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The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) invites applications for research programs designed to advance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms and epidemiology of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). A major goal of this initiative is to facilitate the development of novel collaborative research programs among physiologists, neuroscientists, behavioral neuroscientists, imaging specialists and clinicians in order to develop integrative research programs to accelerate progress in CRPS/RSD research. This PA is intended to encourage cross-disciplinary research focused on a mechanism-based diagnostic classification of CRPS/RSD, which might lead to mechanism-based therapeutic strategy for this chronic condition.

Participating Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invite applications for innovative research in biomedical computational science and technology to promote the progress of biomedical research. There exists an expanding need to speed the progress of biomedical research through the power of computing to manage and analyze data and to model biological processes. The NIH is interested in promoting research and developments in biomedical computational science and technology that will support rapid progress in areas of scientific opportunity in biomedical research. As defined here biomedical computing or biomedical information science and technology includes, database design, graphical interfaces, querying approaches, data retrieval, data visualization and manipulation, data integration through the development of integrated analytical tools, and tools for electronic collaboration, as well as computational research including the development of structural, functional, integrative, and analytical models and simulations. This PA will utilize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanisms, but will be run in parallel with a program announcement of identical scientific scope (PAR-03-106) that will utilize the traditional research project grant (R01) or the phased innovation award (R21/R33).

This PA is a reissue of RFA MH-02-003. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) request research grant applications for the development of novel radioligands for positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging in human brain, and that incorporate pilot or clinical feasibility evaluation in pre-clinical studies, model development, or clinical studies. This initiative is intended to facilitate the development of: 1) PET and SPECT probes for molecular targets (e.g., receptors, intracellular messengers, disease-related proteins) that are of broad interest to the neuroscience research community, and 2) new technologies for radiotracer development. The primary motivation for this initiative is the lack of versatile agonist and antagonist PET and SPECT radiotracers for molecular targets that are implicated in brain disorders. The use of radiotracers for imaging molecular events in preclinical and clinical studies is essential for understanding the circuitry that underlies normal brain function and the pathophysiology of brain disorders. It is the intent of this initiative to foster the development of NIH partnerships with scientists from pharmaceutical industry and academic nuclear medicine research centers to develop ligands for PET and SPECT brain imaging with the goal of making new radioligands accessible to the research community as essential research tools for central nervous system (CNS) imaging, and as potential biological markers and surrogate endpoints for translational and clinical research, drug discovery and development, and clinical trials. This solicitation will utilize the Phased Innovation Award Mechanism that is intended to encourage the development and application of technology in neurobiological research. Specific features of this mechanism include: o Single submission and evaluation of both the R21 and R33 phases as one application. An R33 application alone may be submitted. o Expedited transition from the feasibility phase (R21) to the development phase (R33) based on successful completion of negotiated quantitative Milestones. o Flexible staging of feasibility (R21) and development (R33) phases. o Applications from industry or industry partnerships with other groups are encouraged. o Review of submissions by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and expedited NIH programmatic review for transition from the R21 to the R33 phase. Small businesses are encouraged to respond to the parallel PA, PA-02-028, Development of PET and SPECT Ligands for Brain Imaging (SBIR Award) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-028.html. Its objectives are identical; however, it will use the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanisms. The same expedited review and transition from Phase I to Phase II funding are expected to apply, as will the same cost and time limitations as this PA for Phased Innovation Awards.

This announcement redefines the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21) mechanism, and extends its use as an investigator-initiated mechanism to the Institutes and Centers (ICs) listed above. The R21 is intended to encourage exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. The characteristics, requirements, preparation, and review criteria for the R21 application are described. Investigators wishing to apply for an R21 grant should be aware that not all ICs accept investigator-initiated R21 applications. Investigators are strongly encouraged to consult the R21 website at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r21.htm to identify participating ICs and relevant programmatic areas. Consultation with NIH staff listed on the website is also encouraged. ICs that do not accept investigator-initiated R21 applications may also solicit R21 applications to meet specific program needs. Information related to the use of R21 awards by ICs that do not participate in this program is also listed on the R21 website. Additional information about special initiatives can be found in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html#search, on IC websites, and through consultation with NIH staff. All investigator- initiated exploratory/developmental grant applications described in this announcement will be assigned to ICs according to standard PHS referral guidelines and specific program interests.

