Resources for Researchers

Welcome to the American Tinnitus Association's Researcher Resource Page.
Here you will find the latest research funding announcements, information about the results of ATA's advocacy efforts and links to important facts, statistics and published research articles.

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Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program
Exploratory/Developmental Phased Innovation (R21/R33) Grants Available
Latest Funding Opportunities: $40.6 Million for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury Research!
ATA's Continuing Efforts to Increase Research Funding
Resources and Statistical Information on Tinnitus in Military Populations
Helpful Research Articles
Web Resources

Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program

Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) is currently accepting proposals for four award mechanisms:
Clinical Trial Award / Concept Award / Investigator-Initiated Award / Technology/Therapeutic Award

Clinical Trial Award

Elements: Must address an FY10 Topic Area; Supports rapid implementation of clinical trials of novel interventions; IND* or IDE† applications should be submitted prior to proposal submission; Supports research that is responsive to the health care needs of the Armed Forces, their family members, and/or the U.S. veteran population; Clinical trial should be initiated within 12 months of award

Submission Deadlines: Pre-Application (LOI)**: April 22, 2010; Application: May 13, 2010

Funding Levels: Maximum funding of $2.2M in direct costs (plus indirect costs); Maximum period of performance is 5 years

Eligibility: Investigators at or above the level of an Assistant Professor (or equivalent)

Concept Award

Elements: Must address an FY10 Topic Area; Supports the exploration of a highly innovative new concept or untested theory; Use of human subjects and human biological substances must be exempt under Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 219, Section 101(b)(32 CFR 219.101[b]).

Submission Deadlines: Pre-Application: March 25, 2010; Application: April 8, 2010

Funding Levels: Maximum funding of $75,000 in direct costs; (plus indirect costs); Period of performance not to exceed 1 year

Eligibility: All investigators

Investigator-Initiated Award

Elements: Must address an FY10 Topic Area; Supports military-relevant health-related research that will make an original and important contribution to a field of research or patient care; Supports research that is responsive to the health care needs of the Armed Forces, their family members, and/or the U.S. veteran population; Partnering Principal Investigator option available; Clinical trials will not be funded

Submission Deadlines: Pre-Application: March 11, 2010; Application: August 5, 2010

Funding Levels: Maximum funding of $725,000 for direct costs; Maximum period of performance is 3 years

Eligibility: Investigators at or above the level of an Assistant Professor (or equivalent)

Technology/Therapeutic Award

Elements: Must address an FY10 Topic Area; Product-oriented: Supports military-relevant health-related development of pharmacologic agents (drugs or biologicals), devices, and/or clinical guidance that has the potential to make a strong impact on patient care; Supports research that is responsive to the health care needs of the Armed Forces, their family members, and/or the U.S. Veteran population; Clinical trials will not be funded

Submission Deadlines: Pre-Application (LOI): April 22, 2010; Application: May 13, 2010

Funding Levels: Maximum funding of $1.7M for direct costs; Maximum period of performance is 4 years

Eligibility: Investigators at or above the level of an Assistant Professor (or equivalent)

*Investigational New Drug
+ Investigational Device Exemption
** Letter of Intent

For complete details on the FY10 Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program visit: http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/prmrp.htm
 

Exploratory/Developmental Phased Innovation (R21/R33) Grants Available

There are two R21/R33 grants available for translation and clinical research:
PAR- 09-056 / PAR- 09-057

These Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) promote the development of new efficacious intervention, treatment and diagnostic tools in the communication sciences. The goal is to develop new or enhanced diagnostic, intervention and treatment paradigms with potential for widespread, cost-effective application in the NIDCD mission areas of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language.

PAR- 09-056 Details

The companion PAR-09-056 FOA, "Improving Intervention Possibilities for Communication Disorders", encourages new or early-stage experimental approaches at the basic science level, with the intent to develop markedly different intervention, diagnostic, or treatment tools with implementation possible in a longer time frame (~10 years).

Project and budget period: Five year maximum project length. The R21 phase may not exceed two years or $275,000 in direct costs, with no more than $150,000 in direct costs in any single year of the R21 phase. The R33 phase may not exceed four years (assumes the R21 component is for one year) or $1.5M in direct costs with no more than $400,000 in direct costs in any single year of the R33 phase.

