detection and characterization of exposure-related Parkinsonian conditions, or develops and evaluates strategies to prevent, mitigate, or treat Parkinson's associated with these exposure pathways.

What research areas or project types are encouraged under this mechanism?

The program indicates it is open to a full research spectrum, including foundational basic science, translational research, and clinical research. Examples mentioned include mechanistic studies of how particular neurotoxins affect dopaminergic neurons, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial function, protein aggregation, and other relevant pathways.

Does the program support both basic and clinical research?

Yes. The mechanism is described as supporting the full research spectrum, ranging from basic mechanistic studies through translational work and into clinical research.

Are preclinical studies or model development projects allowed?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly signals openness to preclinical model development and validation, as long as the work is well-justified and aligned with the program focus.

Are biomarker or detection-focused projects within scope?

Yes. The opportunity mentions biomarker discovery and improving detection and characterization of exposure-related Parkinsonian conditions as aligned areas.

Are exposure assessment or exposure science methods considered responsive?

Yes. Exposure assessment methods are specifically referenced as an example of studies the program is open to, consistent with the focus on neurotoxin exposure.

Are therapeutic development or intervention studies eligible?

The program includes developing and evaluating strategies that could prevent, mitigate, or treat Parkinson's associated with neurotoxin exposure or treatment-related pathways, and it also mentions clinical or clinical-adjacent studies that test interventions or evaluate clinically meaningful outcomes.

What does "multidisciplinary" mean in the context of this funding opportunity?

The description suggests that competitive projects are likely to integrate expertise across multiple fields. Examples provided include neuroscience, toxicology, epidemiology, neurology, biostatistics, exposure science, and potentially data science or systems biology, depending on the approach.

What funding instruments are available under this opportunity?

Two funding instruments are listed: grants and cooperative agreements.

What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement here?

The summary indicates that some awards may be administered under a more traditional grant structure, while others may involve substantial agency involvement typical of cooperative agreements. The exact level of involvement would depend on the nature and needs of the project.

How is this opportunity categorized (program area/type)?

The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA (Assistance Listing) number is 12.420.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted and open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications included in the full announcement text. The summary notes that this phrasing typically indicates a broad applicant pool, but the detailed eligibility boundaries would be set in the solicitation.

When was this opportunity originally posted?

The original posting/creation date is May 27, 2021.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date is September 29, 2021.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity listed an expected three awards.

Is there a maximum award amount (ceiling) specified?

The award ceiling is shown as 0 in the summarized record. This typically indicates the maximum award amount is not specified in the summary and would need to be confirmed in the full funding announcement or program guidance.

What kind of Parkinson's research is this opportunity specifically focused on?

The focus is Parkinson's disease in the specific context of neurotoxin exposure and treatment-related Parkinson's, including understanding risk, progression, and clinical presentation where these exposure pathways are central.

What outcomes is the program aiming to achieve?

Based on the description, the program is seeking research that can drive substantive advances, such as clarifying mechanisms, improving detection/characterization, and developing or evaluating prevention, mitigation, or treatment strategies for Parkinson's associated with neurotoxin exposure or treatment-related factors.