Contents:

• UNC AdvanTx
• Tips, Tools, and Training
• Special Funding Opportunities
• Early Notice - NIH Concept Clearances and NSF Dear Colleague Letters
• Limited Submission & Award Opportunities
• Research Development for Postdocs
• News you can use
• Interest Survey
• ORD Consultations

Tips, Tools, and Training

CALL FOR PROPOSALS - Translational Research Grant (TRG)

CURRENT LIMITED SUBMISSION & AWARD OPPORTUNITIES

Early Notice - NIH Concept Clearances

NIH Concept Clearances
NIH Institute Councils meet three times a year - Feb/May/Sep. The public-access portion of these council meetings includes the presentation of concepts to be cleared by the Council for writing into a funding announcement. Thus, concept clearances are often the earliest notice of NIH interest in a new topic format.

Most NIH institutes had council meetings in May; a few were scheduled for early June. Below is a comprehensive listing of concept clearances starting with those who met in June and were not included on the May issue of FUNDamentals. 

NIAID June 7

NIAID - DMID
- FY22 Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern
- FY23 Systems Biology for Infectious Diseases (SysBioID)
- FY23 Accelerating Group A Streptococcus Vaccine Discovery
- FY23 Fundamental Research To Understand the Mechanisms of Neurotropic Virus-Mediated Disease
- FY23 Identification and Characterization of Persistence Mechanisms of Protozoan Pathogens
- FY23 Host Immunity and Novel Immunization Strategies for Clostridioides difficile

NIAID - DAIDS
- FY22 Brazil Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis (RePORT)
- FY22 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI)—Harnessing Big Data To Halt HIV
- FY22 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI)—HIV Drug Resistance Assays and Actionable Data Dissemination Strategies
- FY22 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI)—HIV/AIDS in the Era of COVID-19 - When Pandemics Collide
- FY22 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contract Solicitation Topic: 
Development of Diagnostics To Differentiate HIV Infection From Vaccine-Induced Seropositivity
- FY23 Development of Assays for Testing Susceptibility to Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs)
- FY23 South Africa Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis (RePORT)
- FY23 RePORT International Coordinating Center (RICC)
- FY23 Biomarker Signatures of Tuberculosis Infection in Young Children With and Without HIV
- FY23 Resources To Advance Pediatrics and HIV Prevention Science (RAPPS)

NIAID-DAIT
- FY22 NOSI—Using the Collaborative Cross (CC) Mouse Model for Immunoregulatory and Infectious Disease Research
- FY22 NOSI—Dirty Mouse Models of Human Immunity
- FY22 NOSI—Immune Responses to Arthropod Feeding on Vertebrate Hosts
- FY22 NOSI—Somatic Cell Gene Editing Therapies To Improve Transplantation Outcomes
- FY22 NOSI—Understanding the Immune Functions of DEAD/H-box Helicases
- FY23 SUNBEAM-Analysis and Bioinformatics Center
- FY23 Limited Competition To Continue the Controlling and Preventing Asthma Progression and Severity in Kids
- FY23 Development of Microbiome-Related Approaches for Diagnosis/Mitigation/Treatment of Radiation Injuries

NHLBI June 8 No concepts on the agenda

NEI June 11
- Regenerative Medicine Clinical Trial Planning Grant
- Greater than minimal risk single-site clinical trials

NCATS June 10-11 The agenda blocked off most of an afternoon to discuss concepts and included a recording. The following topics are listed as concepts at the beginning of the recorded video. Some titles are generic; please view the video recording for details about what was specifically discussed.
- Contract Support for NCATS Intramural R&D Activities
- LitCoin Prize Competitions
- Clinical and Translational Science Award (UM1)
- Specialized Innovation Programs (SIPs) (RC2)
- National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Research Training Grants (T32)
- Institutional Career Development Award (K12)
- Research Education Grants (R25) 

NCI June 14-15 4th Virtual Joint BSA/NCAB 
- Implementation Science for Cancer Control in People Living with HIV (PLWH) in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (RFA/Coop. Agr.)
- A Multi-Level Approach to Connecting Underrepresented Populations Clinical Trials (CUSP2CT) (RFA)
- Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk after Bariatric Surgery (PAR)
- Cancer Prevention and Control Clinical Trial Planning Grant Program (PAR)

NIGMS no meeting

NCCIH May 14  
- Optimized Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management

NHGRI May 17-18 
- Supporting Talented Early Career Researchers in Genomics (RFA)
- Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science (CEGS) Program Announcement Renewal
- The Knockout Mouse Phenotyping Program (RFA)
- Genomics Curriculum Development for Medical Students (PAR)

