Federal Education Grants

To establish a Data Center to coordinate and analyze single cell and other molecular data sets generated by Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) and other NIDA-funded HIV and substance use disorder projects and to make the data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) to enable secondary analyses by the scientific community. This is a non-competitive funding opportunity intended to fund a single award. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is announcing its intent to issue a single source cooperative agreement award to the University of Maryland Baltimore to 1. Coordinate all the data generated by the SCORCH consortium, 2. Analyze all the data generated by the SCORCH consortium, 3. Perform necessary SCORCH program scientific outreach activities, and 4. Support SCORCH consortium communication. The current SCORCH Data Center is integrated with the rest of the SCORCH consortium and is familiar with the current data, metadata, and data quality metric standards and data pipelines. They were involved in establishing these standards and have been/are working closely with key personnel on SCORCH data generation projects to ensure data and associated metadata are deposited. Continued support of the University of Maryland Baltimore SCORCH Data Center to complete the SCORCH Program activities will enable seamless SCORCH data coordination and archiving, will prevent disruption in data analysis, and will allow continued support of the currently existing SCORCH website which is the scientific face of the SCORCH program. Background Single Nucleus Assays: Molecular analysis of brain tissue typically relies on ensemble averaging of heterogenous mixtures of cell types within a specific brain region. However, technological advances enable molecular characterization of large numbers of individual cells. Single cell approaches can uncover effects on rarer cell types and have the potential to reveal cellular differences resulting from specific niche environments or transitory cellular states. Some single cell technologies in use include single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), single nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq), single nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin-sequencing (snATAC-seq), single cell Hi-C, and spatial genomics approaches such as multiplexed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Individual researchers as well as large project teams including the Human Cell Atlas, Common Fund Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP), and NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) are exploiting these technologies to understand the diversity of cell types within the human body as well as their functions in human health and disease. Addictive Substances. Chronic exposure to addictive substances can lead to long term changes in brain function and to substance use disorders (SUDs). Many known brain regions are involved in addictive processes including the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, striatum, insula, amygdala, and hippocampus. Despite great advances in our understanding of molecular pathways and circuits involved in SUDs, there remains limited knowledge concerning 1. The specific types, numbers, and gene expression profiles of cells within these brain regions and 2. How exposures to addictive substances influence the states and functions of these cells. HIV/ART. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has, in large part, transformed the HIV epidemic into a chronic manageable disease in the United States. However, people living with HIV remain at higher risk for impaired cognitive functions (e.g. HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder [HAND]). Use of addictive substances by HIV-infected individuals has the potential to further alter immune function and/or exacerbate HIV-related CNS impairment. However, little is known about 1. The effects of persistent HIV infection or HIV treatment regimens on gene expression in specific CNS cell types in key brain regions, or 2. How chronic addictive substance use might modify these effects. SCORCH. The Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium was formed to begin to address scientific questions about addiction and HIV/ART questions at the single cell level. Fifteen funded SCORCH data generation projects (NIDA SCORCH Program) have been generating brain snRNA-seq or snATAC-seq data. Four brain types are being assayed by all groups: control, drug-exposed/SUD, HIV+, and HIV+drug exposed/SUD. Emphasis is on individuals with chronic exposure to opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, or cannabinoids. Four groups are generating data from non-human primate brain, four from rodent brain, and nine from human post-mortem brain with some data from human organoids as well. The SCORCH data coordination, analysis, and scientific outreach center was established to standardize and share the single cell molecular HIV/SUD data generated by this program by ensuring that the data is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). Harmonized molecular and single cell HIV/SUD data sets will enable data mining by the scientific community to uncover new HIV and/or SUD mechanisms and to identify candidate pathways for therapeutic intervention. The SCORCH Data Center will also enable future mining of these data sets as improved data science and information technology approaches are developed, maximizing NIDA ’s original investment in the data generating activities. Scope. The proposed project should be framed to answer one or more vexing questions about persistent HIV infection in the brain. In addition, the major thrust of the proposed project MUST: Propose to coordinate and analyze single cell and other molecular data sets generated by SCORCH and other NIDA-funded HIV and substance use disorder projects. Propose to make this data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) to enable secondary analyses by the scientific community. Applicants are encouraged to contact NIDA program staff to answer any questions. Key activities of the SCORCH Data Center will be to: Work with SCORCH consortium members to ensure that all data and metadata have standardized formats and associated quality metrics and have been processed through standardized pipelines. Associate new SCORCH data with clinical metadata from the appropriate brain banks or tissue sources. Work closely with the SCORCH consortium PD(s)/PI(s) to analyze the data generated, to develop analysis strategies to integrate the datasets in synergistic ways with other relevant datasets, and to share useful information and insights about these data with the broader biomedical research community. It is anticipated that the SCORCH Data Center will lead an integrative analysis of all the SCORCH single cell data in a capstone publication. Develop strategies to enable and improve coordination, analysis, and sharing of spatial genomics and related data types. Develop strategies to enable and improve coordination, analysis, and sharing of data types from spatially and/or functionally resolved cellular assemblies relevant to HIV or addiction. Examples include but are not limited to anatomical structures, functional networks and ensembles characterized under PAR-20-241/ RFA-DA-22-011/ RFA-DA-23-035 “Large Scale Integrated Mapping and Molecular Profiling of Cell Ensembles and/or Cell-Types Mediating Opioid Action in the Rodent Brain” and RFA-DA-23-036 “Investigating the Effects of Addictive Substances on Brain Developmental Trajectories Using Innovative Scalable Methods for Quantification of Cell Identity, Lineage and Connectivity.” Archive raw and processed datasets generated by the SCORCH consortium in appropriate NIH-supported archives. Maintain, and improve a website to serve as a community-wide nexus for SCORCH protocols, assay and data standards, raw and processed data, data pipelines, and other resources generated by the consortium. Facilitate SCORCH data use by the scientific community for data mining to identify candidates for SUD and/or HIV therapeutic targets or to investigate SUD or HIV mechanisms. Provide user-friendly access to consortium data and by identifying or generating robust tools to enable both naive and experienced investigators to query, integrate, analyze, and model the data. Develop workshops and implement a community outreach strategy to inform the research community of the accomplishments of the SCORCH program and disseminate information about the community resources and data generated by the program. Coordinate SCORCH consortium activities by organizing steering committee meetings, workgroup meetings, external program consultant logistics, and other awardee meetings as needed. Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives : This NOFO requires a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) as described in NOT-MH-21-310, submitted as Other Project Information as an attachment (see Section IV). Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the NOFO instructions carefully and view the available PEDP guidance material. The PEDP will be assessed as part of the scientific and technical peer review evaluation, as well as considered among programmatic matters with respect to funding decisions.

