This program announcement must be read in conjunction with the General Application Instructions, version CD26_01.

Program Announcement for the Defense Health Agency

Epilepsy Research Program

Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526ERPVPTERCL

Pre-Application Due: August 3, 2026

Application Due: August 17, 2026 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01

FY26 Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award 2

Content

Before You Begin 3

Basic Information Summarizes the funding opportunity, funding details, submission deadlines and review dates

Eligibility Details eligibility factors for the applicant organization and Principal Investigator

Program Description Describes the program mission and intent of the Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award; provides key award information and considerations; and outlines funding details

Application Contents Presents the two-step application process and instructions for preparing a pre-application and full application

Submission Requirements Provides locations for application packages, instructions for submitting pre-applications and full applications, and describes application verification

Application Review Information Outlines the processes for application compliance review, pre-application and full application selection/notification, and risk assessment. Also, details the review criteria for pre-application screening and both tiers of the CDMRP application review process – Peer Review and Programmatic Review

Federal Award Notices Outlines what a successful applicant can expect if recommended for funding

Post-Award Requirements References policy requirements for funded research; outlines reporting requirements and restrictions related to Principal Investigator changes and institutional award transfers

Other Information Outlines criteria for administrative actions including application rejection, modification, withdrawal and withhold

Appendix 1 Includes a checklist for all full application components to facilitate application submission

Appendix 2 Acronym List

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Before You Begin

• Active SAM.gov, eBRAP.org and Grants.gov registrations are required for application submission. User registration for each of these websites can take several weeks or longer.

Each applicant must ensure their registrations are active and up to date prior to application preparation.

• Read this funding opportunity announcement in the order it is written before beginning to prepare application materials. It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine whether the proposed research meets the intent of this funding opportunity and that all parties meet eligibility requirements.

• To support application preparation, additional resources are available including an application process FAQ, a Guide for Intragovernmental & Intramural Applicants and a CDMRP Video Series detailing the application process.

Who to Contact for Support

This document uses internal links; you can go back to where you were by pressing the Alt + left arrow keys (Windows) or command + left arrow keys (Macintosh) on your keyboard.

Click to be taken to additional guidance and instructions within the General Application Instructions (GAI).

eBRAP Help Desk

301-682-5507 help@eBRAP.org

Questions regarding funding opportunity submission requirements, as well as technical assistance related to pre-application or intramural application submission.

Grants.gov Support Center

800-518-4726 International: 1-606-545-5035 support@grants.gov

Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and Workspace.

https://sam.gov/ https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/index.htm https://grants.gov/register https://cdmrp.health.mil/#:~:text=Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20%C2%BB https://cdmrp.health.mil/#:~:text=Guide%20for%20Intragovernmental%20%26%20Intramural%20Applicants https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Journey%20of%20an,Tier%20Review%20Process mailto:help@eBRAP.org mailto:support@grants.gov https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01

Section Shortcuts Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

FY26 Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award 4

1. Basic Information About the Funding Opportunity

Summary: This funding opportunity announcement seeks to solicit a Director and Deputy Director to lead the Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center (ViP-TERC). The ViP-TERC is a unique, interactive virtual research center providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for new post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) investigators. The overarching goal of the ViP-TERC is to develop successful, highly productive PTE researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment to enhance quality and expand quantity of the PTE research field.

Distinctive Features: This funding mechanism is a partnering mechanism, requiring an Initiating Principal Investigator (PI), who will serve as the ViP-TERC Director, and a Partnering PI, who will serve as the ViP-TERC Deputy Director.

The ViP-TERC Deputy Director’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

An investigator may be named on only one fiscal year 2026 (FY26) ERP Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award application as a PI.

Funding Details: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot roughly $1.6M to fund approximately one Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award application with a total cost cap of $1.6M. The maximum period of performance is 4 years. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY26 funding opportunity will be funded with FY26 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2032. Awards supported with FY26 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2027.

Submission and Review Dates and Times

• Pre-Application (Letter of Intent) Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), August 3, 2026

• Application Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, August 17, 2026

• End of Application Verification Period: 5:00 p.m. ET, August 20, 2026

• Peer Review: October 2026

• Programmatic Review: December 2026

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526ERPVPTERCL

Assistance Listing Number: 12.420

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2. Eligibility Information

2.1. Eligible Applicants

2.1.1. Organization

Extramural and intramural U.S. Department of War (DOW) organizations are eligible to apply, including foreign and domestic organizations, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and public or private entities.

