NIH’s National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) on October 30, 2009, released a Funding Opportunity Announcement seeking technologies to use with image-guided interventions (IGI). The goal of the initiative is to develop innovative technologies to replace traditional surgery and invasive procedures with minimally invasive image-guided procedures. NIBIB plans to commit up to $5,000,000 for this funding announcement and anticipates funding 4 to 6 awards with an award ceiling of $750,000.
The FOA is going to support the second phase of a two phase program that will deliver image guided interventions that will have a high clinical impact. Respondents to this FOA should be able to develop and deploy IGI technologies to the clinical arena and be able to test a complete IGI system in a small number of patients.
IGI may involve robotic manipulators capable of operating in small and difficult-to-reach spaces, such as the inner ear or “in utero” on the fetal patient. Thus IGI increases the variety of interventions at the clinicians’ disposal. Another advantage to these procedures is the IGIs can be done remotely, bringing clinical expertise to underserved communities and remote areas.
Eligible applicants include state, county city, special district governments, and Native American tribal governments, non profits, for profits, small businesses, and institutions of higher education. The closing date for applications is January 20, 2010.
For more information, go to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-09-002.html or to www.grants.gov.
