Data Ontologies for Biomedical Research (R01)

About This Grant

Purpose. The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research is a framework to enhance cooperative activities among the NIH Office of the Director and 15 NIH Institutes and Centers that support research on the nervous system. This FOA is released in affiliation with the Neuroscience Blueprint, with Institutes and Centers participating independently, and with participation by Institutes that are not part of the Neuroscience Blueprint. Institutes that are not part of the Blueprint are also participating. Optimal use of informatics tools (e.g., tools for analyzing data, etc.) and resources (e.g., databases, data sets, etc.) depend upon explicit understandings of concepts related to the data upon which they compute. This is typically accomplished by a tool or resource adopting a formal controlled vocabulary and ontology. For the purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), an ontology is defined as a controlled vocabulary that describes objects and the relationships between those objects in a formal way. Generally, an ontology has a grammar that allows the terms of the vocabulary to express something meaningful to the biomedical researcher. In an effort to advance the use of powerful informatics approaches in biomedical research, this FOA solicits Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions/ organizations that propose to develop an ontology that will make it possible for software to understand how two or more existing data sets relate to each other. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received. However, it is anticipated that most of the awards will be for limited amounts ($100,000 to $200,000 direct costs per year) and for short periods of time (2-3 years). It is not likely that these R01s will be renewed. Eligible Institutions/Organizations. Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Small Business; For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization). Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs). Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution/organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. Number of Applications. Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct. Renewals and Resubmissions. Applicants may submit a resubmission application, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous peer review critique (Summary Statement). Number of PDs/PIs. More than one PD/PI, or multiple PDs/PIs, may be designated on the application. Application Materials. See Section IV.1 for application materials. General Information. For general information on SF424 (R and R) Application and Electronic Submission, see these Web sites: SF424 (R and R) Application and Electronic Submission Information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm General information on Electronic Submission of Grant Applications: http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/ Hearing Impaired. Telecommunications for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 301-451-0088. Technical Assistance Workshop. A technical assistance workshop is planned on October 18 to answer questions about this FOA. Participants can attend the meeting in person at the Natcher Auditorium on the NIH Campus or can participate via a videocast. Registration for the meeting and additional information can be found at http://www.nbirn.net . Special Submission/Receipt Date(s): January 18, 2008, September 18, 2008, January 21, 2009, and September 21, 2009 Special Review convened by CSR