2.1.2. Principal Investigator

ViP-TERC Leadership (Director and Deputy Director):

Independent investigators affiliated with an eligible organization are eligible to be named Principal Investigator (PI) on the application, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or citizenship status.

Must have an established career within the post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) research field.

Must have PTE research funding (past and present) and a record of PTE publications in peer-reviewed journals.

The Director and Deputy Director are not required to be located at the same organization.

The scientific expertise of the Director and Deputy Director should be distinct and complementary, addressing different disciplines along the PTE research and care continuum.

The Director and Deputy Director of the Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center (ViP- TERC) cannot be listed as a Career Guide on a FY26 ViP-TERC – Faculty Award application.

2.2. Cost Sharing

Cost sharing is not an eligibility requirement.

2.3. Other

Awards are made to eligible organizations, not to individuals. Refer to the GAI for additional recipient qualification requirements.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Content_Form_Full_App_Submission:~:text=pre%2Dapplication%20submission.-,Extramural%20Organization%3A,-A%20foreign%20or https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=Intramural%20DOW%20Organization%3A%20A%20subset%20of%20intragovernmental%20organizations%3B%20refers%20specifically%20to%20DOW%20organizations%2C%20including%20DOW%20laboratories%2C%20DOW%20military%20treatment%20facilities%2C%20and/or%20DOW%20activities%20embedded%20within%20a%20civilian%20medical%20center.

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3. Program Description

The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) is soliciting applications to this funding opportunity using delegated authority provided by United States Code, Title 10, Section 4001 (10 USC 4001). The CDMRP is the program office managing this FY26 funding opportunity as part of the Epilepsy Research Program (ERP). The CDMRP is located within the Defense Health Agency Research and Development (DHA R&D), which is a part of the Department of Defense, DOD, herein referred to using the secondary title Department of War, DOW. Congress initiated the ERP in 2015 to provide support for longitudinal epidemiological research to better understand the incidence of PTE following a traumatic brain injury and to improve patient care and outcomes. Appropriations for the ERP from FY15 through FY24 totaled $97.5 million (M). The FY26 appropriation is $12M.

The ERP encourages collaboration among PTE researchers and urges the scientific community to utilize equitable partnerships with people living with PTE to maximize the translational and impact potential of proposed research. Applications from investigators within the DOW and applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the DOW, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal government agencies are highly encouraged. These relationships can leverage knowledge, infrastructure and access to unique clinical populations that the collaborators bring to the research effort, ultimately advancing research that is of significance to Service Members, Veterans, their Families and the American Public.

3.1. Award History

The ERP ViP-TERC – Leadership Award mechanism was previously offered in FY22. Four ViP- TERC – Leadership Award applications were received, and one was recommended for funding.

ViP-TERC Background:

The ERP seeks to advance PTE research through development of early-career investigators and investigators new to the PTE field. The ERP ViP-TERC is a unique, interactive virtual research center providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations and a peer group for new PTE investigators. The overarching goal of the ViP-TERC is to develop successful, highly productive PTE researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment to enhance quality and expand quantity of the PTE research field.

The ERP-funded ViP-TERC members currently include a Director, Deputy Director, six ERP-funded Faculty members and the Faculty members' Career Guides.

3.2. Intent of the ViP-TERC – Leadership Award

The ViP-TERC Leadership (the Director and Deputy Director) should catalyze the growth and professional development of the Faculty in collaboration with the Faculty member’s Career Guide, assess the progress of Faculty, promote the cross-pollination of different scientific disciplines, and facilitate communication and collaboration among all of the Faculty and their Career Guides, the PTE consumer community and the broader PTE research and patient care communities. In addition to fostering scientific development, the ViP-TERC, through its Leadership, should provide for professional and leadership development of the Faculty, to include skills and competencies needed to fund and manage a productive laboratory.

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The ViP-TERC should foster convergent science wherein investigators from different disciplines solve specific problems together and take a cross-disciplinary approach to move the PTE field forward. The ViP-TERC should give Faculty opportunities to operate within a collegial, highly dynamic and cutting-edge environment to lead PTE research to a new frontier. The intention is that through the ViP-TERC, collaborations will foster new growth and research advancements toward better understanding of PTE.

