Grants

National Park Service

Develop Public Archeology and Engagement Strategy for Tonto National Monument and the Sonoran Desert Network

$47K – $47K

other

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Develop right of way by Inflorescence mural

Healthy Othello Safer Through Environmental Design (HOSTED)

Healthy Othello Safer Through Environmental Design (HOSTED) would like to make improvements in the right of way located at 3900 South Othello Street to improve everyone's safety. The project will include installing planters with colorful plants selected and maintained by the community to separate the vehicle space from pedestrian space, painting the pavement/obstructions to help pedestrians of all abilities move through safely. The project is expected to be done by September of 2020.

Up to $25K

Rolling

environmentHealth

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Develop Weed Mapping Application for Southern Plains Parks

National Park Service

A. Project Goals The goal of this project is to partner with the Recipient to support a graduate-level internship to develop a new field mapping application for monitoring invasive exotic plants in 11 parks in the Southern Plains. The Recipient has specific expertise in development of these data management solutions. B. Project Objectives (1) A new field mapping and database application will be developed to keep pace with the current exotic plant monitoring protocol (v2.0), and recent changes to geographic information systems (GIS) software (ArcPad now obsolete), improved geographic position system (GPS) technology, and new DOI IT requirements (MS-Windows 10). (2) A cross-walk approach will also be developed to ensure that previous data collected for these parks will be compatible with the current protocol such that long-term trends on weed infestations can be reliably determined.

$1 – $49K

natural resources

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a 3D bioprinted bone marrow model to probe hematopoietic stem cell mobilization in response to age-related changes in stiffness gradients

NHLBI - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) mobilization from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood is essential for bone marrow transplants, a life-saving treatment for hematological malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Poor mobilization remains a major clinical challenge, particularly in older patients (>60 years old), who represent the majority of those diagnosed with blood cancers yet often exhibit diminished responses to mobilization treatments. Age-related changes to the bone marrow microenvironment, specifically changes in microenvironmental stiffness, are believed to contribute to these mobilization failures. It has been recently measured that the bone marrow contains unique stiffness values in each identified sub-niche and observations in age-related stiffening has been reported; however, challenges with accurately measuring these values in vivo limits our understanding on how these gradients change with age. Existing 3D bone marrow models fail to capture the nonlinear stiffness gradients observed in vivo; therefore, the long-term objective of this proposal is to improve clinical predictions of a patient’s ability to successfully mobilize HSCs for a transplant. To achieve this objective, we will engineer a heterogenous, multi-niched bone marrow model with methacryloyl gelatin (GelMA) bioinks and extrusion bioprinting technologies to decouple the effects of young and aged stiffness environments on HSC mobilization. We expect the precision and automation of this approach will more accurately recapitulate the spatially transient stiffness environments of the native sub-niches. This research will target two major knowledge gaps: 1) how nonlinear gradients and age-related changes in microenvironmental stiffness influence HSC migration and phenotype, and 2) how to improve the ability to predict a patient’s ability to mobilize HSCs for more effective and personalized transplant strategies. The overarching hypothesis of this project is that age-related stiffening is a key microenvironmental cue which restricts HSC mobilization to the peripheral blood; and the mobilization of HSCs encapsulated in in vitro biofabricated models with physiomimetic stiffnesses of young and aged bone marrow sub-niches can predict the mobilization of in vivo HSCs to the peripheral blood. I will test this hypothesis through two specific aims; 1) assess the mobilization behavior of HSCs in response to GelMA stiffness gradients, and 2) correlate in vivo mobilization behavior in young and aged mice with in vitro behavior using bioprinted bone marrow models. We expect to identify the role of transient nonlinear stiffness gradients and age-related stiffness changes on HSC mobilization behavior. Furthermore, this work will improve strategies for predicting patient-specific mobilization outcomes for patients with hematological malignancies.

Up to $50K

2028-05-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a cCRE-Centric Infrastructure in AnVIL to Characterize Variant Effects on Gene Regulation

NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute

Project Summary Understanding how genetic variation impacts gene regulation is essential for linking noncoding variants to disease risk and transcriptional dysregulation. While cis-regulatory elements (cCREs), such as enhancers and promoters, play a central role in transcriptional control, their activity is highly cell type-specific, and most allele specific regulatory studies have been conducted at the bulk tissue level, limiting resolution. Additionally, previous studies have largely focused on gene-level expression changes, overlooking how regulatory variation affects alternative isoform usage, which has important implications for human disease. This project will integrate large-scale regulatory annotations with allele-specific analyses at the single-cell level to improve our understanding of how noncoding variation shapes transcriptional regulation. Aim 1 will establish a cCRE workspace and analysis framework in AnVIL, integrating the ENCODE Registry of cCREs into a cloud-based platform to support scalable and reproducible analyses of transcriptional regulation. We will develop modular workflows for cCRE annotation, cell type-specific scoring, and transcription factor footprinting, along with the STELLA suite, a collection of computational tools for regulatory genomics. Aim 2 will investigate how allele-specific cCRE activity influences isoform usage in individual cell types using data from the Genomic Answers for Kids (GA4K) project. We will construct personalized diploid genomes to identify allele-specific cCREs (from single-cell ATAC-seq) and allele-specific isoform usage (from bulk long-read RNA-seq). Using a Dirichlet-Multinomial deconvolution model, we will infer cell type-specific isoform expression, validated with ENCODE Split-seq data. We will then use a hierarchical regression model to test whether allele-specific cCREs predict allele-specific isoform usage, incorporating cell type assignment probabilities. Finally, we will apply ChromBPNet deep learning models to assess the functional impact of noncoding variants on transcription factor binding. By integrating these analyses into AnVIL, this project will create generalizable computational frameworks for regulatory genomics, enhancing the usability of NHGRI-funded resources. The methods and resources developed will enable broad applications across diverse datasets and disease studies, ultimately improving our ability to interpret noncoding variation in gene regulation and human disease.

