kristoff@GENBANK.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson) (09/23/90)
NOTE: The NIH Guide may be split into more than one mail message to avoid truncation during e-mail distribution. The first message always begins with the RFP/RFA summary sections followed by the appended texts of the full RFP/RFAs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 34, September 21, 1990 NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs) COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH ON THE PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS (RFA AA-91-01) ...........................(84/251, 564/1936)........ 1 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Office for Substance Abuse Prevention Index: ALCOHOL ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM, SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION DIGITAL IMAGING OF CHEST X-RAY (RFA CA-90-21) .....(254/318, 1939/2235)...... 3 National Cancer Institute Index: CANCER ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF SKELETAL MUSCLE ASSEMBLY AND FUNCTION (PA-90-34) ....... 4 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Index: ARTHRITIS, MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES, SKIN DISEASES (324/484) NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs) COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH ON THE PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS RFA AVAILABLE: AA-91-01 P.T. 34; K.W. 0404003, 0745027, 0403004, 0404000 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Office for Substance Abuse Prevention Application Receipt Date: February 12, 1991 PURPOSE The primary purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to encourage long-term, controlled experimentation to test community-based intervention programs for the prevention of alcohol-related problems. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The research envisioned will investigate prevention strategies applied to entire communities as the basic units of analysis. The prevention strategies should be targeted at entire sectors of the community (e.g., automobile drivers, pregnant women). The chief interventions should be based on environmental factors such as: o normative factors (e.g., standards of behavior, attitudes and beliefs regarding alcohol, mass media effects); o legal elements (e.g., alcohol beverage control laws, laws regarding drunk driving, minimum purchase age laws, zoning); o economic factors (e.g., pricing, factors that affect the cost of consumption). The research may include interventions that are not considered environmental (e.g., educational programs) to determine whether they interact with environmental ones to enhance their own effectiveness or that of the environmental factors. The targeted outcomes of the interventions should be changes in the behaviors that contribute to the existence of alcohol-related problems or changes in the incidence or prevalence of the problems themselves. Examples of the former include the consumption of alcoholic beverages by pregnant women, binge drinking, driving while intoxicated, and experimental drinking by young people. Examples of target problems are alcohol-related traffic crashes, violence, and birth defects; morbidity and mortality from alcohol-caused cirrhosis, some cancers, and alcohol dependency. The target groups must include youth and/or young adults, but need not be limited to these populations. Three distinct community-based research alternatives are described below: 1. Testing a prevention program implementing a combination of community-based interventions that are expected to have a substantial long-term effect. The focus here is on the total effect of the interventions. The application should provide a rationale for the selection of the interventions and an estimate of the magnitude of effects expected. 2. Determining whether an integrated set of community-based interventions will have a joint effect different from the sum of the effects of the separate interventions. It is important to know whether the interventions interfere with each other or act to enhance their separate effects. 3. Determining the effect of community involvement in the planning and delivery of interventions on the effectiveness of the interventions. Community involvement is regarded as an essential facilitator of program effects in community-based research. The strategy here is to treat community involvement as an experimental variable in a controlled experimental design. Applications that do not address at least one of these objectives will be regarded as non-responsive and will be returned to the applicant. NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 34, September 21, 1990 - Page 1 METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES Community-based intervention trials are field experiments testing particular intervention strategies and, as such, have to satisfy criteria relating to internal validity. Applicants are urged to employ randomized assignment of communities to interventions. Where randomization is not feasible, the research may employ quasi-experimental designs and time-series analyses as alternatives. Efforts should be made to select study communities that are similar on cogent characteristics. The research plan must include formative, procedural, and evaluative components. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Applicants may request up to 5 years of support (renewable for subsequent periods). It is estimated that $2,000,000 will be available for two to three research grant awards for the first year of funding, including direct and indirect costs. Awards will be made as soon as possible after the final review in September of 1991. ELIGIBILITY Applications may be submitted by public or private nonprofit organizations such as universities, colleges, research institutions and organizations, hospitals, units of state or local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal Government. Women and minority investigators are encouraged to apply. REVIEW PROCEDURES The Division of Research Grants, NIH, serves as the central point for receipt of applications under this RFA. Applications received will be assigned to the Initial Review Group (IRG) in accordance with established Public Health Service Referral Guidelines. The IRG, primarily of non-Federal scientific and technical experts will review applications for scientific and technical merit. Notification of the review recommendations will be sent to the applicant after the initial review. Applications will receive a second-level review by the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the Advisory Committee on Substance Abuse Prevention, where reviews may be based on policy considerations as well as scientific considerations. Only applications recommended for approval by these bodies may be considered for funding. Applications submitted in response to this announcement are not subject to the intergovernmental requirements of Executive Order 12372, as implemented through the Department of Health and Human Services regulations at 45 CFR Part 100, and are not subject to Health Systems Agency review. INCLUSION OF MINORITIES IN STUDY POPULATIONS The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP) requires that applicants consider the inclusion of minorities in study populations. If minorities are not included in a given study, a clear rationale for their exclusion should be provided. INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN STUDY POPULATIONS NIAAA/OSAP requires that applicants consider the inclusion of women in the study populations. Gender differences should be noted and evaluated. If women are not included in a given study, a clear rationale for their exclusion should be provided. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applicants should use the standard research grant application form PHS 398 (revised 10/88). Application kits containing the necessary forms and instruction may be obtained from business offices or offices of sponsored research at most universities, colleges, medical schools, and other major research facilities, or from the following office: National Clearing House for Alcohol and Drug Information Post Office Box 2345 Rockville, MD 20852 Telephone: (301) 468-2600 NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 34, September 21, 1990 - Page 2 INQUIRIES For a copy of the complete RFA and preapplication consultation, contact: S. Frank Camilleri, Ph.D. Prevention Research Branch Division of Clinical and Prevention Research National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 13C-23 Rockville, MD 20857 Telephone: (301) 443-1677 DIGITAL IMAGING OF CHEST X-RAY RFA AVAILABLE: CA-90-21 P.T. 34; K.W. 0715035, 0715165, 0706030 National Cancer Institute Application Receipt Date: December 11, 1990 The Radiation Research Program (RRP), Division of Cancer Treatment (DCT), of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announces the availability of a Request For Applications (RFA) on the above program. The objective of this RFA is to support meritorious research in the application of digital chest radiography in the detection and characterization of the solitary lesions often associated with lung cancer. Radiographic examination of the chest is the most commonly performed study in diagnostic radiology. Despite the advent of new imaging techniques and the highly sophisticated technology, such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance (MRI/MRS), chest x-ray remains the mainstay of thoracic imaging. Chest radiography has not appreciably benefited from the diagnostic imaging evolution of the last decade. Digitization of the chest radiograph is technically difficult. It requires high spatial resolution to capture the fine details of the vessels, bronchi, and to detect small lesions. No universally acceptable digital chest system has been developed; but as systems improve, more sophisticated processing options will arise. More advanced algorithms will open digital chest radiography to quantitative analysis, particularly concerning application of dual energy techniques. The complexity of chest radiography and lack of standardized chest technique make the digitization of chest x-ray a formidable task. This RFA is designed to advance all aspects of x-ray digitization and to stimulate research leading to the improvement of chest radiography that may potentially result in earlier cancer diagnosis and treatment. The objective of this RFA is to support meritorious research in the application of digital chest radiography in the detection and characterization of the solitary lesions often associated with lung cancer. The ultimate goal of digital radiography is to enhance diagnostic imaging, improve image communication, archiving, reduce cost of patient care, and improve cancer detection. Approximately $600,000 in total costs per year for three years will be committed specifically to fund applications which are submitted in response to this RFA. It is anticipated that approximately three or possibly four scientifically meritorious applications will be funded. The label available with the 10/88 revision of application Form 398 must be affixed the bottom of the face page. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of your application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. Request for copies of the complete RFA should be addressed to: Dr. Matti Al-Aish, Program Director Diagnostic Imaging Research Branch Radiation Research Program National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health Executive Plaza North/Suite 800 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-9531 NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 34, September 21, 1990 - Page 3 ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF SKELETAL MUSCLE ASSEMBLY AND FUNCTION PA: PA-90-34 P.T. 34; K.W. 0705050, 1002004, 0760070, 1002058, 1003018, 0715136 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases INTRODUCTION The Muscle Biology Program of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) supports research on skeletal muscle, its diseases and disorders. This includes studies on normal muscle structure, function, development, and homeostasis. NIAMS, through this Program Announcement, encourages submission of grant applications in the specific area of the dynamic molecular events that bring about and maintain the