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.Apply for W81XWH 21 ERP QOL
- 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.
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FAQs: DoD Epilepsy, Quality of Life Research Award (FY21 ERP QOL)
What is the FY21 ERP Quality of Life (QOL) Research Award?
The DoD Epilepsy, Quality of Life Research Award (FY21 ERP QOL; Funding Opportunity Number W81XWH-21-ERP-QOL) is a Department of Defense research funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). It supports patient-centered research focused on quality of life and quality of care outcomes for people living with post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), including effects on families and caregivers.
What is the main purpose of this award?
The purpose is to fund innovation-based and impact-based projects that improve, or more clearly explain, quality of life and quality of care for individuals with PTE. The opportunity emphasizes real-world benefits for military personnel, Veterans, and civilians affected by PTE, along with the broader ripple effects on caregivers and families.
What is the required focus area for all applications?
All applications must address the FY21 ERP QOL Focus Area: "Quality of Life." This is defined broadly as understanding and improving quality of life for individuals with PTE and for their families and caregivers.
What kinds of research topics are considered responsive to the Quality of Life focus?
The announcement provides example topic areas aligned with the focus, including psychosocial factors; neuropsychological dysfunction (such as cognition and memory problems); behavioral health concerns (anxiety, depression, PTSD, impulsivity); general wellness; stigma reduction; activities of daily living (ADLs); reducing healthcare disparities (including adjunct programs, support groups, and improved access to care); sleep disorders; and medication side effects.
Does the program support both intervention studies and studies that aim to understand drivers of quality of life?
Yes. Projects may be intervention-oriented (for example, testing programs, tools, models of care, supports) or understanding-oriented (for example, identifying drivers of poor quality of life and modifiable targets), as long as they are clearly tied to PTE and emphasize patient-centered outcomes.
Is animal or preclinical research allowed under this award?
No. Animal research is not allowed. The program is tightly focused on direct relevance to people living with PTE and those supporting them, rather than mechanistic or preclinical work.
How does the award define what it wants to fund in terms of "innovation" and "impact"?
The program explicitly looks for projects that are both innovation-based and impact-based. That means an application should show the idea is creative or paradigm-shifting and also make a convincing case that it is likely to produce meaningful, real-world benefits (for example, changes in care, support systems, or day-to-day functioning for people with PTE and caregivers).
What are examples of the types of outcomes or aims the program encourages?
Examples described include efforts aimed at symptom reduction (cognitive, behavioral, functional, or mood-related symptoms), identification of resiliency factors, strategies to help individuals maintain or regain independence, and interventions or supports that reduce burden on families and caregivers.
What are the two funding levels available?
The award is offered at two levels: Funding Level I (a mentored option) and Funding Level II (intended for more advanced hypothesis-driven or objective-driven studies).
Who is Funding Level I intended for?
Funding Level I is structured as a mentored option and aligns with earlier career stages or investigators who would benefit from formal mentorship to develop toward independent research while completing the proposed project.
What mentorship requirements apply to Funding Level I?
The Funding Level I Principal Investigator (PI) must include at least one mentor with strong qualifications and experience in PTE research. The application must describe how the mentor will actively support the PI during the project period, including specifics such as frequency and types of interactions (for example, regular meetings, guidance on study design, analysis, publication strategy, and career development). Reviewers also expect to see the mentor's record of mentoring early-career investigators in TBI and PTE research.
Does the Funding Level I PI need prior experience even though the mechanism is mentored?
Yes. While it is a mentored mechanism, the PI still needs to demonstrate sufficient experience to complete the proposed work.
Who is Funding Level II intended for?
Funding Level II is designed for more advanced projects that are hypothesis-driven or objective-driven, with expectations that the study team can credibly address PTE in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
What expertise is expected for Funding Level II teams?
The expectation is that the study team collectively demonstrates experience in both TBI and epilepsy, reflecting the program's interest in research that addresses the realities of PTE as a condition emerging after brain injury.
Is preliminary data required to apply?
No. Preliminary data is encouraged but not required for either funding level.
What kinds of preliminary evidence are acceptable if an applicant includes it?
If included, preliminary evidence may come from prior publications, pilot studies, or peer-reviewed literature. For Funding Level I, preliminary evidence may also come from the mentor's published work to support the rationale for newer investigators.
What is the maximum budget allowed for each funding level?
Funding caps are set as direct cost limits for the full period of performance. Funding Level I allows up to 300,000 in direct costs. Funding Level II allows up to 500,000 in direct costs.
How many awards did the program plan to make?
The program planned to make about four total awards, roughly two at each funding level, subject to federal funds availability and scientific and programmatic review outcomes.
How much total funding was anticipated for each level?
The estimated allocation was about 0.96 million for Funding Level I and 1.60 million for Funding Level II, with actual awards dependent on available funds and review results.
What type of award instrument is used (grant vs cooperative agreement)?
Awards are made as assistance agreements. Depending on the anticipated level of DoD involvement, an award may be issued as a grant (when no substantial involvement is expected) or as a cooperative agreement (when substantial involvement is expected, such as collaboration or participation by the funding agency in certain aspects of the work).
Who decides whether the award will be a grant or a cooperative agreement?
The final instrument type is determined during award negotiations based on the expected level of DoD involvement.
When is the project start date determined?
The start date is determined during award negotiations.
Is there a required annual meeting for funded investigators?
Yes. The PI is required to 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 populations are emphasized as beneficiaries of the research?
The opportunity emphasizes meaningful benefits for military personnel, Veterans, and civilians affected by post-traumatic epilepsy, as well as families and caregivers impacted by PTE.
Is eligibility limited to certain organization types?
Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," meaning many entity types may apply, subject to any additional constraints described in the full announcement.
When was this funding opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on April 13, 2021, with an original closing date of July 21, 2021.
By when were awards expected to be made?
Awards were expected to be made no later than September 30, 2022.
What is the noted expiration date for use of the FY21 funds referenced in the notice?
The notice indicates the FY21 funds were anticipated to remain available for obligation and use within DoD time limits, with an expiration for use noted as September 30, 2027.
What makes an application "strong" for this opportunity based on the description?
Strong applications keep PTE quality of life at the center, propose a clearly novel and realistic approach, demonstrate credible PTE-relevant expertise (or strong mentorship for Funding Level I), and make a convincing case that results could change care, support systems, or day-to-day functioning for individuals with PTE and those who care for them.
Is this award intended to purchase a product or service for direct federal use?
No. The award is an assistance agreement, which supports a public purpose rather than procurement of a product or service for direct federal use.
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