• Physical Fitness and Exercise–Health Beneficial Interactions with PTSD, Injury Prevention, and Stress in U.S. Marines
• A Unique Collaboration Between the UC Irvine Institute for Clinical and Translational Science and the Clinical Investigation Program, Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton

Purpose: There are increasing data linking levels of physical fitness and patterns of exercise with neuro-motor and neuro-behavioral and stress functions. These mechanisms could impact a number of clinically important entities such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and musculoskeletal injury that affect our military in particular, and that also have broader impact on their families and on the general, nonmilitary, population. The goal of this request for applications is to broadly stimulate outstanding research in this area while at the same time creating the infrastructure for robust translational research collaborations between UC Irvine investigators and partners at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital Clinical Investigation Program under the direction of Dr. Margaret Ryan.

Scope: The ICTS will fund up to two proposals (up to $20 K each) as pilot studies that show a clear path to collect preliminary data that can be used for larger grant applications. Grantees will have no more than 18 months to utilize resources and produce pilot data. In addition, applicants must demonstrate:

• Novel and innovative translational research that can be clearly linked to improved therapy
• Clear hypotheses with feasible study design
• Meaningful rationale for utilizing the unique environment and recruitment opportunities at Camp Pendleton
• A plan for effective collaborations with the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital Clinical Investigation program
• Prior experience in relevant scientific disciplines ranging from the behavioral to the physiological sciences
• Knowledge of ethical issues associated with research in active military personnel and their families
• Sufficient experience of the study PI to ensure completion of the project.

Resources Available at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital:
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (NHCP) is a military community hospital in northern San Diego County serving the healthcare needs of more than 20,000 active duty Marines and 100,000 military family members and other beneficiaries. (For more information please click here.)

Other information about Camp Pendleton may be found at: http://www.marines.mil/unit/basecamppendleton/

Eligibility: The RFA is open to full-time UC Irvine faculty whose rank and series permit them to serve in the role of PIs on UC Irvine approved IRB protocols

Application Procedures: The process will be structured in two phases:

Phase I: Submission of scientific abstract and NIH 4-page Biosketch.   (Deadline: August 24, 2012)

Phase II: Submission of full proposal; this will be limited to the top 10-15 abstracts submitted during Phase I. Once the top applicants have been notified, 4 weeks will be given to allow the UC Irvine PI to initiate a basic relationship with researchers at the Naval Hospital’s Clinical Investigation Program. (This procedure will be assisted by a representative from the Clinical Investigation Program at Camp Pendleton.  (Deadline: October 05. 2012)

Application Materials

Phase I:
Abstract Submission: Abstracts and NIH 4-page Biosketch.

Abstracts are to be limited to 1 page with font no smaller than 11 points and 0.5 inch margins. The information to be provided includes:

• Title of the project
• Investigators; with clear identification of PI and full contact information
• Total amount of money requested
• Indication as to whether the application is new or a revision
• Specific Aims of the project
• A brief description of the research plan
• A signed attestation statement that the project is not funded through another mechanism

Phase II:
Full Proposal Submission

• Home department letter of support
• Stating availability of matching funds
  Research plan (6 pages maximum)
  • Why the project fits the definition of translational science
  • Detailed plan and timeline for future extramural fund application(s)
• Budget (itemized, 1 page maximum).
  Must clearly state the following:
  • Total budget for the project
  • Amount requested ($20,000 Maximum)
  • Matching amount committed by Home Department
• ICTS funds cannot be used to support the PI's salary, computer purchases, or travel. Other personnel salaries are allowable.

Home Department Involvement
Investigators are encouraged to request that funding be matched, at least in part, with departmental funds. While applications without commitment of matching departmental funds remain eligible for funding (and indeed have been funded in the past), evidence of home department support, including matching funds, is one of the scoring criteria and may enhance the chances of a proposal to be funded.

Review process

Phase I: Abstracts will be reviewed by members of the ICTS Steering committee and the Clinical Investigation Program at Camp Pendleton.

Review criteria will include:

• Overall project scientific merit
• Translational nature of the project
• Scientific environment
• Project feasibility within the proposed time frame
• Likelihood of generating extramural funding
• Intrinsic scientific strength and innovation of the research plan
• Significance and impact of the proposed research
• Meaningful rationale for utilizing the unique environment and recruitment opportunities at Camp Pendleton
• Likelihood of research collaborations between UC Irvine investigators and partners at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital Clinical Investigation Program

Phase II Full: The proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts composed of UC Irvine investigators, Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital health care professionals, and outside reviewers from the CTSAs nationally. Proposals will be ranked and funding decisions will be based on the review, feasibility, innovation, and relevance of the grants. No grants scoring below the NIH “excellent” category will be funded.

Review criteria will include:

• Intrinsic scientific strength and innovation of the research plan
• Novel and innovative translational research that can be clearly linked to improved therapy
• Scientific environment
• Project feasibility within the proposed time frame
• Clear hypotheses with feasible study design
• A plan for effective collaborations with the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital Clinical Investigation Program
• Prior experience in relevant scientific disciplines ranging from the behavioral to the physiological sciences
• Knowledge of ethical issues associated with research in active military personnel and their families
• Sufficient experience of the study PI to ensure completion of the project
• Likelihood of generating extramural funding
• Home department support/matching funds

Notification Emails for Receipt of Proposal
Please note that a notification email indicating the receipt of your protocol will be sent within 24 hours of submission. If you do not receive an email within 24 hours, please contact Diana Vigil (949-824-1231).

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR PHASE II IS 5:00 PM ON NOVEMBER 2, 2012
ONLINE APPLICATION IS CLOSED.