The ViP-TERC – Leadership Award is structured to support two PIs. The ViP-TERC Director will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. The Deputy Director will be identified as the Partnering PI. The collaboration between the Director and the Deputy Director should be supported by complementary expertise and experience. Both PIs should contribute significantly to the development, execution and administration of the proposed ViP-TERC. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s), and the newly selected Director and Deputy Director will initiate their responsibilities no later than 30 September 2027. Each award will be subject to separate reporting, regulatory and administrative requirements. For individual submission requirements for the Initiating and Partnering PI, refer to Section 5.3, Submission Instructions.

The application should clearly define the roles of the ViP-TERC Leadership and how both the Director and Deputy Director will continue the success of current and future Faculty members.

While it is up to the Director and the Deputy Director to define their roles, both members of the ViP-TERC Leadership should have interactions with the Faculty; acting as administrative support does not fulfill the intent of the Deputy Director.

3.2.1. ERP Overarching Goals

To address fundamental needs within the PTE field, the ERP is focused on three primary goals:

• Understand: Investigating how brain injuries lead to epilepsy.

• Prevent: Studying how to prevent PTE and its related comorbidities.

• Improve: Developing innovative research tools and biomarkers to better detect, diagnose and predict the development of PTE.

By funding research in these key areas, the ERP aims to foster greater understanding and acceptance of PTE, enable the future development of improved diagnostic and treatment methods, and provide superior self-management tools for patients, their families and caregivers.

3.2.2. Responsibilities of the ViP-TERC Leadership.

The list below is not meant to be exhaustive but rather highlight several considerations that the ViP-TERC Leadership should incorporate into the planning and execution of the ViP-TERC activities.

• Set the vision and mission of the ViP-TERC to include how the ViP-TERC will integrate different disciplines into one cohesive unit.

• Act as a resource for all Faculty members and Career Guides in the ViP-TERC over the four-year period of performance.

• Develop assessment criteria to evaluate the research progress made by all of the Faculty members, as well as their career progression and sustainment as independent investigators in PTE research.

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FY26 Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award 8

• Provide constructive critiques with the goal of advancing the research and professional careers of the Faculty and strengthening the mentorship of the Career Guides.

• Facilitate communication and collaboration among all the Faculty members and Career Guides (including periodic interactive communication among all ViP-TERC members).

• Provide avenues to increase the visibility of Faculty within the PTE research and lived-experience communities (e.g., peer review, editorial boards, meet-and-greets, conferences/workshops/webinars).

• Support Faculty's professional development in leadership, management, and research skills through invited presentations by experts outside of the ViP-TERC.

• Develop an evaluation plan to assess the ViP-TERC’s progress toward meeting its vision and mission.

• Plan and host a biennial one-day workshop and in alternate years a biennial multi-day workshop for all Faculty/Career Guide pairs to present their research, share knowledge and develop collaborative efforts within the ViP-TERC. Faculty will be responsible for their own travel costs, which will be covered by their ViP-TERC – Faculty Award.

• Establish a Lived-Experience Consultant Panel to inform the ViP-TERC on the needs of the affected community and include them in ViP-TERC activities (i.e., meetings, lectures, conferences, etc.). Employing community collaborations to optimize research impact is a required element of this mechanism. Lived-experience consultants may be representatives from community-based organizations or advocacy groups, people living with PTE, their family members or care partners. It is recommended that at least one of the lived-experience consultants be a Service Member or Veteran.

• Establish an Advisory Board to the ViP-TERC that incorporates experts in the field, Career Guides, ViP-TERC Alumni (as appropriate), and at least one lived-experience consultant from the Lived-Experience Consultant Panel. To maximize the relevance of the ViP-TERC to military health, it is recommended that at least one of the Advisory Board members be familiar with the unique needs of military Service Members and Veterans with PTE.

3.2.3. Other Important Considerations for the ViP-TERC – Leadership Award

Relevance to Military Health: Applicants are encouraged to integrate and/or align their application with DOW and/or VA research laboratories and programs. Collaboration with the DOW and/or VA is also encouraged. A list of websites that may be useful in identifying additional information about ongoing DOW and VA areas of research interest or potential opportunities for collaboration can be found in Appendix 10 of the GAI.

