kristoff@GENBANK.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson) (12/06/90)
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 44, December 7, 1990
NOTICES
NATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON "PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS" ...(86/204)............ 1
National Institutes of Health
Food and Drug Administration
Index: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs)
MINORITY FELLOWSHIPS FOR DOCTORAL AND/OR POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING
IN NEUROSCIENCES - REVISION (RFA MH-91-01) .............(210/238)........... 2
National Institute of Mental Health
Index: MENTAL HEALTH
PHYSICAL FRAILTY IN MINORITY OLDER POPULATIONS (RFA AG-91-03) .............. 3
National Institute on Aging (241/391, 644/877)
Index: AGING
NATIONAL MULTI-PURPOSE RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTERS (RFA DC-91-01) ........ 5
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Index: DEAFNESS, COMMUNICATION DISORDERS (401/482, 880/1602)
ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC-ACADEMIC LIAISON FOR RESEARCH ON SERIOUS MENTAL DISORDERS -
ADDENDUM .....................................(488/531)..................... 6
National Institute of Mental Health
Index: MENTAL HEALTH
SHORT-TERM TRAINING FOR MINORITY STUDENTS PROGRAM (PA-91-14) ............... 6
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (534/599, 1605/1991)
Index: HEART, LUNG, BLOOD
NOTICES
NATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON "PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS"
P.T. 42; K.W. 0783005
National Institutes of Health
Food and Drug Administration
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) are continuing to sponsor a series of workshops on responsibilities of
researchers, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), and institutional officials
for the protection of human subjects in research. The workshops are open to
everyone with an interest in research involving human subjects. The meetings
should be of special interest to those persons currently serving or about to
begin serving as a member of an IRB. Issues discussed at these workshops are
relevant to all other Public Health Service agencies. The current schedule
includes the following:
I. SOUTHWEST WORKSHOP
DATES: February 4-5, 1991
WORKSHOP SITE:
Meridien Hotel
50 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
SPONSOR:
University of California at San Francisco
Box 0400
San Francisco, CA 94143
REGISTRATION CONTACT:
Ms. Phyllis Colbert
Workshop Contact Person
University of California at San Francisco
Box 0400
San Francisco, CA 94143
Telephone: (415) 476-1881
TOPIC: "The Use of Human Subjects in Research: AIDS as a Model of
Complexity"
II. MIDEAST WORKSHOP
DATES: March 4-5, 1991
WORKSHOP SITE:
Friday Center
Laurel Hill Parkway
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1020
SPONSORS:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
300 Bynum Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-4100
Shaw University
118 E. South Street
Raleigh, NC 27611
REGISTRATION CONTACT:
Mr. Al Dawson
Director
Friday Center
Laurel Hill Parkway
C. B. 1020
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1020
Telephone: (919) 962-1106
TOPIC: "Problems in Interpreting the Federal Code for the Protection of Human
Subjects"
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 44, December 7, 1990 - Page 1
III. MIDWEST WORKSHOP
DATES: April 11-12, 1991
WORKSHOP SITE:
Hyde Park Hilton
4900 Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60615
SPONSORS:
University of Chicago
970 East 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
Chicago State University
95th Street at King Drive
Chicago, IL 60628
REGISTRATION CONTACT:
Mr. Arnold L. Aronoff
Associate Director
Faculty and Administrative Services
University Research Administration
University of Chicago
970 East 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
Telephone: (312) 702-8669
TOPIC: "Cultural Diversity, Ethics, and Research: A Workshop on Human
Subject Protections"
NIH/FDA have planned national human subject protections workshops in other
parts of the United States. For further information regarding these workshops
contact:
Darlene Marie Ross
Executive Assistant for Education
Division of Human Subject Protections
Office for Protection from Research Risks
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bldg. 31, Room 5B43B
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-8101
NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs)
MINORITY FELLOWSHIPS FOR DOCTORAL AND/OR POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING IN
NEUROSCIENCES - REVISION
RFA: MH-91-01
P.T. 22, FF; K.W. 0720005, 1002030
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) announces a change in the
receipt date on the Request for Applications (RFA), Minority Fellowships for
Doctoral and/or Postdoctoral Training in Neurosciences, MH-91-01 (NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts dated November 2, 1990, Vol. 19, No. 39), from
January 10, 1991, to April 8, 1991. The revised Application Receipt and
Review Schedule of the RFA is as follows:
Receipt date: April 8, 1991
Initial Review Group Meeting: June 1991
Council Meeting: September 1991
Earliest Possible Start Date: September 30, 1991
Additional information concerning this RFA may be obtained by contacting:
Stanley F. Schneider, Ph.D.
Division of Basic and Behavioral Sciences
National Institute of Mental Health
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 443-4347
FAX: (301) 443-4822
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 44, December 7, 1990 - Page 2
PHYSICAL FRAILTY IN MINORITY OLDER POPULATIONS
RFA AVAILABLE: AG-91-03
P.T. 34, CC, FF; K.W. 0710010, 0715043, 0710095, 1002019, 0745027
National Institute on Aging
Application Receipt Date: May 17, 1991
I. BACKGROUND
Progressive impairments in physical functional abilities contribute
significantly to loss of independence and long-term care needs among older
minority populations. In some minority populations, the severity of such
impairments has been shown to be equal to, or greater than, the general
population. In other populations, even basic descriptive data are lacking.
These data are needed to increase our understanding of impairments and
functioning in various cultural groups and to determine needs for appropriate
health care and services among these populations.
Data are sparse on the relationship of physical frailty to chronic
degenerative conditions of later life in minority populations. Better
knowledge of genetic, environmental, nutritional, cultural, and socioeconomic
factors affecting the severity and progression of such conditions would be
useful in the design of intervention and prevention programs.
Involvement of minority investigators and/or minority institutions is strongly
urged, especially in those projects that require extensive subject recruitment
or seek collaboration with minority institutions.
II. RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) solicits applications for support of
research projects to increase knowledge on the above issues. Specifically,
applications are requested for studies of the following:
o The relationship of specific functional impairments to severity of
specific degenerative conditions in minority populations.
o Differences in the sequelae of chronic conditions among different
minority populations.
o Prevalence and incidence of conditions responsible for impaired
physical functioning in daily living activities.
o Genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors affecting severity
and progression of these conditions in specific minority
populations.
o Efficacy in specific minority groups of interventions to prevent
and/or reduce physical frailty.
On the above topics, NIA encourages attention to special problems related to
interactions of cognitive impairment (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) with physical
disability in specific minority groups.
III. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Support of this program will be through the Public Health Service
grant-in-aid. The R01 grant mechanism will be used. This Request for
Applications (RFA) is a one-time solicitation. Up to $1.2 million (total
cost) for first-year expenses and additional approved expenses for up to five
years will be committed to fund applications submitted in response to this
RFA.
Applications are required to include, where feasible and appropriate, women as
well as men in the study populations for all clinical research efforts and to
analyze, where appropriate, differences between these populations. If women
are not to be included, a clear rationale for their exclusion must be
provided.
