DoD Neurofibromatosis, Early Investigator Research Award | W81XWH 22 NFRP EIRA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): DoD Neurofibromatosis (NF) Early Investigator Research Award

What is the DoD Neurofibromatosis (NF) Early Investigator Research Award?

The DoD Neurofibromatosis (NF) Early Investigator Research Award is a Department of Defense funding opportunity intended to help early-career scientists launch or strengthen a research path focused on neurofibromatosis. It is structured as a career-development award built around a mentored research project.

What is the main purpose of this award?

The core purpose is career development through a mentored NF research study. The award supports a postdoctoral-level investigator in designing and carrying out a defined NF research project, building technical and intellectual independence, and positioning themselves to become a future leader in the NF field.

Who is this award designed for?

It is designed for postdoctoral-level investigators (early-career scientists) who are ready to lead a mentored research project that helps them progress toward independence as an NF investigator.

Can someone apply if they do not already have a background in neurofibromatosis research?

Yes. A notable feature is that the program explicitly welcomes promising investigators who do not yet have an NF research background, as long as they can demonstrate strong potential and a clear commitment to pursuing a long-term career at the forefront of NF research.

Is mentorship required?

Yes. A central requirement is structured mentorship. The application must include at least one mentor who is well matched to the project and who brings demonstrated NF expertise and mentoring capability.

Who serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on the application?

The postdoctoral investigator is the Principal Investigator (PI) on the application.

What are reviewers looking for in the mentor or mentoring team?

Reviewers are looking for mentors with demonstrated NF expertise and mentoring capability, supported by evidence such as active research funding, recent publications, and a track record of successful mentorship. They also look for a clear commitment to helping the PI progress toward independence as an NF investigator, rather than simply providing access to a lab or dataset.

Can the primary mentor be a junior faculty member?

Yes. The opportunity allows the primary mentor to be a junior faculty member. However, in that scenario the PI is encouraged to add a secondary mentor with a stronger or more established record in NF research and trainee development.

Is more than one mentor allowed or expected?

The announcement requires at least one mentor, and it also discusses adding a secondary mentor in certain situations (for example, when the primary mentor is junior faculty). This implies that multi-mentor teams are acceptable and may strengthen the mentorship plan when additional experience is needed.

What kind of project does the award support?

It supports a defined neurofibromatosis research study that the postdoctoral PI designs and carries out under structured mentorship, with the explicit goal of developing independence and long-term career growth in NF research.

Which organization issues this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, through USAMRAA, under the Neurofibromatosis Research Program.

What is the official title of the funding opportunity?

The official title is "DoD Neurofibromatosis, Early Investigator Research Award."

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is W81XWH 22 NFRP EIRA.

What type of opportunity is this (discretionary or mandatory)?

It is listed as a discretionary opportunity.

What program classification is associated with this opportunity?

It supports science and technology and other research and development activities under CFDA 12.420.

What funding instruments are used (grant, cooperative agreement, or both)?

The listed funding instruments include both grants and cooperative agreements. This means awards may involve varying levels of government involvement depending on the specific mechanism used.

What does it mean that both grants and cooperative agreements are listed?

Based on the notice, it indicates that the program may fund projects under different mechanisms, where cooperative agreements typically suggest more government involvement than standard grants. The exact level of involvement depends on the mechanism selected for a given award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to applicant entity types unless additional eligibility clarifications are specified elsewhere in the full announcement.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The anticipated number of awards is about four.

What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The notice lists a creation date of April 11, 2022, and an original closing date of July 21, 2022.

Is there a maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is listed as 0 in the source data. This typically signals that a specific maximum amount was not captured in that field, and applicants should rely on the full funding announcement for budget limits, caps, and other cost rules.

Where should applicants look for budget limits and cost rules?

Because the award ceiling field is not populated with a specific maximum in the provided data, applicants should refer to the full funding announcement for the official budget limits, caps, and applicable cost rules.

What is the overall emphasis of this award?

The opportunity is best understood as a mentored, early-career on-ramp into NF research that emphasizes both (1) a credible, focused project and (2) a mentoring plan that clearly develops the PI into an independent NF researcher.