News
Alpha-1 Foundation seeking investigators for innovative research projects to promote faster, more efficient detection of Alpha-1
MIAMI – With fewer than 10 percent of Alphas properly diagnosed, the Alpha-1 Foundation believes it’s time to try some new ideas for Alpha-1 detection.
The Foundation is now offering two new grant opportunities for research to test “innovative ways to promote the early detection of Alpha-1.”
Two new Requests for Application have been posted on the Foundation website, offering grants for two different areas of targeted Alpha-1 screening.
Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and physician assistants are all eligible to become principal investigators for both proposals. If informed consent is required for a project, the principal investigator must be a physician or PhD.
The first, “Alpha-1 Testing in the Veterans Affairs (VA) System” is specifically geared toward VA healthcare providers.
The Request for Application (RFA) suggests some relevant demonstration projects (but doesn’t limit research proposals to these areas). The examples suggested include finding ways for early diagnosis at outpatient VA offices, before extensive lung or liver damage has occurred; finding ways for effective participation of allied health professionals in Alpha-1 detection; and showing effective testing programs for in-patients.
All hospitals and ambulatory clinics in the VA’s US Territory are eligible.
The second RFA, “Innovative Approaches to Efficient Alpha-1 Detection in COPD,” is also intended to fund novel approaches to early detection of Alpha-1. This program has wider eligibility, including hospitals and clinics, large medical practices and many other institutions.
Some potential projects suggested include ways to improve the effectiveness of testing in outpatient clinics; alternative testing sites, including pulmonary function labs and mobile clinics; and ways to accelerate reporting of test results to providers and patients.
The “Alpha-1 Testing in the Veterans Affairs (VA) System” project is supported by a grant from CSL Behring. The “Innovative Approaches to Efficient Alpha-1 Detection in COPD” project is supported by a grant from Baxter BioScience.
Interested researchers can find the RFAs in “Out-of-Cycle Grant Opportunity Information” on our Research page
