kristoff@GENBANK.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson) (12/23/89)
D. THE AVAILABILITY, UTILIZATION, AND QUALITY OF HEALTH-CARE AND
OTHER SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS
Research is needed on the origins and consequences for older
rural residents of the relative unavailability of health-care
(including disease-preventive services, e.g., for hypertension,
smoking, injuries) and social services in rural communities.
o Rural areas have marked difficulty in attracting and retaining
qualified professionals. What are the forces influencing the
recruitment and retention of health and service personnel in
rural areas?
o Internal characteristics of rural communities may also limit
the availability of health and other services. Many rural
hospitals are closing because of declining admissions and rising
costs. The overall limitation of resources, including
transportation, in rural communities often results in limited,
fragmented, and transitory social and health-related services.
How do these limitations affect the availability and quality of
health and other services for older people? How might they be
offset?
o When health and other services are available, they are often
underutilized. What factors restrict the use of such services by
older people in rural areas? Hospitals and clinics are most
often located in town, geographically distant from those areas
where the need for care may be most acute. How does the location
of services affect their utilization and quality? Who is able to
utilize particular services and under what conditions?
o What role does public transportation play in the utilization of
health and other services? Where public transportation is
inadequate, what alternatives are available and how effective are
they? What barriers exist to the development of alternatives?
o How does lack of information about treatment, health promotion,
disease prevention, or the existence of services in rural
communities influence the appropriate utilization of services?
o How do the attitudes and health-beliefs of older people and of
their informal care-providers affect the full utilization of
services? How does the practice of "folk medicine" influence the
use of treatment, health promotion, disease prevention, and
health care services?
E. RURAL AREAS AND OLDER PEOPLE AS A RESOURCE
Aspects of rural physical and social environments that may
promote health and effective functioning as people grow older
deserve attention. Despite the popular stereotype that "old age
means dependency," the overwhelming majority of older people are
never institutionalized and lead productive and independent
lives. Unfortunately, the substantial societal resource that the
growing numbers of older people represent is usually overlooked.
Research on aging rural people may be the place to begin the
process of recognizing older people as a resource.
o In what ways, do rural occupations have potentially
health-promoting consequences because of the comparatively
greater physical exercise and activity levels associated with
them?
o Are there urban-rural differences in the strength and frequency
of social ties and interactions within the rural family? How do
these affect the health, well-being, and functioning of older
people (e.g., institutionalization rates)?
o To what extent is there relatively greater continuity between
work and retirement in rural areas? Does this continuity lead to
a continuing respect of older people and an expectation that
older people will sustain their participation and contributions?
III. DEFINITION OF RURAL
This RFA follows the Bureau of the Census' definitions of "rural
vs. urban," "metropolitan vs. nonmetropolitan," and "farm vs.
nonfarm." It recognizes that "rural" or "nonmetropolitan" is not
synonymous with "agriculture" and/or that appropriate research
populations include people living in small towns engaged in
nonagricultural occupations.
IV. ELIGIBILITY
Consistent with other RFAs issued by the NIA, institutions or
consortia of coordinated institutions are eligible to apply
for an Exploratory Center Grant if
they have at least (a) two principal investigators with any PHS
agency or comparable peer reviewed research project (R01) grants
and/or (b) one program project (P01) grant that are currently
active or that were awarded during the 2 years prior to
submitting an application under this RFA. These grants must be
on aging and/or rural research topics related or similar to those
described above.
V. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
The support mechanism for this RFA is the Exploratory Center
Grant (P20). It consists of (A) an
administrative and planning component providing administrative,
coordinating, research planning, logistical, and/or
methodological (e.g., research design, data analysis) support and
(B) small scale studies. The initial award period is for three
years and may not be extended. Specific Guidelines
for the Exploratory Center Grant should be obtained from the NIA
staff at the address provided below. Grants will be administered
in accordance with the PHS Grants Policy Statement (1/1/87).