Up to $419K

2028-03-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a Learning Platform to Support Minimally Verbal Individuals with Autism

NIDCD - National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain minimally verbal beyond early childhood despite intensive services. For these families, options often don’t fit daily life: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) apps are hard to personalize and rely on context-poor static symbols, while video modeling requires filming and editing—slow, costly steps that limit generalization and home use. Caregivers, therefore, struggle to deliver frequent, motivating practice tailored to real routines. Our proposed solution, Young Speaker, an iOS-compatible software platform, is intended to tackle these barriers by unifying two well-supported ideas: video modeling and AAC, into a single workflow that creates highly personalized practice materials in minutes. Caregivers select goals tied to everyday routines (e.g., “more juice,” “go outside”), and the app uses an easy avatar creator, templated social stories, and AI-assisted prompts to produce short, child-relevant videos and practice sequences featuring the child’s own avatar and familiar settings, representing the key innovative features of our approach. A lightweight dashboard tracks use, goal attempts, and responses to support data- informed adjustments while keeping privacy protections front and center. STTR Phase I will deliver an iPad/web prototype of Young Speaker with core features (goal-setting tools, avatar creation, and content builders) and conduct two formative evaluations. First, a lab-based usability cycle with approximately 15 parent caregivers/educators will identify pain points and drive rapid refinements using standard usability scales and brief interviews. Second, a one-month home feasibility study with about 15 parent–child dyads (elementary-age, minimally verbal) will examine feasibility, acceptability, and real-world engagement: families will complete onboarding, create at least one avatar and practice content, and run 10–15 minute sessions twice daily during natural routines. App analytics (dose and content created), brief pre-/post- questionnaires, and exit interviews will inform product fit, caregiver workflow, and measurement procedures for a subsequent Phase II efficacy trial. The expected deliverables are an optimized prototype, evidence of feasibility and acceptability, finalized user and outcome measures, and a clear plan for Phase II testing. By lowering production burden and elevating personal relevance, Young Speaker aims to empower caregivers and educators to provide frequent, motivating practice that supports meaningful gains in functional communication at home and school, with a commercialization pathway through school-district licensing, direct-to-consumer offerings, and Medicaid waiver channels. Young Speaker will be marketed as an educational/skill-building tool (no diagnosis/treatment claims) and is not expected to require FDA premarket review; if future versions add speech-generating device capabilities or therapeutic claims, we will pursue the appropriate Class II pathway (e.g., 510(k)/De Novo) in consultation with FDA.

Up to $313K

2027-06-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a Machine Learning Model and Unified Protocol Approach to Predict Neonatal Extubation Readiness

NHLBI - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Significance: Premature infants can suffer significant morbidity and mortality from both prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) and extubation failure, however, currently no prediction models or standard tests of extubation readiness exist to aid with the high-risk decision on appropriate timing of extubation in neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a form of chronic lung disease, is the most common morbidity of prematurity that may affect intubated NICU patients for the rest of their lives. Thus, there is a critical need to develop, evaluate, and implement tools to determine extubation readiness in the NICU to mitigate infant mortality and morbidity, especially chronic lung disease. Approach: The overall objective of this proposal is to design a clinical decision support (CDS) tool that will predict extubation readiness for intubated preterm infants and can be integrated into the clinical care workflow. The central hypothesis is that including physiologic information provided by continuous vital sign and ventilator data along with clinical data into a machine learning (ML) prediction model will enhance personalized decision making and clinical adoption. This study will enhance preliminary work with an ML-based prediction model by including data from a second site to (Aim 1) develop and validate a prediction model for extubation readiness using data from two clinically distinct centers. Model performance will be compared to those of published logistic regression algorithms. To begin the future work to implement a protocol in a larger multicenter trial, this study will use the consolidated framework for implementation research to (Aim 2) develop a unified protocol via surveys and interviews for evaluating neonatal extubation readiness and determine effective informatics-based implementation strategies for adopting these guidelines into the clinical workflow. Because approaches to neonatal respiratory care vary internationally, inclusion of neonatal clinicians from both the United States and Canada in Aim 2 will provide broader perspectives on barriers, facilitators, and implementation strategies for extubation readiness protocols. These insights will improve the generalizability and future adoption of standardized protocols within U.S. NICUs. Innovation: This study is integrating continuous physiologic data that is not routinely incorporated into prediction models and performing pre-implementation methodology to learn how to implement an extubation readiness protocol. The expected outcomes of this project are: 1) a clinically useful ML model for predicting extubation readiness in the NICU, and 2) a targeted informatics-based implementation strategy for an extubation readiness protocol. The broader impact is a reduction in extubation failure rates and associated morbidities, including MV duration and chronic lung disease.