highly organized and regular structures of skeletal muscle. BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle is a major tissue of the human body, responsible for forty percent of total body weight in normal adults. Its primary function is generating and controlling body motion. Extensive observation and research, motivated by this major role, has enhanced our understanding of many aspects of muscle action. Major contractile, regulatory, and structural proteins have been isolated and characterized. The genetic sequences encoding many of these proteins are known and subject to current techniques of cloning and site-directed mutagenesis. Researchers are determining the mechanisms that control genetic expression. There are detailed studies on structure of regulatory, contractile, cytoskeletal, and membrane proteins. Electron micrographs and immunofluorescent light images reveal a regularly organized ultrastructure, the composition of which has not been completely determined. We can describe extensive changes in appearance and protein composition as muscle develops and differentiates. This knowledge provides the basis for studies on the molecular mechanisms which bring about and maintain the structure of the myofibril. Similarly, extensive knowledge of the molecular architecture of muscle structures, such as thick and thin filaments, provides the background for studies at the atomic level of the inter-molecular basis for both muscle force and myofibril stability. There are major unknowns regarding the development and maintenance of myofibrils: proteins or structures that have not yet been isolated and characterized; the biologically significant mechanisms underlying the dynamics of protein assembly, organization and exchange; the mechanisms responsible for control of protein expression, which result in different compositions dependent on muscle activity; the ways extracellular matrix proteins, membrane proteins, and the cytoskeleton influence myofibrillar assembly, sites of attachments and alignment; forces that stabilize the structures of the myofibrils, so that contractile force can be generated and controlled; and how proteins in these structures are replaced without impairing the contractile or metabolic activity of the muscles. RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE The primary goal of this Program Announcement is to foster research that enhances knowledge about the molecules of skeletal muscle and understanding of the molecular interactions that occur in the assembly and maintenance of striated muscle. This includes studies on individual processes as well as studies that try to integrate multidisciplinary approaches. The scope of possible research areas includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: 1) Studies of genetic determinants and regulatory mechanisms important to myofibril assembly. This includes studies on influences of stimulation and hormonal environment, and the role of the multiple nuclei within individual muscle cells; 2) Studies of the role of extracellular matrix, cytoskeletal, and membrane proteins in myofibrillar organization; 3) Characterization of proteins and other molecules involved in establishing and maintaining myofibril structure. This includes non-muscle proteins when they present relevant models. Studies on NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 34, September 21, 1990 - Page 4 mechanisms and dynamics of how these components interact to form multi-component complexes; 4) Studies of the structures visible within the myofibril, such as the thick and thin filaments, the I-Z-I complex, the myotendinous junction and other structures responsible for coordination of structure between filamentous bundles; 5) Characterization of the forces that stabilize structures and provide for regulation of myofibrillar function, including tension development; 6) Studies on mechanisms of homeostasis and repair, including myofibril remodelling and protein turnover and replacement within functional complexes; and 7) Studies of molecular changes in response to exercise and disease, with focus on molecular mechanisms of hypertrophy and atrophy, including the role of messengers and receptors on the cell surface. Investigators are encouraged to use the full range of current disciplines and techniques, including biochemistry, biophysics, molecular genetics and recombinant techniques, and cell biology. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Applicants may apply for research project grants (R01), program project awards (P01), FIRST awards and suitable fellowships or research career awards. APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES Applications in response to this announcement will be reviewed in accordance with the usual Public Health Service peer review procedures. Review criteria include: significance and originality of the research goals and approaches; feasibility of the research and adequacy of the experimental design; training, research competence, and dedication of the investigator(s); adequacy of available facilities; and provision for the humane care of animals. Decisions will be based on initial review group and National Advisory Council recommendations. Applications should be submitted on form PHS-398 (rev. 10/88) or the appropriate training/fellowship application form, available in the business or grants office at most academic or research institutions, or from the Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, (301) 496-7441. Applications will be accepted in accordance with the submission dates for new applications on a continuing basis: February 1, June 1, October 1. Fellowship receipt dates are January 10, May 10, September 10. Applicants are required to include, where feasible and appropriate, women as well as men and minorities in the study of populations for all clinical and research efforts and to analyze, where appropriate, differences between these populations. If women and minorities are not to be included, a clear rationale for their exclusion should be provided. The phrase "RESPONSE TO NIAMS PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF SKELETAL MUSCLE ASSEMBLY AND FUNCTION, PA-90-34" should be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application. The original and six copies should be sent or delivered to: Grant Application Receipt Office Division of Research Grants Westwood Building, Room 240 National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD 20892-4500** For further information, investigators are encouraged to contact the following individual: Richard W. Lymn, Ph.D. Muscle Biology Program Director National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Westwood Building, Room 403 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7495 This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 13.846, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research. Awards will NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 34, September 21, 1990 - Page 5 be made under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. 