Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 19 MSRP IIRA

The DoD Multiple Sclerosis Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a discretionary U.S. Department of Defense funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH 19 MSRP IIRA) administered through the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). It is designed to support investigator-driven multiple sclerosis (MS) research that is both highly rigorous and positioned to have a meaningful, high-impact effect on the MS field, whether that impact comes through advancing scientific understanding, improving clinical approaches, or ultimately strengthening patient care.

The central aim of the award is to fund research projects that can make an important contribution to MS research and/or patient outcomes. The program is intentionally broad in terms of scientific scope: proposed studies can address essentially any phase of research, from foundational or mechanistic laboratory work through translational efforts that connect discoveries to real-world clinical needs. The key restriction is that clinical trials are not supported under this mechanism, meaning applicants must propose non-trial study designs (for example, preclinical studies, biomarker development and validation work, observational or population-based analyses, mechanistic studies using human samples, or other rigorous research approaches that do not constitute a clinical intervention trial).

A defining feature of the IIRA is its emphasis on investigator-initiated ideas that are grounded in credible evidence and positioned for impact. The rationale for a proposed project can come from many sources, including laboratory discoveries, signals or insights emerging from past clinical trial results, population-level or epidemiologic findings, a clinician's direct day-to-day experience treating MS patients, or even carefully considered anecdotal observations that reveal an unmet need or an overlooked biological or clinical pattern. Regardless of the origin of the idea, applications are expected to be supported by preliminary and/or published data that are directly relevant to MS and to the proposed research. In practice, this means the program is not aimed at purely speculative concepts; it favors proposals where the investigator can show a solid foundation suggesting the work is feasible and likely to yield informative results.

From an administrative perspective, the opportunity allows for funding through either grants or cooperative agreements, indicating that awards may vary in the level of involvement or oversight expected from the funding agency depending on the specific project and award structure. The award ceiling is listed as 0 in the source data, which typically signals that a specific maximum dollar amount was not provided in the summarized field and would normally be clarified in the full announcement materials or program guidance. The anticipated number of awards for this cycle was four, reflecting a competitive program with limited slots relative to likely demand.

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to applicants across entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that would appear in the full text of the announcement. The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 12.420). Key dates for this posted opportunity include a creation date of April 4, 2019, and an original closing date of September 19, 2019, which places it within the FY19 funding cycle for the DoD MS Research Program.

In short, this award mechanism is meant for researchers with a well-supported, evidence-backed MS research concept that is ambitious but realistic, methodologically strong, and capable of moving the field forward in a tangible way, while staying outside the boundaries of conducting a clinical trial.

  • The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD Multiple Sclerosis Investigator- Initiated Research Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Apr 04, 2019.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 19, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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FAQs: DoD Multiple Sclerosis Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)

What is the DoD Multiple Sclerosis Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?

The IIRA is a discretionary U.S. Department of Defense funding opportunity to support investigator-driven multiple sclerosis (MS) research. It is intended for projects that are highly rigorous and positioned to create meaningful, high-impact advances in the MS field, such as improving scientific understanding, strengthening clinical approaches, or ultimately benefiting patient care.

What is the official funding opportunity number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH 19 MSRP IIRA.

Which agency administers this opportunity?

This opportunity is administered through the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), under the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

What is the central aim of the IIRA program?

The central aim is to fund research projects that can make an important contribution to MS research and/or improve patient outcomes. The mechanism emphasizes work that is ambitious but realistic, methodologically strong, and likely to move the field forward in a tangible way.

What kinds of MS research are allowed under this award?

The program is broad in scientific scope and can support essentially any phase of MS research, ranging from foundational or mechanistic laboratory studies to translational efforts that connect discoveries to real-world clinical needs.

Are clinical trials allowed under the IIRA?

No. Clinical trials are not supported under this mechanism. Applicants must propose non-trial study designs rather than clinical intervention trials.

What are examples of study designs that may fit because they are not clinical trials?

Examples mentioned for non-trial approaches include preclinical studies, biomarker development and validation, observational or population-based analyses, mechanistic studies using human samples, and other rigorous research approaches that do not constitute a clinical intervention trial.

What does "investigator-initiated" mean in the context of this award?

It means the research idea is driven by the investigator rather than being narrowly defined by the funder. The emphasis is on innovative ideas that are grounded in credible evidence and positioned for real impact in MS.

What types of evidence can be used to justify the rationale for a proposed project?

The rationale may be based on laboratory discoveries, signals or insights from past clinical trial results, population-level or epidemiologic findings, a clinician's experience treating MS patients, or carefully considered anecdotal observations that reveal unmet needs or overlooked patterns.

Is preliminary data required?

Applications are expected to be supported by preliminary and/or published data that are directly relevant to MS and to the proposed research. The program is not aimed at purely speculative concepts and favors proposals with a solid foundation suggesting feasibility and informative outcomes.

Does the preliminary or published data need to be MS-specific?

Yes. The information provided states that applications are expected to include preliminary and/or published data directly relevant to MS and to the proposed research.

What makes a proposal a good fit for this mechanism based on the description?

A good fit is an evidence-backed MS research concept that is ambitious but realistic, methodologically rigorous, and positioned to deliver meaningful, high-impact effects on the MS field, while staying outside the boundaries of conducting a clinical trial.

What funding instruments may be used for awards under this opportunity?

Funding may be provided through either grants or cooperative agreements. This indicates awards may differ in the degree of involvement or oversight by the funding agency, depending on the project and award structure.

Does the opportunity specify a maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is listed as 0 in the source data. This typically indicates that a specific maximum dollar amount was not provided in the summarized field and would normally be clarified in the full announcement materials or program guidance.

How many awards were anticipated for this cycle?

The anticipated number of awards was four, indicating a competitive program with limited available slots.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to applicants across entity types, subject to any additional eligibility details that would appear in the full announcement text.

What is the funding activity category and CFDA number associated with this program?

The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The CFDA number listed is 12.420.

What were the key dates for the posted opportunity?

The creation date was April 4, 2019, and the original closing date was September 19, 2019, placing it within the FY19 funding cycle for the DoD MS Research Program.

Is this opportunity specifically tied to a particular fiscal year?

Yes. The information provided places it within the FY19 funding cycle for the DoD Multiple Sclerosis Research Program.

What is the overall emphasis of the IIRA compared with more exploratory programs?

The emphasis is on rigor, credible supporting evidence, feasibility, and a strong likelihood of producing informative results with high potential impact. It is described as not intended for purely speculative concepts.

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