The National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) is also interested in
receiving and funding research proposals concerned with frailty. For
information contact: Dr. Sharlene Weiss, Chief, Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention Branch, NCNR, Building 31, Room 5B03, Bethesda, MD 20892
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 44, December 7, 1990 - Page 3
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases also
is interested in research in this area. For information contact: Dr. Joan
McGowan, Director, Bone Biology and Bone Diseases Program, NIAMS, Westwood
Building, Room 403D, Bethesda, MD 20892.
IV. REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
Applications will be received by the NIH Division of Research Grants.
Responsive applications will be assigned to a special Institute review group
for review.
Proposals judged to be non-responsive (those not directed at the goals of this
RFA) will be administratively withdrawn and returned to the applicant without
review. Proposals may first receive a preliminary review by a subcommittee of
the review panel to establish those applications deemed to be competitive.
Those proposals judged non-competitive will be so designated, and an
abbreviated summary statement noting the major areas of concern will be sent
to the Principal Investigator. Applications judged to be competitive will be
given full review. Following review by the initial review group, the
applications will be considered by the National Advisory Council on Aging.
The major review criteria are:
o scientific merit of the research proposed;
o significance of the research project to the goals of the RFA;
o qualifications, experience, and commitment of the investigators and
their ability to devote the required time and effort to the
project;
o appropriateness of the total budget and budgetary requests;
o institutional commitment to the requirements of the project.
V. METHOD OF APPLYING
Applications should be submitted on the standard PHS 398 (rev. 10/88)
application form (available at most institutional business offices or from the
Division of Research Grants, NIH, 301-496-7441). The deadline for receipt of
applications is May 17, 1991. On item 2 of the face page of the application,
applicants should enter: NIA RFA AG-91-03--Physical Frailty in Minority Older
Populations. The RFA label available in the 10/88 revision of the Application
Form 398 must be affixed to the bottom of the face page. Failure to use this
label could result in delayed processing of the application and prevent it
from reaching the review committee in time for review. The completed
application and four copies should be sent to:
Application Receipt Office
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD 20892**
At the same time the application is submitted to the Division of Research
Grants, two copies of the application should be sent to:
Chief, Scientific Review Office
National Institute on Aging
Building 31, Room 5C12
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
VI. STAFF CONTACT
A complete copy of the RFA may be obtained from the E-Guide or by writing or
calling:
Stanley L. Slater, M.D.
Geriatrics Program
National Institute on Aging
Room 5C27, Building 31
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-6761
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 44, December 7, 1990 - Page 4
NATIONAL MULTI-PURPOSE RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTERS
RFA AVAILABLE: DC-91-01
P.T. 34, 44; K.W. 0715055, 0720005, 0410001, 0785035, 1004017
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 30, 1991
Application Receipt Date: February 21, 1991
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
invites applications for National Multi-purpose Research and Training Centers
[RTC (P60)] for the multi-disciplinary study of communication sciences and
disorders. Applications must be multi-disciplinary in focus and involve basic
and clinical research, research training, continuing education for health
professionals, and information dissemination to the general public in one or
more of the major scientific areas of the Institute (hearing, balance, smell,
taste, voice, speech, and language). Two centers may be supported in response
to this Request for Applications (RFA).
BACKGROUND
In 1988, Congress established the National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders in Public Law 100-553, which mandated that the
Institute provide for the development, modernization, and operation of new and
existing Centers for studies of disorders of hearing and other communication
processes. The law further specified that each Center shall conduct: basic
and clinical research in disorders of hearing and other communication
processes, research training programs for health professionals, information
and continuing education programs for health professionals, and programs of
information dissemination to the general public.
In 1989, over 100 U.S. scientists, representing a broad range of specialties
in the communication sciences, met to develop a research plan for the NIDCD.
One panel of these scientists addressed the National Multi-purpose Research
and Training Centers, identifying and elucidating the critical features of
such Centers.
In FY 1990, an RFA was issued for Research and Training Centers. Three
Centers were awarded. The purpose of this current RFA is to request
additional applications for RTCs.
Investigators should be aware that NIH requires applicants to give added
attention, where feasible and appropriate, to the inclusion of minorities and
women in study populations. Gender and minority population differences should
be noted and analyzed wherever possible. If minorities and/or women are not
included in a given study, a clear reason for their absence must be provided.
Merely including an arbitrary number of minority group and women participants
in a given study is insufficient to guarantee generalization of results.
MECHANISM, NUMBER OF YEARS, AND BUDGET
This RFA will be funded through the National Multi-purpose Research and
Training Center (P60) mechanism. Five (5) years of support must be requested
at an annual direct cost not to exceed $1 million for the first year. Budget
increments after the first year will be limited to necessary cost-of-living
increases. At present, the Institute plans to award renewals of one or more
additional periods of not more than five (5) years of support. This is a
one-time RFA with plans to fund two centers in FY 1991.
INQUIRIES
Applicants may request additional information and the following requisite
materials -- complete 1991 RFA for the National Multi-purpose Research and
Training Centers, Application Guidelines: National Multi-purpose Research and
Training Centers, and PHS 398 (rev. 10/88) Application Form -- from:
Ralph F. Naunton, M.D.
Director
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 750
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20852
Telephone: (301) 496-1804
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 44, December 7, 1990 - Page 5
To facilitate Institute planning, applicants are requested to submit a letter
of intent by January 30, 1991 to the contact person identified above.
ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC-ACADEMIC LIAISON FOR RESEARCH ON SERIOUS MENTAL DISORDERS - ADDENDUM
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715129, 1014006
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) announces an addendum to its
program announcement, Public-Academic Liaison (PAL) for Research on Serious
Mental Disorders, published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on
September 30, 1988, Vol. 17, No. 31.
The restriction under the Terms and Conditions of Support section of this
announcement, with respect to maximum total direct costs of regular research
grant applications submitted in response to this announcement, no longer
applies. Applicants may request in excess of $250,000 in total direct costs
per year. The appropriateness of budget requests is considered when
applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit.
The great increase in the number of PAL applications to NIMH has made it
impractical for NIMH to convene regular meetings of PAL participants (also
described under Terms and Conditions of Support in the announcement).
Applicants for a PAL grant do not need to include funds for such meetings in
their budget requests.
Potential applicants should contact staff listed below for consultation
concerning submission of projects in response to this announcement:
Darrel Kirch, M.D.
Chief, Schizophrenia Research Branch
Division of Clinical Research
National Institute of Mental Health
Room 10C-06, 5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 443-3524
or
Thomas Lalley, M.A.
Chief, Services Research branch
Division of Applied and Services Research
National Institute of Mental Health
Room 18C-14, 5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 443-3364
SHORT-TERM TRAINING FOR MINORITY STUDENTS PROGRAM
PA: PA-91-14
P.T. 44, FF; K.W. 0720005, 0715032, 0715040, 0715165
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Application Receipt Date: February 8, 1991
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) announces a program to
support short-term training for minority students in order to provide
opportunities for minority students to become exposed to biomedical research.