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, MD 20816 NIH GUIDE - Vol. 19, No. 34, September 21, 1990 - Page 6 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS RFA NUMBER: CA-90-21 RFA TITLE: DIGITAL IMAGING OF CHEST X-RAY P.T. 34; K.W. 0715035, 0715165, 0706030 NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Letter of Intent Receipt Date: November 11, 1990 I. INTRODUCTION The Radiation Research Program (RRP), Division of Cancer Treatment (DCT), of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announces the availability of a Request For Applications (RFA) on the above program. The objective of this RFA is to support meritorious research in the application of digital chest radiography in the detection and characterization of the solitary lesions often associated with lung cancer. II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Since its inception, the discipline of radiology has depended on photographic film as the primary vehicle for recording, interpreting, transmitting, and storing of the radiologic images. A change in this traditional approach to image recording is occurring as digital techniques become established in departments of radiology across the country. Digitization of the radiologic images allows for more efficient storage/retrieval, image management, and decision-making support. Digitization is, in fact, an integral part of the imaging process in diagnostic ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography. However, conventional roentgenology appears to be affected by digitization to a considerably lesser degree. Before digitization can be implemented in the clinical setting, a number of problems associated with transmission, storage, and retrieval of radiologic data must be resolved. Radiographic examination of the chest is the most commonly performed study in diagnostic radiology. Despite the advent of new imaging techniques and the highly sophisticated technology, such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US), and magnetic resonance (MRI/MRS), chest x-ray remains the mainstay of thoracic imaging. Chest radiography has not appreciably benefited from the diagnostic imaging evolution of the last decade. Digitization of the chest radiograph is technically difficult. It requires high spatial resolution to capture the fine details of the vessels, bronchi, and to detect small lesions. No universally acceptable digital chest system has been developed, but as systems improve, more sophisticated processing options will arise. More advanced algorithms will open digital chest radiography to quantitative analysis, particularly concerning application of dual energy techniques. The complexity of chest radiography and lack of standardized chest technique make the digitization of chest x-ray a formidable task. This RFA is designed to advance all aspects of x-ray digitization and to stimulate research leading to the improvement of chest radiography that may potentially result in earlier cancer diagnosis and treatment. III. RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE The objective of this RFA is to support meritorious research in the application of digital chest radiography in the detection and characterization of the solitary lesions often associated with lung cancer. The ultimate goal of digital radiography is to enhance diagnostic imaging, improve image communication, archiving, reduce cost of patient care, and improve cancer detection. Suggested areas of investigation include, but are not limited to, research leading towards: A. Improvements in digital image acquisition. B. Development and optimization of digital radiography system and techniques, including dual-energy systems. C. Development or improvement of the existing hardware and software for digital radiography and image processing. D. Development of high resolution CRT monitors able to display brighter and higher contrast images. E. Development of new approaches to improve signal-to-noise ratio, increase scanning speed, and ultimately reduce motion artifacts. F. Clinical evaluation of digital radiography. IV. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Support of this program will be through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant-in-aid. Applicants will be responsible for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project. Except as otherwise stated in this RFA, 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 January 1, 1987. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Generally, future unsolicited competitive continuation applications will compete as research project applications with all other investigator-initiated applications and be reviewed by the Division of Research Grants (DRG). However, should the NCI determine that there is sufficient programmatic need, a request for renewal applications will be announced. In that event, only the recipients of awards under the RFA will be eligible to apply. Approximately $600,000 in total costs per year for three years will be committed specifically to fund applications which are submitted in response to this RFA. It is anticipated that three to four awards will be made. The funding level is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit. The total project period for applications submitted in response to the present RFA should not exceed three years. The earliest feasible start date for the initial awards will be July 1, 1991. