kristoff@GENBANK.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson) (05/26/90)
COURSES RELATED TO GENOMIC ANALYSIS
RFA Available: HG-90-01
P.T. 44; K.W. 1215018, 0755045, 0720005, 0710030, 1002058, 1004017, 1014004
National Center for Human Genome Research
Application Receipt Date: August 24, l990
The National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR) invites
applications for support of short, advanced-level courses
emphasizing new laboratory techniques in genome analysis,
informatics as it relates to the human genome, principles of
genomic analysis for scientists trained in fields other than
biology or scholars trained in the humanities, social sciences,
or law and principles and methods of studying the social, ethical
and legal issues relevant to the human genome program. These
courses are meant to enhance the skills of individuals interested
in pursuing laboratory or scholarly research relevant to the
goals of the Human Genome Program.
BACKGROUND
The National Institutes of Health, in coordination with several
other federal, private, and international organizations, is
currently engaged in a research program designed to characterize
the human genome and the genomes of selected model organisms.
The primary aim of the Human Genome Program is to produce a set
of research tools, comprising both materials and information that
will improve the capability and efficacy of a wide range of
biological research.
As outlined in a five-year plan recently prepared in conjunction
with the Department of Energy and available from the address
listed below, the initial objectives of the program include the
construction of a high-resolution genetic linkage map of the
human, the development of detailed physical maps of both the
human genome and the genomes of model organisms, and the
improvement of technology for both DNA sequencing and data
management. Assuming that these initial goals can be met, the
longer term goals of the program include determination of the
human DNA sequence and the sequences of the DNA of important
model organisms. An additional important objective throughout
the entire course of the research program is the analysis of the
ethical, legal, and social policy issues that are raised by the
availability of such detailed genetic information.
For the genome project and the field of genomic research to
develop rapidly enough to meet these goals in a timely and cost-
effective manner, it will be necessary to disseminate
technological advances and new information as rapidly as possible
and to recruit scientists from many disciplines, both biological
and non-biological, into this research area. The development of
many fields, such as molecular biology and genetics, has been
enormously abetted by the availability of short, intensive,
advanced level courses. Properly designed courses in areas of
relevance to genomics could be of similar utility to the
development of the genome project itself and to the application
of the information produced by the project.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The goal of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to stimulate the
development of courses in subjects relevant to the Human Genome
Program and appropriate to the broader scientific community. The
following list of potential subjects for such courses is not
intended to be limiting, but to provide examples. The goal of
each course should be to improve the level of the cross-
disciplinary training of practicing scientists and other
professionals to enable them to participate more effectively in
the Human Genome Program and to utilize the information and
technology produced by the Human Genome Program in other areas.
o Important techniques, including new technological
developments relevant to genomic analysis. Examples of
techniques that could be included are automated DNA
sequencing, use of large fragment cloning vectors such
as yeast artificial chromosomes, experimental mouse
genetics, linkage analysis, or in situ fluorescence
cytogenetics. Courses of this type should be addressed
to practicing biologists who wish to learn new skills;
o Various aspects of informatics as they relate to the
Human Genome Program. Examples include data management,
database design, algorithm development for map and/or
sequence assembly. Such courses should be addressed to
biologists who wish to become conversant with
informatics;
o Principles of genetics as related to current issues of
genomic analysis. Such courses would be directed at
scientists trained in other disciplines, such as
mathematics, information science, computer science,
physics, chemistry, or engineering, interested in
applying their skills to the scientific problems raised
by the Human Genome Program;
o Principles of genetics and genomic analysis for scholars
trained in appropriate areas of the humanities, social
sciences, and law who are interested in examining the
social, ethical, and legal ramifications of the
acquisition of detailed information about the human
genome;
o Principles and approaches for the analysis of ethical,
legal and policy issues related to human genome
research, including historical and social perspectives.
Such courses should be designed for biologists and
health professionals who are interested in contributing
their expertise to a multidisciplinary approach to these
issues.