The program is designed to attract highly qualified minority students at the
undergraduate and graduate level into biomedical and behavioral research
careers and to bolster the already short supply of minority investigators in
the areas relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic diseases.
Grants in this program will be made to domestic institutions or organizations,
including minority institutions, engaged in health-related research in areas
related to heart, lung, or blood disorders. These grants will support
short-term research training experiences of 2 to 3 months duration for
minority undergraduate students, minority students in health professional
schools, and minority graduate students. Trainees appointed to the program
need not be from the grantee institution, but may include a number of minority
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 44, December 7, 1990 - Page 6
students from other institutions, schools, colleges, or universities. Special
attention should be given to the recruitment of individuals from minority
groups that are underrepresented nationally in the biomedical and behavioral
sciences, i.e., Blacks, Hispanics, native Americans, Alaskan natives, and
Pacific Islanders.
Guidelines and supplemental instructions for preparing applications for this
program may be obtained from any of the following:
John Fakunding, Ph.D.
Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Federal Building, Room 3C04
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-1724
Helena Mishoe, Ph.D.
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Federal Building, Room 504D
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-6931
Sydney Parker, Ph.D.
Division of Lung Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 640A
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7668
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
numbers 93.837-93.839. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public
Health Service Act, Title III, Section 487 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42
USC 288) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations at
42 CFR Part 66. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review
requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.
**THE MAILING ADDRESS GIVEN FOR SENDING APPLICATIONS TO THE DIVISION OF
RESEARCH GRANTS OR CONTACTING PROGRAM STAFF IN THE WESTWOOD BUILDING IS THE
CENTRAL MAILING ADDRESS FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH. APPLICANTS WHO
USE EXPRESS MAIL OR A COURIER SERVICE ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW THE CARRIER'S
REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOWING A STREET ADDRESS. THE ADDRESS FOR THE WESTWOOD
BUILDING IS:
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20816
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 44, December 7, 1990 - Page 7
------------------------- Full text of RFAs -------------------------
PHYSICAL FRAILTY IN MINORITY OLDER POPULATIONS
RFA: AG-91-03
P.T. 34, CC, FF; K.W. 0710010, 0715043, 0710095, 1002019, 0745027
National Institute on Aging
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 7, 1991
Application Receipt Date: May 17, 1991
I. BACKGROUND
Progressive impairments in physical functional abilities
contribute significantly to loss of independence and long-
term care needs among older minority populations. In some
minority populations, the severity of such impairments has
been shown to be equal to, or greater than, the general
population. In other populations, even basic descriptive data are
lacking. These data are needed to increase our understanding
of impairments and functioning in various cultural groups and
to determine needs for appropriate health care and services
among these populations.
Data are sparse on the relationship of physical frailty to
chronic degenerative conditions of later life in minority
populations. Existing data indicate important differences
among different minority populations in the severity and
progression of these conditions. For example, osteoporosis
may be less severe in Black than in Nonblack populations,
while diabetes appears to be more severe among many native
American populations, compared to the general population.
Better knowledge of genetic, environmental, nutritional,
cultural, and socioeconomic factors affecting the severity and
progression of such conditions would be useful in the design
of intervention and prevention programs. In addition, such
programs could be improved through better knowledge of the
relationship of disease severity to specific types of
functional impairment in individual minority populations, or
among several minority populations.
Involvement of minority investigators and/or minority
institutions is strongly urged, especially in those projects
that require extensive subject recruitment or seek
collaboration with minority institutions.
II. RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) solicits applications
for support of research
projects to increase knowledge on the above issues.
Specifically, applications are requested for studies of the
following:
o The relationship of specific functional impairments to
severity of specific degenerative conditions in minority
populations, or subgroups of these populations, such as
black females, various Hispanic subgroups (e.g., Cuban-
Americans, Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans), or
differing native American tribal groups. Studies over
the full range of functional impairment are of interest.
Studies of high-risk populations, such as nursing home
residents or older persons living alone, are of
particular interest.
o Differences in the sequelae of chronic conditions among
different minority populations.
o Prevalence and incidence of conditions responsible for
impaired physical functioning in daily living activities
(e.g., walking, climbing stairs, shopping, cooking,
housework, bathing, driving) among specific older
minority populations. Conditions of interest include,
but are not limited to, osteoarthritis, peripheral
vascular disease, congestive heart failure, diabetic
neuropathy, and other chronic diabetic complications.
Data on persons eighty years of age are of particular
interest.
o Genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors
affecting severity and progression of these conditions
in specific minority populations. As above, studies of
high-risk populations are of special interest.
o Efficacy in specific minority groups of interventions to
prevent and/or reduce physical frailty.
III. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Support of this program will be through the Public Health
Service grant-in-aid. The R01 grant mechanism will be used
Awards will be administered under PHS grants policy
as stated in the Public Health Service Grants Policy
Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 82-50,000, revised
October 1, 1990.
This Request for Applications (RFA) is a one-time
solicitation. Up to $1.2 million
(total cost) for first-year expenses, and additional approved
expenses for up to five years, will be committed to fund
applications submitted in response to this RFA. This funding
level is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of
applications of high scientific merit. It is anticipated
that approximately 4-6 awards will be made. The award of
grants pursuant to this RFA is contingent on the availability
of funds for this purpose.
Generally, future unsolicited competing renewal applications
will compete with all investigator-initiated applications and
be reviewed by the Division of Research Grants (DRG).
However, should the NIA determine that there is a sufficient
continuing program need, the RFA will be reissued. The
earliest feasible start date for the initial awards will be
September 30, 1991.
Applications are required to include, where feasible and
appropriate, women as well as men in the study
populations for all clinical research efforts and to analyze,
where appropriate, differences between these populations. If
women are not to be included, a clear
rationale for their exclusion must be provided.
The National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) is also interested
in receiving and funding research proposals concerned with
frailty. For information
contact: Dr. Sharlene Weiss, Chief, Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention Branch, NCNR, Building 31, Room 5B03, Bethesda, MD 20892.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases also is interested in research in this area. For
information contact: Dr. Joan McGowan, Director, Bone Biology
and Bone Diseases Program, NIAMS, Westwood Building, Room 403D,
Bethesda, MD 20892.
IV. REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
Applications will be received by the NIH Division of Research
Grants.
Responsive applications will be assigned to a special review
group for review. Proposals judged to be non-responsive
(those not directed at the goals of this RFA) will be
administratively withdrawn and returned to the applicant
without review. Proposals may first receive a preliminary
review by a subcommittee of the review panel to establish
those applications deemed to be competitive. Those proposals
judged non-competitive will be so designated, and an
abbreviated summary statement noting the major areas of
concern will be sent to the Principal Investigator.
Applications judged to be competitive will be given full
review. Following review by the initial review group, the
applications will be considered by the National Advisory
Council on Aging.