Letters of intent receipt date: May 28, 2010

Application due date: June 28, 2010

Expiration date: June 29, 2010

For complete details on the PAR-09-056 funding announcement please visit:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-056.html

PAR- 09-057 Details

The PAR-09-057 FOA, "Improving Interventions for Communication Disorders", is targeted towards translational or clinical research approaches and methodologies with the potential for immediate or short-term (~5 years) successful intervention outcomes in patient-oriented populations.

Budget and project period: 5 year maximum project length. The R21 phase may not exceed two years or $275,000 in direct costs, with no more than $150,000 in direct costs in any single year of the R21 phase. The R33 phase may not exceed four years or $1.5 M in direct costs with no more than $400,000 in direct costs in any single year of the R33 phase. Separate detailed (non-modular) budgets are required for the R21 and R33 phases.

Letters of Intent receipt date: May 28, 2010

Application due date: June 28, 2010

Expiration date: June 29, 2010

For complete details on this funding announcement please visit:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-057.html

Scientific/Research Contact (research/scientific-specific questions):

Amy Donahue, Ph.D.
Division of Scientific Programs
NIDCD
6120 Executive Blvd, EPS 400C MSC 7180
Bethesda, MD 20892-7180
Telephone: (301) 402-3458
Fax: (301) 402-6251
E-mail: donahuea@nidcd.nih.gov

Financial/Grants Management Contact (financial/grant management-specific questions):

Mr. Christopher Myers
Division of Extramural Activities
NIDCD
6120 Executive Blvd, EPS 400B MSC 7180
Bethesda, MD 20892-7180
Telephone: (301) 402-0909
Fax: (301) 402-1758
E-mail: myersc@mail.nih.gov

$40.6 Million Available for Psychological Health (PH) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Research

A program administered by the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) through the Office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) is making $40.6 million available to support basic, applied, translational and clinical research across the spectrum of Psychological Health (PH) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) for the purpose of understanding the etiology of these conditions. The goal of this program is to increase understanding of the etiology of PH problems, TBI, and associated comorbidities (like tinnitus) in order to arrive at evidence-based best practice solutions.
 
Five types of proposals are being accepted:
 
1. Studies aimed at improving the understanding of military-related psychological health issues in specific areas of interest.
 
2. Studies to examine cellular regrowth and interconnection strategies and therapies in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
 
3. Research on evidence-based prevention and rehabilitation strategies for TBI, PTSD, and co-occurring conditions encompassing cognitive, motor, emotional, psychological and sensory functioning.
 
4. Three-dimensional (3-D) models of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast waves to develop equipment to mitigate injury to service members.
 
5. PH and/or TBI research exploring the use of advanced neuroimaging, behavioral and/or genetic information to identify biomarkers, develop diagnostics and treatments for semi-acute, acute, and chronic injury stages, and the possible integration of informatics and advanced computational research to better understand the intersection of psychological health and TBI.
 
There are three award mechanisms:

1. Concept: $300K up to 18 months for exploration of a highly innovative new concept or untested theory that will enhance existing knowledge of PH/TBI. Investigators at all academic levels are eligible.
 
2. Investigator-Initiated Research: $1 million up to 4 years supports basic laboratory through translational research including preclinical studies in animal models or human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial. Independent investigators at all academic levels are eligible.
 
3. Advanced Technology- Therapeutic Development: $6 million up to 5 years for the assessment of scientific and/or military field deployment feasibility for promising new products, pharmacologic agents (drugs or biologics), behavioral interventions, devices, clinical guidance and/or emerging approaches and technologies. Independent investigators at all academic levels are eligible.
 
For more information about the PH/TBI Research Program funding opportunity or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website at http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/reftable.htm#12 or contact Gail Whitehead, Public Affairs Coordinator, CDMRP, at 301-619-7783 or e-mail gail.whitehead@amedd.army.mil for additional information.
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ATA's Continuing Efforts to Increase Research Funding

For a second consecutive year, ATA's advocacy efforts have resulted in tinnitus research funding available through the Department of Defense (DoD). The 2009 Appropriations bill includes requests for tinnitus-related proposals for the DoD's $50 million Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). This program was established by Congress in 1999 to study combat-related illness.