Up to $189K

2031-04-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a Measure to Characterize Suicide-Related Disclosure Processes in Adolescents and Caregivers

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Current estimates hold that only 50% of individuals who die by suicide disclose their suicidal thoughts to anybody before death, making detection of high-risk individuals challenging. However, past research has only assessed direct forms of disclosure (i.e., explicitly telling somebody about thoughts of suicide), and may not capture indirect disclosure, whereby disclosure occurs euphemistically or vaguely (e.g., “I’m worried I might do something stupid”). Evidence has shown that indirect disclosure may serve as a proximal risk factor for suicide, indicating its importance as a potential point of intervention. However, indirect disclosure has not been previously characterized in the literature, and its prevalence is unknown. Most critically, no standardized assessment tool exists to detect or characterize indirect suicide-related disclosure. The field’s limited understanding of suicide- related disclosure critically limits clinicians’ and loved ones’ ability to detect risk, meaning that vital “cries for help” may go unnoticed and opportunities for prevention missed. The proposed project will refine and pilot a multi- informant, self-report measure to dyadically characterize direct and indirect suicide-related disclosure in adolescents and their caregivers. Adolescents and their caregivers will be recruited from a psychiatric inpatient unit on the basis of a recent suicidal crisis. Parent-adolescent dyads will complete qualitative interviews assessing disclosure in the period preceding the suicidal crisis, providing information about the content, function, and consequences of disclosure as well as caregivers’ detection of disclosure and response to it. Participants will also provide feedback on a preliminary, multi-informant measure characterizing disclosure processes. The measure will be revised in response to participant feedback and piloted in a new sample of parent-adolescent dyads, who will also complete one month of ecological momentary assessment probing family support. Analyses will test whether disclosure predicts improvements in family support over time, and whether this effect is moderated by parents’ detection of an adolescent’s disclosure. Results may ultimately inform interventions to both promote more adaptive help-seeking in suicidal adolescents, and to train caregivers to respond appropriately. A training plan has been developed that consists of coursework and mentorship in qualitative research methods, research conduct with suicidal individuals, measure development, and statistics for intensive longitudinal methods to build the applicant’s expertise in carrying out research in suicidal populations.

Up to $50K

2028-06-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a minimally invasive liquid biopsy-based assay to predict and characterizetherapeutic response in a phase II clinical trial for mCRPC

NIH

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the most common non-cutaneous cancer in males in the US, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HER2 expression has been identified as a marker for aggressive disease and serves as a potential target for precision medicine. Significance: Precision Oncology with widespread use of NextGen Sequencing has brought personalized medicine in the treatment of various cancers. Most commonly used precision therapies in PCa involve PARP inhibitors for cases with homologous recombination repair defects and immunotherapy for cases with high microsatellite instability, mismatch repair defects or high tumor mutation burden. Despite their availability, most patients remain ineligible for targeted therapy and identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention remains an unmet need. The planned phase II clinical trial to treat metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC) patients with HER2-directed ADC therapy holds relevance for Veterans' health by addressing this pressing need for effective treatments. The proposed study aims to improve identification of Veterans who might benefit from this therapy and aligns with VHA priorities for improving cancer care for Veterans and addresses gaps in precision medicine for PCa. Innovation & Impact: Utilizing a liquid biopsy platform to assess HER2 expression in mCRPC patients based on molecular profiling of ctDNA and CTCs may increase sensitivity of detection for patient selection towards HER2-directed ADC therapy. Successful implementation of this approach will likely mitigate the procedural burden on patients who may qualify for therapy. Specific Aims: 1. Validate pre-treatment CTC HER2 as a screening biomarker for HER2 expression and trial eligibility. a. Correlate the level and prevalence of HER2 cell-surface expression on CTCs to HER2 IHC b. Correlate the level of HER2 in CTC mRNA to the results of HER2 IHC c. Correlate HER2 expression with the status of HER2 gene amplification and/or mutation 2. Determine mechanisms of resistance to HER2 ADC therapy. a. Perform single cell phenotyping for HER2 protein expression at baseline, on-treatment and progression. b. Identify signaling pathways in CTCs before treatment and upon disease progression using mRNA-Seq that correlate with therapy resistance. 3. Identify signaling pathways for combinatorial therapeutic intervention to overcome resistance. Methodology: The study involves collecting samples from patients participating in a multi-site clinical trial under the VA POPCaP PATCH initiative, utilizing liquid biopsy to analyze ctDNA and CTCs. Statistical methods include paired tests, gene set enrichment analysis, and regression modeling to correlate molecular alterations with treatment response and resistance. Next Steps/Implementation: Successful completion of the above aims will result in the development of a comprehensive liquid biopsy platform to identify predictive biomarkers for therapy response and resistance. Collaboration with a CLIA-certified lab ensures reliable results and translation into clinical practice. The trial has been approved by VA Central IRB and is about to commence enrollment. Furthermore, the above approach is not only applicable to HER2-directed ADC therapies, as it may serve as a blueprint for investigating liquid biomarkers and molecular pathways in various PCa treatments and other advanced clinical trials.

2030-02-28

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a Molecular Taxonomy for Immune-Mediated Diseases

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

ABSTRACT: One of the most fundamental limitations in medicine is reliance on clinical phenotype as the primary way to diagnose and classify disease. For inflammatory diseases, clinical phenotype alone is not sufficient to describe underlying disease pathogenesis. For example, cytokines like interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-17A can all drive arthritis, but clinical features such as arthritis or rash may not reflect the causal cytokine. As a result, there are no precision biomarkers to guide targeted cytokine therapy: phenotypic classification systems do not stratify patients by causative mechanisms that guide therapy. The lack of precision medicine strategies is one of the most significant unmet needs in the field, leading to poor outcomes for over 40 million patients with inflammatory diseases. This includes >1 million patients with a phenotype-driven diagnosis of “rheumatoid arthritis”: 40-50% of whom fail first biologic therapy, and 10% with disease refractory to multiple consecutive targeted therapies. We propose addressing this problem by combining expertise in immunogenetics and translational immunology (Dr. Schwartz); systems immunology and machine learning (Dr. Das); and statistical genetics (Dr. Wang).We will leverage another key finding: shared molecular mechanisms like IL-6 signaling can drive different phenotypically defined diseases like arthritis, vasculitis, and scleroderma. Using machine-learning approaches, we will build a phenotype-blind molecular taxonomy for immune diseases. Drawing from the success of phenotype-blind tumor genotyping in cancer therapy, we will adapt machine learning approaches developed in the Das lab to build novel tools (SIDER, Significant Interaction Directional Effect Representation; MAGen Multiscale network Approach for Genetic architecture). We will use SIDER and MAGen to construct an “omnigenic model”, connecting a small number of disease-causal core genes to many peripheral genes through complex biological networks. We will ground our approach in human biology using Dr. Schwartz’s expertise to build on >500 core genes that cause monogenic inborn errors of immunity (IEI). We will use interpretable machine-learning and network approaches developed by Dr. Das to develop molecular modules that will be applied to large population databases leveraging Dr. Wang’s expertise We will investigate two aims: (1) understanding monogenic/oligogenic disease architecture and (2) developing novel molecular endotypes for common diseases. This approach will demonstrate a molecular taxonomy is a relevant and actionable approach that will transform the identification, study, and treatment of immune diseases and beyond.