Listed below are the major review criteria to be used in the
evaluation of the applications received in response to this
RFA:
o scientific merit of the research proposed;
o significance of the research project to the goals
of the RFA;
o qualifications, experience, and commitment of the
investigators and their ability to devote the
required time and effort to the project;
o appropriateness of the total budget and budgetary
requests;
o institutional commitment to the requirements of the
project.
V. METHOD OF APPLYING
A letter of intent to submit an application, while not required,
is requested by January 7, 1991. The letter should include a
brief descriptive title, the name of the Principal Investigator
and other key investigators, and the names and addresses of any
other participating institutions. This letter should be
addressed to the staff contact listed below (see Section VI).
Applications should be submitted on the standard PHS 398 (rev.
10/88) application form (available at most institutional business
offices or from the Division of Research Grants, NIH,
301-496-7441). The deadline for receipt of applications is May
17, 1991. On item 2 of the face page of the application,
applicants should enter: NIA RFA AG-91-03--Physical Frailty in
Minority Older Populations. The RFA label available in the 10/88
revision of the Application Form 398 must be affixed to the
bottom of the face page. Failure to use this label could result
in delayed processing of the application and prevent it from
reaching the review committee in time for review. The completed
application and four copies should be sent to: should be sent
to:
Application Receipt Office
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD 20892**
At the same time the application is submitted to the Division
of Research grants, two
copies of the application should be sent to:
Chief, Scientific Review Office
National Institute on Aging
Room 5C12, Building 31
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
Failure of these copies to be received by the deadline may
prevent the application from being reviewed under this
announcement in time to be considered for an award.
VI. STAFF CONTACT
Potential applicants interested in obtaining further
information may write or call:
Stanley L. Slater, M.D.
Geriatrics Program
National Institute on Aging
Room 5C27, Building 31
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-6761
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance, No. 93.866, Biology of Aging Program. Awards will be
made under the authority of the Public Health Service Act,
Section 301 (42 USC 241) and administered under PHS grant policies
and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR part 74. This
program is not subject to review by a Health Systems Agency.
REQUEST FOR RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS: RFA
RFA: DC-91-01
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
NATIONAL MULTI-PURPOSE RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTERS
P.T. 34, 44; K.W. 0715055, 0720005, 0410001, 0785035, 1004017
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 30, 1991
Application Receipt Date: February 21, 1991
PURPOSE
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders (NIDCD) announces its intent to designate and support
a limited number of National Multi-purpose Research and Training
Centers (RTC) for the multi-disciplinary study of communication
sciences and disorders. The goal of the RTC is the support of
basic and clinical research; research training; continuing
education for health professionals; and dissemination of
information to the general public in one or more of the program
areas of the Institute.
A National Research and Training Center is a national resource
and is dedicated to working with the NIDCD in furthering the
goals of the Institute through a multi-disciplinary,
coordinated approach involving basic and clinical research,
research training, continuing education for health care
professionals, and dissemination of information to the public.
An RTC may focus on one or more of the major scientific areas of
the Institute (hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and
language), but each of the components including the research
training and education components, must relate to the central
theme of the Center. All of the components must be of high
quality as judged by the NIH standards for biomedical and
behavioral research excellence.
BACKGROUND
In 1988, Congress established the National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders in Public Law 100-553 that
mandated that "the Director of the Institute shall, after
consultation with the advisory council for the Institute,
provide for the development, modernization, and operation
(including care required for research) of new and existing
centers for studies of disorders of hearing and other
communication processes".
The law further specified that each Center shall conduct--
"(1) basic and clinical research into the cause, diagnosis,
early detection, prevention, control and treatment of disorders
of hearing and other communication processes and complications
resulting from such disorders, including research into
rehabilitative aids, implantable biomaterials, auditory speech
processors, speech production devices, and other otolaryngologic
procedures;
"(2) research training programs for physicians, scientists,
and other health and allied health professionals;
"(3) information and continuing education programs for
physicians and other health and allied health professionals who
will provide care for patients with disorders of hearing or
other communication processes; and
"(4) programs for the dissemination to the general public of
information--
"(A) on the importance of early detection of disorders of
hearing and other communication processes, of seeking prompt
treatment, rehabilitation, and of following an appropriate
regimen; and
"(B) on the importance of avoiding exposure to noise and
other environmental toxic agents that may affect disorders of
hearing or other communication processes".
In 1989, over 100 U.S. scientists representing various
specialties in the communication sciences met to develop a
research plan for the NIDCD. One panel of these scientists
addressed the issue of the National Multi-purpose Research and
Training Centers. With the Congressional mandate providing
guidance, the Task Force identified and elucidated the
critical features of such Centers, that is, research, training,
continuing education, and information dissemination.
In FY90, a Request for Applications (RFA) (DC-90-01, NIH
Guide for Grants and Contracts, December 22, 1989, Vol. 18,
No. 45), was issued for Research and
Training Centers. Three Centers were awarded. The purpose of
this current RFA is to request
additional applications for Research and Training Centers.
ELIGIBILITY
Any of the following organizations are eligible to apply:
non-profit institutions of higher education; other non-profit
and for-profit organizations; state and local governments and
their agencies; and authorized Federal agencies. Holding an
NIDCD or other currently-funded NIH Program Project, Clinical
Research Center Grant, or Institutional Training Grant does not
preclude an organization from applying.
OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the National Multi-purpose Research and Training
Centers is to enhance research in communication sciences and
disorders. The Centers will stimulate important areas of basic
and clinical research. By utilizing a multidisciplinary
approach, these Centers will provide broad-based solutions to
complex human communication problems.
Each Center must have research activity in the basic sciences.
This activity may include disciplines such as molecular biology
and genetics, cellular biology, neurochemistry, immunology,
microbiology, epidemiology, and biomedical engineering.
Ideally, the Center will draw together the multidisciplinary
resources of the institution to study or investigate the
etiology, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention
of specific communication impairments. The Center may also
undertake/conduct population-based studies and genetic studies
related to the specific communication disorder(s) being studied.
Clinical research and/or clinical investigations will focus on
the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and
prevention of specific impairments. Suggested areas may include
deafness and hearing disorders in children; presbycusis; balance
or vestibular disorders, particularly in the elderly; aphasia;
stuttering; and disorders of smell and taste. Clinical
research-oriented activities may also include studies of
implantable biomaterials and biomechanical diagnostic and
assistive devices. Each Center should seek to establish the
effectiveness of new and improved methods of detection,
referral, and diagnosis of individuals at risk for developing
the particular disorder of hearing or other communication
process that is the focus of the research program of the Center.
The Center will provide research training opportunities, thereby
strengthening the quality and increasing the number of
investigators in communication sciences. Residents, pre- and
post-doctoral fellows, visiting scientists, and students will
benefit from research training in a multidisciplinary
environment. Special emphasis may be placed on independent
investigators who apply such disciplines as immunology or
molecular biology to problems of deafness, balance, and so forth.
