The NIH's Office of Strategic Coordination, in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging (NIA), is offering a funding opportunity (RFA-RM-24-011) to support small pilot projects aimed at enhancing the utility of data sets from the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC). This opportunity targets research that applies novel methodologies to analyze MoTrPAC data, generate new hypotheses, and advance understanding of how physical activity influences health and disease outcomes. The goal is to stimulate innovative use of the multi-omics data available through the MoTrPAC Data Hub.

Applicants can propose novel methods for data analysis, comparisons with other large datasets, and the development of tools or pipelines that facilitate data integration and visualization. The primary focus is on the MoTrPAC preclinical animal data, especially from the study on 6-month-old Fisher 344 rats that underwent up to 8 weeks of exercise training. Further datasets, including clinical and additional preclinical data, will be released in the future. Proposals comparing MoTrPAC data with other public or private datasets, if feasible, are encouraged to broaden the research impact.

Applications are limited to $50,000 in direct costs for a one-year project period. Up to 12 awards are expected, contingent on funding and meritorious proposals. The R03 mechanism is used for small, well-defined research projects that do not require extensive funding or multi-year commitments. Applicants are encouraged to use the MoTrPAC datasets to explore innovative approaches in bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

The NOFO is open to various organizations, including higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, and foreign entities. All proposals must include a clear plan for data sharing and compliance with the NIH’s data management policies. Applications are due by December 26, 2024, with a funding start date as early as December 2025.