NIAMS May 18
- NIAMS Disease Profiling Initiative

NBIB May 19 
- Technology Development to Address Health Disparities

NICHD June 8
- Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (Mukhopadhyay/DBSVB)
- Advancing Research to Understand Congenital Malformations (Toyama/DBSVB)
- Elucidation and validation of the transmembrane transporter proteins in nutrient and drug disposition (Harrill/OPPTB)
- Bioprinted Tissue Constructs for OB/GYN and Pediatric Applications (Pileggi/OPPTB)
- Integrative Research Resources for Advancing Maternal & Pediatric Therapeutics (Ren/OPPTB)
- Promoting Reproductive Health for Adolescents and Adults with Disabilities (King/PDB)
- Innovative Therapies and Tools for Screenable Disorders in Newborns (Minear/IDDB)         
- Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (Hayunga/DER)

NIDCR May 26 
- Conducting Dental Practice-Based Research in Dental Schools to Provide Clinical Research Experience and Educational Opportunities
- Transformative Approaches to Developing a Dentist Scientist Clinical Research Workforce
- NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity in the Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research Workforce
- NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award
- NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators

NIDDK May 12-13
- Bioinformatics for ChiLDReN Genomics
-CareerTrac Pilot Program
- Characterization of Islet-derived Extracellular Vesicles for Improved Detection, Monitoring, Classification, and Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
- Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Study (CKiD)
- Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study
- Continuation of the Drug Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN)
- DDEMD Stakeholder Engagement Innovation Center
- Discovery Science Research to Improve Understanding of Risk and Causal Mechanisms for Obesity in Early Life
- Early-Stage Preclinical Validation of Therapeutic Leads for Diseases of Interest to the NIDDK (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Evaluation of the NIH/National Medical Association (NMA) Travel Award Program and the Network of Minority Health Research Investigators (NMRI)
- Expansion of the National K12 Program for the Career Development of Clinician-Scientists in Diabetes Research (Diabetes-DOCS)
- Extension and Completion of the TACT2 Clinical Trial
- High Impact, Interdisciplinary Science in NIDDK Research Areas (RC2 Clinical Trial Optional)
- High-Resolution Exploration of the Human Islet Tissue Environment [HIRN Human Pancreas Analysis Consortium (HPAC)]
- iMALT One-Year Extension and Close Out Funds
- Integrated Physiology of the Exocrine and Endocrine Compartments in Pancreatic Diseases
- Integration of Medical and Social Care Clinical Trial Interventions
- Interventions to Address Structural Racism and Improve Outcomes in Kidney Disease Patients
- Investigator Award to Support Mentoring of Diverse Early Career Researchers
- Lymphatics in Health and Disease in the Digestive System
- Multidisciplinary Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)
- National Centers for Metabolic Phenotyping in Live Models of Obesity and Diabetes (MPMOD)
- Pilot and Feasibility Studies to Improve Technology Adoption and Reduce Health Disparities in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- Pragmatic Trial of Higher vs. Lower Serum Phosphate Targets in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis (HiLo)
- The Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00)
- Promoting Organ and Tissue Donation Among Diverse Populations
- Renewal of the NIDDK Diabetic Foot Consortium
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) to Develop New Methods and Technologies for Assessment of Risk and for Early Diagnosis and Prognosis of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
- Stimulating Urology Interdisciplinary Team Opportunity Research (SUITOR)
- Support for the Development of R01 or R01 Equivalent Projects by Investigators from Underrepresented Populations in Biomedical Research

NIEHS June 1-2 No concepts on the agenda; the Director's report may be of interest to FUNDamentals readership 

NIHM May 18, Concept Clearance Summaries:
- Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions to Optimize Adolescent Mental Health Treatments
- Research on Late-Life Suicide: Mechanisms and Future Treatment Targets
- NIMH Career Transition Award for Tenure-Track Intramural Investigators
- From Genes to Biology: Scalable Approaches for Biological Characterization of Mental Illness Risk Genes
- Improving Use of Novel HIV Prevention and Treatment Options through Behavioral and Communication Science
- National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium

NINDS May 26-27 
- HEAL Initiative: Interdisciplinary Teams to Elucidate the Mechanisms of Device-Based Pain Relief (RM1)
- HEAL Initiative: Discovery & Functional Evaluation of Human Pain-Associated Genes and Cells
- HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management
- Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) Data Management and Coordinating Center
- NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Short Courses in Neurotherapeutics Development (R25)
Reissue: BRAIN Initiative:
- Targeted BRAIN Circuits Projects - TargetedBCP (R01)
- Targeted BRAIN Circuits Planning Projects - TargetedBCP (R34)
- Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain 
- Exploratory Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - eTeamBCP (U01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Optional)
- Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - TeamBCP
- NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials for Small Businesses (R41/R42), (R43/R44)
- NINDS Renewal Awards for SBIR Phase II Grants (Phase IIB) for Clinical Trials and Clinical Research (R44)
- Career Transition Award for NINDS Intramural Clinician-Scientists (K22)
- NINDS Research Education Opportunities (R25)