Up to $642K

2031-03-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a multidisciplinary telemedicine model to address gaps in chronic pediatric uveitis care

NEI - National Eye Institute

Abstract Chronic pediatric uveitis is a rare, debilitating eye condition that can severely affect both the eye health and overall quality of life for children. Without proper management, this condition can lead to serious complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal damage, and even blindness. Due to the complex nature of the disease, it requires care from pediatric ophthalmologists, pediatric rheumatologists, and other specialists, often involving long-term monitoring and treatment. However, diagnosing and managing chronic pediatric uveitis is particularly challenging for children, as many are unable to communicate symptoms, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, families face substantial challenges in obtaining care, particularly in remote areas, where issues such as geographic location, income, health literacy, and limited healthcare resources exacerbate difficulties. The shortage of uveitis specialists often forces families to travel long distances, delaying timely diagnosis and care. To address these challenges, we propose a telemedicine-based care model supported by a multidisciplinary team that offers remote care from pediatric ophthalmologists, uveitis specialists, and pediatric rheumatologists. This model will reduce the need for travel and allow for improved monitoring, while local technicians can collect health data and imaging. In addition, virtual collaboration with social workers, psychologists, and parent support groups will address the psychosocial struggles faced by children and their families. Successful development of this telemedicine model will depend on strong community partnerships, facilitated by the Community Advisory Group we have established. This group brings together a wide range of perspectives from caregivers, healthcare providers, social workers, advocacy organizations, professional societies, and community groups to ensure a comprehensive approach. Specifically, our Aims are to (1) identify barriers and facilitators in pediatric uveitis care through focus groups with key stakeholders and community partners; (2) develop a multidisciplinary, team-based telemedicine care model to address gaps in pediatric uveitis diagnosis and management through Community Engagement Studios; (3) test the feasibility of the telemedicine care model. By leveraging innovative telemedicine solutions and community-driven collaboration, this project aims to expand care, ensuring that every child with chronic uveitis receives timely, effective, and compassionate treatment, regardless of their location, financial means, or background.

Up to $315K

2030-04-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a Multimodal Intervention for Individuals with PTSD and Hazardous Alcohol Use in Federally Qualified Health Centers

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This K23 award will facilitate Dr. Grau’s transition into an independent investigator who develops and tests scalable interventions with attention to health disparities to meet the variation in needs among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and hazardous alcohol use (HAU). Targeted research and training activities will extend his knowledge and build his expertise in developing and testing scalable interventions that integrate therapist-delivered and digital components to effectively engage and treat patients with PTSD+HAU in under resourced community settings like Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Training: Dr. Grau proposes a comprehensive training plan with the following training aims: (1) Develop expertise in mobile health interven-tions, (2) Gain skills in qualitative data collection and analysis and (3) Acquire key skills in and knowledge of optimization trial design and conduct. Context: PTSD is an extremely damaging psychiatric condition when left untreated, especially for individuals with low-income who are served in FQHCs. Brief, modified evidence-based PTSD treatments are effective and feasible in FQHCs; however, co-occurring problems, most notably HAU, negatively impact treatment engagement and effectiveness. As such, there is a critical need to develop scala-ble interventions that treat PTSD+HAU while maximizing engagement in under resourced community settings such as FQHCs. Responsive to the NIMH Strategic Plan, Goal 3 (Strive for Prevention and Cures), Objectives 3.2 (Develop strategies for tailoring existing interventions to optimize outcomes), and 3.3 (Test interventions for effectiveness in community practice settings), the overall research objective is to develop and test a multimodal intervention that integrates therapist-delivered and digital interventions to treat PTSD+HAU in FQHCs. Re-search Plan: Aim 1 will assess the feasibility and acceptability of three stepped care, therapist-delivered inter-vention components for PTSD+HAU in our partner FQHC. Aim 2 will refine the therapist-delivered components and develop digital components (e.g., personalized text messages) in preparation for a PTSD+HAU hybrid ex-perimental design (HED). Aim 3 will assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a PTSD+HAU HED in FQHCs combining therapistdelivered and digital interventions to maximize engagement in treatment. Aim 3 results will inform a fully powered HED (future R01 submission) to create a multimodal adap-tive intervention for PTSD+HAU with patients in community health settings. Key innovations include state-of-the-art training, PTSD+HAU scalable intervention development with real world patients in community settings, and use of the HED design. Optimization of adaptive interventions for community patients with PTSD+HAU is a critical next step and will have significant impact on PTSD treatment in FQHCs.