The goal of this RFA is to develop a research program at the
recipient institutions to facilitate the preparation of
competitive research project grant (R01), program project (P01),
or Core Facilities Center (P30) applications during or upon
completion of the grant period. (Awards for subsequent P30
grants will depend upon the availability of funds for such
Centers.) The Project Director for the Center as a whole must be
an experienced researcher with expertise in rural research topics
and/or aging. The specific elements of an Exploratory Center
are:
(A) The Administrative and Planning Core manages the overall
activities of the Center and should include a specified director,
a discrete administrative structure, and a committee for review
of the feasibility and pilot studies. The core may also include
the administration of shared resources, such as data sets,
community or clinical research facilities, or provide research
design and data analysis/statistical services. In addition, the
Core develops at the recipient institution a long-range research
agenda in health and effective functioning of older rural
populations and assists in the preparation of research grant
applications to implement this agenda. The application should
include an initial description of a long-range research agenda.
The Core may include costs for an external advisory committee, ad
hoc scientific and technical consultants, and/or small workshops.
During the first 18 months of the award, a research workshop
should be convened with the aim of specifying and elaborating the
institution's research agenda.
(B) Small Scale Studies consist of pilot, feasibility, or
preliminary research relevant to at least two of the five broad topic areas
described in Section II.
The
P20 mechanism is intended to provide modest support that will
allow an institution the opportunity to develop preliminary data
sufficient to provide the basis for an application for
independent research through conventional granting mechanisms.
Small scale studies are typically limited to a nonrenewable
period of one to two years. Applications submitted in
response to this RFA must propose a minimum of 3 small scale
studies to be supported during at least the first year of the
award. Subsequent preliminary research projects (a minimum of 3
on-going each year) may be developed during the course of the
award.
Basic social, economic, demographic, behavioral, and biomedical
research may be supported to the extent that it is relevant to
the study of rural, aging-related public health and well-being
problems. That is, research should not deal with health and
well-being issues of universal concern unless there is a special
rural issue involved (e.g., injury prevention). Research is also
invited developing tests, in rural populations, of the
appropriateness of research findings from nonrural populations,
to the extent that this has not previously been done.
Preliminary studies should emphasize actual rural, remote sites
for field research. Some, but not all of the proposed research,
may address the translation of existing and resulting research
findings into applied intervention and demonstration programs for
improving the health, effective functioning, and well-being of
rural older people through the promotion of health as well as the
prevention and treatment of disease.
VI. BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
Subject to the availability of funds, the NIA anticipates making
2 awards under this RFA. The maximum amount per award will be
$250,000 (direct and indirect costs) per year. NIA intends that
the majority of the funds under this RFA be devoted to the Small
Scale Studies. Consequently, the Administrative and Planning
Core should not exceed 45 percent of the amount requested.
VII. REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
Applications will be received by the NIH Division of Research
Grants and assigned to the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
Applications judged by NIA to be nonresponsive will not be
accepted. If necessitated by a large number of applications,
responsive applications may be subjected to triage by a
peer-review group to determine their scientific merit relative to
the other applications received. Applications judged to be
noncompetitive will be administratively inactivated.
Competitive applications will be fully reviewed for scientific
and technical merit by an NIA Initial Review Group (IRG).
Following review by the IRG, applications will be evaluated by
the National Advisory Council on Aging.
The factors to be considered in evaluating the scientific
merit of each application will be: (a) adequacy of the
Administrative and Planning Core, including the initial
identification of a research agenda and plans for its
elaboration; (b) the balance in coverage of the topics identified
in Section II; (c) the appropriateness of the multidisciplinary
teams assembled; and (d) the quality of the initial small scale
studies.
VIII. INCLUSION OF MINORITIES AND WOMEN
The NIH urges the inclusion of minorities and women in the study
populations for research into the etiology of diseases, research
in the behavioral and social sciences, clinical studies of
treatment and treatment outcomes, research on the dynamics of
health care and its impact on disease, and appropriate
interventions for disease prevention and health promotion. If
minorities and women are not included in a given study, a clear
rationale for their exclusion should be provided.
