Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) 2.0

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), in conjunction with other NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) as a part of the congressionally mandated NIH Helping to End Addiction Long Term (HEAL) initiative intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to leverage and accelerate the progress achieved in the Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) Consortium. The NOFO aims to more fully refine and map the innervation of the different articular and peri-articular tissues that collectively form the joint (including bone, cartilage, synovium, joint capsule, ligament, tendon, fascia and muscle), by sensory neurons that mediate the sensation of pain. The NOFO seeks to expand initial and ongoing efforts by: • Enhancing clinical pain phenotyping with multimodal profiling of new and expanded patient samples across life span and disease conditions (i.e., other musculoskeletal and/or rheumatic conditions associated with joint pain beyond knee and temporomandibular joint (TMJ)). • Expanding to new preclinical and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in modeling joint disease. • Preclinical testing of novel joint-targeted candidates identified in RE-JOIN 1.0. • Focusing on peri-articular tissues in joint pain, such as vasculature, synovium, adipose, myofascial tissue, etc. • Prioritizing secondary analysis of datasets and/or validation of methods and approaches in human samples. • Improve data integration by developing/enhancing joint atlases that will enable integration of imaging and molecular datasets. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful multidisciplinary collaborations and responsive projects. Investigators with expertise and insights in neurobiology, pain science, data science, orthopedics, rheumatic disease, etc. are encouraged to consider applying for this NOFO.

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...