Up to $173K

2031-04-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a National Toolkit for School Resource Officer Policy Implementation

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY Since 1958, public schools in the United States have used school resource officers (SROs) as a community- based policing strategy to prevent school violence. However, recent evidence questions the effectiveness of SRO programs and highlights their link to increased student discipline and arrests, particularly for marginalized groups. Approximately 28 states have passed policy reforms to mitigate the potentially adverse effects of SRO programs on student outcomes. Yet, no study has examined whether and how state SRO laws impact student outcomes, SRO practices, and SRO policies at the local level. This proposed research project will address these gaps by examining the impact and implementation of state SRO laws in schools with SRO programs. Aim 1 focuses on assessing state-level variation in SRO policies, including their presence, scope, and structure, by developing a longitudinal database on state-level SRO laws until 2024. Aim 2 investigates the association between state SRO policies and disciplinary policies/outcomes in schools with SRO programs using a nationally representative sample of US public schools with SRO programs. Aim 3 delves into the local- level implementation of state SRO policies, exploring barriers and facilitators in school districts with SRO programs. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with school administrators, staff, law enforcement, and students to understand how SRO programs and policy reforms have been implemented among a diverse representation of school districts across the US. Aim 4 focuses on the development and testing of a toolkit to implement SRO policy reforms using findings from Aims 1-3. The acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the toolkit will be evaluated with school districts. By examining the complex interplay between state-level policies, district implementation, and disciplinary outcomes, this research addresses the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's goal of improving child and adolescent health and transition to adulthood through the promotion of positive community-level (i.e., school-level) interventions that prevent youth violence, injury, and mortality. To strengthen my skills and complete this project, I identified three critical training areas: 1) Implementation science, with a focus on educational policy and programming; 2) Program and policy evaluation, with an emphasis on policy surveillance; 3) Qualitative research methodology, with an emphasis on community-based participatory research. My mentorship team has substantive expertise in public health, psychiatry, medicine, criminology, and education. Moreover, their methodological skillsets will strengthen my training goals. The Pathway to Independence award will be my launch pad to become an independent researcher who works with local school communities to design culturally competent, interdisciplinary, and health-oriented violence prevention strategies.

Up to $249K

2029-03-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a Natural Sounds Library of the Voices of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

National Park Service

United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) Notice of Intent to Award. This is not a request for applications. This funding opportunity is to provide public notice of NPS's intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition: Task Agreement under Cooperative Agreement H8W07110001 with the University of Alaska Southeast, a partner under the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, for the project titled "Developing a Natural Sounds Library of the Voices of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve".

$54K

natural resources

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a novel technology for studying T cell differentiation in vivo

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Summary CRISPR-based genetic screens have revolutionized our understanding of gene functions and molecular mechanisms across various biological processes. In the field of T cell biology, CRISPR screens have played a pivotal role in identifying genes that impact critical aspects, such as T cell development, differentiation, and function. However, traditional screens have struggled to distinguish genes with diverse mechanisms of action, necessitating further investigations. To address this challenge, researchers have harnessed the power of CRISPR screens combined with single-cell sequencing (scCRISPR-seq), enabling the simultaneous assessment of genetic perturbations and high-dimensional phenotypes at the single-cell level. While scCRISPR- seq has predominantly been performed in vitro using immortalized cell lines, its physiological relevance is limited due to oversimplified biological context and disparities compared to primary cells. This limitation highlights the urgent need for large-scale in vivo scCRISPR-seq with primary T cells. However, various challenges have discouraged its widespread adoption. The use of viral vectors for sgRNA delivery compromises physiological relevance, as the in vitro activation conditions fail to faithfully represent the intricate T cell priming process in vivo. Moreover, viral vector components and continuous Cas9 expression can trigger immunogenicity and cytotoxicity, leading to cell depletion and hindering long-term studies. Additionally, current scCRISPR-seq methods face technical limitations, including low editing efficiency and inadequate perturbation identity recovery rates, which impede efficient large-scale in vivo applications. Fortunately, recent advances in ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) transfection have addressed many of these challenges. This cutting-edge technology enables efficient gene editing in primary T cells without the need for in vitro activation or permanent Cas9 expression. Leveraging the high editing efficiency of RNP transfection, the investigator’s team aims to develop a novel strategy for in vivo T cell CRISPR screens. This innovative approach involves arrayed RNP transfection and co- transfer of T cells that recognize the relevant antigens. Instead of traditional genetic barcodes, the strategy utilizes congenic markers (CD45.1/45.2 and CD90.1/CD90.2) from donor TCR transgenic T cells as "external barcodes." These markers facilitate the recovery of gene perturbation identity at the single-cell level through the application of CITE-seq. Importantly, this RNP-based strategy seamlessly integrates with existing single-cell sequencing protocols, enabling the comprehensive assessment of transcripts, epitopes, and chromatin accessibility simultaneously. To demonstrate the efficacy of this strategy, the team plans to develop two benchmarking approaches: RNP-CET-seq to investigate the role of TCR regulators in T cell exhaustion and RNP-CATE-seq to map the gene regulatory atlas of exhausted CD8 T cells. In summary, the proposed RNP- based scCRISPR-seq strategy overcomes the limitations of current approaches, enabling large-scale, multi- module in vivo genetic screens within a physiologically relevant context across various disease models.

