The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) is pleased to inform you that Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) researchers can access Department of Defense (DOD) funding for research efforts into the disease for the first time. Today, the DOD announced the funding deadlines for researchers so they can apply for this funding in 2015!
It is because of efforts behind the scenes with members like you - who are patients, families, professionals and advocates for Pulmonary Fibrosis - the CPF was able to work with Members of Congress to put PF on the list of diseases that can be funded through the 2015 DOD Peer Review Medical Research Program funding program.
Senator Chris Coons (DE) and Representative Erik Paulsen (MN) led the way to include PF in appropriations language that was passed in the omnibus bill late last year.
For comparison purposes, the annual amount of funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that goes towards PF research efforts is typically less than $30 million annually and we are grateful for the NIH's commitment to PF. This year's DOD PRMRP budget is almost $250 million, giving our researchers access to significant new opportunities to study PF and move the field forward.
Please read the full press announcement on this game changing news below.
Thank you for supporting the CPF's advocacy efforts. To make a tax-deductible contribution to support the CPF's contininuing efforts, click here.
The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis Researchers Today Gain Access to Department of Defense Medical Research Funding for First Time
Patient Advocacy Efforts Led to PF’s inclusion in $247 Million DOD CDMRP program
Culver City, Calif. – April 20, 2015 –The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) played an important behind the scenes role in an effort that is gaining Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) researchers access to Department of Defense (DOD) funding for the first time. DOD announced application deadlines today regarding the available funding that comes through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) for fiscal year 2015. PF is one of 41 topic areas in this DOD research program that is, in total, worth $247.5 million this year.
PF is a disease that affects 200,000 Americans and claims as many lives each year as breast cancer. PF is a lethal lung disease characterized by scarring that is irreversible, progressive and deadly in an average of three years. When no cause for the disease can be determined, it is called “idiopathic” or IPF.
In order to be included in research funding for the PRMRP program, a disease must be officially listed as eligible. As a result of patient organization advocacy efforts, including the CPF, PF is included the program for the first time.
The CPF, www.coalitionforpf.org, assisted behind the scenes in the major advocacy effort led by United States Senator Chris Coons (DE) requesting PF be included on the list of eligible research topics in the DOD PRMRP by having it included in report language in the 2015 Senate Appropriations bill. The language made it into the omnibus bill that passed Congress and was signed by the President in late 2014.
The CPF recommends Pulmonary Fibrosis researchers apply for this new funding opportunity and submit their pre-application forms to be considered. The DOD’s fiscal year 2015 PRMRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions are posted on www.Grants.gov.
Important award opportunities and deadlines include:
June 11, 2015: Investigator-Initiated Research Award – Pre-application due
June 11, 2015: Technology/Therapeutic Development Award – Pre–application due
June 18, 2015: Clinical Trial Award-Pre-application due
June 18, 2015: Focused Program Award – Pre-application due
June 25, 2015: Discovery Award – Letter of Intent due
Information from DOD press announcement for Applicants:
A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline. All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website. The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism can be found on Grants.gov. A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420.
Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov. Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released. Requests for email notification of the Program Announcements release may be sent to help@cdmrp.org.
Descrption of the PRMRP Program:
The PRMRP is the official determination of disease areas that can be funded through the DOD. This program, overseen by the Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with the Service Surgeons General, is directed to select medical research projects of clear scientific merit and direct relevance to military health. The PRMRP program funding and disease eligibility increased significantly this year with $247.5 million in funding for 41 eligible disease areas. Funding in 2014 was $200 million for 25 eligible disease areas. The nearly $250 million funding amount for 2015 is the largest in the PRMRP program’s history. Incidentally, the PRMRP program itself was originated by patient advocates.
About Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)
Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring – known as fibrosis -- and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. Approximately 200,000 Americans suffer from PF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis. Sometimes PF can be linked to a particular cause, such as certain environmental exposures, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, residual infection, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. However, in many instances, no known cause can be established. When this is the case, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
About the CPF
The CPF is a 501C(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF’s nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 28,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.  | 
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