Request for Proposals (RFP) The Finding the Cure for DM Foundation, Inc. (hereby known as FCDMF or Foundation ) is pleased to announce our solicitation of research proposals pertaining to the treatment of Canine Degenerative Myelopathy. The deadline for the Full Proposal is June 16, 2017. Foundation research awards will be announced June 30, 2017 Initial award installment will be distributed by July 7, 2017. Foundation Contact Cindy E. Fink President Finding the Cure for DM Foundation, Inc. 2901 Arnold Rd. Hamptonville, N.C., 27020 (336-468-7030) cure4dm@yahoo.com GRANT INFORMATION The Mission of FCDMF is to ultimately Find the Cure for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). To Raise Awareness in the Public, Breeding & Veterinary fields, and Canine organizations throughout the world, in all sectors, about the existence of this all too misunderstood, fatal disease. To Educate all those associated in any way with DM that are willing to open their hearts and minds, to learn about this disease: It s statistics, studies, organizations, symptoms, care, and anything possible, where it relates to Degenerative Myelopathy. To Support and/or Sponsor the institutions that are Researching and supporting research to find the additional causes, treatments and ultimately, the cure. Submission of an application is requested to perform a study for Canine DM that would research the potential of a novel treatment technology aimed at a therapeutic new solution for this disease. The Foundation will supply the candidate therapeutic at no charge. Please note that there has been previous research suggesting that German Shepherd Dogs may have a different type of DM, and we would also like to address this possibility either during these experiments, or in future experimentation. The research should address the potential benefits, risks, and developmental path for new therapeutics. The proposal should identify well defined steps of the work. The duration of the study should not exceed 1 year for a maximum budget of $27500. Successful grantees must agree to provide summary research reports in lay language suitable for inclusion in FCDMF communications, fund raising solicitations and other public venues. Research summaries are required at 90 day intervals, or sooner. 1
Full Grant Proposal An electronic or hard copy version of the full proposal should be submitted no later than June 16, 2017 at 5:00pm eastern time. You will receive a confirmation of receipt of your electronic submission. If you do not get a confirmation please contact Cindy E. Fink. All submitted proposals become the property of FCDMF, and must be open to negotiation prior to acceptance. Intent: The full grant proposal should provide that the applicant has developed a logical research plan and knowledgeable research team to address the specified research. Specifically comment on the relevance of the proposed study to advance scientific knowledge in the field of Canine Degenerative Myelopathy and medicine or treatment that will benefit the health and well being the animals. Format: The full proposal document must comply with the format provided: The first four pages are form pages covering project title, institutional contact information and signatures, investigator names, budget, budget justification, facilities and major equipment information After the form pages will be the body of the proposal which cannot exceed six letter size pages followed by attachments, references, and IACUC approval letter. The four form pages must include the following: The front page must contain all information and be signed Detailed budget, not to exceed $27,500 (PI salary requests should be limited to the minimum acceptable by the home institution, total salary requests representing the major budget item is also discouraged, separate animal purchase and per diem costs.) ***Note: The Foundation will be supplying the candidate therapeutic at no charge. Detailed, itemized justification The body of the proposal (not to exceed six pages) will include: Specific Aims and Hypothesis Background and the relevance of the project to the goals of FDCMF Review of the study and specific research objectives or abstract. Description of the research plan, with a time line for experiments (one year maximum) 2
Attachments are not counted against the page total and are limited to the following: References (maximum of one page) Two-page NIH-style Biosketch for the PI. Please include current or completed relevant publications and research funding. One page NIH-style Biosketch for each co- PI or collaborator. Please include current or completed relevant publications and research funding. One page pre-approval from the IACUC. If IACUC approval is pending at the time of submission full approval will be required before funds are released. Review Process: Reviewers will evaluate full proposals based on: Scientific merit Consistency with the mission of the FCDMF (see page 1) Expertise of the investigators and collaborators Appropriate animal use (compliance with AWA/IACUC) Feasibility of completion within the grant time limit (one year from the date of award) Adequacy of research facilities Appropriateness of the budget Conditions of Award Grants are made to host institutions, not individual investigators or their department. Accordingly, full proposals must bear the signature of an official authorized to sign for the applicant institution. The principal investigator must hold a doctoral-level degree (DVM/VMD, MD, DDS, PhD or equivalent). FCDMF does not provide money for administrative overhead, indirect costs, major equipment, travel or graduate student fees/tuition. The Foundation reviewers recognize that technician salaries are justified but they discourage excessive PI salary requests (please limit requests to the minimum accepted by the home institution) and discourage that total salaries be the major budget item. Future funding is dependent on research progress, and fund availability of FCDMF. 3
Funded grant awards will be announced on the FCDMF web site (www.cure4dm.org) and to successful grantees by written letter by June 30, 2017. Disbursement and timing of funds will be determined at the time the grant is awarded. The Foundation must receive the complete final report no later than 90 days following the completion of this study, or the one-year anniversary of the grant award, whichever comes first. *****PLEASE NOTE: FCDMF s initial installment will be $11,000. Further funds may be available as received and/or at pre-determined experiment segments. In case of publications of the grant results, research publications must acknowledge the support of the Finding the Cure for DM Foundation, when appropriate. Summary Invited Full Proposals Due June 16, 2017 Grants Awarded June 30, 2017 Funds distributed July 7, 2017 Background Finding the Cure for DM Foundation, Inc. is a fairly new, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization made up of representatives who in one way or another have been affected by Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), also known as Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy (CDRM). We are passionate about helping to find the Cure. FCDMF was founded in September 2013, by William Messner, who lost his German Shepherd Dog, Shannon, to DM. Sadly, the Foundation lost William shortly thereafter, in January, 2014. Our goal is to increase awareness, educate the public about this dreadful disease, and to help fund continuing research, that looks for additional causes, better treatments and ultimately, to finding a cure. The Finding the Cure for DM Foundation, Inc. is an organization that consists entirely of volunteers who are dedicated to these goals. Our funding is strictly received by individuals who also seek to find a cure for DM. Required Information: Purpose and Importance of the Study: Comment on the relevance of the study to advance scientific knowledge in the fields of animal science and medicine. Specify how your particular study will solve or contribute to the field of knowledge, will benefit the health and well-being of the animals, the personnel who care for animals, or the scientific validity of animal use. Personnel: Disclosure of any collaborators or third party institution on your team who has a publication record in the area of interest. Experimental Design: Be explicit but brief in your experimental design description; experimental group and treatment listings. 4
Animal Welfare: Address all issues that pertain to animal welfare, and explain any deviations from best available practices for animal handling, anesthesia, analgesia, or animal care. Indicate what types of data will be collected, including the frequency, method, volume, and duration of sample collection from animals, and use the best available data collection methods. Explain methodology for critical phases of study. If "natural exposure" to an infectious agent is proposed for animals, explain how such exposure is achieved or mimicked. If a "behavioral profile" is assessed, itemize the parameters and scoring system that will be used. Describe the specific and detailed protocol of the IACUC for this specific project. Indicate what will happen to animals when the study is complete. The Finding the Cure for DM Foundation sincerely appreciates your commitment to the scientific interests and studies to help find the cure for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy. Please direct any questions to: Cindy E. Fink President Finding the Cure for DM Foundation, Inc. 2901 Arnold Rd. Hamptonville, N.C., 27020 (336-468-7030) cure4dm@yahoo.com 5