Community Collaboration: Projects funded by the FY26 ERP should be responsive to the needs of people with PTE, their families and/or their care partners. Research teams are therefore encouraged to establish and utilize equitable collaborations with consumers and people with lived PTE experience to maximize the translational and impact potential of the proposed research.

Collaborative research approaches such as community-based participatory research, participatory action research, and integrated knowledge transition, create partnerships between scientific researchers and community members to create knowledge useable by both sets of stakeholders. Recognizing the strengths of each partner, scientific researchers and community members collaborate and contribute equitably to all aspects of the project, which may include needs assessment, planning, research intervention design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination. Collaborative research approaches feature shared responsibility and https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#DOW_AND_VA_WEBSITES

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FY26 Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award 9 ownership for the research project to ensure non-tokenistic involvement of community members within the research team. Research results are jointly interpreted, disseminated and fed back to affected communities and may be translated into interventions or policy. These methods are critically important for community-level interventions and can also have important impacts on translational research and prototype development to identify and augment the potential impact of a research program on people living with PTE, their families and/or their care partners.

Collaborative relationships with the lived-experience community are often established through integrating community members into research teams as co-researchers, advisors and/or consultants. Some examples for implementing collaborative research approaches include:

• Lived-Experience Consultation: The research team includes at least one project advisor with lived PTE experience who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project. Lived-experience consultants may include individuals with PTE, their family members or their care partners.

• Partnership with a Community-Based Organization: The research team establishes partnerships with at least one community-based organization that provides advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.

Community-based organizations may include advocacy groups, service providers, policy makers or other formal organizational stakeholders.

• Community Advisory Board Utilization: A community advisory board is composed of multiple community stakeholders and can take many forms, from a board of lived experience consultants to a coalition of community-based organizations or any combination thereof. As with lived experience consultants and organizational partners, the community advisory board provides advice and consultation throughout planning and implementation of the research project.

Additional information on collaborative research approaches can be found here:

• Correa, Daniel J., Churl-Su Kwon, Susan Connors, et al. 2019. “Applying Participatory Action Research in Traumatic Brain Injury Studies to Prevent Post-Traumatic Epilepsy.”

Neurobiology of Disease 123: 137-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2018.07.007.

• Jull, Janet, Audrey Giles, and Ian D. Graham. 2017. “Community-Based Participatory Research and Integrated Knowledge Translation: Advancing the Co-Creation of Knowledge.”

Implementation Science 12 (1): 150. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-017-0696-3.

• Kost, Rhonda G., Andrea Leinberger-Jabari, Teresa H. Evering, et al. 2017. “Helping Basic Scientists Engage With Community Partners to Enrich and Accelerate Translational Research.” Academic Medicine 92 (3): 374-379. https://doi.org/10.1097/ acm.0000000000001200.

3.3. Funding Instrument

The funding instrument for awards made under the program announcement will be grants

(31 USC 6304).

3.4. Funding Details

Period of Performance: The maximum period of performance is 4 years.

Cost Cap: The combined total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance in the applications of the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI should not exceed $1.6M. If indirect cost https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2018.07.007 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-017-0696-3 https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000001200 https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000001200 https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=Period%20of%20Performance%3A%20The%20time%20interval%20between%20the%20start%20of%20a%20federal%20award%20and%20the%20planned%20end%20date.

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FY26 Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award 10 rates have been negotiated, indirect costs are to be budgeted in accordance with the organization’s negotiated rate. Collaborating organizations should budget associated indirect costs in accordance with each organization’s negotiated rate.

A separate award will be made to each PI’s organization.

The PIs are expected to be partners in the research, and direct cost funding should be divided accordingly unless otherwise warranted and clearly justified.

All direct and indirect costs of any subaward or contract must be included in the direct costs of the primary award.

The applicant may request the entire maximum funding amount for a project that may have a period of performance less than the maximum 4 years.

The appropriateness of the budget for the proposed research will be assessed during peer review.

Direct Cost Restrictions: For this award mechanism, direct costs:

Must be requested for:

• Costs associated with planning and holding the biennial one-day workshops with ViP-TERC members, including costs associated with external speakers.