IX. METHOD OF APPLYING
The application must be submitted on PHS Form 398 (revised
10/88). Applicants are strongly urged to follow the instructions
provided in the NIA's Guidelines for Exploratory Center Grant
(P20). To identify the application as being in response to this
RFA, check YES on item 2 of page 1 of the Form 398 and enter the
title RURAL AGING and RFA Number AG-90-01. The RFA label
available in the PHS 398 must be affixed to the bottom of the
face page. 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.
Applicants are encouraged to contact NIA staff in advance of
submission in order to obtain the NIA's Guidelines for
Exploratory Center Grant as well as to discuss the suitability of
their proposed application.
Ronald P. Abeles, Ph.D.
BSR/NIA
Bldg. 31C, Rm. 5C32
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: 301-496-3136.
Application kits (Form 398) may be obtained from institutional
offices of grants and contracts or from:
Office of Grants Inquiries, DRG, NIH
Westwood Bldg. Rm. 449
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892
The receipt date for applications by the NIH Division of Research
Grants is March 20, 1990. Mail the complete original application
and four copies to:
DRG/NIH
Westwood Bldg. Rm. 240
Bethesda, MD 20892**
To expedite review, two copies should also be sent to:
Chief, SRO, NIA, NIH
Bldg. 31C, Rm. 5C12
Bethesda, MD 20892.
OBESITY RESEARCH CENTER (CORE CENTER) GRANT
RFA AVAILABLE: 90-DK-03
P.T. 04; K.W. 0715145, 0710095, 0710030
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 15, 1990
Application Receipt Date: March 30, 1990
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
invites applications for an obesity research center (core center) to be
awarded in Fiscal Year 1991. The award of one obesity research core center is
anticipated in Fiscal Year 1991.
An obesity research center provides for an integrated array of research,
educational and service activities that is oriented towards obesity and
related eating disorders. The research core center grant is awarded to
facilitate the planning and coordination of these research activities
primarily by providing funding for core facilities and associated staff that
serve the various projects of the obesity research center on a shared basis.
The Core Center grant is a mechanism designed to enhance and extend the
effectiveness of a group of related projects and investigators that are
already funded through other mechanisms such as NIH Research Project Grants
(R01), First Award (R29), Research Program Projects (P01), Institutional
Fellowships (F32), Institutional National Research Service Award (T32) or
other federal or non-federal sources. In this respect, the Core Center
mechanism builds upon an established base of research excellence which
emphasizes common themes or foci. The Core Center grant may provide funds
for: (1) core units such as body composition analyses, lipid analyses or cell
culture. These facilities must be utilized by two or more center participants
who are already funded; (2) pilot/feasibility projects which encourage new
investigators or investigators from other fields to pursue new innovative
ideas to a point where they can compete for independent support; (3) temporary
salary support to one new named investigator, usually for 24 months, in
specified areas of research complementary to ongoing activities of the group
and with an approved pilot/feasibility project; (4) program enrichment funds
to provide for small conferences or symposia, advisory committee expenses and
special consultants.
The objectives of the Core Center are to encourage a multidisciplinary
approach to research in obesity and to bring together, on a cooperative basis,
clinical and basic science investigators in a manner which will enhance and
extend the effectiveness of research being conducted in the field of obesity.
An average Center may include about 5 to 7 pilot/feasibility projects and 4-6
core units with a direct cost of approximately $500,000. However, the actual
cost of the Center will vary depending on the needs of the Center. In no case
shall direct costs requested exceed $700,000. The anticipated award(s) will
be for 5 years and is contingent upon the availability of appropriated
funds. Currently, funds totalling approximately 1.0 million dollars are
available for support of applications responsive to this announcement.
