DoD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy | W81XWH 20 DMDRP TRPA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Department of Defense (DoD) Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) program award titled the FY20 DMDRP Translational Research Partnership Award (TRPA), funding opportunity number W81XWH-20-DMDRP-TRPA. It is intended to move promising DMD research beyond basic science and closer to clinical use.

What is the main purpose of the award?

The central purpose is translation: advancing reasonably developed ideas, approaches, or candidate interventions toward outcomes that could affect clinical research or patient care in the near term. The focus is on projects with a clear clinical trajectory rather than early exploratory or purely basic research.

Is preliminary data required?

Yes. The program expects DMD-relevant preliminary data that supports feasibility and indicates the project has momentum appropriate for translational work.

How many Principal Investigators (PIs) are required?

Applications must include two independent Principal Investigators who jointly shape the science and share intellectual ownership of the project. This is a defining requirement of the mechanism.

Do the two PIs need to have different but complementary expertise?

Yes. The partnership is expected to be built around complementary expertise, with the work structured so that success depends on the distinct skills, contributions, and decision-making of both partners.

Is a clinician-scientist partnership encouraged?

Yes. Partnerships pairing a research scientist with a clinician are strongly encouraged, reflecting the emphasis on clinically meaningful translation and practical implementation.

Does at least one PI need direct DMD experience?

Yes. At least one partner must bring direct expertise in either DMD research or DMD patient care.

Can a clinical partner be included only to provide patient access or tissue samples?

No. The announcement explicitly notes that a project where a clinical partner only provides patient access or supplies tissue samples does not fit the intent. The collaboration must be substantive and integrated into how the research is designed and executed.

What kinds of research activities are within scope?

The scope includes translational studies aimed at developing or advancing drugs, devices, and other interventions. It also includes pilot or proof-of-principle clinical trials and correlative studies that can inform therapeutic development.

Are clinical trials allowed?

Yes. Pilot or proof-of-principle clinical trials are included as part of the supported scope, as well as correlative studies relevant to therapeutic development.

Does the program emphasize any particular patient populations?

Yes. The program places special emphasis on therapies that could be effective across the lifespan, and it particularly encourages work relevant to adolescents and adults, who may be underrepresented in some DMD therapy development pathways.

What makes a project a good fit for this partnership mechanism?

A strong fit is a project that addresses a critical DMD problem or question in a way that would be difficult to accomplish if each investigator worked separately, demonstrating that the collaboration materially changes what is achievable.

What collaboration planning details are expected in the application?

The application must include a clear operational plan describing how the investigators (and any participating institutions) will work together. This includes specifics on communication routines, coordination of research progress and interpretation of results, and how data will be transferred and shared.

Is an intellectual property (IP) plan required?

If the partnership spans multiple institutions, an intellectual property plan is required. The intent is to anticipate and resolve potential barriers related to intellectual and material property so institutional issues do not slow collaboration or limit follow-through.

What are the roles of the Initiating PI and Partnering PI?

One investigator is designated as the Initiating PI and typically handles most submission-related administrative responsibilities. The other serves as the Partnering PI. Despite this administrative split, both PIs are expected to contribute substantially to the core proposal content, including the project narrative and statement of work.

If selected, is the award structured as one grant or two?

Each PI is named on an individual award within the recipient organization, reflecting the program's emphasis on a balanced partnership rather than a single-lead model with a minor collaborator.

Who is the sponsoring organization?

The opportunity is offered by the Department of Defense through the Department of the Army, USAMRAA, under CFDA 12.420.

What types of applicants are eligible?

Eligibility is described as broad and not restricted by entity type, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications provided in the full notice.

What funding instrument will be used?

The funding instrument can be either a cooperative agreement or a grant.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on May 28, 2020, with an original closing date of December 7, 2020.

How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making two awards.

What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?

The summarized source data shows the award ceiling as 0, which typically indicates the summarized record does not provide the budget cap. Applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits or detailed budget guidance.