For the second year in a row, tinnitus is the number one service-connected disability for returning Global War on Terror veterans. This sharp increase is disconcerting, but we are pleased that our advocacy efforts have resulted in this opportunity for tinnitus investigators to continue and broaden their work toward finding a cure for all who suffer.

We are also excited to inform you that two tinnitus investigators have been awarded funding for their tinnitus proposals submitted for the 2008 funding allocation of $50 million - tinnitus research garnered nearly $2 million of that allocation all on its own. Competing with 21 other maladies and hundreds of proposals, Drs. Hinrich Staecker, current ATA Scientific Advisory Committee member, and Didier Depireux  are the recipients of these Investigator Initiated awards. You can read more about their projects here.
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Resources and Statistical Information on Tinnitus in Military Populations

The following documents provide current statistical information, research and resources on tinnitus in military populations. ATA is happy to provide this helpful information to you at the click of your mouse.

  • This military fact sheet provides data on the incidence of tinnitus within military populations, as well as the alarming increase in tinnitus seen over the past six years.
  • These graphs provide startling visuals of the increase in incidence of tinnitus within veterans since 2001. Additionally they illustrate the rising cost of disability compensating veterans for tinnitus disability and provide projections out to 2011, should these trends continue.
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently reported that tinnitus is the number-one service connected disability for Global War on Terror veterans for the second year in a row. These charts demonstrate that increase and indicate that factors other than noise exposure may be contributing to tinnitus in military personnel, given that there has not been such a dramatic increase in hearing loss disability claims.
  • The PRMRP's annual report from 2007 provides a snapshot of the types of grant proposals received and funded during the 2007 funding cycle.
  • The Veterans Independent Budget for 2010 provides an editorial of the issues surrounding tinnitus in both active duty and veterans populations.

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Helpful Research Articles

Cave, K.M, Cornish, E.M., Chandler D.W. (2007). Blast injury of the ear: clinical update from the global war on terror. Military Medicine, 172(7), 726-730. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17691685?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
 
Chandler, D. (2006, July 11). Blast-related ear injury in current U.S. military operations. The ASHA Leader, 11(9), 8-9, 29. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from http://www.asha.org/about/publications/leader-online/archives/2006/060711/f060711a2.htm
 
Fagelson, M.A. (2007). The association between tinnitus and posttraumatic stress disorder. American Journal of Audiology, 16(2), 107-117.
 
Helfer T.M., Jordan N.N., Lee R.B. (2005). Postdeployment hearing loss in U.S. Army soldiers seen at audiology clinics from April 1, 2003, through March 31, 2004. American Journal of Audiology, 14(2), 161-168.
 
Hinton D.E., Chhean D., Pich V., Hofmann S.G., Barlow D.H. (2006). Tinnitus among Cambodian refugees: relationship to PTSD severity. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19(4), 541-546.
 
Humes, L., Joellenbeck, L., M., Durch, J. (2006). Noise and Military Service: Implications for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus. Washington, D.C., The National Academies Press.
 
Lew H.L., Jerger J.F., Guillory S.B., Henry J.A. (2007). Auditory dysfunction in traumatic brain injury. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 44(7), 921-928.
 
Mrena, R., Savolainen, S., Kuokkanen, J.T., Ylikoski, J. (2002). Characteristics of Tinnitus Induced by Acute Acoustic Trauma: A Long-Term Follow-Up. Audiology & Neuro-Otology, 7, 122-130.

Tinnitus and military search terms:

Tinnitus, blast exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), global war on terror, soldiers, veterans, traumatic brain injury (TBI), military, service-connected disability.

Related Web links:

Troops Return with Alarming Rates of Hearing Loss
 

Web Resources

Google Scholar: www.scholar.google.com
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center: http://www.dvbic.org  
Don't Leave Your Questions Unanswered

Learn more about ATA’s research grant program, which awards up to $300,000 over three years.

ATA's staff is here to help you find answers to your questions.
For research related questions, contact our Director of Research, Daniel Born at daniel@ata.org.
For PRMRP program related questions, contact our Associate Executive Director, Jennifer DuPriest at jennifer@ata.org.

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