JP2@CU.NIH.GOV (01/10/90)
Following is the NIH announcement for an initiative to increase the involvement of
underrepresented minorities in biomedical research.
The Human Genome Center is not listed as a contact for this program
since it had not been created when the announcement was made. If
you hold a Human Genome Grant and are interested in the program
please contact Dr. Bettie Graham at (301) 496-7531 or b2g@nihcu.bitnet.
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989
INITIATIVES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES IN BIOMEDICAL
RESEARCH (81/987)
National Institutes of Health
Index: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
INITIATIVES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
P.T. 34, 44, FF; K.W. 0720005, 0710030
National Institutes of Health
BACKGROUND
In 1987-88, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the
Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) held regional meetings throughout the
United States. At these meetings, testimony was presented by concerned
individuals and organizations regarding the underrepresentation of minorities
in biomedical research. Although the NIH currently provides opportunities for
minorities through regular research grant programs and through special
initiatives supported by various components of the NIH (See Appendix A), the
testimony indicated that NIH's efforts must be increased. In addition, the
NIH recognizes the need to increase the number of underrepresented minority
scientists* participating in biomedical research as a means of addressing the
national problem of a declining scientific pool that we face in the
twenty-first century.
In response to these concerns, the NIH has developed several programs,
described in this announcement, that have been endorsed by all the awarding
components of the NIH. These programs are designed to provide a continuum of
support for research experiences for high school students to faculty members
in institutions of higher education. The funding of these programs will be in
addition to those listed in Appendix A.
The NIH hereby notifies all Principal Investigators holding NIH research
grants of the availability of funds for administrative supplements for the
support of underrepresented minority scientists and students. The aim of
these programs is to attract and encourage minority individuals to
pursue biomedical research careers in areas within the missions of all the
awarding components of the NIH by providing supplemental funds to ongoing
research grants.
The NIH anticipates that by providing scientific opportunities, such as those
listed below, it will substantially increase the numbers of minorities in
biomedical research holding NIH grants.
o The Minority High School Summer Student Research Apprenticeship
Program (MHSSRAP) will be expanded to encourage more high school
students to consider careers in science and, in particular, the
biomedical and behavioral sciences.
o Research Supplements for Minority Undergraduate Students will
support undergraduate minority students to continue on to graduate
level training in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.
o Research Supplements for Graduate Research Assistants will provide
support for predoctoral minority individuals to develop their
research capabilities.
o Research Supplements for Minority Investigators will provide short-
and long-term opportunities for minority investigators to
participate in ongoing research projects while further developing
their own independent research potential.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
In all cases, the proposed research experience must be an integral part of the
approved ongoing research of the parent grant. As part of this research
experience, the minority individual must be given the opportunity to interact
with individuals on the parent grant, to contribute intellectually to the
research and to enhance his/her research skills and knowledge regarding the
particular area of biomedical science. Furthermore, the Principal
Investigator must demonstrate a willingness and understanding that the purpose
of the award is to enhance the research capability of the minority student or
faculty member, and that the research experience is intended to provide
opportunities for minority individuals to develop as independent, competitive
research investigators. Awards will be made consistent with the goals of
strengthening the existing research program and the overall programmatic
balance of the funding agency.
Awards will be made according to the policies and provisions stated herein.
However, it is recognized that individual circumstances vary, and for unusual
situations, NIH program administrators should be consulted for a determination
of eligibility.
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 1
ELIGIBILITY
Any Principal Investigator at a domestic institution holding an active R01,
R10, R18, R24, R35, R37, P01, P40, P41, P50, P60, or U01, which has a minimum
of two years of research support remaining at the time of a supplemental
award, is eligible to submit a request for an administrative supplement to the
awarding component of the parent grant. The purpose of the request will be to
support a minority undergraduate student, graduate research assistant or
faculty member to participate in ongoing research projects. Specific
eligibility requirements relative to each type of award are set forth in the
individual Program Announcements.
Usually, each parent grant would have only one supplement. Appointment of
more than one individual to a single grant will be considered depending on the
nature of the parent grant and the circumstances of the request. Minority
individuals may receive support under these programs on only one grant at any
time, but may be supported by more than one grant during the development of
their research careers.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
A request for a supplement may be submitted at any time. In making requests,
the grantee institution, on behalf of the Principal Investigator of the parent
grant and in cooperation with the minority individual, should submit the
request for supplemental funds directly to the awarding component that
supports the parent grant. The request should include the following: (1) a
completed face page from PHS Grant Application Form 398 with the title and
grant number of the parent grant and a statement that specifies which type of
supplement is being requested; (2) a brief 3-4 page description, prepared by
the Principal Investigator of the parent grant, of the proposed research
experience and how it will expand and foster the independent research
capabilities of the minority individual and how it relates to the research
objectives of the parent grant; (3) a statement from the minority individual
outlining his/her research objectives and career goals; (4) the social
security number and biographical sketch of the minority individual that
includes evidence of scientific achievement; (5) a proposed budget entered on
budget pages from PHS Grant Application Form 398, related to the percent
effort (where appropriate) for the research experience on the first year and
future years; and (6) documentation, if applicable, that the proposed research
experience was approved by the animal welfare committee or human subjects
institutional review board of the grantee institution.
The request must be signed by the minority individual, the Principal
Investigator and the appropriate institutional business official. If the
minority individual is not an employee of the grantee institution, the request
also must be accompanied by an appropriately signed letter from the
institution of the minority individual indicating that participation at the
stated level of effort is approved. If any of the research is to be conducted
at a site other than the grantee institution, an appropriately signed letter
from the institution where the research is to be conducted must also be
submitted.
