Notice Number: NOT-AG-16-014
Key Dates
Release Date: December 10, 2015
PAR-16-042
Issued by
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Purpose
The purpose of this Notice is to inform potential applicants that the National Institute on Aging (NIA) will participate, effective immediately, in PAR-16-042, "Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R21)" and, to detail additional interests of NIA.
The following changes have been made to reflect NIA participation in this FOA:
Part l. Overview Information
Components of Participating Organizations
The FOA currently reads:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
93.242, 93.279, 93.273
The FOA is modified to read:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
93.242, 93.279, 93.273, 93.866
Part 2. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Institute Interests
The FOA currently reads:
NIMH supports neuroscience research to discover the causes of mental illness and to develop more effective and safer treatments. Specifically the NIMH is interested in the discovery of novel molecules to explore innovative targets for treatment development for mental illness and for advancing our understanding of the pathological processes contributing to disorders.
NIMH is particularly interested in applications that address specific go/no-go criteria based on reliable and quantitative assay measures that assess whether the compound has: 1) sufficient activity at the appropriate molecular target or brain region, and 2) effects on specific neurophysiological systems or functional domains that are potentially impacted in mental disorders (see Research Domains Criteria (RDoC))
Further information on NIMH research priorities can be found in the NIMH Strategic Plan, Strategic Research Priorities, and Interventions Workgroup Report. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss applications with NIMH staff listed in Section VII - Agency Contact(s) Scientific/Research Contacts.
NIAAA promotes discovery, synthesis and screening of novel small molecules for innovative priority targets, and supports evaluation of their efficacy in validated preclinical models to assess their therapeutic potential for treating alcohol dependence. The focus of proposed research projects should follow that described above, but should be relevant to the mission of NIAAA.
The identification and pursuit of agents towards novel targets previously un-recognized or understudied for the treatment of alcohol abuse disorders are especially encouraged. In particular, NIAAA encourages applications focusing on agents that alleviate craving and dysphoria during protracted abstinence, and agents effective in patients who have co-morbid psychiatric illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). Applications that essentially propose to further extend established or well-studied strategies and agents are not appropriate for this FOA.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss applications with NIAAA staff listed in Section VII - Agency Contact(s) Scientific/Research Contacts.
NIDA supports research to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning drug addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). The focus of this announcement is to, in addition to the previously well-known targets, identify novel targets (such as TRP channels, oxytocin, and orexin systems etc), identify and develop novel small molecules with the potential to treat SUDs and pain with minimal side-effects, especially the potential for addiction. Applications submitted to NIDA should be in the early stages of preclinical discovery and development.
Although not covered herein, applicants interested in the development of novel assays to measure neurobiological endpoints and help build a pipeline of drug discovery should consider the following funding opportunities:
- PAR-15-070 (Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Therapeutic Agent Identification and Characterization to Support Therapeutic Discovery [R21/R33]);
- PAR-15-071 (Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Pharmacodynamics and In vivo Efficacy Studies for Small Molecules and Biologics/Biotechnology Products [R21/R33]);
- PAR-15-066 (Building on High Impact Basic Neurobiology Through Assay Development: Advancing Tools for Therapeutic Discovery [R01]); or,
- PAR-13-350 (Early Career Award in Chemistry of Drug Abuse and Addiction (ECHEM) [R21/R33]).
With participation by NIA, the FOA is modified to read:
NIMH supports neuroscience research to discover the causes of mental illness and to develop more effective and safer treatments. Specifically the NIMH is interested in the discovery of novel molecules to explore innovative targets for treatment development for mental illness and for advancing our understanding of the pathological processes contributing to disorders.
NIMH is particularly interested in applications that address specific go/no-go criteria based on reliable and quantitative assay measures that assess whether the compound has: 1) sufficient activity at the appropriate molecular target or brain region, and 2) effects on specific neurophysiological systems or functional domains that are potentially impacted in mental disorders (see Research Domains Criteria (RDoC))
Further information on NIMH research priorities can be found in the NIMH Strategic Plan, Strategic Research Priorities, and Interventions Workgroup Report. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss applications with NIMH staff listed in Section VII - Agency Contact(s) Scientific/Research Contacts.
