DOD Epilepsy, Idea Development Award | W81XWH 22 ERP IDA

FAQs: DOD Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) FY22 Idea Development Award (IDA)

What is the DOD ERP FY22 Idea Development Award (IDA)?

The FY22 Idea Development Award (IDA) under the Department of Defense (DOD) Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) is a discretionary funding opportunity intended to spark novel, high-creativity research that can move the post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) field forward. The emphasis is on generating new ideas or approaches that increase understanding of PTE in ways that can ultimately improve quality of life.

What is the main purpose of this award?

The core goal is to advance understanding of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and support research that can realistically inform future clinical understanding, tools, or strategies. The opportunity specifically emphasizes relevance to Service Members, Veterans, and their families or care partners, and aims to push the field beyond standard approaches.

What types of research is this award trying to support?

This mechanism is designed for projects that are genuinely innovative and high-impact, including research that challenges existing assumptions, introduces new frameworks, reframes persistent problems, or applies innovative methods or perspectives to PTE. Even if a project is basic or mechanistic, it is expected to be positioned translationally (i.e., connected to how it could inform future clinical progress).

What is meant by "post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE)" in the context of this program?

The opportunity focuses on epilepsy that occurs following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The program expects applicants to address PTE directly and to demonstrate expertise spanning both TBI and epilepsy as part of credible PTE research.

How is innovation evaluated for this award?

Innovation is a defining requirement. Competitive applications are expected to present truly new ideas, new approaches, or creative reframing of established questions in PTE. Examples described in the opportunity include introducing a different conceptual model, adopting methods from another field, integrating data streams in a novel way, or asking questions that typical studies have not addressed.

What do reviewers emphasize when scoring applications?

Reviewers will heavily weigh impact, innovation, and military health relevance. Applicants are expected to clearly explain the near-term and long-term value to the PTE research landscape and the ways the work could influence patient care and daily life for people living with PTE.

How important is military relevance for this opportunity?

Military health relevance is a major expectation. Projects must connect clearly to military health needs related to PTE, with a strong emphasis on relevance to Service Members, Veterans, and their families or care partners.

Are collaborations with military or VA partners required?

No. Collaborations with military or VA clinicians and researchers are encouraged but not mandatory. The opportunity notes that such collaborations can strengthen real-world relevance and facilitate translation.

What are the two funding levels offered under this award?

The IDA is offered in two distinct funding levels tied to the Principal Investigator's career stage: Funding Level I (Pathway to Independence Option) and Funding Level II (Innovative New Direction Option).

Who should apply under Funding Level I (Pathway to Independence Option)?

Funding Level I targets postdoctoral fellows and early-stage investigators who are within three years of their first independent faculty appointment (or an equivalent position), as described in the eligibility criteria.

Who should apply under Funding Level II (Innovative New Direction Option)?

Funding Level II is intended for established independent investigators at the level of assistant professor or higher (or equivalent), based on the eligibility criteria described in the opportunity.

Can an applicant choose either funding level?

No. Applicants must select the funding level that matches their career status and must meet the specific criteria in the opportunity's eligibility section.

What are the maximum direct cost caps for each funding level?

The maximum anticipated direct costs for the full period of performance are capped at $300,000 for Funding Level I and $550,000 for Funding Level II.

How many awards did the program plan to make?

The program planned to make about six total awards, roughly three at each funding level. Actual awards depend on federal funding availability and the number and quality of applications received.

How much funding was estimated for each level?

The estimated allocation described was about $1.44 million for Level I and $2.64 million for Level II, subject to federal availability and application pressure.

Are preliminary data required to apply?

No. Preliminary data are encouraged but not required, which is intended to lower the barrier for bold or early-stage ideas.

If preliminary data are not required, what feasibility evidence is still expected?

Applicants still need to demonstrate feasibility and capability. The opportunity specifically notes that applicants must provide evidence they can carry out the chosen TBI model in their lab or through a collaborator, even without full preliminary results.

What expertise is required on the study team?

The study team must convincingly demonstrate expertise in post-traumatic epilepsy research, specifically spanning both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy. The PI may come from any discipline, but the application must show the team has the appropriate mix of knowledge and experience to execute credible PTE work.

What kinds of studies are allowed (and not allowed) under this opportunity?

Clinical trials are not allowed. Permitted research can include preclinical studies (such as animal models), observational research involving human participants, research using human anatomical substances, and studies based on human data. Ancillary studies tied to an existing clinical trial can also be acceptable.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. The program explicitly does not allow clinical trials under this opportunity.

What does the opportunity say about using existing cohorts or large-scale resources?

When relevant, applicants are encouraged to leverage existing cohorts and large-scale resources such as TRACK-TBI, the TBI Model Systems, and LIMBIC-CENC. Using these resources can strengthen feasibility, accelerate progress, and improve generalizability by building on established infrastructure.

Do proposed projects have to fit specific focus areas?

Projects should align with one or more stated FY22 ERP focus areas, or applicants should make a compelling case that an alternative topic is essential to advancing PTE knowledge and fits the ERP mission.

What does "translationally" mean in this announcement?

The opportunity expects applicants to think about how the work could realistically inform future clinical understanding, tools, or strategies. This applies even to basic or mechanistic research, which should be positioned with a clear line of sight to future clinical or practical relevance.

Is community involvement required?

No. Community involvement is encouraged but not required.

What kinds of community involvement does the opportunity encourage?

The opportunity highlights meaningful, non-tokenistic approaches that involve people affected by PTE in the research process. Examples include community-based participatory research (CBPR), participatory action research (PAR), and integrated knowledge translation (IKT), as well as having advisors with lived PTE experience, partnering with community-based organizations, or forming a community advisory board for ongoing input.

What is the purpose of encouraging community involvement?

The stated goal is to keep research responsive to real needs and to ensure results are interpreted and shared in ways that are useful to affected communities, potentially supporting future interventions or policy improvements.

What does the DOD expect regarding rigor and reproducibility?

The program places strong emphasis on rigor and reproducibility. Projects are expected to incorporate best practices in study design and reporting, including randomization, blinding, appropriate sample-size estimation, and transparent data handling.

Are there specific guidelines mentioned for animal studies?

Yes. Applicants working with animal models are directed to follow established standards such as the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines and broader recommendations intended to improve predictive value and translational potential in preclinical studies.

What type of award instrument will be used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

Awards are issued as assistance agreements, meaning the government is supporting a public-purpose research effort rather than buying a service for direct government use. The award may be structured as either a grant or a cooperative agreement depending on anticipated DOD involvement.

When would this be a cooperative agreement instead of a grant?

If substantial government involvement is expected (such as collaboration or participation in aspects of the research), the award is structured as a cooperative agreement. If substantial involvement is not expected, it is structured as a grant.

Who determines the final award structure and start date?

The final award structure and start date are determined during negotiations.

What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?

The funding opportunity number is W81XWH 22 ERP IDA.

Which agency administers this opportunity?

The administering agency is listed as the Department of Defense (Department of the Army - USAMRAA).

What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number?

The assistance listing (CFDA) number provided is 12.420.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broadly open to applicants (unrestricted), subject to the specific clarifications and career-stage criteria described in the full announcement's eligibility section.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline listed was June 23, 2022.

When were awards expected to be made?

Awards were expected no later than September 30, 2023.

What appropriations fiscal year funds these awards?

Funds for awards made from this opportunity were expected to come from FY22 appropriations.

How long were the FY22 funds expected to remain available?

The opportunity notes that FY22 funds were expected to be available until September 30, 2028, reflecting the limited period during which those federal funds can be used.