NOT-MH-08-005: Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications for Probes and Instrumentation for Monitoring and Manipulating Nervous System Plasticity (Neuroscience Blueprint)

Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications for Probes and Instrumentation for Monitoring and Manipulating Nervous System Plasticity (Neuroscience Blueprint)

Notice Number: NOT-MH-08-005

Key Dates
Release Date: December 20, 2007

Issued by
NIH Neuroscience Blueprint (www.neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov)

The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research is a consortium of 16 NIH Institutes, Centers and Offices that support nervous system research. The Blueprint intends to publish a Request for Applications (RFA) utilizing the R01 grant mechanism, and a parallel SBIR/STTR Program Announcement, both soliciting applications focused on the development of probes, instrumentation, and other tools for understanding, monitoring, and manipulating nervous system plasticity. The announcements are expected to be published in early 2008. This Notice is being provided in order to give investigators sufficient lead time to prepare responsive applications. In particular, we encourage collaborations of neuroscientists with investigators from other fields such as physics, mathematics and engineering that utilize the multi-PI format, and we expect that the extra lead time will facilitate the formation of such collaborations.

Neuroplasticity is the third in a series of thematic efforts initiated by the Blueprint for Neuroscience Research (http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/blueprint_basics/BP_themes.htm). A workshop was held in August 2007 to get input from the scientific community regarding opportunities for progress in this area. Participants expressed a strong consensus that the Neuroplasticity field is poised to reap tremendous benefit from the ongoing revolution in molecular genetic technologies for monitoring and manipulating neural function, and indicated a need for further development of imaging probes and hardware for studies specific to neural plasticity. The planned solicitations will not be restricted to a particular type of technology. We are especially interested in applications that seek to harness and improve on recent technical developments that are especially useful for studying neuroplasticity, such as the ability to assess and manipulate activity with exquisite subcellular resolution, and in cells specified by their circuit connectivity and/or transmitter phenotype. Responsive applications will be for tools or techniques that will significantly advance the current state of the art in neuroplasticity research.

The participating organizations intend to commit a total of $6,000,000 in FY 2009 to fund R01s of varying sizes and up to 5 years in duration in response to this FOA.

Inquiries

For further information regarding this potential RFA, please contact:

Michelle Freund, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 7203, MSC 9645
Bethesda, MD 20892-9645
Telephone: 301-443-1815
Email: [email protected]

John Satterlee, Ph.D.
Division of Basic Neuroscience and Behavioral Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 4264, MSC 9555
Bethesda, MD 20892-9555’
Telephone: 301-443-1887
Email: [email protected]

Edmund Talley, Ph.D.
Channels, Synapses and Circuits
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2132, MSC 9521
Bethesda, MD 20892-9521
Telephone: 301-496-1917
Email: [email protected]