Potential applicants are urged to submit a letter of intent that provides a
descriptive title, names of key investigators involved and other institutions
participating in their application. The letter of intent is non-binding and
is not a precondition for an award and should be submitted by January 15, 1990
to Dr. Hubbard at the address below. In addition, the general description of
a Core Center, copies of Core Center Guidelines and consultation may be
obtained from:
Van S. Hubbard, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Clinical Nutrition
Research Units Program
Westwood Building, Room 3A18B
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7823
Applications for the Obesity Research Core Center grant will be evaluated in a
national competition by the NIH grant peer review process. The receipt of one
competing continuation application is anticipated. Applications will be
reviewed initially by a special review committee convened by the NIDDK and
subsequently by the National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Advisory Council. The special single receipt date for submissions in response
to this announcement is March 30, 1990 with earliest funding December 1990.
Applications are unlikely to be reviewed by a site visit team; therefore, the
written application should be complete so as to facilitate review without a
site visit. Extensive additional material submitted subsequent to the stated
receipt date will not be accepted.
When human subjects are to be included within investigations
responsive to this announcement, inclusion of women and minorities
is encouraged. If they are excluded, reasons for this exclusion
must be explained in the application.
Complete line 2 of the application face page (PHS 398, rev. 10/88)
by typing in "OBESITY RESEARCH CENTER, RFA 90-DK-03."
The RFA label (found in the 10/88 revision of application form PHS 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.
Two copies of the application are to be sent to:
Review Branch
NIDDK
5333 Westbard Avenue
Westwood Building, Room 406
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Four copies of the application are to be sent to the address on the mailing
label in the application kit.
CORE GRANTS FOR CLINICAL NUTRITION RESEARCH UNITS
RFA AVAILABLE: 90-DK-02
P.T. 04; K.W. 0710095, 0720005, 0710030, 0785035
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute on Aging
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 15, 1990
Application Receipt Date: March 30, 1990
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) invite applications for Clinical
Nutrition Research Unit (CNRU) grants to be awarded in Fiscal Year 1991. The
award of two CNRU grants is anticipated in Fiscal Year 1991.
A CNRU is an integrated array of research, educational, and service activities
that is oriented toward human nutrition in health and disease. A research
core center grant is awarded to facilitate the planning and coordination of
the activities of the CNRU primarily by providing funding for core facilities
and associated staff that serve the various projects of the CNRU on a shared
basis.
The Core Center grant is a mechanism designed to enhance and extend the
effectiveness of a group of related projects and investigators that are
already funded through other mechanisms such as Research Project Grants or
Research Program Projects. In this respect, the Core Center mechanism builds
upon an established base of research excellence which emphasizes common themes
or foci. The Core Center Grant may provide funds for: (1) core units to
perform such activities as trace mineral analyses, lipid analyses or isotope
analyses. Each core must be utilized by two or more center participants who
are already funded; (2) pilot/feasibility projects that encourage new
investigators or investigators from other fields to pursue new innovative
ideas to a point where they can compete for independent support; (3) temporary
salary support to one new named investigator, usually for 24 months, in
specified areas of research complementary to ongoing activities of the group
and with an approved pilot/feasibility project; (4) program enrichment funds
to provide for small conferences or symposia, advisory committee expenses and
special consultants.
The objectives of the Core Center are to encourage a multidisciplinary
approach to clinical nutrition research and to bring together, on a
cooperative basis, clinical and basic science investigators in a manner which
will enhance and extend the effectiveness of research being conducted in the
field of nutritional sciences.
ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF A CNRU
A CNRU, at a minimum, must comprise the following seven components and
also include other sources of support such as a regular NIH research
grant (RO1), NIH FIRST Award (R29), NIH Program Project (PO1), NIH
Individual Fellowship (F32), and the NIH Institutional National Research
Service Award (T32) or other Federal and non-federal sources:
1. Research with human subjects and populations;
2. Laboratory investigations;
3. Research training (funds to be derived from other sources*);
4. Shared facilities and research services;
5. Education programs for medical students, house staff, practicing
physicians, and allied health personnel (funds to be derived from
other sources*);
6. Research components of nutritional support services; and
7. Public information activities (funds to be derived from other
sources*).
* Funds to support these components may not be requested as part of an
application in response to this announcement.