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NCI, the award of grants pursuant to this RFA is also contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. V. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Non-profit and for-profit organizations and institutions, governments and their agencies, and foreign institutions are eligible to apply. VI. REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA A. REVIEW PROCEDURE Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed administratively by applying the Division of Research Grants (DRG) referral guidelines and will be evaluated initially by DRG for completeness. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Evaluation for responsiveness to the program requirements and criteria stated in the RFA is an NCI program staff function. Applications judged non-responsive will be returned by the NCI, but may, at the request of the principal investigator, be submitted as investigator-initiated regular research grants at the next receipt date. Questions concerning the responsiveness of the proposed research to the RFA should be directed to program staff (see Section IX). In cases where the number of applications is large compared to the number of awards to be made, the NCI may conduct a preliminary scientific peer review to eliminate those which are clearly not competitive. The NCI will remove from competition those applications judged to be noncompetitive for an award and notify the applicant and institutional business official. Those applications judged to be both competitive and responsive will be further evaluated according to the review criteria stated below for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the Division of Extramural Activities, NCI. The second level of review by the National Cancer Advisory Board considers the special needs of the Institute and the priorities of the National Cancer Program. B. REVIEW CRITERIA The NCI peer review will consider the following criteria: 1. Significance of the proposed research and extent to which it addresses the overall goals of the RFA, namely, to develop or improve digital imaging of chest x-ray. 2. Originality, scientific and technical merit of the proposed research. 3. Competence, experience, and ability of the principal investigator and the research team to accomplish the objectives of the overall goals of the RFA. 4. Accuracy and adequacy of the methods, procedures and approaches for the proposed research. 5. Appropriateness and adequacy of the facilities, resources, instrumentation, and equipment available to the principal investigator and supporting staff. 6. Reasonableness of the time/effort devoted by the applicant and his staff to the project. Based on the actual budgetary needs for the conduct of the approved research, the review group will recommend an appropriate budget and period of support for each approved application. VII. METHOD OF APPLICATION The regular research grant application form PHS-398 (revised 10/88) must be used in applying for this RFA. These forms are available at most institutional business offices and from the Office of Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Room 449, Westwood Building, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, or from the NCI program director named below. The RFA label available in the 10/88 revision of application Form 398 must be affixed to the bottom of the face page. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of your application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the RFA number and title should be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and four (4) signed, exact photocopies, in one package to DRG at the address below. The photocopies must be clear and single sided. DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892** At time of submission, send two (2) additional copies of the application to: REFERRAL OFFICER Division of Extramural Activities National Cancer Institute Room 848, Westwood Building 5333 Westbard Avenue Bethesda, MD 20892 Applications must be received by 12-11-90. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned. If the application submitted in response to this RFA is substantially similar to a research grant application already submitted to the NIH for review, but has not yet been reviewed, the applicant will be asked to withdraw either the pending application or the new one. Simultaneous submission of identical applications will not be allowed, nor will essentially identical applications be reviewed by different review committees. Therefore, an application cannot be submitted in response to this RFA which is essentially identical to one that has already been reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an Introduction addressing the previous critique. VIII. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by 11-1-90, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, the name and address of the principal investigator, the names of other key personnel, the participating institutions, and the number and title of the RFA in response to which the application is being submitted. The letter of intent is of great benefit to the NCI in planning for and implementing the review process although it is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of subsequent applications. The letter of intent should be sent to the NCI program director: Dr. Matti Al-Aish, Program Director Diagnostic Imaging Research Branch Radiation Research Program National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health Executive Plaza North, Suite 800 Bethesda, MD 20892 (phone: 301-496-9531) IX. INQUIRIES Written or telephone inquiries concerning the objectives and scope of this RFA or inquiries about whether or not specific proposed research would be responsive are encouraged and should be directed to Dr. Matti Al-Aish at the above address. The program director welcomes the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants. This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 13.395, Cancer Treatment Research. Awards are under the authority of Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.