In addition, research training for clinical professionals such
as otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists, or
audiologists, is encouraged.
Each Center should develop programs of information and
continuing education for physicians and other health care
professionals who will provide care for patients with the
disorder(s) that is (are) the research focus of the Center.
Educational programs should provide didactic materials on
current methods of early diagnosis and treatment. These
programs should seek to disseminate the results of research,
screening, and other activities and develop means of
standardizing patient data and record keeping.
Centers will also include programs for the dissemination to the
general public of information on the importance of early
detection of the particular disorders or impairments under
study, of seeking prompt treatment, rehabilitation, and when
indicated, of following an appropriate therapeutic regimen.
When appropriate, these public information programs may also
focus on the importance of avoiding exposure to noise or other
environmental toxic agents that may effect the impairments under
examination.
It is essential that the continuing education programs for
health professionals and the public information programs utilize
evaluation methodology that measures the effectiveness of the
outreach strategies so that useful techniques may be shared with
other Centers and health care providers.
The NIDCD expects each Center to develop its own program in
accordance with local strengths, talents, interests, and
resources. Each RTC must be willing to cooperate actively with
other Centers awarded under this and other Center solicitations.
The NIDCD program officer will coordinate plans for any special
activities of mutual interest to the Institute and the RTC.
This may include training, information techniques, or continuing
education, for example. The program officer will make periodic
visits to the RTCs and will be responsible for evaluating
progress. To foster cooperation among Centers, the Center
Directors must agree to meet together at least once a year with
the NIDCD program officer to review progress and coordinate
similar activities. Representatives of each Center will form
working groups in the four major areas of Center activity, that
is, basic and clinical research, research training, continuing
professional education, and information dissemination to the
public.
MECHANISM, NUMBER OF YEARS, AND BUDGET
National Multi-purpose Research and Training Centers will be
funded through the Comprehensive Center grant mechanism (P60).
Five (5) years of support must be requested at a direct cost not
to exceed $1 million for the first year. Budget increments after
the first year will be limited to necessary cost-of-living
increases. At present, the Institute plans to award renewals of
one or more additional periods of not more than five (5) years of
support. Supplements to the Center grant are discouraged.
However, one per project period is allowable.
BUDGET GUIDELINES
o Requests for travel should include an estimate for one
meeting per year of the Center Director with NIDCD program staff
in Washington, DC. In addition, requests for travel should
include meetings of the working groups in the four major areas
of center activity (see "Objective and Scope").
o Alteration and renovation costs must be limited to $200,000
total for the five-year period. Renovation must be limited to
facilities that are required solely to support Center
activities. Please refer to the PHS Grants Policy Statement
DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 82-50,000
(revised October 1, 1990) for
guidance on the information which must be made available to and
approved by NIDCD should an award include significant funds for
alterations and renovations.
o Stipends for research trainees should be set at the level of
NIH National Research Service Award (NRSA) program.
o Consideration should be given in budget planning to those
activities that would not be able to start immediately such as
continuing education or information dissemination. Costs should
be phased in for these activities based on realistic start dates.
o All costs must be well justified by the programmatic
activities of the Center.
Although this solicitation is included in the plans for Fiscal
Year 1991, support of grants pursuant to this request for
applications is contingent upon availability of funds for this
purpose. It is anticipated that two Centers will be funded
under this RFA. The level of funding of individual Centers will
be influenced by the individual merit of the proposals, the
level of support recommended by the initial scientific review,
and the amount of funds available to the NIDCD.
It is expected that investigators collaborating within the
Center will not necessarily derive all of their support from the
Center grant mechanism. However, if proposed projects within
the Center grant mechanism overlap with current support (for
example, with an ongoing R01), the investigator must accept the
project support only within the Center grant mechanism. While
the development of new instrumentation or assistive devices may
be a part of the Center, support for such development alone
should not be funded in the RTC. In general, funds will not be
provided for the purchase and installation of expensive
equipment. Institute staff should be consulted if an applicant
has questions regarding these limitations.
METHOD OF APPLYING
Applications should be developed in close cooperation with the
NIDCD extramural program official(s) who will provide guidance
to applicants on both scientific and administrative issues prior
to submission.
To facilitate Institute planning, applicants are requested to
submit a letter of intent to the NIDCD on or before January 30,
1991. The letter should include a descriptive title, names of
investigators who might be involved, and names of any
participants outside the applicant institution. The Institute
requests such letters only for the purpose of providing an
indication of the number and scope of applications to be
received and, therefore, usually does not acknowledge their
receipt. A letter of intent is not binding; it will not enter
into the review of any application subsequently submitted, nor
is it a requirement.
A letter of intent should be sent by January 30, 1991 to:
Ralph F. Naunton, M.D.
Director
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders
National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders
National Institutes of Health
Executive Plaza South, Room 750
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20852
Telephone: (301) 496-1804
Fax: (301) 402-6250
The applicant should prepare a complete application on research
grant application Form PHS 398 (revised 10/88). Copies of this
form are available in the applicant institution's office of
sponsored research, or may be obtained from the following:
Office of Grants Inquiries
Division of Research Grants
Westwood Building, Room 449
National Institutes of Health
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892
Applicants should utilize the instructions described in the
document "Application Guidelines: National Multi-purpose
Research and Training Centers (RTC) ," available upon request
from the contact person identified above.
To identify the application as a response to this RFA, check
"yes" in Item Number 2 on the face page of the application and
enter the title "National Multi-purpose Research and Training
Centers" and the RFA number DC-91-01 in the space provided.
The RFA label found in the Form PHS-398 application kit must be
affixed to the bottom of the face page of the original completed
application form. Failure to use this label could result in
delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach
the review committee in time for review.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants for the "National Multi-purpose Research and Training
Centers" Grant Award must propose a program that includes:
1) Basic and Clinical Research: The research program must
have a central theme, involving basic research and clinical
research into the cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention,
and treatment of one or more disorders of hearing, balance,
smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. There must be three
or more related and integrated research projects of high quality
that provide a multi-disciplinary yet unified approach to the
problems being investigated. Each project must be described
fully. Each individual research component must be meritorious.
The Center Director coordinates all projects included in the
Center and must have recognized skills as both a scientist and a
research administrator.
Investigators should be aware that NIH requires applicants to give
added attention, where feasible and appropriate, to the inclusion
of minorities and women in study populations. Gender and minority
population differences should be noted and analyzed wherever
possible. If minorities and/or women are not included in a given
study, a clear reason for their absence must be provided. Merely
including an arbitrary number of minority group and women
participants in a given study is insufficient to guarantee
generalization of results.
One or more cores, for the support of resources serving the
research projects, may be included. These cores are most
appropriate for common resources such as equipment, tissue
culture, biostatistics, and so forth.
2) Research Training: The training program enables
cross-disciplinary training for physicians, pre- and
post-doctoral fellows, visiting scientists, and students in the
areas of communication sciences and disorders which are the
focus of the RTC. The research training component of the RTC
must provide research training opportunities for individuals
with varying levels of research experience. Plans for
recruitment of underrepresented minorities, women and
individuals with disabilities must be included within this
component of the application.
