DOD Neurofibromatosis, Early Investigator Research Award

Background
The Early Investigator Research Award supports NF-focused research opportunities for individuals in the early stages of their careers, under the guidance of a designated mentor. The program is managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC).
The Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP) was initiated in 1996 to provide support for research of exceptional scientific merit that promotes the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of neurofibromatosis (NF) including NF type 1 (NF1) and type 2 (NF2) and schwannomatosis. Appropriations for the NFRP from FY96 through FY20 totaled $362.85 million (M). The FY21 appropriation is $20.0M.

Grant Details
The postdoctoral investigator is considered the Principal Investigator (PI) of the application and must exhibit strong potential for, and commitment to, pursuing a career as an investigator at the forefront of NF research; however, the PI is not required to have previous NF research experience.
Applications must include at least one mentor, appropriate to the proposed research project, who has experience in NF research and mentoring as demonstrated by a record of active funding, recent publications, and successful mentorship.

Eligibility Requirements
The Principal Investigator must be involved in a postdoctoral training or medical residency program and possess at least 1 and up to 4 years of continuous postdoctoral research experience by the Early Investigator Research Award application due date. They must possess a doctoral degree or a clinical doctoral degree from an accredited organization or program.
All organizations, including foreign organizations, foreign public entities, and international organizations are eligible to apply.

Period of Performance
The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY21 NFRP Early Investigator Research award will not exceed $200,000.
Awards will be made no later than September 30, 2022.

Grant Value
$960,000 is expected to be allotted to fund approximately three Early Investigator Research Award applications.
Funding of applications received is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program as well as the number of applications received, the quality and merit of the applications as evaluated by scientific and programmatic review.