NEWS

Letter From the Acting Director: Please Subscribe to New NIAMS Funding Opportunity Outreach to Grow the NIAMS Scientific Community

The NIAMS has enhanced efforts to help you stay on top of our latest funding announcements and news. Subscribe to grants- and funding-dedicated email newsletters (periodic NIAMS Funding Alerts and a monthly NIAMS Funding News email) and follow our new Twitter account (@NIAMSFunding ) focused on funding opportunities.

Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Funding Plan

The NIAMS is currently operating under a Continuing Resolution through December 11, 2020. An interim funding plan is under development and will be posted as soon as it is available.

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Get the latest public health information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the latest research information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additional news and resources include:

• NIH Funds Community Engagement Research Efforts in Areas Hardest Hit by COVID-19
• How COVID-19 Took Hold in North America and Europe, From the NIH Director’s Blog
• NIH Expands Clinical Trials to Test Convalescent Plasma Against COVID-19
• Fourth Large-Scale COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Begins in the United States
• NIH Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities: Communities Responding Together

NIH Offers Web-Based Tool to Study Gene Expression in Human Neutrophils

NIH scientists developed and released a free, online data query tool called NeutGX. Researchers around the world can use NeutGX to explore the genetic basis of neutrophil-mediated inflammation in autoimmune diseases, cancer, infectious diseases and other conditions. The tool relies on data generated by scientists in the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch at the NIAMS and was developed in collaboration with the Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

NIAMS Intramural Staff Experience Life in Space—Virtually

A veteran of five spaceflights, former astronaut Marsha Ivins presented a keynote address at the annual retreat for the NIAMS Intramural Research Program. Beginning with a run-through of NASA highlights, she also focused on astronauts’ life aboard the International Space Station, including the unique experience of weightlessness, exercise to ward off the loss of muscle and bone mass, work and recreation.

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine—Sjögren’s Syndrome: What You Need to Know

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that often damages the glands that make tears and saliva, or spit. It can cause dryness, especially in the eyes and mouth. Researchers believe that Sjögren’s syndrome is caused by both genetic and environmental factors.

Related Articles in This Issue of NIH MedlinePlus Magazine:

• Carrie Ann Inaba Doesn’t Let Sjögren’s Syndrome Stand in Her Way: “Dancing With the Stars” Judge Creates Community of Positivity, Self-Care and Strength
• Sjögren’s Research Explores Genetic Link to Dry Mouth, Other Saliva Issues: One-Third of People With Sjögren’s Don’t Have the Typical Blood Markers

Bacteria Therapy Improves Eczema in Children

An experimental probiotic treatment for eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, safely improved symptoms and increased quality of life for children age 3 to 16 years, according to results from the NIAID phase 1/2 clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center.

Machine Learning Detects Early Signs of Osteoarthritis

Using artificial intelligence and MRI scans, researchers identified signs of osteoarthritis 3 years before diagnosis. The results of the work, which was supported by several NIH components including the NIAMS, suggest a way to identify people who may benefit from early interventions.

ORWH’s New Challenge Prize Will Recognize Exemplary Faculty Gender-Diversity Initiatives at Colleges/Universities

The NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) launched a Challenge Prize competition aimed at increasing gender diversity among biomedical and behavioral sciences faculty at colleges and universities. The application submission deadline is April 16, 2021.

NCCIH Clinical Digest for Health Professionals: Yoga for Pain

The September 2020 issue of the NCCIH Clinical Digest from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) features current research summaries, clinical guidelines, scientific literature references and patient information on yoga for pain. Conditions reviewed include fibromyalgia, low-back pain, headaches, neck pain and arthritis.

NIH to Support 85 New Grants Featuring High-Risk, High-Reward Research

The NIH has awarded 85 grants through its High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program that will fund highly innovative and unusually impactful biomedical or behavioral research proposed by extraordinarily creative scientists. Shruti Naik, Ph.D., New York University School of Medicine, who is supported by the NIAMS, was among the NIH Director's New Innovator Award Recipients.

Funding Opportunities

NIH Loan Repayment Programs Accepting Applications Until November 20

The NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) are a set of programs established by Congress and designed to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals into biomedical or biobehavioral research careers. Extramural LRP applications are accepted annually from September 1 through November 20. All LRP applications must be submitted electronically using the NIH LRP website.

INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Clinical Trial Readiness (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-OD-20-004)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites researchers to submit applications for support of clinical projects that address critical needs for clinical trial readiness in Down syndrome. Upcoming due dates: November 3, 2020, and November 3, 2021.

Helping to End Addiction Long-term^SM (HEAL) Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-NS-21-010)

The purpose of this FOA is to support preclinical optimization and development of safe, effective and non-addictive small molecule and biologic therapeutics to treat pain. Upcoming due dates: November 18, 2020, and March 24, 2021.

NIAMS Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34) – Clinical Trial Not Allowed (PAR-20-090)

This FOA will support planning grants for investigator-initiated clinical interventional trials. The R34 planning grant is designed to enable the necessary planning, design and preparation of documentation prior to implementation of investigator-initiated clinical trials. Learn more about NIAMS Clinical Trial Planning Grants. Upcoming due dates: November 2, 2020, and March 1, 2021.

Stay Updated About Funding Announcements

If you would like information about grants and funding opportunities, subscribe to funding-dedicated email newsletters, including periodic NIAMS Funding Alerts and a monthly NIAMS Funding News email, and follow our new Twitter account (@NIAMSFunding) focused on funding opportunities. Also check out the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, the primary source for information about NIH funding opportunities. You can also request a weekly Table of Contents from the NIH Guide. In addition, the NIAMS website provides comprehensive information on NIAMS-related grants and processes.

Resource

Spotlight on Scientific Imagery: Primary Myoblasts

Mammalian cells contain protein cables that give the cells structural support against pressure and functional support for the transport of proteins or vesicles. Collectively, these cables are referred to as cytoskeleton. This image shows a cytoskeleton component, the microtubules (magenta). They are constantly growing and shrinking. There is a family of proteins positioned at the growing end of the microtubules known as End-Binding proteins (EB). EBs play a role in the dynamics of the microtubules. The image shows six cells close together, with EB1 in green. Each cell has a nucleus (dark blue) and a Golgi complex (red), which serves as hub of protein transport in the cell. These cells are myoblasts (muscle precursor cells) of a cell line called C2.

Photo credit: Shuktika Nandkeolyar and Evelyn Ralston, Ph.D., NIAMS Light Imaging Section

EVENTS

September NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting Available on Videocast

A video recording of the September 1, 2020, NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting is available. The next NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting will be held virtually on January 26, 2021.

Anita B. Roberts Lecture Series, “Distinguished Women Scientists” at NIH

November 3, 2020, 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
This videocast lecture will feature Dr. Julie Segre, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), NIH.

NIH Director’s Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series

The NIH Director’s Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series offers weekly lectures every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Renowned scientists from around the globe present research weekly on a variety of topics. The lectures are continuing medical education certified, open to the public and available live via webcast.

NIH Science Lectures and Events Available via Internet

For additional online science seminars and events hosted by the NIH, view the NIH calendar, which notes videocast events with a video icon .