• Costs associated with planning and holding the biennial multi-day workshops in coordination with the ERP program staff, including costs associated with external speakers.

May be requested for (not all-inclusive):

• Costs associated with establishing and maintaining a “virtual” center (e.g., hardware and/or software for audio- or video-teleconferencing or web-based communications).

• Costs associated with establishing, maintaining, and integrating an External Advisory Board and Lived-Experience Consultant Panel.

• Travel between institutions participating in the ViP-TERC.

• Costs for each ViP-TERC Leader to travel to one scientific/technical meeting per year, in addition to the required workshops described above, to present project information or disseminate project results from the FY26 ERP ViP-TERC.

Must not be requested for:

• Any travel costs for the ViP-TERC – Faculty Award awardees or their Career Guides; their travel costs will be covered by their respective ViP-TERC – Faculty Awards.

• Tuition.

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4. Application Contents and Format

4.1. Application Overview

Application submission is a two-step process requiring both a pre-application submitted via the Electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) and a full application submitted through eBRAP or Grants.gov. Depending on the submission portal, certain aspects of the application will differ.

Intramural DOW organizations submitting a full application should follow instructions for submission through eBRAP.

Extramural organizations submitting a full application must follow instructions for submission through Grants.gov.

4.2. Pre-Application Components

The Initiating PI must submit the following pre-application components.

Letter of Intent (LOI) (one-page limit): Provide a brief description of the proposed ViP-TERC.

4.3. Full Application Components

The CDMRP requires separate full application package submissions for the Initiating PI and each Partnering PI, even if the PIs are located within the same organization. The application submission process for each Partnering PI uses an abbreviated full application package.

4.3.1. Full Application Components for the Initiating PI

Each application submission must include the completed full application package for this program announcement. See Appendix 1 for a checklist of the full application components.

(a) SF424 Research & Related Application for Federal Assistance Form (Grants.gov submissions only):

IMPORTANT: When completing the SF424 R&R, enter the eBRAP log number assigned during pre-application submission into Block 4a – Federal Identifier.

(b) Attachments:

Each attachment of the full application components must be uploaded as an individual file in the format specified and in accordance with the formatting guidelines in the GAI.

○ Attachment 1: Project Narrative (20-page limit): Upload as “ProjectNarrative.pdf”.

Describe the proposed project in detail using the outline below.

Vision: Describe the ViP-TERC Leadership’s (Director and Deputy Director) vision for the ViP-TERC and how it will continue to develop successful, highly productive PTE researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment.

Describe the ViP-TERC’s roadmap for providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations and a peer group for Faculty in enough detail for evaluation of its appropriateness and feasibility. Articulate the overall goals of the https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/index.htm https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=APPENDIX%202.%0AFORMATTING%20GUIDELINES https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=(a)%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20SF424%20(R%26R)%20%E2%80%93%20Application%20for%20Federal%20Assistance%20Form https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Project%20Narrative%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CProjectNarrative https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Full_App_Submission_Grants:~:text=IV.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20FULL%20APPLICATION%20SUBMISSION%20THROUGH%20GRANTS.GOV https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Full_App_Submission_eBRAP:~:text=V.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20FULL%20APPLICATION%20SUBMISSION%20THROUGH%20eBRAP

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ViP-TERC with respect to the mission of the ERP and the FY26 ERP Overarching Goals.

Background and Experience: Describe the ViP-TERC Leadership’s background and experience as established PTE researchers. Describe their record of mentoring and training other investigators and how this mentorship contributed significantly to the investigators’ careers. Explain how the complementary background and experience of both the Director and Deputy Director contribute to the ideal leadership of the ViP-TERC.

Commitment to the ViP-TERC: Describe the ViP-TERC Leadership’s commitment to leading the ViP-TERC, and to the continued success of this unique, interactive virtual center in providing collaborative mentoring of Faculty with the goal of developing sustainable, independent careers as PTE research leaders at their institutions, nationally and internationally.

Management of the ViP-TERC: Clearly define the roles that will be filled by the Director and Deputy Directory in leading the ViP-TERC. Describe how the Leadership will avoid “stovepiping” (i.e., a system where information is transmitted through narrow channels) and will catalyze cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration among all of the Faculty members and their Career Guides, the PTE consumer community and the broader PTE research and patient care communities.