Up to $154K

2028-05-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a patient-centered intervention to improve exercise adoption and adherence among post-9/11 women Veterans

NIH

Background: Women Veterans often report little or no exercise after leaving military service. Regular exercise contributes to significant benefits in physical and psychological health, including risk reduction for several chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As such, women Veterans’ diminished exercise contributes to their increased risk for significant health conditions and can have a cumulative negative impact on their long-term health (e.g., obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension). Women Veterans lack access to effective approaches for increasing exercise, such as behavioral interventions (e.g., goal setting), that are tailored to their needs and can mitigate significant, preventable health conditions among this Veteran population. Psychological skills training (PST) interventions use evidence-based strategies (goal setting, imagery, self-talk, relaxation) to increase exercise participation and satisfaction. In the proposed project, we will adapt evidence-based strategies used in PST interventions to tailor a novel PST intervention known as STRIVE (Skills Training to Increase Veteran Exercise) to increase exercise adoption and adherence among women Veterans from the post-9/11 era. Significance/Impact: The post-9/11 era is the largest cohort of women Veterans and is rapidly growing. To mitigate the impact of significant, preventable health conditions among women Veterans and the subsequent burden on the VA healthcare system, approaches are needed to meet the distinct needs of this Veteran population. This proposal addresses (1) several objectives within the VA's Strategic Plan focused on women Veterans and improving their access to tailored health care and (2) HSR research priorities focused on women Veterans’ health care needs and interventions following military service. The proposed project is also timely and aligned with the recently signed Executive Order prioritizing research on women’s health issues. Findings will contribute to VA’s current exercise initiatives and efforts to tailor women Veterans’ health care. Innovation: Psychological skills training (PST) interventions have been effectively used and implemented in a variety of settings, such as the military, and have been found to increase exercise. PST interventions can also increase self-efficacy, which is one of the strongest determinants of consistent exercise. However, despite the demonstrated effectiveness of PST interventions on increasing exercise and self-efficacy, the application of PST interventions to increase exercise among women Veterans remains largely unexplored. Specific Aims: This study will determine exercise perceptions and support needs among women Veterans, (Aim 1), iteratively tailor a PST-based intervention protocol for exercise among women Veterans (Aim 2), and preliminarily pilot test the PST intervention for exercise to assess feasibility and acceptability (Aim 3). Methodology: This is a multimethod study. In Aim 1 we will use qualitative interviews to elicit perceptions of exercise behaviors from women Veterans (N=30). In Aim 2 we will assemble an advisory group (N=6-8) of VA clinicians and administrators to elicit input on how to tailor a PST-based intervention protocol for exercise for women Veterans. In Aim 3 we will conduct a preliminary pilot test using a sample of women Veterans (N=12) to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention developed in Aim 2. Implementation/Next Steps: We will develop implementation strategies in Aim 2 to facilitate broader testing, scalability, and future implementation of the STRIVE intervention. These strategies will be tested and refined in the planned future Merit Award application that will test STRIVE in a randomized controlled trial. More broadly, findings from Aim 1 and the implementation plan in Aim 2 can be used to augment existing services, such as the VA MOVE! Program or Whole Health. Adapted evidence-based strategies to promote exercise among women Veterans can also be implemented into clinical services (e.g., gynecology and primary care visits) and VA services that support women Veterans.

2027-03-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Developing a refined comorbidity index for use in obstetric patients

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary Addressing the rising trends in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is a critical priority in the United States. About half of adverse maternal health outcomes were found to be attributable to preventable harm or unintended consequences arising from clinical practice and the system of delivering perinatal care. Significant resources are currently being invested to implement quality improvement (QI) initiatives in birthing hospitals across the country. There is great need to evaluate these efforts and demonstrate their effectiveness to reducing the burden of preventable SMM and maternal deaths. Virtually all QI initiatives in birthing hospitals use SMM as an outcome measure, but their evaluation is hindered by the need to risk-adjust SMM rates to control for differences in patient composition within and between hospitals. To date, 3 different research groups proposed obstetric comorbidity indices, yet all have significant limitations. The overarching goal of this study is to develop and validate a refined comorbidity index for obstetric patients that allows SMM rate comparisons across hospitals and adequate monitoring of QI initiatives in obstetrics. We will use Maryland’s unique, gold- standard, hospital-based, state-representative SMM Surveillance and Review data to identify a comprehensive list of comorbidities in patients with SMM events. Using electronic health record data from the Johns Hopkins Health System, we will employ variable importance estimation with machine learning techniques to develop the comorbidity index. Subsequently, we will ascertain its accuracy using receiver operating characteristic (ROC)/precision-recall (PR) curves and areas under the curve (AUC) for outcome discrimination and lowess- smoothed calibration plots. Also, we will compare the performance of the refined comorbidity index to predict SMM against that of previously published comorbidity indices. To further validate our refined comorbidity index and assesses its performance consistency across various sociodemographic groups, we will use national hospital discharge data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s National Inpatient Sample. A Technical Advisory Group comprised of clinicians, community partners, patient safety experts, and certified medical coders will meet quarterly for data interpretation sessions. At the end of the study, we expect to have a refined comorbidity index developed in gold-standard data, with superior psychometric properties than the previously published comorbidity indices and validated in both EHR and national hospital discharge data. Our results will be disseminated in the peer-reviewed literature and through presentations at scientific meetings.

Up to $332K

2027-06-30

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Developing a Sage Grouse Long-term Monitoring Protocol for the Upper Columbia Basin Network

National Park Service

United State Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) Notice of Intent to Award. This is not a request for applications. This funding opportunity is to provide public notice of NPS's intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition. Task Agreement # P14AC01262 under Cooperative Agreement H8W07110001 with the University of Idaho, a partner under the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, for project titled "Developing a Sage Grouse Long-term Monitoring Protocol for the Upper Columbia Basin Network"

natural resources

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Developing A Shared Decision Support Tool For Black And Latino Men And Their Providers To Increase Prep Uptake And Adherence