NINR May 18 No concepts on the agenda 

NIA May 11-12, Approved Concept Descriptions
-Diversifying the Therapeutic Pipeline for AD/ADRD: Drug Discovery for Novel Targets
- Limited Competition: Renewal of the Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (U01) and Its Data Coordinating Center (U24)
- Reissue of the Alzheimer’s Drug Development Program
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Research Contract Topics

NIAAA May 11-12, Approved Concept Descriptions
- Reissue of R28 Clinical Resource PAR
- Reissue of Wearable Alcohol Biosensor
- HIV Prevention and Alcohol (R01, R34)
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Alcohol Registry (Contract)

NIDCD May 20-21  No concepts evident on the agenda

NIDA May 11-12, Approved Concept Descriptions
- Accelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Data
- Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Drug Abuse Research 
- Social Determinants of Opioid Use: Opportunities for Community- and System-Level Interventions
- Implementing Comprehensive HIV Services in Syringe Service Program (SSP) Settings
- Stimulants and HIV: Addressing Contemporary and Recurring Epidemics
- Increasing Immediate Engagement and Retention in HIV Treatment with Substance Users
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Cannabis and Cannabis-derived Products/Substances
- HEAL Initiative: Novel Targets for Opioid Use Disorders and Opioid Overdose
- Human Post-mortem Brain Resources for Molecular HIV and SUD Research
- HIV, SUD and Neuropathology at Blood Brain Barrier
- Investigating Transposable Elements and Mobile DNA as Targets of Integration for Establishing HIV Reservoirs in the Brain
- Fentanyl and Its Analogs: Effects and Consequences for Treatment of Addiction and Overdose

NIMHD May 23-24
- Innovative Multi-Level Approaches and Strategies to Prevent, Test and Treat HIV among Health Disparity Populations within Primary Care Settings in Geographic Hotspots (R01)

NLM May 11-12 No concepts

NCI May 12, 9th NIAAA/NIDA & NCAB Directors Presentations with priorities and updates but no evidence of concept clearances on the agenda 

OD - Council of Councils May 20-21 
- Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS) Concept Clearance: Addressing a Workforce Gap in Data Governance for AI and Biomedicine
- Common Fund Concept Clearance: Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) Production Phase – Program update and concept clearance for two RFAs
- Common Fund Concept Clearance: Somatic Mosaicism Across Human Tissues (SMaHT)

Early Notice - NSF Dear Colleague Letters

NSF Dear Colleague Letters
Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs) are released as needed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to inform the NSF research community of relevant requests for information, upcoming opportunities, and policy changes.

June 2, 2021 - June 29, 2021, NSF released the following DCLs of broad interest

• 6/11 | New Timeline for Competition of Operations and Management of an NSF-supported Geophysical Facility to Succeed the GAGE and SAGE Facilities | nsf21097
• 6/14 | TCUP STEM Innovative Faculty Support | nsf21096
• 6/23 | Opportunities for Collaboration between CISE and SBE Researchers | nsf21099 

CDMRP FY2021 Funding Opportunities

The Department of Defense - Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) releases periodic funding opportunities of interest to the UNC research community. In general, CDMRP programs require a Pre-Application after which, successful applicants are invited to submit a full application.

Opportunities are currently available through a range of funding mechanisms in the following CDMRP programs: 

• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Disorders | Pre-Apps due 08/18
• Bone Marrow Failure | Pre-Apps due 07/09
• Breast Cancer | Pre-Apps due as early as 08/31
• Chronic Pain Management | Pre-Apps due 7/30
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy | Pre-Apps due 08/11
• Hearing Restoration | Pre-Apps due 07/28
• Kidney Cancer | Pre-Apps due 09/14
• Lung Cancer | Pre-Apps due 07/14
• Lupus | Pre-Apps due 08/24
• Melanoma | Pre-Apps due 08/04
• Multiple Sclerosis | Pre-Apps due 10/01
• Neurofibromatosis | Pre-Apps due 07/08
• Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson's | Pre-Apps due 09/08
• Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes | Pre-Apps due 07/15
• Peer-Reviewed Cancer | Pre-Apps due 07/29
• Prostate Cancer | Pre-Apps due 07/15
• Rare Cancers | Pre-Apps due 07/13
• Scleroderma | Pre-Apps due 08/11
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex | Pre-App due 07/08
• Vision Research | Pre-Apps due 07/21

Research Development for Postdocs

 A Convergent Code

An interdisciplinary team of Carolina scientists is rewriting faulty instructions in genomes to treat genetic diseases without changing the DNA itself.
 

(Photo by Sarah Daniels, Innovate Carolina)

Brian Strahl, interim chair and professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the UNC School of Medicine, and Samantha Pattenden, associate professor at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, are combining their expertise in chemical biology and epigenetics through a collaboration known as the Chemical Epigenomics Hub. Their common goal: identify, develop and apply chemical tools to better understand epigenetic processes, ultimately improving the treatment of human disease.

https://thewell.unc.edu/2021/07/01/a-convergent-code/

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UNC Office of Research Development