HEAL Initiative: Program to Reveal and Evaluate Cells-to-gene Information that Specify Intricacies, Origins and the Nature of (PRECISION) Human Pain Network

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 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 solicit applications for comprehensive ‘omics and physiology dataset generation using primary human tissue across the pain neuraxis. Applications should focus on large-scale, high-throughput data generation and analysis of human genes, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and phenotyping of neuronal and non-neuronal cells at the single-cell and tissue levels. This NOFO is intended as a continuation of the NIH HEAL Initiative’s Program to Reveal and Evaluate Cells-to-gene Information that Specify Intricacies, Origins and the Nature of (PRECISION) Human Pain Network. The goal of this research will be to expand the generation and dissemination of comprehensive datasets using primary pain-associated human tissues, incorporate cutting-edge technologies, enhance coverage across multiple pain conditions, and extend integration and harmonization of multimodal outputs. This NOFO will utilize a milestone-driven, cooperative agreement mechanism, in which awarded centers will work collaboratively as a network to develop best practices, optimize protocols, replicate and cross-validate research findings, and collectively build an integrated knowledgebase, with digital resources for the entire pain research and therapeutics development communities. NIH program staff involvement is expected to coordinate alignment with the broader HEAL Data Sharing Ecosystem and account for evolving priorities to ensure program objectives are achieved. 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 into comprehensive ‘omics and physiology dataset generation in primary human tissue are encouraged to consider applying for this NOFO. In addition, applications from collaborating, multidisciplinary teams of neurobiologists, pain biologists, human pain scientists and/or physicians, surgeons, and scientists with expertise in statistics, physics, engineering, and bioinformatics should consider applying to this...

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government, including the NIH Intramural Program;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...