DoD Gulf War Investigator-Initiated Research Award

The GWIRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) mechanism was first offered in FY06. Since that time, 35 IIRA applications have been received, and 15 have been recommended for funding. The Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports research focusing on the complex of symptoms known as Gulf War Illness, improving its diagnosis, and better understanding its pathobiology. It is intended to encourage basic or clinical developmental research aimed at identification of objective measures to distinguish ill from healthy veterans (e.g., biomarkers), or elucidate potential treatment targets for GWI. Studies that characterize chronic effects of neurotoxic exposures encountered during the Gulf War (and at comparable dosage) are also acceptable. The GWIRP also seeks proposals that can contribute to improved diagnostic testing for GWI and/or improved understanding of its pathobiology. Particular areas of interest include research on objective indicators of biological processes or abnormalities in GWI associated with: DOD Gulf War Illness Investigator-Initiated Research Award 3 • Central nervous system structure and function • Central neuroinflammatory processes • Neuroendocrine measures • Autonomic nervous system function • Immune parameters • Indicators of chronic infection • Gastrointestinal complaints/symptoms • Genetic, genomic, proteomic, or metabolic characteristics The Investigator-Initiated Research Award is designed to promote new ideas in Gulf War Illness research. Proposals are not required to include preliminary data; however, preliminary data may be used to support the objectives of a proposal. This data does not necessarily have to come from the GWI research field. Proposals not supported by preliminary data should be based on a sound scientific rationale and may reflect clinical observations or seek to evaluate in GWI discoveries made in relation to other chronic multi-symptom illnesses. Using either approach, however, the focus should be clearly on ill Gulf War veterans.