Lupus Funding Available through Dept. of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program
January 25, 2010
The Department of Defense (DoD) has once again issued a Request for Proposals for medical research studies to be funded through the Congressionally Directed Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). Through its advocacy initiatives that began in 2003, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) pioneered efforts to have lupus and lupus biomarkers included as a disease area eligible for research funding through the PRMRP. The LFA made a persuasive case to DoD officials that described the relevance of lupus research to military personnel and their dependents. These efforts have opened a new source of much needed funds to support research on lupus.
The LFA is pleased that Congress has appropriated another $50 million in 2010 for the PRMRP, enabling funding of additional studies on lupus. Since including lupus and lupus biomarkers among the areas approved for funding, the PRMRP has awarded $7.1 million in new funding to support important studies.
According to the Department of Defense, the PRMRP was established in 1999 to provide support for military health-related research of clear scientific merit. Appropriations for the PRMRP from Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 through FY 2008 totaled $394.5 million.
The 2010 PRMRP award mechanisms are listed in the Program Announcement linked below. Mechanism-specific Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities, including submission deadlines, and General Application Instructions are anticipated to be posted on the Grants.gov and CDMRP websites (http://www.grants.gov and http://cdmrp.army.mil) in late January / early February 2010.
Funding for lupus research through the DoD and all other relevant federal agencies has been a long-recognized priority for LFA advocacy efforts. Due to the changing demographics of the military population, there is an ever-increasing prevalence of lupus in military and Veterans Hospital Clinics. The LFA recognized this emerging health issue and worked to have lupus included in the PRMRP to advance research on lupus, which ultimately will help military personnel and their families affected by lupus.
Related Information
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