NIAAA promotes discovery, synthesis and screening of novel small molecules for innovative priority targets, and supports evaluation of their efficacy in validated preclinical models to assess their therapeutic potential for treating alcohol dependence. The focus of proposed research projects should follow that described above, but should be relevant to the mission of NIAAA.
The identification and pursuit of agents towards novel targets previously un-recognized or understudied for the treatment of alcohol abuse disorders are especially encouraged. In particular, NIAAA encourages applications focusing on agents that alleviate craving and dysphoria during protracted abstinence, and agents effective in patients who have co-morbid psychiatric illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). Applications that essentially propose to further extend established or well-studied strategies and agents are not appropriate for this FOA.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss applications with NIAAA staff listed in Section VII - Agency Contact(s) Scientific/Research Contacts.
NIDA supports research to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning drug addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). The focus of this announcement is to, in addition to the previously well-known targets, identify novel targets (such as TRP channels, oxytocin, and orexin systems etc.), identify and develop novel small molecules with the potential to treat SUDs and pain with minimal side-effects, especially the potential for addiction. Applications submitted to NIDA should be in the early stages of preclinical discovery and development.
Although not covered herein, applicants interested in the development of novel assays to measure neurobiological endpoints and help build a pipeline of drug discovery should consider the following funding opportunities:
- PAR-15-070 (Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Therapeutic Agent Identification and Characterization to Support Therapeutic Discovery [R21/R33]);
- PAR-15-071 (Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Pharmacodynamics and In vivo Efficacy Studies for Small Molecules and Biologics/Biotechnology Products [R21/R33]);
- PAR-15-066 (Building on High Impact Basic Neurobiology Through Assay Development: Advancing Tools for Therapeutic Discovery [R01]); or,
- PAR-13-350 (Early Career Award in Chemistry of Drug Abuse and Addiction (ECHEM) [R21/R33]).
NIA is interested in the discovery of novel therapeutics including small molecules and biologics aimed at modifying the behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD), delaying the onset or slowing the progression of AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), other dementias of aging and age-related cognitive decline. NIA is not interested in projects aimed at repurposing therapeutics or developing combination therapies
Part 2. Section VII. Agency Contacts
The FOA currently reads:
Scientific/ Research Contact(s)
Jamie Driscoll
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-5288
Email: [email protected]
Mark Egli, Ph.D.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Telephone: 301-594-6382
Email: [email protected]
Rao S. Rapaka, Ph.D.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Telephone: 301-435-1304
Email: [email protected]
Financial/ Grants Management Contacts
Rebecca Claycamp
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-2811
Email: [email protected]
Judy S. Fox
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Telephone: 301-443-4704
Email: [email protected]
Pam Fleming
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Telephone: 301-443-6710
Email: [email protected]
With participation by NIA, the FOA is modified to read:
Scientific/ Research Contact(s)
Jamie Driscoll
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-5288
Email: [email protected]
Mark Egli, Ph.D.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Telephone: 301-594-6382
Email: [email protected]
Rao S. Rapaka, Ph.D.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Telephone: 301-435-1304
Email: [email protected]
Lorenzo M. Refolo, PhD
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-594-7576
Email: [email protected]
Financial/ Grants Management Contacts
Rebecca Claycamp
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-2811
Email: [email protected]
Judy S. Fox
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Telephone: 301-443-4704
Email: [email protected]
Pam Fleming
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Telephone: 301-443-6710
Email: [email protected]
Linda Whipp
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-496-7700
Email: [email protected]
All other aspects of the FOA remain the same.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
Lorenzo M. Refolo, PhD
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-594-7576
Email: [email protected]
and Human Services (HHS)
