NIH INFORMATION

Reminder – RNCP/NIAID New RFA

• NIAID Calls for Development of Alternative Human Models to Address Radiation-Induced Injuries. Find support for early- to mid-stage research and development of extracorporeal systems that mimic human responses and testing of appropriate medical countermeasures to treat civilian populations.

   

 NIH Information

• Reaffirming NIH’s Commitment to Scientific Integrity. Ensuring that the research the NIH funds and conducts adheres to the highest standards of scientific integrity, public accountability, and transparency is essential to earning the public’s trust. As such, we are pleased to announce that NIH is reaffirming its commitment to these principles by publishing its Scientific Integrity Policy.
• NIH Operates Under a Continuing Resolution (NOT-OD-25-010). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including National Institutes of Health (NIH), operates under Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 118-83) signed by President Biden on September 26, 2024. This Act (CR) continues government operations through December 20, 2024, at the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 enacted level, with no reduction.
• NIH Launches Grants & Funding Website Redesign. Last week, NIH completed a major overhaul of its Grants & Funding website. You can watch a video tour for a summary of key changes to the site’s organization and resources. 
• Final Scientific Integrity Policy of the National Institutes of Health. (NOT-OD-24-178) Office of the Director, NIH. The purpose of this guide notice is to issue the Final NIH Scientific Integrity Policy to promote a continuing culture of scientific integrity at NIH. This Policy codifies NIH’s long-standing expectations to preserve scientific integrity throughout all NIH activities, establishes key roles and responsibilities for those who will lead the agency’s scientific integrity program, and, as appropriate, establishes relevant reporting and evaluation mechanisms. 

POST CONFERENCE INFORMATION

• ISSRDS Conference Highlights. Did you miss the International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) in Boston this year? No need to worry—view highlights of the agenda, speakers, and more on our conference website!

• Medical and Public Health Consequences of Nuclear War: We Must Prevent What We Cannot Cure! If you missed the recent seminar by Dr. Ira Helfand, organized by John Hopkins University Center for Humanitarian Health, you can now watch it on YouTube at the link above.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Limited Competition: Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). The Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program encourages applications from groups of NIH-supported investigators to purchase a single piece of new, costly, specialized, commercially available instrument or an integrated instrumentation system. The BIG Program is limited to institutions that have not received S10 instrumentation funding of $500,001 or greater in any of the preceding 3 Federal fiscal years. The minimum award is $25,000. There is no maximum price limit for the instrument; however, the maximum award is $350,000. Instruments supported include, but are not limited to, basic cell sorters, confocal microscopes, ultramicrotomes, gel imagers, or computer systems.

• Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research on the Health of Women of Underrepresented, Underserved, and Underreported (U3) Populations (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional). The Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) announces the availability of administrative supplements to support research to address health disparities among women in the United States who are underrepresented, underserved, and underreported (U3) in biomedical research. 

• NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-078). This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) supports small research projects on cancer that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. The R03 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology.
• Enhance Diversity in SBIR/STTR Research Through Administrative Supplements. Recruit, mentor, and support students, postdoctoral scholars, and eligible investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research or in Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs. Administrative Supplements to Promote Diversity in Research and Development Small Businesses—SBIR/STTR (Admin Supp, Clinical Trial Not Allowed). 

NCI Funding Opportunities in Cancer Research

• Research Projects to Enhance Applicability of Mammalian Models for Translational Research (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). (PAR-24-306). National Cancer Institute. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for projects to expand, improve, or transform the utility of mammalian cancer and tumor models for translational research. The NCI, through this NOFO, encourages submission of projects devoted to demonstrating that mammalian models, including organoids, tumoroids and cell models, used for translational research are robust representations of human biology, are appropriate to test questions of clinical importance, and provide reliable information for patient benefit. These practical goals contrast with the goals of many mechanistic, NCI-supported R01 projects that use mammals, or develop and use mammalian cancer models, transplantation tumor models, or models derived from mammalian or human tissues or cells for hypothesis-testing, non-clinical research. Among many other possible endeavors, applicants in response to this NOFO could propose demonstrations of how to overcome translational deficiencies of mammalian oncology models, define new uses of mammalian models or their genetics for unexplored translational challenges, advance standard practices for use of translational models, test approaches to validate and credential models, or challenge current practices for how models are used translationally.