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

The proposed research study seeks to address the disproportionately high rates of HIV among young adult Black and Hispanic/Latino men who engage with men (YBLMM) in the United States by increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence among this population. Despite the effectiveness of PrEP in preventing HIV, its uptake and adherence among this population remains suboptimal due to various barriers, including inequitable patient-provider power dynamics. Researchers have recommended the development of PrEP decision aids (PDAs) to facilitate shared decision-making between patients and their providers; however, none have been developed for YBLMM-provider dyads. Dr. Laughney's research aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a tailored PrEP decision aid (PDA) for YBLMM and their providers to increase the uptake of PrEP among this population. The study is designed with three primary aims: 1) Identify key factors that affect decisions about the uptake of PrEP modalities among YBLMM by conducting in-depth interviews with YBLMM (n=20) and their providers (n=10) to generate novel PrEP PDA content that will be used to develop an “alpha” prototype of the PrEP PDA; 2) Design an “alpha” prototype of a web-based PrEP PDA using the key factors identified in Aim 1 and develop the “beta” version of the PDA through iterative feedback from YBLMM (n=10) and providers (n=10) using in-depth interviews; 3) Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the beta PrEP PDA among YBLMM (n=40) and providers (n=10) in a one-arm pilot trial using mixed methods to evaluate the PDA tool use in clinical settings across 6 months. YBLMM and provider dyads will be created, with one provider being paired with four YBLMM participants, resulting in 40 dyads. These preliminary data will inform the development of an R series grant that will evaluate the effectiveness of the PDA at increasing PrEP uptake and adherence among YBLMM. This proposal includes comprehensive training goals to support Dr. Laughney's development as an independent researcher specializing in HIV prevention among YBLMM. Training goals include: 1) Advance knowledge of and develop expertise in shared decision-making in minority men’s health; 2) Obtain and apply training in mixed methods for HIV prevention, specifically to inform the design of a PrEP PDA; 3) Learn how to design and develop a web-based PrEP patient decision aid tailored for YBLMM and their providers; and 4) Learn how to design, pilot, evaluate, and refine behavioral interventions that use HIV prevention decision-making tools. Dr. Laughney will collaborate with a multidisciplinary mentorship team to guide hands-on research, readings, professional development, and coursework to support the candidate’s research aims and training goals.

Up to $183K

2031-04-30

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Developing a Single-Session, Peer-Delivered Internalized Stigma Reduction Intervention for Individuals with Polysubstance Use in Rural Maryland

NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse

Project Summary/Abstract Rural communities bear a disproportionate burden of opioid and stimulant use, yet many individuals face challenges engaging in and sustaining treatment. Stigmas surrounding substance use disorder (SUD) and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) pose substantial obstacles to both engagement in care and achieving optimal treatment outcomes, such as retention and sustained recovery. Internalized stigma, in particular, has been linked to a higher likelihood of overdose. Patients in rural areas describe internalized SUD and MOUD stigmas as significant obstacles to recovery and other treatment outcomes (e.g., retention, continued use, mental health) in recent qualitative work, which are often compounded by stigma related to polysubstance use. Thus, there is a clear need to develop novel solutions for decreasing internalized SUD and MOUD stigmas within under-resourced, rural communities. Peer recovery specialists (PRSs), or individuals with lived experience in SUD and recovery, may be a unique solution to shifting stigma through sharing their lived experience and normalizing the experience of living with or in recovery from a SUD. While research supports PRS-delivery of brief evidence-based interventions, recent evidence also suggests that PRS-contact through non-stigma focused interventions may not be sufficient in sustaining long-term decreases in internalized stigma. Interventions to target internalized SUD and related stigmas, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), have shown promise in decreasing internalized stigma and its associated consequences (e.g., avoidance, shame), even when delivered in brief formats. However, these interventions are often limited to high-resource settings. Given the vast resource constraints in rural contexts, a brief PRS-delivered intervention for stigma reduction may be particularly feasible in increasing access to evidence-based care and reducing internalized SUD and MOUD stigmas. Thus, this study aims to: (1) evaluate patient-perceived appropriateness and potential obstacles and facilitators in the implementation of the proposed intervention in an under-resourced, rural context using a qualitative approach with MOUD patients and staff (N = 30); (2) iteratively adapt the proposed intervention and implementation strategies with three structured co-creation sessions (N = 12), guided by ADAPT-ITT and human- centered design principles; and (3) guided by ADAPT-ITT’s theater testing approach, evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted intervention components using mixed methods (N = 15).

Up to $107K

2028-04-30

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Developing A Strategy Bundle to Prepare, Implement, and Scale Integrated Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder Care in Healthcare Systems

NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse

ABSTRACT The overarching goal of this Mentored Career Development Award (K01), responsive to PAS-22-206, is to support me in my development as an independent investigator focused on improving behavioral healthcare for mothers, their children and families. The proposed study focuses on the hundreds of thousands of U.S. women with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are pregnant or parenting children up to age 5 (“mothers with OUD”), a critical period of development for children and elevated motivation for OUD recovery in mothers. OUD severely impairs a person’s ability to function as a healthy parent and thus continues generational trauma and challenges that could be mitigated with treatment. Yet, mothers with OUD face significant punishment (child custody loss, involuntary commitment) and therefore avoid healthcare engagement and OUD treatment. However, these consequences have been lessening as more professionals recognize the benefits of harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches; it is time to better engage mothers with OUD in appropriate care. Integrated care, a multidisciplinary team that provides substance use, mental, and medical healthcare; social work; peer recovery and doula services, has been shown to be the most effective approach for mothers with OUD, but it is difficult to implement due to historical inertia keeping these services separate and other barriers. Research supporting effective implementation is needed. This innovative proposal will build on my strong clinical background treating substance use in families and my research experience with implementation science and integrating behavioral health into medical settings. It will support me in achieving three training goals: 1) Establish expertise in applied implementation research in health systems including EHR data management and usage, 2) Establish expertise in comprehensive perinatal addiction services and 3) Develop competency in multisite clinical and implementation trials methodology. These skills will allow me to achieve the following study aims: 1) Develop a feasible multi-level implementation strategy bundle for integrated care for mothers with OUD by piloting and adapting implementation strategies at Hennepin Healthcare, 2) Develop a micro-theory of implementing integrated care for mothers with OUD by interviewing key informants at successful programs, and 3) Finalize the implementation protocol for a future multisite implementation trial with prospective sites. My expert mentoring team includes two addiction medicine physicians, one specialized in substance use in pregnancy (Jones) and the other an experienced clinical trialist and PI of a NIDA CTN node (Bart); a psychologist with expertise in clinical and implementation trials related to substance treatment within healthcare systems (Japuntich), and an implementation scientist with experience implementing substance use treatment across the VA healthcare system (Hagedorn). Additional advisors in perinatal psychiatry (Kim) and biostatistics (Langworthy), and institutional resources, mean I will have the full support and knowledge needed to successfully complete my training and study aims and achieve R01-level funding to conduct a multisite trial.

