CDMRP Neurofibromatosis Research Program: Investigator Initiated Research Award

The Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports highly rigorous, high-impact research projects that have the potential to make an important contribution to NF research and/or patient care. Research projects may focus on any phase of research, excluding clinical trials. Applications must include preliminary and/or published data that are relevant to NF and the proposed research project.

Areas of Emphasis:

• NF2 and Schwannomatosis-related areas (e.g., hearing, balance, schwannoma, ependymoma, meningioma, LZTR1, SMARCB1)
• Endpoint validation, biomarker discovery, and technological innovation for assessments
• Application of data science
• Non-tumor manifestations (pain, cognitive manifestation, sleep) 
• Heterogeneity of NF-related phenotypes
• Genetics, genomics, epigenetics, systems biology, metabolomics, or similar approaches
• Preclinical efficacy studies
• Target identification and drug discovery
• Nutritional, environmental, and other modifiers of NF
• Health services research

The program offers a collaborative researcher option to support a basic-science/clinical or academic/biotechnological link and encouraged participation in the NF Open Science Initiative (NF-OSI).

It is expected that six (6) awards will be granted. 

Funding: $525,000 total. Additional $50,000 for collaboration or participation in NF-OSI each. 
Duration: 3 years

Research Authority due date: 5.9.24

Pre application (required)  due date: 12.9.24
Full proposal due date: 3.10.24