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1. NINR Seeks Applications for Exploratory/Development Centers and Centers of Excellence in Symptom Science Research NINR announces two new funding opportunities for Exploratory/Development Centers ( P20, RFA-NR-12-009) and Centers of Excellence ( P30, RFA-NR-12-006) in Symptom Science Research.  The NINR Research Centers program is designed to increase research capability and expand the science of investigators working on multiple projects by promoting collaboration between groups and across institutions, through the use of shared resources and expertise. These settings promote the development of skilled new investigators dedicated to interdisciplinary research. The collaborative approach to research typified in Centers has been found to be valuable in producing results that become the evidence base for practice. Both grants aim to enhance interdisciplinary, biobehavioral, symptom science research by enabling development of infrastructure and centralized resources in support of research programs in areas including:
- Improving or increasing (a) symptom management in persons of all ages with chronic and acute disorders, (b) the quality of life in persons with function-impairing symptoms and their caregivers, or (c) the number and quality of research projects aimed at improving health and quality of life in both healthy and chronically ill persons
- Expanding the number of research investigators involved in interdisciplinary nursing science research
- Increasing the quantity and quality of research projects utilizing genetics/genomics and biobehavioral methods
- Planning for and developing sustainability of research programs by building an active and growing research program with collaborations and partnerships both inside and outside of the applicant organization.
The application deadline for both opportunities is May 16, 2012. For more information, contact: Dr. Donna Jo (DJ) McCloskey
Program Director, Office of Extramural Activities 6701 Democracy Blvd., Room 713 One Democracy Plaza Bethesda, MD 20892-4870 Telephone: (301) 594-5971 Email: mccloskd@mail.nih.gov
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2. New Funding Opportunities: Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Impairment Research  Two new NINR funding opportunity announcements offer support for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and cognitive impairment research. RFA-NR-12-011 will fund initiatives to develop tools and techniques for informal caregivers to assess adverse symptoms in individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias, and to develop interventions to improve the management of these symptoms. Areas of research include but are not limited to:
- Innovative, non-invasive technologies to assist caregivers in assessing and monitoring the presence and severity of symptoms
- Surrogate markers and measures to help caregivers recognize symptoms
- Educational interventions to enhance caregivers’ ability to recognize and help alleviate symptoms
- Tools to enhance effective verbal and nonverbal communication between caregivers and individuals with AD or related dementias
- Elucidation of the contribution of multiple symptoms on the complexity of care of individuals with AD or related dementias
- Tools to help caregivers discern symptoms that can be managed within the home environment and those that require advanced medical attention
- The ability to detect differential symptom changes that develop as a result of new or other underlying disorders
Interdisciplinary collaborations that include nurse scientists in the project team are strongly encouraged. Additionally, applicants should consider engaging the resources and expertise of nearby or otherwise available Clinical and Translational Science Award grant sites (CTSAs) and/or federally funded research centers where possible. RFA-NR-12-010 seeks research applications that explore neuroimaging technologies and biomarkers associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which will ultimately improve the ability to identify at risk individuals and to prevent or delay further neurodegeneration. Specific areas of research interest include but are not limited to:
- Utilization of tissue biomarkers to detect early changes associated with MCI
- Examination of the predictive value of tissue biomarkers for assessing risk for progression from MCI to early stage AD
- Utilization of biomarker or neuroimaging data to monitor the efficiency of treatments in development, as well as non-pharmacologic interventions such as physical exercise, nutrition and cognitive training
- Assessment of the impact of pharmacologic or behavioral interventions for MCI with or without concurrent co-morbid conditions; and addressing the impact of confounders such as stress, depression, etc.