Up to $193K

2031-06-30

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Developing Adaptive Management Strategies to Promote Resiliency in Alpine Plant Species

National Park Service

United State Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) Notice of Intent to Award. This is not a request for applications. This funding opportunity is to provide public notice of NPS's intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition. Cooperative Agreement # P18AC01434 with the University of Washington, a partner under the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, for project titled "Developing Adaptive Management Strategies to Promote Resiliency in Alpine Plant Species"

Up to $163K

Environmentalsustainability

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Developing an AI-Based Prognostic Model for Ewing Sarcoma Using Digital Pathology Images

NCI - National Cancer Institute

Project Summary Ewing sarcoma is a rare and aggressive pediatric bone and soft-tissue cancer. Despite advances in multimodal therapy, approximately 40% of patients die from their disease. Current risk stratification relies on broad clinical factors such as age, tumor size, and metastatic status, which fail to capture underlying histologic and biological heterogeneity. No validated biomarkers or computational models currently guide therapy, leaving clinicians unable to tailor treatment intensity to individual risk. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital pathology now make it possible to extract quantitative prognostic information directly from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) whole-slide images (WSIs). Pathology foundation models—large neural networks pretrained on millions of pathology images—enable robust feature extraction even in rare diseases with limited sample sizes. Through the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), we have assembled the largest Ewing sarcoma digital pathology dataset worldwide (>900 cases with outcomes), and the Pediatric Cancer Data Commons (PCDC) provides an independent validation cohort (~100 cases). Together, these resources create an unprecedented opportunity to explore AI-based risk prediction in this rare pediatric cancer. This exploratory R21 aims to establish the feasibility and analytic rigor of histology-based prognostic modeling in Ewing sarcoma. Aim 1 will develop a prognostic model using COG WSIs to predict patient survival by leveraging foundation-model embeddings and quantitative, pathologist-defined histologic features to identify reproducible image biomarkers of outcome. Aim 2 will independently validate the locked model in the PCDC cohort without retraining. All analyses will follow TRIPOD-AI reporting guidelines to ensure transparency and reproducibility. A distinctive innovation of this study is the planned fusion of AI-derived image embeddings with pathologist-defined features—an approach not previously applied in pediatric oncology. This integration combines the sensitivity of deep learning with the interpretability of human-recognized morphology, providing a pathway toward clinically explainable AI models. If successful, this research will establish the feasibility of histology-based prognostic modeling in Ewing sarcoma and lay the groundwork for future, larger-scale studies aimed at developing validated, AI- driven biomarkers for precision risk stratification in pediatric cancers. The project brings together experts in pediatric oncology, computational pathology, and biostatistics with direct access to COG and PCDC resources, ensuring technical feasibility and translational relevance. The methods developed here will also be broadly applicable to other rare pediatric and adolescent cancers, advancing the role of AI-driven digital pathology in precision oncology.

Up to $427K

2028-06-30

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Developing an AI-Guided Triculture Platform to Model NeuroHIV specific Microglial States Under ART Suppression with CellPaint/Morphological and Transcriptomic Readouts

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

Abstract Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated brain injury (HABI) persists in over half of people with HIV (PWH), manifesting as chronic cognitive impairment. While HIV-1 primarily infects microglia, driving central nervous system (CNS) neuroinflammation, current preclinical models do not recapitulate the chronic, suppressed infection characteristic of the ART era. Furthermore, they do not capture complex patient genetics and multicellular, glial and neuronal, interactions in a scalable and efficient manner. To address this need for more physiologically relevant models, we propose the development of an AI-guided triculture platform comprising major CNS cell types. This platform will use induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia, astrocytes, and neurons, using both morphological profiling and other omics-based profiling to model HABI under ART suppression. AI/machine learning (ML)-driven analysis of cellular morphology, combined with multi-omic data integration, will facilitate rapid classification and prediction of microglial functional states and their impact on neuronal health. Leveraging Modulo's established triculture system, previously successful in yielding therapeutic candidates for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) currently in Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies, we will construct a scalable HABI model under ART suppression. Our objectives are to (1) develop and validate an HIV-infected, ART-suppressed triculture platform, utilizing AI/ML-driven morphological profiling to classify HABI-specific microglial states; and (2) comprehensively characterize this model through neuroinflammatory profiling, behavioral correlates, and integration with publicly available HABI patient datasets. We hypothesize that our combined computational lab-based triculture system can effectively model HABI pathophysiology under ART conditions, enabling both rapid disease state classification and identification of therapeutic targets. Through the integration of experimental and computational approaches, this platform will provide insights into HABI mechanisms and accelerate therapeutic development. We will disseminate this model to the scientific community through publication and collaboration. Connecting in vitro modeling with patient outcomes offers a powerful tool for investigating neuroimmune dysfunction in HIV and related neurological disorders. Successful implementation will yield a platform for modeling neuroHIV under ART suppression, advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and facilitating the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies for PWH with cognitive impairment.

Up to $1.5M

2028-02-29