An average Center may include about 5 to 7 pilot/feasibility projects and 4-6
core units with a direct cost of approximately $500,000. However, the actual
cost of the Center will vary depending on the needs of the Center. In no case
shall direct costs requested exceed $700,000. The anticipated award(s) will
be for 5 years and is contingent upon the availability of appropriated
funds. Currently, funds totalling approximately $1.1 million are
available for support of applications responsive to this announcement. It is
expected that two awards of comparable size will be made.
When human subjects are to be included within investigations
responsive to this announcement, inclusion of women and minorities
is encouraged. If they are excluded, reasons for this exclusion
must be explained in the application.
Potential applicants are urged to submit a letter of intent that provides a
descriptive title, names of key investigators involved and institutions
participating in their application. The letter of intent, which is non-binding
is not a precondition for an award, should be submitted by January 15, 1990
to Dr. Hubbard at the address below. In addition, the general description of
a Core Center, copies of Core Center Guidelines, a more detailed
Request for Applications (RFA) and
consultation may be obtained from:
Van S. Hubbard, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Clinical Nutrition
Research Units Program
Westwood Building, Room 3A18B
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Phone: 301 496-7823
For information concerning the NIA research interest in nutrition contact:
Ann Sorenson, Ph.D.
Program Director for the
NIA Nutrition Program
Building 31, Room 5C-21
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Phone: (301) 496-1033
Applications for the CNRU Core Center grant will be evaluated in a national
competition by the NIH grant peer review process. The receipt of two
competing continuation applications is anticipated. Applications will be
reviewed initially by a special review committee convened by the NIDDK and
subsequently by the National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Advisory Council and/or the National Advisory Council on Aging. The special
single receipt date for submissions in response to this announcement is March
30, 1990 with earliest funding December 1990. Applications are unlikely to be
reviewed by a site visit team; therefore, the written application should be
complete so as to facilitate review without a site visit. Extensive
additional material submitted subsequent to the stated receipt date will not
be accepted.
Complete line 2 of the application face page (PHS 398, rev. 10/88)
by typing in "CORE GRANTS FOR CLINICAL NUTRITION RESEARCH UNITS,
RFA 90-DK-02."
The RFA label (found in the 10/88 revision of application form PHS 398) must be
affixed to the bottom of the face page. Failure to use this label could
result in delayed processing your application such that it may not reach the
review committee in time for review.
Two copies of the application are to be sent to:
Review Branch
NIDDK
5333 Westbard Avenue
Westwood Building, Room 406
Bethesda, MD 20892
Four copies of the application are to be sent to the address on the mailing
label in the application kit.
REQUEST FOR RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS: RFA
RFA: DC-90-1
P.T. 04, 44; K.W. 0710030, 0720005, 0715050, 0715055, 0785035
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
NATIONAL MULTI-PURPOSE RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTERS (RTC)
Application Receipt Date: March 22, 1990
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 laboratory and clinical research,
research training and an outreach program of education for
health care professionals and the public. An RTC may focus on
one or more of the major program areas of the Institute (hearing
and balance; speech, voice, and/or language; taste and smell;
and other disciplines related to these areas) but each of the
components must relate to the central theme of the Center
including the research training and education components. All
of the components must be of high quality, as judged by the NIH
standards for biomedical research excellence.
BACKGROUND
In 1988, Congress established the National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders in Public Law 100-553, which
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) 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...."
Earlier this year, over 200 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 expanded on the
critical features of such Centers, that is, research, training,
continuing education, and information dissemination.
The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to
implement the Congressional mandate and the recommendations of
the Task Force regarding the establishment of these National
Multi-purpose 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, 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 may include disciplines such as immunology, genetics,
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; presbyacusis;
balance or vestibular disorders, particularly in the elderly;
aphasia; stuttering; and disorders of taste or smell. 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 on 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 programs for physicians and other health
care professionals who will provide care for patients with the
disorder(s) that is the research focus of the Center. Education
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 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.
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/clinical research, research training, continuing
education, and information dissemination.