• Molecular Imaging of Inflammation in Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). (PAR-24-311) National Cancer Institute. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites research grant applications (R01) for the development and application of current and emerging molecular imaging methods to gain fundamental insights into cancer inflammation in vivo. The motivation for this initiative is the recognition that much of the current imaging research on inflammation in cancer relies heavily on in vitro and ex vivo methods. These approaches have limited potential to provide significant insights into the dynamic interactions between cancer and inflammation. Utilizing molecular imaging probes in pre-clinical and clinical investigations allows for precise temporal resolution at molecular and cellular levels. This information is valuable for identifying and characterizing in vivo inflammatory cellular physiology in cancer and for detecting molecular changes in response to treatment. This NOFO encourages applications focused on developing integrated imaging approaches to investigate the role of inflammation in cancer through strong cross-discipline collaboration between cancer basic science researchers and imaging scientists. These collaborations are expected to advance the science and understanding of cancer inflammation interactions.

• Conduct Translational Exploratory Research on Chemical Countermeasures

Research civilian chemical medical countermeasures and novel treatment strategies to combat serious morbidity and mortality resulting from high consequence public health chemical emergencies.

NIH Conference Grant Support

• NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-25-080). The purpose of the NIH Research Conference Grant (R13) is to support high quality conferences that are relevant to the public health and to the scientific mission of the participating Institutes and Centers. 
  
  NOTE: NIAID funds radiation meetings as part of this solicitation mechanism.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Conferences and Workshops

• RITN Virtual Acute Radiation Syndrome Grand Rounds. November 22, 2024; 2-3 pm EST. Join us for an essential virtual presentation on Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), an increasingly relevant topic in light of recent global events involving nuclear tensions and potential radiological hazards. As geopolitical conflicts heighten concerns over nuclear safety, understanding ARS has never been more critical. This presentation will equip healthcare professionals with the latest knowledge on diagnosis, treatment, and management of ARS, ensuring preparedness in the event of a radiological emergency. With experts in the field of bone marrow transplantation sharing real-world insights, this session offers timely, actionable strategies to protect and save lives. Don’t miss this chance to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Participant profile: Physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses from Hematology, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Trauma care, emergency care. Webinar participation link will be emailed on 11/20/24. FREE ATTENDANCE!

   

• Third International NATO STARS Workshop. Rome, Italy. November 26-29, 2024. We will describe the purpose and function of software tools developed by scientific groups within NATO. These tools either allow an integrated estimation of dose (BAT, WinFRAT), or the prediction of ARS severity based on changes in blood cell counts (H-module) in the first days after an exposure to ionizing radiation. Finally, you will practice your diagnostic skills by predicting clinically relevant degrees of the ARS using a database which includes real case histories – such as those arising from the Chernobyl incident and other accidental industrial exposures. The workshop is for civilian or military personnel with a medical background or dealing with medical decision making in the field of radiological or nuclear threats.

• 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop (HRP IWS). You are cordially invited to submit an abstract for the 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop (HRP IWS) to be held at the Galveston Island Convention Center, from Tuesday, January 28 through Friday, January 31, 2025. 

   

• International Society of Radiation Epidemiology and Dosimetry (ISORED). The call for abstracts opens on 4TH November 2024 for the 2ND hybrid meeting of ISORED: 9TH - 11TH September 2025 to be held at IARC, Lyon, France. Details can be found on the event website.

   

• 8th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection. This meeting promises to deliver the freshest updates on System revisions, innovative research, and superior networking opportunities. Click the link to sign up for updates. And remember, early interest could lead to winning a free registration before we open in early 2025!

HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATION

Article: Effects of High-Linear-Energy-Transfer Heavy Ion Radiation on Intestinal Stem Cells: Implications for Gut Health and Tumorigenesis

Dr. Albert Fornace and colleagues investigated the profound effects of high-linear-energy-transfer heavy ion radiation on intestinal stem cells, shedding light on its critical implications for gut health and cancer development. Their research highlights the importance of understanding these interactions to develop innovative strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Kumar S, Suman S, Angdisen J, Moon BH, Kallakury BVS, Datta K, Fornace AJ Jr. Effects of High-Linear-Energy-Transfer Heavy Ion Radiation on Intestinal Stem Cells: Implications for Gut Health and Tumorigenesis. Cancers (Basel). 2024 Oct 4;16(19):3392. doi: 10.3390/cancers16193392. PMID: 39410012; PMCID: PMC11475725.

Read More: Effects of High-Linear-Energy-Transfer Heavy Ion Radiation on Intestinal Stem Cells: Implications for Gut Health and Tumorigenesis

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Chief Scientist – Radiation Effects Research Foundation. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) seeks candidates for Chief Scientist at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) in Hiroshima, Japan. The Chief Scientist provides scientific leadership of the research programs at RERF in Hiroshima, Japan; leads database integration efforts; plans and conducts research and participates in research collaborations with other RERF scientists, and reports to internal and external audiences including at national and international scientific meetings.

• Supervisory Biologist Position in the Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP), Division of Cancer Treatment & Diagnosis (DCTD), NCI, NIH. The National Cancer Institute is seeking a candidate with a Bachelor, Master, and/or Doctoral degree in the field of Biological Sciences or related disciplines. The candidate will be responsible for preclinical in vivo evaluation of candidate therapies to treat cancer. Responsibilities include supervising design and implementation of protocols to assure uniform and correct in vivo laboratory testing performance; supervising design and development of new and improved preclinical models for in vivo testing including the establishment and characterization of patient-derived cancer models and supervising the management of a large repository of human and murine tumor models as a world-wide distribution service. Supervises other scientific personnel of multiple disciplines and various levels in support of biomedical research to advance new cancer treatments. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Grade and salary are dependent upon experience. Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of preclinical research activities as relates to new drug development is required. Interested candidates should send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and full contact information for three references to: Rosemarie Aurigemma, PhD, Associate Director, DTP, DCTD, at: aurigemr@mail.nih.gov 

OTHER NEWS

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) News

• Open Mentorship Opportunity in Task Group 119. The ICRP Task Group on Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Diseases of the Circulatory System and their Consideration in the System of Radiological Protection is looking for their next mentee! Click the link above to learn more and apply.

• Survey on Human Medical Research Using Ionizing Radiation. If you have this specific experience, Task Group 126 is looking to hear from you! The link above takes you to the Task Group page, where you can read more about their work and access the survey.

• Organizations Invited to Nominate Candidates for Assistant Scientific Secretary.Interested in increasing your organization’s engagement with the global radiological protection community? Click the link for more info.

• Nomination Process to Join ICRP Main Commission & Committees for 2025-2029. Opens at the end of November. Click for everything you need to know for now.

FDA News 

• Zarxio for H-ARS. October 22, 2024: The FDA approved Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz) with an indication to increase survival of patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (Hematopoietic Syndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome).  

NASA News

• Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop (HRP IPW). January 28-31, 2025. Galveston, TX. This meeting is the primary venue for reporting progress and results from HRP-funded research and technology tasks to Program Management, with the additional benefit of permitting cross-discipline interaction among the full spectrum of investigators. It also provides NASA with an outreach opportunity to include abstract submissions from other external researchers who would like to become involved.

IAEA News

• IAEA Launches New App to Help Assess Radiation Threat Following Alarm. The IAEA has launched a new app to help frontline officers assess radiation alarms triggered by people at airports, border crossings and other points of entry – and ease delays.