This funding opportunity supports research projects that aim to improve the adoption and sustainability of effective health interventions, particularly in underserved communities, while also addressing the reduction of ineffective practices.

This grant provides funding for organizations to assist the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in managing cultural and natural resources at military installations in Hawaii, ensuring compliance with environmental and historic preservation laws.

The "BRAIN Initiative: Research Resource Grants for Technology Integration and Dissemination" grant aims to support the distribution, integration, and minor improvement of existing neuroscience research tools and technologies, as well as user training, to help achieve the goals outlined in the "BRAIN 2025: A Scientific Vision" report.

This grant provides funding to U.S. nurse researchers and institutions to develop resources and support innovative studies focused on preventing firearm injuries, particularly among marginalized populations.

This grant provides funding to establish a center that will support researchers in developing new digital therapeutics for substance use disorders by offering technical assistance and guidance for moving their ideas into viable products.

Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: The MHSP Program provides competitive grants to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers (as defined in section 4102 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA)) (services providers) for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to increase the number and diversity of high-quality, trained providers available to address the shortages of mental health services professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs (as defined in this notice). The partnerships must include (1) one or more high-need LEAs or a State educational agency (SEA) on behalf of one or more high-need LEAs and (2) one or more eligible institutions of higher education (eligible IHE) (as defined in this notice). Partnerships must provide opportunities to place postsecondary education graduate students in school-based mental health fields into high-need schools (as defined in this notice) served by the participating high-need LEAs to complete required field work, credit hours, internships, or related training, as applicable, for the degree or credential program of each student. In addition to the placement of graduate students, grantees may also develop mental health career pathways as early as secondary school, through career and technical education opportunities, or through paraprofessional support degree programs at local community or technical colleges. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.184X.

This funding opportunity supports research projects that aim to expand and sustain lung cancer screening programs for high-risk and underserved populations across diverse clinical settings.

This program provides funding for projects that strengthen the relationship between the United States and Germany by promoting collaboration, democratic values, and sustainable economies, particularly through partnerships with German organizations.

This funding opportunity supports multidisciplinary research and community projects aimed at reducing health disparities related to environmental factors among disadvantaged populations in the U.S.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for research teams working with communities to develop and test strategies that address and reduce substance use and addiction disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose to build a Medical Rehabilitation Research Center. The centers will have a specific rehabilitation research theme and be comprised of a research project supported by 3 cores. The 3 cores will have functions within the center as well as functions nationwide. Together, the cores will support: administrative functions (including an optional pilot program), resource sharing, and community engagement and outreach. The Medical Rehabilitation Research Centers will contribute tomedical rehabilitation research infrastructure by developing and disseminating techniques, data, theories, research programs, and expertise with the goal of enhancing the capability of medical rehabilitation investigators to understand mechanisms of functional recovery, develop therapeutic strategies, identify clinical care gaps, and improve the lives of people with disabilities. Applications must include a plan for inclusion of People with Lived Experience (as a required other attachment) that is relevant to the research theme of the center and increases the potential impact of the center.

This grant provides funding to researchers planning clinical trials focused on cancer prevention and control, helping them address challenges and improve the design and feasibility of their studies.

Executive Summary:The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo is seeking proposals to establish and support a network of youth clubs across Sri Lanka aimed at enhancing skills in fact-checking, debating, discerning misinformation, and promoting media literacy. These clubs will provide young Sri Lankans with the opportunity to learn top-notch speaking and discerning skills thereby developing misinformation resiliency skills through classroom exercises, hands-on workshops, and competitions. The aim is to offer a structured yet flexible format for members to learn to identify, analyze, and discern false information using evidence-based methods, fostering critical thinking and informed citizenship. Proposals should outline how the grantee will establish and train a network of administrators, who will then manage youth-oriented clubs in multiple locations across Sri Lanka, utilizing skill building sessions, case studies, and various engagements. The goal of this program is to support the development of the next generation of Sri Lankan youth debaters, fact-checkers, critical thinkers, and public speakers.

The "USAID Promoting Access to Quality, Low-Fee Non-State Education Finance" grant aims to gather information to help design a program that improves access to affordable, high-quality private education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through private sector involvement, various financing options, and family economic empowerment.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations to develop and open new high-quality charter schools in states without existing Charter Schools Program grants, enhancing educational options for families and students.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions for initiatives that improve earthquake safety and awareness across multiple states or nationally.

This grant provides funding to local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions in U.S. territories to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems and natural resources.

This broad RFA will support exploratory studies addressing mechanistic questions in HIV infection, replication, latency, and/or pathogenesis (including HAND) in the context of SUDs.

This funding opportunity supports researchers and organizations developing innovative technologies to improve the quality and handling of cancer-related biospecimens, ultimately enhancing cancer research and addressing health disparities.