Explain how the ViP-TERC will offer opportunities to support Faculty members' professional development in leadership, management and research skills, including but not limited to planning periodic interactive meetings, holding monthly calls with individual Faculty members, and hosting the biennial one-day and multi-day workshops. Explain the opportunities provided within the ViP-TERC for the Faculty to overcome barriers associated with initiating and sustaining a career in PTE research (grant writing, research and laboratory management, publications, professional networking, committee memberships, etc.). Include plans for developing externally funded collaborative research projects conducted by members of the ViP-TERC.

Explain how the ViP-TERC Leadership will keep members and Alumni engaged and invested in the research center. Describe plans for including additional ERP-funded investigators and ViP-TERC – Faculty Award Alumni in the ViP-TERC. Describe how ViP-TERC Leadership will integrate and leverage both a panel of Lived-Experience Consultants and an Advisory Board.

– Faculty Evaluation Plan: Explain how the ViP-TERC Leadership will evaluate the research progress made by the Faculty, their career progression, and their sustainment as independent investigators in PTE research and/or patient care.

Identify measurable outcomes for the Faculty that are expected to be achieved by the end of their ViP-TERC – Faculty Award period of performance. The Faculty evaluation plan should clearly articulate:

▪ What are the evaluation questions/criteria?

▪ What data will be collected to answer the evaluation questions/assess the defined criteria? How will the date be collected? At what frequency? Who will collect the data? How will the data be managed and stored? If available, copies of any questionnaires, forms, etc., that may be used for data collection can be included in Attachment 2.

▪ Who will analyze and interpret the data?

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▪ How and when will the results be disseminated and to what audience(s) (e.g., the Faculty)? How will ViP-TERC Leadership use the evaluation findings?

– ViP-TERC Evaluation Plan: Explain how the ViP-TERC Leadership will evaluate the ViP-TERC progress towards accomplishing the outlined vision and mission of the research center. Define the metrics that will be used to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about future ViP-TERC activities. The ViP-TERC evaluation plan should clearly articulate:

▪ What are the evaluation questions/metrics?

▪ What data will be collected to answer the evaluation questions? How will the data be collected? At what frequency? Who will collect the data? How will the data be managed and stored? How will the data be managed and stored? If available, copies of any questionnaires, forms, etc. that may be used for data collection can be included in Attachment 2.

▪ Who will analyze and interpret the data?

▪ How and when will the results be disseminated and to what audience(s)? How will the ViP-TERC Leadership use the evaluation findings?

– Growth and Sustainment Plan: Describe the actions to be taken by the ViP-TERC Leadership to ensure long-term success of the research center. Consider the following when developing this plan:

▪ How will new members, partners, advisors and/or collaborators be attracted and recruited?

▪ What organizations, institutions, or individuals will the ViP-TERC partner with to expand the ViP-TERC’s reach and resources? How will these partnerships be leveraged?

▪ What is the strategy and timeline for pursuing additional funding opportunities to support the growth and long-term sustainment of the ViP-TERC’s core activities?

○ Attachment 2: Supporting Documentation: Combine and upload as a single file named “Support.pdf”.

There are no page limits for these components unless otherwise noted. Include only components described below; inclusion of items not requested or viewed as an extension of the Project Narrative will result in the removal of those items or may result in administrative withdrawal of the application.

References Cited: List the references cited in the Project Narrative using a standard reference format (include URLs, if available).

List of Abbreviations, Acronyms and Symbols: Provide a list of abbreviations, acronyms and symbols.

Facilities, Existing Equipment and Other Resources: Describe the facilities and equipment available for performance of the proposed project; include any additional facilities or equipment proposed for acquisition at no cost to the award. Indicate whether government-furnished facilities or equipment are proposed for use. If so, reference the original or present government award under which the facilities or equipment items are now accountable. There is not a standardized form for this information.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Supporting%20Documentation%3A,-Combine%20and%20attach

Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

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Publications and/or Patents: Include a list of relevant publication URLs and/or patent abstracts. If articles are not publicly available, then copies of up to five published manuscripts may be included in Attachment 2. Extra items will not be reviewed.