This announcement redefines the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Grant (R03) mechanism, and extends its use to investigator-initiated applications at the Institutes and Centers (ICs) listed above. The R03 award supports small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. The characteristics, requirements, preparation, and review criteria for the small grant application are described in this document. Investigators wishing to apply for an R03 grant should be aware that not all ICs accept investigator-initiated R03 applications and that the different ICs may have specific purposes for which they use this funding mechanism. Therefore, all investigators should consult the R03 website at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r03.htm as well as the IC staff listed on this website to determine if an R03 application is appropriate. Information related to the use of R03 awards by ICs that do not participate in this program announcement is also listed on the R03 website. Additional information about special initiatives involving R03 awards can be found by searching the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html#search, by examining IC websites, and by consulting with NIH staff. All investigator-initiated small grant applications described in this announcement will be assigned to the ICs according to standard PHS referral guidelines and specific program interests.

Participating Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invite applications for innovative research in biomedical computational science and technology to promote the progress of biomedical research. There exists an expanding need to speed the progress of biomedical research through the power of computing to manage and analyze data and to model biological processes. The NIH is interested in promoting research and developments in computational science and technology that will support rapid progress in areas of scientific opportunity in biomedical research. As defined here, biomedical computing or biomedical information science and technology includes database design, graphical interfaces, querying approaches, data retrieval, data visualization and manipulation, data integration through the development of integrated analytical tools, and tools for electronic collaboration, as well as computational and mathematical research including the development of structural, functional, integrative, and analytical models and simulations.

The Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (NSADA) (K12) is an award to an educational institution or professional organization to support career development experiences for pediatric neurologists leading to research independence. This is a continuation of the original NSADA program, which was initiated by NINDS in October 1992. Under this award, newly trained pediatric neurologists are to be selected and appointed to this program by the grantee institution. It is expected that individuals appointed to the NSADA program will subsequently apply for their own Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) or the Mentored Patient-Oriented Career Development Award (K23) to continue their research training (see "Research Objectives"). Candidates supported under this award should propose a research plan that has: (1) intrinsic research importance, and (2) will serve as a suitable vehicle for learning the methodology, theories, and concepts needed for a well-trained independent clinician-researcher. The program should be designed to accommodate research candidates with varying levels of experiences. For example, a prospective research candidate with limited experience in a given field of research may find it appropriate to engage in a structured, phased developmental program, including a designated period of didactic training followed by a period of supervised research experience. The entire program should be comparable in scope and rigor to meeting the requirements for an advanced research degree.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invite research grant applications aimed at understanding or treating Rett Syndrome (RTT). The recent demonstration that mutations in the MeCP2 gene cause most cases of RTT has created new opportunities for both basic and clinical research. Included within the scope of this PA are developmental, molecular genetic, and pathophysiological research, therapy development projects and clinical studies. Studies of the role of MeCP2 in basic biological processes or in the etiology of other neurological or neurobehavioral disorders are also appropriate.

The above sponsoring Institutes and Agencies invite research grant applications in response to this Program Announcement with Set-aside (PAS) that will enhance our understanding of children exposed to domestic violence, community violence, and war/terrorism. This PA is designed to develop new knowledge in these areas and in the definition, identification, epidemiology, prevention, etiology, effects, early intervention, and mechanisms of violence exposure. This PA builds on recommendations from a recent multi-agency research agenda-building workshop held in Washington, DC in July 2002. A complete summary of the meeting presentations and recommendations is available at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/crmc/cdb/cdb.htm. Child exposure to violence is a serious public health, justice, social services, and education problem. Such exposure not only compromises the immediate health of children around the world, but also affects their growth and intellectual development, their long-term physical and mental health outcomes, their propensity for prosocial or antisocial behavior and substance abuse, their future relationships with partners and children, and their economic productivity as eventual wage earners. The need for more systematic and multi-disciplinary research in these areas provides the impetus for this PA. Although not participating in this program announcement, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) shares an interest in this area of research. For specific information on NIMH interests, see http://www.nimh.nih.gov/grants/nimhviotrauma.cfm.

The goal of this Program Announcement (PA) is to promote the identification of susceptibility genes for complex neurological and neurobehavioral disorders. For this PA, complex disorders are defined as those caused by the interaction of multiple genes, or by a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. Many of these disorders are relatively common and clinically heterogeneous. Projects focusing on any phase of the gene discovery process, from initial patient ascertainment to positional cloning, are appropriate. Novel approaches, including the use of intermediate phenotypes that potentially underlie complex disorders, are also encouraged.