In the preparation of an application, it is required that a
description of the institution's plan to provide instruction
on ethics in research training be included (see the announcement
in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts dated August 17, 1990,
Vol. 19, No. 30).
3) Continuing Education: Educational programs are designed
for physicians and other health and allied health professionals
who will provide care for individuals with disorders of hearing
or communication processes. The design, scope, and steps in
implementation of these programs are left to the applicants to
develop.
4) Information Dissemination: Information from the Center
is disseminated to the public and, when appropriate, technology
is transferred for clinical utilization and commercial product
development. This component of the RTC should include programs
for the dissemination to the general public of information on
the importance of early detection of disorders of the
communication processes which are the focus of the Center, of
seeking prompt treatment, rehabilitation, and of following an
appropriate therapeutic regimen.
Other Activities:
In addition, where appropriate, the Centers may pursue the
following activities:
a) Evaluation of the effectiveness of existing, new, and
improved methods of habilitation and rehabilitation (especially
with hearing-impaired and language-impaired children, the
elderly, and multi-cultural populations); and detection,
assessment, and treatment of communication disorders.
b) Epidemiologic and genetic studies related to specific
communication disorders.
Basic and clinical research should comprise approximately fifty
percent of the activity and resources of the Center. Research
training should also be a significant proportion of the Center
activity. The remaining resources may be distributed among
information dissemination, continuing education and other
activities (if included).
The Center director must be a scientist who can provide strong
and effective administrative leadership. This Center director
will be responsible for the organization and operation of the
RTC and for communication with NIDCD on scientific and
operational matters.
Interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary collaboration among
scientists working within the Center is considered a necessity
for an effective center grant. Each application should contain
a plan to assure continuing interaction among participating
scientists and among other NIDCD-funded research and training
Centers.
Scientific personnel and institutional resources capable of
providing a strong research base in the field of communication
sciences and disorders must be available. In addition, the
applicant institution and pertinent department(s) should show a
strong commitment to the Center's support. The Center should
typically share common resources, including technical, clerical
and administrative personnel, instrumentation, computer
resources, subject populations, and data bases.
The Center may be a consortium of institutions, organizations,
and medical facilities.
TIMETABLE FOR RECEIPT AND REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS
The original and four copies of the application are due in the
Division of Research Grants on or before February 21, 1991.
Awards will be made by September 1991. Applications received
after February 21, 1991 will be considered ineligible.
Applications must be sent to:
Application Receipt Office
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD 20892**
One additional copy of the application must be sent to the
Scientific Review Branch, NIDCD, at the same time as the
original and four copies are sent to the Division of Research
Grants. Otherwise, the NIDCD cannot guarantee that the
application will be reviewed in competition for this RFA. Send
to:
Chief, Scientific Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 750
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20852
REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
Applications will be reviewed by NIDCD for responsiveness to the
RFA and scientific merit. Applications that do not meet the
specified criteria will be returned to the applicants. Those
applications judged to be responsive will be further evaluated
for scientific and technical merit by a Special Review Committee
in the NIDCD, and site visits or applicant interviews in
Bethesda, Maryland, will be held. The final level of review will
be made by the National Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders Advisory Council for funding in September 1991.
The Special Review Committee will use the following criteria in
evaluating the applications:
a) The criteria for reviewing the program as an integrated
effort are:
o relevance of the proposed program to the NIDCD mission;
o the integration of the multidisciplinary enterprise with
adequate plans for interaction and communication of information
among the collaborating investigators;
o the coordination and interrelationship among the individual
research projects and cores and the relationship of the project
objectives to the common theme, including the relationship of
the basic science projects to the clinical research components;
o leadership ability and scientific stature of the Center
director and her/his ability to devote adequate time and effort
to provide effective leadership;
o participation of a suitable number of responsible,
experienced investigators;
o an organizational and administrative structure appropriate
for effective attainment of program objectives;
o arrangements for internal quality control of ongoing
research, the allocation of funds, day-to-day management,
collaborative arrangements with other institutions, if any, and
internal communication and cooperation among the investigators
in the program;
o extramural advice and consultation;
o evidence of a history of successful coordination and
cooperation among a variety of disciplines;
o the adequacy of facilities to support the various
components of the RTC, including the availability of space,
equipment, and subjects;
o the rationale for and cost of the modernization and
remodeling of facilities which will serve the RTC;
o institutional commitment to the requirements of the
program;
o appropriateness of the overall budget for the proposed
program; and
o for cores: the technical merit and justification of each
core unit; the appropriateness of each research project's use of
core services; and the cost effectiveness and quality control of
core units.
b) The criteria for reviewing the basic and clinical research
components are:
o the advantages of pursuing the proposed research within an
RTC grant rather than through individual research grants; the
appropriateness of the size of the program (small enough to
afford effective interaction focused on a specific central theme
and large enough to achieve greater synergy and economies not
provided by regular research grants);
o the scientific merit of each project in the context of the
proposed program, including the originality and feasibility of the
approach, and the adequacy of the experimental design;
o the specific scientific objectives of each project that
will benefit significantly from, or depend upon, collaborative
interactions with other projects in the program (i.e.,
objectives that can be uniquely accomplished or specific
contributions to the accomplishments of objectives that can be
achieved with greater effectiveness and/or economy of effort;
o qualifications, experience, and commitment of the
investigators and their ability to devote the required time and
effort to the program;
o the appropriateness of the budget for each research project;
o the adequacy of the means proposed for protecting against
risks to human subjects, animals, and the environment;
o the adequacy of internal and external procedures for
monitoring and evaluating the quality of research in progress;
and
o Investigators should be aware that NIH requires applicants to give
added attention, where feasible and appropriate, to the inclusion
of minorities and women in study populations. Gender and minority
population differences should be noted and analyzed wherever
possible. If minorities and/or women are not included in a given
study, a clear reason for their absence must be provided. Merely
including an arbitrary number of minority group and women
participants in a given study is insufficient to guarantee
generalization of results.