Letters of Support (three-page limit per letter is recommended): Provide individual letters signed by collaborating individuals and/or organizational officials demonstrating that the PI has the support and resources necessary for the proposed work. Letters from the PI’s Department Chair, or appropriate organization official, should also confirm that the PI(s) meet eligibility criteria. If applicable, provide a letter of support, signed by the lowest-ranking person with approval authority, confirming participation of intramural DOW collaborator(s) and/or access to military populations, databases or DOW resources. If applicable, provide a letter of support signed by the VA Facility Director(s), or an individual designated by the VA Facility Director(s), confirming access to VA patients, resources and/or VA research space.

Research Sharing Plan: Describe the type of data or research resources (e.g., bio-specimen, analysis tool/software, training material) to be made publicly available as a result of the proposed work. Describe the mechanism (e.g., direct sharing, repository, mixed mode) by which data and resources generated during the period of performance will be shared with the research community and other affected communities, including clinical research participants. Include the name of the repository(ies) where scientific data and resources arising from the proposed study will be archived, if applicable. Identify and provide the rationale for any data or resources that will not be shared (e.g. for intellectual property, feasibility, cost or other considerations). The plan should also protect participant privacy, confidential and proprietary data, and performer/third-party intellectual property. Provide a milestone plan for disseminating data/results including when data and resources will be made available to other users. In cases where the study participant could potentially derive medical or other benefit from the information, explain whether the results of screening and/or study participation will be shared with the participant or their primary care provider, including results from any screening or diagnostic tests performed as part of the study.

Refer to the CDMRP Directive on Sharing Data and Research Resources for more information about the CDMRP’s expectations for making data and research resources publicly available.

Faculty and ViP-TERC Evaluation Tools, if applicable: Provide a copy of any questionnaires, forms, data collection tools, etc., that may be utilized to conduct the proposed Faculty and ViP-TERC evaluations. ONLY the blank documents should be provided; draft versions are acceptable. Any description of how the tools will be used in the conduct of the evaluations must be described in the project narrative. Any descriptive text that appears to extend the project narrative may be removed before the application is reviewed.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Directive%20on%20Sharing%20Data%20and%20Research%20Resources

Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

FY26 Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award 15

○ Attachment 3: Technical Abstract (one-page limit): Upload as “TechAbs.pdf”.

Write the technical abstract using the outline below. Clarity and completeness within the space limits are highly important.

– Describe your vision for how the ViP-TERC will continue to serve as an interactive virtual research center providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations and a peer group for new PTE investigators.

– Explain how the ViP-TERC will foster both scientific and professional development for the Faculty members.

– Describe how the Leadership will evaluate the Faculty and ViP-TERC progress towards achieving the stated goals by summarizing the Faculty and ViP-TERC Evaluation Plan.

– Describe how the development of the faculty members through the ViP-TERC effort will advance PTE research, patient care, or quality of life in the short and long term.

○ Attachment 4: Lay Abstract (one-page limit): Upload as “LayAbs.pdf”.

The lay abstract should address the points outlined below in a manner that is readily understood by readers without a background in science or medicine. Avoid overuse of scientific jargon, acronyms and abbreviations. Do not duplicate the technical abstract.

– Describe the vision and mission of the ViP-TERC.

– Explain how the ViP-TERC will successfully develop highly productive PTE researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment.

– Identify how the ViP-TERC will provide resources and opportunities for Faculty that they may not otherwise have access to if they were not a part of the research center.

– Describe the integration of people with lived PTE experience on the Lived- Experience Consultant Panel and within the workings of the ViP-TERC.

– Describe how development of new PTE researchers through the ViP-TERC effort will advance PTE research, patient care or quality of life.

○ Attachment 5: Statement of Work (three-page limit): Upload as “SOW.pdf”.

Refer to eBRAP for the Suggested SOW Format.

For guidance on preparing the SOW, refer to the Example: Assembling a Generic Statement of Work. Include milestones for data or research resource(s) sharing.

– Outline the key activities of the ViP-TERC.

– Include specific milestones for conducting and reporting on Faculty and ViP-TERC evaluation plans.

– Include the planning and execution ViP-TERC workshops.