Courses should be designed to address the needs and interests of
advanced graduate students, post-doctoral trainees, established
scientists and other professionals who want to learn particular
new skills or become more knowledgeable about genomic research in
order to pursue research problems relevant to the Human Genome
Program. Efforts should be made to select for participation
students who are currently under-represented in the field of
genomic research such as women and under-represented minorities.
Courses will typically be one to two weeks in length and offered
annually, although other terms will be acceptable. Applicants
may initially request support for two years. Course offerors are
expected to be academic or research institutions experienced in
training and faculty are expected to consist of established
investigators or scholars, actively working in the area of
instruction.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Support for this program will be through the Continuing Education
Training Grant mechanism (T15). Allowable costs include
personnel, supplies, travel and per diem for faculty; other costs
such as printing, telephone, audio-visual, postage, promotional
materials, and 8 percent indirect cost. Although it is
envisioned that applicant institutions will have the necessary
equipment to support course offerings, the NCHGR will consider,
on a limited basis, requests for equipment if properly
justified. It is also expected that the courses will be partially
supported through registration fees paid for by participants.
Policies that govern research grant programs of the NIH apply to
this program. The total amount of support for grants under this
RFA is contingent upon the appropriation of funds for this
purpose. The number of awards will be determined by the merit of
the proposals and by their relevance to program goals, as well as
by the availability of funds. It is anticipated that up to six
awards will be made. This number may be increased if a large
number of highly meritorious applications are received and if
funds are available.
APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
Only domestic institutions are eligible to apply for support
under this announcement. Applications received in response to
this announcement will be reviewed in accordance with the usual
NIH peer review procedures. Potential applicants are encouraged
to discuss the plans and objectives of their proposed courses
with NCHGR staff before applying. Applications will first be
screened for responsiveness to this RFA by NCHGR staff. Those
deemed non-responsive will be returned to the applicant. If a
large number of applications is received, a preliminary peer
review may be conducted to identify the most meritorious ones.
Applications that are deemed non-competitive by this peer review
will receive only a brief critique and will not be reviewed
further. The remaining applications will then be reviewed for
scientific and technical merit by an initial review group (IRG)
within the NCHGR
composed mostly of non-Federal scientific consultants.
Subsequent to IRG review, the applications will be considered by
a National Advisory Council for the NCHGR.
Review criteria include the following:
o Overall scientific and didactic merit;
o Potential value of the course for furthering the
training goals of the Human Genome Program, including,
when appropriate, the potential effectiveness in
attracting scientists and scholars into working on
problems important for the success of the genome
project;
o Quality of the course content and adequacy of the
syllabus;
o Training, experience, and research competence of the
faculty;
o Criteria for selecting participants;
o Plans for publicizing the availability of courses to the
appropriate community of scholars and scientists;
o Adequacy of available facilities, including the library;
o Appropriateness of the requested budget for the proposed
course.
Funding decisions will be based on the recommendations of the IRG
and the appropriate second level review group regarding
scientific merit and program relevance.
METHOD OF APPLYING
Applications should be submitted on the Form PHS 398 (rev.
10/88). The RFA label available in the revised application
kit 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. Application kits are available in most
institutional business offices and from the Office of Grants
Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes
of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, 5333 Westbard
Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; (301)496-7441.
Applications will be processed in accordance with the following
schedule:
TIMETABLE
Receipt date: August 24, 1990
IRG review date: October/November 1990
Council review: January 1991
Earliest funding date: April 1, 1991
It is essential that applicants type "Courses Related to Genomic
Analysis" and the RFA number HG-90-01 in Item 2 on the face page
of the application form. The original and four copies of the
application should be submitted to the following office:
Grant Application Receipt Office
Division of Research Grants
Westwood Building, Room 240
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland 20892**
Telephone: (301) 496-7273
Because these applications will be subjected to an expedited
review, the NCHGR must receive two copies of the applications at
the same time they are submitted to the Division of Research
Grants. Copies should be sent to:
Office of Scientific Review
National Center for Human Genome Research
Building 38A, Room 604
Bethesda, MD 20892
For more information, applicants may contact:
Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D.
National Center for Human Genome Research
Building 38A, Room 613
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7531
The program official welcomes the opportunity to clarify any
issues or questions related to this RFA and encourages written or
telephone inquiries.