(See NIH
Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 19, No. 31, August 24,
1990, and Vol. 19, No. 35, September 28, 1990,
for further information).
c) The criteria for reviewing the research training
component are:
o the proposed research training objectives and program
design;
o the need for research personnel in the proposed area of
research training;
o appropriateness of recruitment plan, including
o an affirmative plan for the recruitment of
underrepresented minorities, women and disabled individuals,
which may include any or all of the following: advertisements in
scientific or science-oriented journals; posters and/or flyers
for display and distribution at scientific meetings; visits by
program director and/or preceptors to minority institutions to
advertise training opportunities; cooperative programs with
nearby minority colleges; specific procedures of the
institution's Office of Graduate Studies or Research
Administration to identify potential applicants; and invitations
to prospective minority applicants to visit the Center. (See
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 18, #20, June 9, 1989
for further information).
o characteristics of the training environment (including the
qualifications and research experience of the participating
faculty; laboratory and clinical facilities; access to patients);
o characteristics of the training plan: uniqueness and
appropriateness (including length of training, didactic program,
and basic and clinical research opportunities);
o the previous training record of the research program and
its ability to attract high caliber trainees; and the successful
transition of trainees as independent investigators;
o the extent of the institutional commitment; and
o opportunities for the more established investigator to:
oo acquire new research capabilities,
oo attain or enlarge command of an allied research field, and
oo increase capabilities in health-related research.
o In the preparation of an application, it is required that a
description of the institution's plan to provide instruction
on ethics in research training be included (see the announcement
in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts dated August 17, 1990,
Vol. 19, No. 30).
d) The criteria for reviewing the continuing professional
education component are:
o the major continuing education goals and functions of the
sponsoring organization;
o the audience served, that is, the range of professionals
who would participate;
o procedures to be used to determine the continuing
education needs of the audience served;
o the adequacy of the proposed program content and plans for
its provision;
o qualifications of the individual responsible for continuing
education component and the teaching staff;
o appropriateness, range, and scope of the educational
programs offered to health-related professionals;
o administrative support and physical facilities available
for these activities; and
o adequacy of evaluation methodology to determine the
effectiveness of the continuing education program.
e) The criteria for reviewing the dissemination of information
are:
o The appropriateness of the proposed methods to assure the
quality of information disseminated (for example, review by
peers in the field);
o the adequacy of the proposed plan for information
dissemination and technology transfer;
o the format and content of the information to be
disseminated;
o the breadth or range of audiences which will be served;
o previous experience of the applicant organization in
information dissemination and technology transfer; and
o adequacy of evaluation methodology to determine the
effectiveness of the information dissemination programs.
The criteria for reviewing Other Activities (if included) are:
o evaluation of effectiveness of methods of habilitation and
rehabilitation: the criteria (as appropriate) noted above for
review of the basic and clinical research component. Rating of
these studies would occur within the basic and clinical research
component.
o epidemiologic and genetic studies: the criteria (as
appropriate) noted above for review of the basic and clinical
research component. Rating of these studies would occur within
the basic and clinical research component.
FUNDING
It is anticipated that 2 awards will be made in FY 1991. The
award of National Multi-purpose Research and Training Centers
grants is contingent upon the assessment of the applications by
peer review and the allocation of appropriated funds for this
purpose. Funding for Center grants beyond the initial period
will be subject to competitive renewal.
INQUIRIES
For further information, potential applicants may call or write
to:
Ralph F. Naunton, M.D.
Director
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders
National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders
National Institutes of Health (See Method of Applying)
Executive Plaza South, Room 750
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20852
Telephone: (301) 496-1804
Fax: (301) 402-6250
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.173, Research Related to Deafness and
Communication Disorders.
Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health
Service Act, Section 301 (42 USC241), and administered under PHS
grant policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR
Part 74. This program is not subject to review by a Health
Systems Agency.
NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE
Short-Term Training for Minority Students Program
PA: PA-91-14
P.T. 44, FF; K.W. 0720005, 0715032, 0715040, 0715165
Application Receipt Date: February 8, 1991
I. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM
The Short-Term Training for Minority Students Program is
intended to:
1. Provide minority undergraduate students, graduate
students, and students in health professional schools
exposure to opportunities inherent in research careers in
areas relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic*
diseases.
* Within NHLBI, the term "hematologic" covers research on
thrombosis and hemostasis, immunohematology, blood cell
disorders, sickle cell disease, blood resources including
blood component and derivative therapy, blood substitutes
and blood resource management, aspects of AIDS-products in
AIDS prevention and treatment, and AIDS-related bone marrow
and hematologic disorders. Other Institutes of the NIH are
responsible for research on disorders of white cells,
including the leukemias and other blood malignancies, and
basic immunology related to the lymphoid system. Therefore
NHLBI cannot provide support for such studies.
2. Attract highly qualified minority students into
biomedical and behavioral research careers in the areas of
heart, lung, or blood disorders.
3. Bolster the already short supply of qualified minority
investigators.
II. BACKGROUND
There is a need for minority students to participate in
research activities to develop their investigative talents
and increase the pool of accomplished minority biomedical
investigators. Of the approximately 3,760 life science
doctoral degrees awarded in science in 1987, only 163 of
these were awarded to underrepresented minority individuals
and less than 3 percent of individuals holding a Ph.D.
degree in science are Black, Hispanic, native American,
Alaskan natives, or Pacific Islanders.
The 820 Black graduates of medical schools in 1987 represent
5 percent of total medical school graduates and only 2
percent of medical school faculty in the United States are
Black. While there is strong interest in the scientific
community in attracting minority students into research
careers, few minority students opt for science degrees and
research careers, and few minority graduates of health
professional schools go on to investigative careers. The
shortage of qualified minority investigators in research
positions may even exacerbate the situation due to a lack of
visible role models for students.
There are existing programs at the National Institutes of
Health that are designed to answer the need for more
minority investigators. These include the Minority
Biomedical Research Support Program, the Minority Access to
Research Careers Program, the NHLBI Minority Institutional
Research Training Grant and Minority School Faculty
Development Award Programs, and the Minority Research
Supplement Program. While these programs are successful in
meeting their specific objectives and career development
goals, the need to attract minority students to research
careers continues to exist. This NHLBI Short-Term Training
for Minority Students program is designed to provide
opportunities for underrepresented minority students at the
undergraduate and graduate level to become exposed to
biomedical research in areas relevant to cardiovascular,
pulmonary, and hematologic diseases through a short-term
research experience.
Authority:
Under authority of Section 487 of the Public Health Service
Act as amended (42 USC 288), the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute awards National Research Service Award
(NRSA) Short-term Training for Students in Health Professional
Schools (STSHPS) institutional grants. These grants, by
supporting short-term research training experiences of two
to three months, expose talented students in health
professional schools to the opportunities inherent in a
research career. The Short-Term Training for Minority
Students program is based on the STSHPS program and is
designed to help ameliorate the shortage of minority
biomedical and biobehavioral investigators in the areas of
heart, lung, and blood diseases by attracting highly
qualified minority students in their developmental stages,
increasing their awareness of heart, blood vessel, lung, and
blood diseases, and acquainting them with career
opportunities in biomedical and behavioral research.
III. ELIGIBILITY
A. Applicant Institutions
Domestic non-federal private or public nonprofit
institutions or organizations engaged in health-related
research may apply for grants. The applicant institution
must have the available research facilities, personnel, and
support for the program in either the cardiovascular,
pulmonary, or hematologic disease area. Minority
institutions with staff and resources in these research
areas are encouraged to apply. Only one application per
institution may be submitted for a given receipt date and an
institution may have only one active NHLBI short-term
Training for Minority Students award at any time.
