DOD Parkinson’s Early Investigator Research Award

Background
The PRP EIRA supports research opportunities for investigators in the early stages of their careers. The Early 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 PD research; however, the PI is not required to have previous PD research experience.

The vision of the PRP is to improve the health and lives of people with Parkinson’s disease through innovative, clinically meaningful treatments. The mission of the PRP is to support high impact Parkinson's research that alters disease progression, improves disease symptoms, and develops treatments that benefit Service members and their families, Veterans, and the general public.

Grant Details
The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) is soliciting applications to the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) using delegated authority provided by United States Code, Title 10, Section 4001 (10 USC 4001). The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) is the program management agent for this funding opportunity.

In FY22, Congress transitioned the Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson’s program to PRP and broadened the research from neurotoxin exposure treatment Parkinson’s disease (PD) research to all types of PD research. Appropriations for the PRP from FY22 through FY23 totaled $32 million (M). The FY24 appropriation is $16M.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Applicants include extramural and intramural organizations such as academic institutions, biotechnology companies, foundations, federal government organizations other than the DOD (i.e., intragovernmental organizations), and research institutes.

Principal Investigators must be postdoctoral or clinical fellows, instructors, or assistant professors within 10 years of advanced degree training or residency training completion.

Period of Performance
Awards supported with FY24 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2025. The CDMRP expects to allot approximately $2.4M to fund approximately six PRP EIRA applications.

Funding of applications received is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program, the number of applications received, the quality and merit of the applications as evaluated by peer and programmatic review.

Grant Value
The anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY24 PRP EIRA Award - Funding Level 1 should not exceed $200,000. The anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY24 PRP EIRA Award - Funding Level 2 should not exceed $500,000.