Research Program Award (R35 Clinical Trial Optional)

The purpose of the NINDS Research Program Award (RPA) is to provide longer-term support and increased flexibility to Program Directors (PDs) /Principal Investigators (PIs) whose records of research achievement demonstrate their ability to make major contributions to neuroscience. RPAs will support the overall research programs of NINDS-funded investigators for up to 8 years, at a level commensurate with a PD/PIs recent NINDS support (Part 2, Section II) This greater funding stability will provide eligible investigators at nearly all career stages increased freedom and flexibility, allowing them to be more adventurous in their research, take greater risks, embark upon research that breaks new ground, undertake research projects that require a longer timeframe, and/or extend previous discoveries in new directions. Research supported through the RPA must be within the scope of the NINDS mission (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/mission.htm). Research activities outside of the NINDS mission, or traditionally supported by another NIH Institute or Center will not be considered through this program. Other anticipated benefits of the RPA include: A more stable funding environment, facilitating the pursuit of longer term research goals; Flexible funding, enabling investigators to pursue research opportunities as they arise, not tied to specific aims; Reduced time spent writing grant applications and managing multiple grant awards, thereby allowing investigators to spend more time conducting and overseeing research; and More time for PDs/PIs to mentor junior scientists. Eligibility to apply through this FOA is limited to investigators who currently have at least one active NINDS R01 or R01 equivalent grant (defined as R01, R37, R56, DP1 or DP2 awards) due to expire in FY18 or FY19. Applicants must also have received R01, R00, or R01 equivalent grant support from NINDS in each of the past 5 years), with no more than one of those years in a no cost ext