B. Trainees
The applicant institution will be responsible for the
selection and appointment of trainees. Trainees should have
successfully completed at least one undergraduate year at an
accredited school or university or have successfully
completed one semester at a school of medicine, optometry,
osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy,
public health, or an institution with an accredited graduate
program, prior to participating in the program. These
grants are intended to introduce students to research that
would not otherwise be available through their regular
course of studies. For graduate students, this may include
minority graduate students in programs such as mathematics, who
would not normally be exposed to biomedical research or
minority graduate students who may need a specialized
research experience to supplement their normal graduate
education. Individuals holding Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M. or
equivalent doctoral degrees in the health sciences are not
eligible.
Trainees must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the
United States or must have been lawfully admitted for
permanent residency (i.e., in possession of the Alien
Registration Receipt Card I-551 or I-151) at the time of
appointment. Individuals on temporary or student visas are
not eligible.
Trainees need not be affiliated with the applicant
institution. The applicant's program can be designed to
include research experiences for qualified minority
individuals at the applicant institution but applicants are
strongly encouraged to propose a program that includes a
number of individuals from other institutions, schools,
colleges, or universities. The only requirement for student
selection is that the trainees fulfill the above referenced
eligibility requirements.
IV. PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Each institution is invited to develop an application that
is best suited to its own strengths and characteristics.
Applicant institutions need not propose a program that
encompasses all types of students, i.e., undergraduate,
graduate, and health professional students, but specific
types of students should not be excluded without careful
consideration and justification. The goal is to identify a
cadre of minority students with the potential to pursue
careers in biomedical and biobehavioral research in the
areas of heart, lung, and blood diseases and provide the
students with a research training experience that may
stimulate interest in pursuing a research career.
The training program director should have a demonstrated
record of success in conducting research and in working with
research trainees. Each application should describe a plan
for widely advertising the program to ensure active
competition for appointments. Special attention should be
given to the recruitment of individuals from minority groups
that now are underrepresented nationally in the biomedical
and behavioral sciences, i.e., Blacks, Hispanics, and native
Americans, Alaskan natives, and Pacific Islanders.
The overall training is not necessarily restricted to
activities in a single discipline or department but must be
limited to research activities in the areas of
cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases. The
choice of participating training sites and mentors should be
carefully described, to show that the institution's best
environments and role models have been selected. It is
expected that students will be assigned to the institution's
strongest research and training programs that may involve
basic or clinical research or a combination of both.
Each institution will be expected to encourage among the
trainees a sense of belonging to a community of scientists.
Among the methods that may be used is providing a special
seminar series addressing such topics as research
methodology, instrumentation, or experimental design. A
plan for evaluating the impact of the program on the
institution and the trainee is required.
Grants will be awarded to support no fewer than 4, and not
more than 24 trainees per budget period, based on a
full-time three-month appointment. A trainee may be
appointed for only one three-month period during a budget
period, but may be appointed for more than one budget
period, e.g., two successive summer research experiences. A
student may be appointed, in special circumstances, to more
than one three-month period during a budget period, provided
prior approval is obtained from the staff of the NHLBI.
All research training
must be full-time during the specific training sequence. It
is expected that most programs will be designed to provide a
summer research experience but other innovative program
designs and time schedules will be considered.
V. PROVISIONS OF THE AWARD
A. Period of Support
Institutions applying for new or competitive continuation
(renewal) Short-Term Training for Minority Students grants
may request up to five years of support.
B. Trainee Expenses
The stipend level for trainees is $708 per month. Stipends
may be supplemented by an institution from non-Federal
funds. No Federal funds may be used for stipend
supplementation unless specifically authorized under the
terms of the program from which the supplemental funds are
derived. Under no circumstances may the conditions of
stipend supplementation detract from or prolong the
training.
C. Training Related Expenses
Up to $125 per month for each participating student may be
requested to defray other costs of training such as staff
salaries, consultant costs, and research supplies. In
addition, up to $700 per trainee may be requested to cover
domestic trainee travel to and from the training site.
Trainee tuition and fees, where necessary to the research
training, must be covered by the Training Related Expenses.
D. Indirect Costs
Indirect costs will be awarded based on 8 percent of total
direct costs with no exclusions from the base for training-
related expenses.
E. Trainee Reporting Requirements
A Statement of Appointment of Trainee form (PHS 2271) will
be required to be submitted at the start of each trainee
appointment and reappointment. Individuals trained under
this program will not be required to sign an NRSA Payback
Agreement or submit an NRSA Termination Notice (PHS 416-7).
Applicants for competitive renewal applications will be
required to provide information concerning past trainees in
the program, the accomplishments of the program, and whether
students supported by the program have pursued research
careers.
F. Other Terms and Conditions
Except as modified by this announcement, the terms and
conditions in the National Research Service Awards,
Guidelines for Individual Awards - Institutional Grants
(January 6, l984), as amended, will be applicable to grants
made under this program.
VI. REVIEW PROCEDURES
All applications responding to this announcement will be
reviewed for scientific and technical merit by the Research
Training Review Committee of the Division of Extramural
Affairs, NHLBI, followed by a second level review by the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council.
Review Criteria
The factors to be considered in the evaluation of the
proposed training program are:
o Design of the proposed training program and the
qualifications of the program director and
participating faculty;
o Adequacy of facilities, environment, and resources for the
proposed research training;
o Methods of recruiting, selecting and assigning minority
students;
o Commitment of the institution and participating faculty to
the goals of the training program;
o Procedures for evaluation of the effectiveness of the
program and the impact of the program on the students
involved.
VII. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Submit applications on Form PHS-398 (Rev. 10/88), Application
for Public Health Service Grant using the Institutional Research
Service Award substitute pages LL-NN. This form is available at
the applicant institution's office of sponsored research. An
application may also be obtained from the three program offices
of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute listed below.
When submitting the application, identify the Short-Term Training
for Minority Students Program, PA-91-14, on the face page in line
2. Special instructions for preparing the application can be
obtained from the program offices of the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute listed below.
The RFA label (found in the 10/88 revision of application form
PHS 398) must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the
original copy of the application. Failure to use this label
could result in delayed processing of your application such that
it will not reach the review committee in time for review.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the following office
prior to application preparation:
Executive Secretary
Research Training Review Committee
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 550
Bethesda, MD 20892
Applications
Send the completed application and four (4) signed exact
photocopies by the announced receipt date to:
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Room 240, Westwood Building
Bethesda, MD 20892**
Two additional copies of the application should be sent
to the Executive Secretary of the Research Training Review
Committee listed above.
Program Offices
Information regarding this program and guidelines for
preparing applications may be obtained from one of the
following:
John Fakunding, Ph.D.
Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Federal Building, Room 3C04
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-1724
Helena Mishoe, Ph.D.
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Federal Building, Room 504D
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-6931
Sydney Parker, Ph.D.
Division of Lung Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 640A
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7668
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance numbers 93.837-93.839. Awards will be made under
the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Title III,
Section 487 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42 USC 288) and
administered under PHS grant policies and Federal
Regulations at 42 CFR Part 66. This program is not subject
to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive
Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.