DoD VRP, Focused Translational Team Science Award | HT942524VRPFTTSA

Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942524VRPFTTSA

The **DoD Vision Research Program (VRP) Focused Translational Team Science Award (FTTSA) for FY24** supports collaborative research aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of **eye injuries and visual dysfunction** resulting from military-related exposures such as **blast, blunt force, thermal, chemical, or directed energy trauma**.

### **Key Aspects of the Award:** - **Overarching Challenge:** The research team must identify a major barrier or gap in understanding, diagnosing, preventing, or treating eye injuries related to military exposure. Investigators should establish **long-term (10-15 years) and short-term (achievable) goals** to guide their research.

- **Research Projects:** - Each application must include **at least three but no more than five distinct research projects** that work together toward the overarching challenge. - Projects must align with **VRP Focus Areas** and can cover topics such as: - Molecular and cellular mechanisms of eye injuries - Pathophysiological changes over time after military exposure - Biomarker identification and therapeutic target development - Drug delivery platforms suitable for treating military-related eye injuries - Clinically relevant trauma models and protective solutions - Portable assessment or diagnostic tools - The research must be designed so that each project **stands independently**, meaning its success should not depend on the success of other projects. - Projects can focus on different phases of research (**basic, translational, applied, clinical, observational**). - One project may include a **pilot clinical trial (PCT)** (but not a full-scale clinical trial) to assess feasibility for future trials.

- **Implementation & Collaboration:** - Research teams must include a **detailed implementation plan** for coordination, data sharing, and collaboration. - The goal is to **create synergy and accelerate progress** beyond what individual projects could achieve separately.

- **Team Structure:** - The award requires an **Overall Lead Principal Investigator (PI)** along with multiple **Project PIs** (each leading one project). - The Overall Lead PI will oversee the entire effort and **must have experience leading large collaborative research projects**. - Each investigator will receive a **separate award** for their institution, with independent administrative and reporting responsibilities.

### **Additional Considerations:** - **Regulatory & Compliance:** - If a project involves a **pilot clinical trial**, the team must demonstrate knowledge of regulatory approval processes. - **Regular Collaboration & Meetings:** - All investigators are expected to engage in regular discussions, share data, and collaborate. - A designated **CDMRP Science Officer** must be included in periodic team meetings.

This funding opportunity encourages **multidisciplinary collaboration** to tackle significant challenges in military-related vision trauma, ultimately striving for **meaningful advancements in patient care and treatment strategies**.

• The Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD VRP, Focused Translational Team Science 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 2024-05-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2025.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for HT942524VRPFTTSA

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