DoD Epilepsy, Quality of Life Research Award | W81XWH 21 ERP QOL

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 21 ERP QOL

The DoD Epilepsy, Quality of Life Research Award (FY21 ERP QOL; Funding Opportunity Number W81XWH-21-ERP-QOL) is a research funding opportunity run through the Department of Defense (Department of the Army, USAMRAA) under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). Its main purpose is to fund patient-centered research that either improves or more clearly explains quality of life and quality of care for people living with post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), including the ripple effects on families and caregivers. The program is explicitly looking for projects that are both innovation-based and impact-based, meaning applicants need to show not only that the idea is creative or paradigm-shifting, but also that it is likely to produce meaningful, real-world benefits for military personnel, Veterans, and civilians affected by PTE.

A key feature of this award is that it is tightly focused on quality of life outcomes rather than basic mechanistic or preclinical work. In fact, animal research is not allowed, reflecting the program’s emphasis on direct relevance to people living with PTE and those supporting them. Proposed studies are expected to challenge conventional approaches or introduce unusually creative strategies within the Epilepsy Research Program’s broader mission. Examples of appropriate directions include work aimed at symptom reduction (cognitive, behavioral, functional, or mood-related symptoms), identification of resiliency factors, strategies that help people maintain or regain independence, and interventions or supports that reduce burden on families and caregivers. Applications are also expected to demonstrate that the team has relevant expertise in PTE research, and in some cases broader experience spanning traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy.

All applications must address the FY21 ERP QOL Focus Area: “Quality of Life,” defined broadly as understanding and improving life quality for individuals with PTE as well as their families and caregivers. The announcement lists several example topic areas that fit this focus, including psychosocial factors; neuropsychological dysfunction such as cognition and memory problems; behavioral health concerns like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and impulsivity; general wellness; stigma reduction; activities of daily living (ADLs); reducing healthcare disparities (for example, through adjunct programs, support groups, or improved access to care); sleep disorders; and medication side effects. In practice, that means proposals can be intervention-oriented (testing programs, tools, models of care, or supports) or understanding-oriented (identifying drivers of poor quality of life and modifiable targets), as long as they remain clearly tied to PTE and emphasize patient-centered outcomes.

The award is offered at two funding levels that match different career stages and project maturities. Funding Level I is structured as a mentored option. The Principal Investigator can come from any field, but must include at least one mentor with strong qualifications and experience in PTE research. The application must spell out how the mentor will actively support the PI during the project period to help them develop toward independent research, including specifics on the planned interaction frequency and types (for example, regular meetings, hands-on guidance with study design, analysis, publication strategy, and career development). The mentor’s record of mentoring early-career investigators in TBI and PTE research is also part of what reviewers expect to see, and the PI still needs to show they have sufficient experience to complete the proposed work.

Funding Level II is designed for more advanced, hypothesis-driven or objective-driven studies. While applicants can still come from any discipline, the expectation is that the study team collectively demonstrates experience in both TBI and epilepsy, reflecting the program’s interest in projects that can credibly address the realities of PTE as a condition emerging in the context of brain injury. Across both levels, preliminary data is encouraged but not required. If included, it can come from the PI’s prior publications, pilot studies, or peer-reviewed literature; for Funding Level I, preliminary evidence can also come from the mentor’s published work, which helps newer investigators build a strong rationale.

On the administrative side, awards are made as assistance agreements, meaning the government is supporting a public purpose rather than buying a product or service for direct federal use. Depending on the expected level of DoD involvement, an award may be issued as a grant (when no substantial involvement is anticipated) or as a cooperative agreement (when substantial involvement is anticipated, such as collaboration or participation by the funding agency in certain aspects of the work). The final instrument type and the start date are determined during award negotiations. An additional program requirement is that the named PI must attend a yearly, one-day In-Progress Review (IPR) meeting starting in the second year of the award and continuing through the remaining project years to present updates or share results, which underscores the program’s emphasis on accountability and dissemination.

Funding caps are set as direct cost limits over the full period of performance. For Funding Level I, the maximum anticipated direct costs are 300,000. For Funding Level II, the maximum anticipated direct costs are 500,000. The program planned to make about four total awards, roughly two at each level, with an estimated allocation of about 0.96 million for Level I and 1.60 million for Level II, though actual funding decisions depend on federal fund availability and on scientific and programmatic review outcomes. The opportunity was posted April 13, 2021 with an original closing date of July 21, 2021, and awards were expected to be made no later than September 30, 2022. The funding was anticipated to use FY21 funds that would remain available for obligation and use within the DoD’s time limits, with the notice indicating an expiration for use on September 30, 2027. Eligibility is broadly “unrestricted,” meaning many entity types can apply, subject to any additional constraints described in the full announcement.

In practical terms, the strongest applications for this opportunity are the ones that keep PTE quality of life at the center, propose a clearly novel and realistic approach, demonstrate credible expertise (or mentorship, for Level I), and make a convincing case that the results could change care, support systems, or day-to-day functioning for people with PTE and those who care for them.

• 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 Epilepsy, Quality of Life 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 13, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 21, 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 4 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 ERP QOL

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