Each PI must submit an identical copy of a jointly created SOW. The specific contributions of the Initiating PI and the Partnering PI should be clearly noted for each task.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Suggested%20SOW%20Format https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Example%3A%20Assembling%20a%20Generic%20Statement%20of%20Work https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Example%3A%20Assembling%20a%20Generic%20Statement%20of%20Work https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Lay%20Abstract%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CLayAbs https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Technical%20Abstract%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CTechAbs https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=%C2%B7-,Statement%20of%20Work%3A,-Attach%20as%20%E2%80%9CSOW

Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

FY26 Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award 16

○ Attachment 6: Impact Statement (one-page limit): Upload as “Impact.pdf”. This attachment should be written with a broad audience in mind, including readers without a background in science or medicine.

Describe how the ViP-TERC will foster convergent science wherein investigators from different disciplines solve specific problems together and take a cross-disciplinary approach to move the PTE field forward. Indicate how the ViP-TERC will synergize collaboration and foster better understanding of PTE through the multidisciplinary training. Explain why a virtual research center is an effective approach to support the next generation of PTE researchers and accelerate advancements in the field. Explain how the ViP-TERC will incorporate military health relevance into the activities of the research center. Identify the anticipated short-term and long-term outcomes of the ViP- TERC and justify their impact on PTE research, patient care and/or quality of life.

o Attachment 7: Lived-Experience Consultation Plan: Upload as “LEC.pdf”.

Statement (two-page limit is recommended): Include the names of two lived-experience consultants who will participate as part of a Lived-Experience Consultant Panel. More lived-experience consultants may participate on the Panel, but only two lived-experience consultants are required to be named at the time of application.

Describe the lived-experience consultants’ role on the Panel and indicate how they will be integral to the training, networking and collaboration of the Faculty. Indicate the input that will be captured from the Lived-Experience Consultant Panel and how this input will be meaningfully integrated and incorporated into the workings of the ViP-TERC.

Letters of Community Collaboration (two-page limit per letter is recommended):

Provide a letter signed by each lived-experience consultant confirming their role and commitment to participate on the ViP-TERC Lived-Experience Consultant Panel. The letter should include the qualifications and background of the individual and describe the relevance of those qualifications to their role within the ViP-TERC.

○ Attachment 8: Representations (Grants.gov submissions only): Upload as “RequiredReps.pdf”. All extramural applicants must complete and submit the Required Representations document available on eBRAP.

○ Attachment 9: Suggested Intragovernmental/Intramural Budget Form (if applicable): Upload as “IGBudget.pdf”. If an intramural DOW organization will be a collaborator in the performance of the project, complete a separate budget for that organization using the Suggested Intragovernmental/Intramural Budget form available on eBRAP.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Required%20Representations https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=Intramural%20DOW%20Organization%3A%20A%20subset%20of%20intragovernmental%20organizations%3B%20refers%20specifically%20to%20DOW%20organizations%2C%20including%20DOW%20laboratories%2C%20DOW%20military%20treatment%20facilities%2C%20and/or%20DOW%20activities%20embedded%20within%20a%20civilian%20medical%20center.

https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm#:~:text=Suggested%20Intragovernmental/Intramural%20Budget https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=B.%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20Representations https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Recipient_Qualification_Restriction_Info:~:text=Suggested%20Intragovernmental/Intramural%20Budget%20Form%2C%20if%20applicable%3A

Basic Information | Eligibility | Program Description | Application Contents and Format | Submission Requirements

Application Review Information | Federal Award Notices | Post-Award Requirements | Other Information

FY26 Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award 17

(c) Additional Application Materials:

The following are additional forms for application submission. Follow the instructions specific to the submission portal, as found within the GAI.

i. Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded)

○ Biographical Sketch

○ Current/Pending Support

Intragovernmental applicants must include their internally supported research and development programs.

ii. Research & Related Budget

The Initiating and Partnering PI must have a separate budget and justification specific to their distinct portions of the effort that the applicant organization will submit as separate Grants.gov or eBRAP application packages. The Initiating PI should not include budget information for the Partnering PI even if they are located within the same organization.

Refer to Section 3.4, Funding Details, for detailed budget information.

iii. Project/Performance Site Location(s)

iv. Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) (if applicable, Grants.gov submissions only)

4.3.2. Full Application Components for the Partnering PI

Refer to the equivalent attachment above for details specific to each of the following application components.