- Utilization of biomarker or genetic information to examine similarities and differences in MCI and its sequelae among those diagnosed with life limiting illness (LLI) and appropriate controls
- Examination of risk and protective factors for MCI among those diagnosed with and treated for LLI
- Examination of long-term and late effects of treatment through technologies of interest
- Evaluation of the co-development and combined impact of neuroimaging surrogate markers and preventive treatment strategies
The application deadline for both opportunities is May 21, 2012. For more information, please contact: Dr. Lois Tully
Program Director, Office of Extramural Activities 6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 710 One Democracy Plaza Bethesda, MD 20892-4870 Phone: 301-594-5968 Email: tullya@mail.nih.gov
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3. Application Period Open for NRSA Institutional Training (T32) Grants  NINR is currently soliciting applications for the T32 Program, one of NINR’s premiere training grants for early-career scientists. The T32 Program enables institutions with schools of nursing to make NIH National Research Service Awards (NRSAs) to individuals for predoctoral and postdoctoral research training in areas such as:
- Acute and chronic illness across the life span
- Health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities
- HIV/AIDS
- Aging and caregiving
- Symptom management
- Self-management, and
- Care at the end of life
Applications are due by May 25, 2012.
Please note the following important policies for the T32 application process:
- Electronic submission only; paper applications will not be accepted
- Restructured forms and page limit
- Special instructions for applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct annual costs for any year
- Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
4. 7th Annual NIH Pain Consortium Symposium: May 29-31
The 7th Annual NIH Pain Consortium Symposium, “Novel Approaches and Therapy Development for Pain Management,” will be held in conjunction with an FDA workshop, “Assessment of Analgesic Treatment of Chronic Pain,” from May 29 through May 31, 2012, at the Natcher Conference Center (Building 45) on the NIH campus.  The Symposium will focus on research advances related to therapy development of novel opioid and nonopiod analgesic formulations and approaches, and nonpharmacological strategies as adjuncts to pain management. Presentations will highlight NIH-funded studies that have made significant contributions to advancing the field of pain research. A poster session will include a broad selection of current pain research findings presented by talented young investigators. Members of the extramural scientific community, the NIH scientific community, health care providers, advocates, and the public are invited to attend. NINR Director Dr. Patricia A. Grady is a member of the Consortium’s Executive Committee. For more information or to register, visit http://www.cvent.com/d/2cq0dk. Back to Top
5. NINR IRP Biobehavioral Unit Seeks Postdoctoral Fellow
The Biobehavorial Unit of NINR’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) is now accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position.  The ideal candidate will participate in the Unit’s clinical and translational research program aiming to better understand the immuno-genetic mechanisms involved in symptom distress related to digestive and liver diseases, specifically the biobehavioral relationships between gut/barrier function, inflammation, and patient symptoms. This research aims to identify genetic or other biologic/physiologic factors that predict patient-related clinical outcomes. The Unit’s investigations include:
- Brain-Gut interactions in overweight and normal weight patients with chronic abdominal pain of unknown origin
- Immuno-genetic mechanisms involved in gastrointestinal symptom distress
- Clinical and translational biobehavioral applications
- Brain-Gut Liver Axis and barrier function as well as the genetic mechanisms underlying altered miRNA and mRNA expression in digestive disorders.
Requirements: Applicants should have a PhD degree, and/or an MD degree and less than 5 years of postdoctoral experience. For more information, visit http://www.training.nih.gov/postdoc_jobs_nih/view/_31/1182/Bio-behavioral_Applications_in_Digestive_Disorders. To Apply:
Email a CV, cover letter, a brief statement of research interests, and the names with phone numbers of three references to: Dr. Wendy A. Henderson
Investigator Chief, Biobehavioral Unit NINR Intramural Research Program Email: hendersw@mail.nih.gov
The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.
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7. 77th Meeting of the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research
The open session of the 77th meeting of the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research (NACNR) will take place on May 15, 2012, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room 6C6, Building 31, C wing, on the campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Visitors are welcome to attend. The NACNR meets three times a year to provide recommendations on the direction and support of the nursing, biomedical, social, and behavioral research that forms the evidence base for nursing practice. More information about the NACNR is available online at: http://www.ninr.nih.gov/AboutNINR/NACNR. Information on visiting the NIH campus is available online at: http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor/index.htm. Back to Top
News and Notes is the newsletter of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), part of the National Institutes of Health.
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