DOD Neurofibromatosis, Early Investigator Research Award | W81XWH 21 NFRP EIRA

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 21 NFRP EIRA

The DOD Neurofibromatosis, Early Investigator Research Award (EIRA) is a Department of Defense funding opportunity designed to help launch the careers of early-stage researchers who want to build a future in neurofibromatosis (NF) research. Its main purpose is to give a postdoctoral-level investigator the space, resources, and structured mentorship needed to develop and lead an NF-focused research project, tackle a specific scientific question in the field, and grow into an independent investigator. A key feature of this mechanism is that it is explicitly career-building as well as research-driving: it is meant to support intellectual development, research skill growth, and progression toward independence, rather than simply funding a standalone project.

In this award, the postdoctoral investigator is treated as the Principal Investigator (PI) on the application, signaling that the program expects the early investigator to take real ownership of the scientific direction and day-to-day leadership of the work. The PI is expected to show strong promise and a clear commitment to becoming a leading NF researcher. At the same time, prior experience working specifically in NF is not required, which makes the award accessible to talented researchers coming from adjacent disciplines who can bring useful methods, perspectives, or technologies into NF research.

Mentorship is not optional here; it is central to the award design. Each application must name at least one mentor whose expertise matches the proposed project and who can demonstrate both NF research experience and a proven record of mentoring. This track record is expected to be evidenced through active research funding, recent peer-reviewed publications, and documented success mentoring trainees. The program allows the primary mentor to be a junior faculty member, but in that case it strongly encourages adding a secondary mentor with a more established history in NF research and mentorship. Across the mentorship team, reviewers will be looking for a credible, well-supported plan showing that the mentor or mentors are genuinely committed to guiding the PI toward research independence, not simply providing nominal oversight.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is offered by the Department of Defense through the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). The listing identifies the opportunity as discretionary and supports funding via grants and/or cooperative agreements under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category (CFDA 12.420). Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), with the caveat that applicants must still follow any specific eligibility clarifications provided in the full announcement text. The funding opportunity number is W81XWH 21 NFRP EIRA, it was originally posted on April 30, 2021, and the original closing date was July 22, 2021. The announcement anticipated making about three awards, and the posted award ceiling is listed as 0, which typically indicates that the maximum award amount is not specified in the summary field and would need to be confirmed in the full funding announcement or associated program documents.

Overall, the EIRA is structured to bring promising postdoctoral investigators into NF research (including those new to the field), require meaningful mentorship from experienced NF researchers, and produce both scientific progress and a stronger pipeline of independent NF investigators over time.

• The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DOD Neurofibromatosis, Early Investigator Research Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 30, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 22, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for W81XWH 21 NFRP EIRA

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