Announcements  July 19, 2021 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) Director Helene Langevin shares her thoughts on upcoming research workshops that will help NCCIH implement the recently released strategic plan. |
 July 21, 2021 Wendy J. Weber, N.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. The Clinical Research in Complementary and Integrative Health Branch is excited to announce the release of updated funding opportunity announcements (FOAs), which will support the development and testing of mind and body interventions relevant to the new National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) strategic plan. The updates were made to 1) streamline the timeline of clinical trials; 2) decrease repetitive single-site feasibility trials; and 3) prioritize impactful, fully powered efficacy and effectiveness trials. We know that many of our researchers have been eagerly awaiting the reissue of these FOAs. |
 July 2021 The possibility of drug interactions, direct toxicities, and contamination with active pharmaceutical agents are among the safety concerns about dietary and herbal supplements. Although there is a widespread public perception that herbs and botanical products in dietary supplements are safe, research has demonstrated that these products carry the same dangers as other pharmacologically active compounds. Interactions may occur between prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, and even small molecules in foodmaking it a daunting challenge to identify all interactions that are of clinicalconcern. |
Resources for Researchers New Funding Opportunities Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS)(NOT-MH-20-110; NSF 20-609) NCCIH is actively participating in the program on Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS) NSF Innovative Approaches to Science and Engineering Research on Brain Function. NCCIH is particularly interested in neuroscience topics relevant to health, well-being, and symptom management (e.g., ameliorating pain, sleep disturbances, stress). Inclusive in this goal is to support collaborative computational, genetic, molecular, and biological and behavioral based methods that can be combined and brought to bear on understanding the underlying mechanisms of action of these complementary practices and products. The CRCNS program is a joint initiative, among NIH, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy.The competition deadline is November 23, 2021. HEAL Initiative: Developing Quantitative Imaging and Other Relevant Biomarkers of Myofascial Tissues for Clinical Pain Management (NOT-AT-21-012) NIH plans to publish one Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit applications on the development of innovative quantitative imaging and other relevant biomarkers of myofascial tissues for pain management in human subjects using a two-phase grant funding mechanism. Candidates for such biomarkers may include objective measures based on minimally invasive imaging technologies, electrophysiological recordings, integration of multiparametric imaging and electrophysiological approaches, or their integration with other markers (e.g., immune factors, genomic markers, physiological factors, etc.) through multiscale modeling or machine learning analysis. The purpose of this notice is to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop responsive projects and meaningful collaborations among technology developers, myofascial tissue experts, pain researchers, and clinicians. The FOA is expected to be published in Fall 2021, with an expected application due date in Winter 2021. Read the notice (NOT-AT-21-012) for details.
Upcoming Events  July 21 - July 22, 2021; Virtual This National Institutes of Health (NIH) workshop will focus on sickle cell disease pain. Researchers will explore critical gaps and research challenges as well as brainstorm potential solutions for this grossly understudied pain condition in a highly underserved population. This fits into the NIH mission of seeking fundamental knowledge to enhance health. |
August 5, 2021; 2-3 p.m. ET; Virtual This purpose of this technical assistance webinar is to share information about the updated National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) Framework for Clinical Research and new priorities for our clinical research portfolio. Several new funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) will be discussed. NCCIH is excited to inform the extramural community about our updated approach to funding clinical trials of promising complementary or integrative health approaches with a physical, psychological, or integrative intervention (often called mind and body interventions). With the recent release of NCCIHs new strategic plan (20212025), the Clinical Research in Complementary and Integrative Health Branch within the Division of Extramural Research has evaluated and updated the FOAs for intervention development and testing. NCCIH will still provide funding for important feasibility trials and adaptation of an intervention when it is needed. The new approach aims to streamline the timeline from feasibility trials to impactful multi-site clinical trials that are fully powered to assess the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions. The following FOAs will be discussed: PAR-21-240: Feasibility Clinical Trials of Mind and Body Interventions for NCCIH High Priority Research Topics (R34 Clinical Trial Required) PAR-21-241: NCCIH Multi-Site Feasibility Clinical Trials of Mind and Body Interventions (R01 Clinical Trial Required) PAR-21-242: Data Coordinating Center for NCCIH Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials of Mind and Body Interventions (Collaborative U24 Clinical Trial Required) PAR-21-243: Clinical Coordinating Center for NCCIH Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials of Mind and Body Interventions (Collaborative UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) How To Join You must register to attend. You will have the opportunity to have your questions answered during the Q&A portion of the webinar. If you would like to send questions in advance of the webinar, please email NCCIHwebinarQ@mail.nih.gov by August 4, 2021. Register on Zoom.  August 25, 2021, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Virtual This is the last of three meetings that are part of Phase I of an NIH/Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) project to develop evidence-based music therapies for brain disorders of aging. Register now. |
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