MECHANISM, NUMBER OF YEARS, AND BUDGET
National Multi-purpose Research and Training Centers will be
funded through the Center grant mechanism (P60). Seven (7)
years of support must be requested at an annual direct cost not
to exceed $1.5 million. Budget increments after the
first year will be limited to necessary cost-of-living
increases. At present, the Institute plans to award no more
than one renewal of support for 7 years. Supplements to the
Center grant are discouraged. However, one per seven-year round
is allowable, but only if the costs do not result in the entire
grant exceeding the $1.5 million annual direct cost cap.
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 D.C. 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 seven-year period. Renovations must be limited to
facilities that are required solely to support Center
activities. Please refer to the PHS Grants Policy Statement 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 1990, support of grants pursuant to this request for
applications is contingent upon availability of funds for this
purpose. It is anticipated that three or four Centers
will be funded under this Request for Applications (RFA) for
a total annual cost (direct and indirect) of no more than $6
million. 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.
Investigators collaborating within the
Center are not necessarily expected to 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 February 15,
1990. The letter should indicate which of the three major
program areas of the Institute will be the central theme of the
Center, investigators who might be involved, and any
participants outside the applicant institution. The Institute
requests such letters only for the purpose of estimating
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 necessary requirement.
A letter of intent should be sent by February 15, 1990 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
Room 1C-11, Federal Building
7550 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone Number: (301) 496-1804
Fax Telephone Number: (301) 402-0104
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, Maryland 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-90-01 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,
language, smell, speech, taste, or voice. 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.
Plans for inclusion of underrepresented minorities, women, and
individuals with disabilities must be included within this
component of the application.
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, and biostatistics.
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 that 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 and individuals with
disabilities must be included within this component of the
application.
3) Information Dissemination: Information from the Center is
disseminated to the public and, when appropriate, technology is
tranferred 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 that are the focus of the Center, of
seeking prompt treatment, rehabilitation, and of following an
appropriate regimen.
4) Continuing Education: Educational programs are targeted for
physicians and other health and allied health professionals who
will provide care for individuals with disorders of hearing or
communication processess. The design, scope, and steps in
implementation of these programs are left to the applicants to
develop.
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 between 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 March 15, 1990. Awards
will be made by September 1990. Applications received after
March 15, 1990, 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, Maryland 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
the additional copy to:
Chief, Scientific Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders
Federal Building, Room 1C-08
7550 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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/technical merit by a Special Review Committee and
possible applicant interviews in Bethesda, Maryland. The final
level of review will be made by the National Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders Advisory Council for funding in
September 1990.
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 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; and
o appropriateness of the overall budget for the proposed program.
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/clinical research
components are:
o the advantages of pursuing the proposed research within a 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 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, 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, specific
contributions to the accomplishments of objectives that can be
achieved with greater effectiveness and/or economy of effort,
etc.);
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 the plan for the inclusion of underrepresented minorities,
women, and individuals with disabilities as research subjects.
For projects which do not include any of these groups, a clear
rationale for not including them must be provided. (See NIH
Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 16, #32, September 25, 1987
for further information).
c) The criteria for reviewing the 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;
o an affirmative plan for the recruitment of underrepresented
minorities 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,
laboratory, 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 research investigators;
o the extent of the institutional commitment; and
o opportunities for the more established investigator to:
oo acquire new research capabilities,
oo enlarge command of an allied research field, and
oo increase capabilities in health-related research.
d) 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 professional and lay 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.
e) The criteria for reviewing the continuing education
component are:
o the major continuing education goals and functions of the
sponsoring organization;
o target audience, 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 physical facilities available for these activities; and
o adequacy of evaluation methodology to determine the
effectiveness of the continuing education program.
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/clinical research components. Rating of
these studies would occur within the basic/clinical component.
o epidemiologic and genetic studies: the criteria (as
appropriate) noted above for review of the basic/clinical
research components. Rating of these studies would occur within
the basic/clinical component.
FUNDING
It is anticipated that 3 or 4 awards will be made in FY
1990. 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)
Room 1C-11, Federal Building
7550 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone Number: (301) 496-1804
Fax Telephone Number: (301) 402-0104
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.