Specific MHSSRAP application procedures are given in Appendix B.
REVIEW CRITERIA
The staff of the particular awarding component will review requests for
supplements using the following general criteria: (1) the qualifications of
the minority individual including career goals, prior research training and
experience; (2) plans for the proposed research experience in the supplemental
request and its relationship to the parent grant; (3) assurance from the
Principal Investigator that the experience will enhance the research
potential, knowledge and/or skills of the minority individual; and (4)
assurance from the Principal Investigator that the activities of the minority
individual are an integral part of the project. Additional criteria related
to the specific programs may also apply.
FUNDING
The decision to fund a supplement will take approximately four weeks from the
time the request is submitted. Within the first budget period, funds will be
provided as an administrative supplement to the parent grant. In subsequent
years, continued funding for the supplement always is contingent on funding of
the parent grant and cannot extend beyond the current competitive segment of
the parent grant.
The continuation of support for the minority individual in the remaining years
of the competitive segment of the grant will depend upon a satisfactory review
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 2
of progress on the parent grant and the supplement by the awarding component
at the NIH, the research proposed for the next budget period, and the
appropriateness of the proposed budget to the proposed effort.
In future budget periods, funds for continuation of the supplement must be
requested in the parent grant application.
Funds are not transferable to another minority individual and simultaneous or
overlapping supplements will not be considered.
1. PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: THE MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER STUDENT RESEARCH
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
The purpose of the program is to provide minority high school students with a
meaningful experience in various aspects of health-related research in order
to stimulate their interest in careers in science.
The Division of Research Resources (DRR), National Institutes of Health (NIH),
will expand the Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program in
1990. Eligible institutions are encouraged to apply according to the
procedures presented in Appendix B.
Provisions for MHSSRAP are provided in Appendix B.
2. PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR MINORITY UNDERGRADUATE
STUDENTS
DESCRIPTION
This research grant supplement provides an opportunity for any minority
undergraduate student interested in biomedical or behavioral research to
conduct research at a research institution for three months during the summer
or other period, apart from an academic program.
The success of this program is dependent on the ability of the Principal
Investigator to identify appropriate students. A number of procedures may be
used to match investigators holding research grants to appropriate minority
college students: (1) the Principal Investigator may identify a student and
initiate the request for the supplement; (2) the institution may make the
pairing and request the supplement; (3) the student may contact a grantee
institution or an investigator and request a summer research experience; and
(4) the NIH can provide to interested Principal Investigators lists of
participants in NIH programs which provide support for minority undergraduate
students, such as MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers) and MBRS
(Minority Biomedical Research Support).
ELIGIBILITY
The student may be affiliated with either the applicant institution or any
other academic institution. Any undergraduate minority student interested in
biomedical or behavioral research is encouraged to participate in this
program.
PROVISIONS
This supplement is not to exceed $6.00 per hour for salary plus $125 per month
for supplies and travel. Equipment may not be purchased from these funds.
Students are expected to devote full-time effort to the research project and
related activities during the period of support. Support should be for a
minimum of three months duration in any one year, but is expected to last over
a period of at least two years (i.e., two three-month periods). Exceptions to
the latter will be considered, depending on the circumstances of the
applicant, the parent grant and the specific request.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Once a student has been identified, a request may be submitted. In addition
to the items required in GENERAL PROVISIONS (above), the request should
include an academic record and other evidence of educational achievement of
the student.
If the minority student is not a student at the grantee institution, the
request also must be accompanied by an appropriately signed letter from the
responsible official of the institution at which the minority student is
matriculated, indicating that participation is approved.
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 3
Special provisions may be made for exceptional high school minority students
to participate in this program. Students who are located near institutions
that do not participate in the MHSSRAP are eligible. The provisions, review
criteria, and application procedures are the same as for college students.
REVIEW CRITERIA
In addition to the criteria described in GENERAL PROVISIONS (above), requests
for supplements for support of undergraduate students will be reviewed using
the following additional criteria: the academic record of the minority
student and assurance from the Principal Investigator that the experience will
enhance the research potential and skills of the student.
3. PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR MINORITY GRADUATE RESEARCH
ASSISTANTS
DESCRIPTION
The objective of this program is to reach out to potential minority
researchers in biomedical sciences and give them an opportunity for further
development of research capability leading to independence as a researcher.
ELIGIBILITY
Any minority graduate student who is actively pursuing a doctoral degree in
one of the biomedical or behavioral sciences is eligible for consideration.
The student must be affiliated with the applicant institution.
PROVISIONS
The NIH will provide support for a salary in addition to other necessary
expenses to enable the minority individual to participate as a graduate
research assistant in funded research projects. The requested salary must be
in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Please refer to the items listed under GENERAL PROVISIONS.
REVIEW CRITERIA
The awarding component of the parent grant will review requests for
supplements to support minority graduate research assistants using the
following criteria in addition to those stated in GENERAL PROVISIONS (above):
the academic record of the minority graduate research assistant and the
potential for developing an independent research career.
4. PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR MINORITY INVESTIGATORS
DESCRIPTION
These supplements provide either short- or long-term research support for
minority faculty members to enhance their research skills leading to an
independent research career. The recipient must make at least a two-year
commitment to the research project.
a. Short-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement
This supplement provides short-term support for
minority faculty members to conduct research in the
biomedical or behavioral sciences for 3-5 months full
time each year during the summer or another portion
of the academic year, over a maximum period of four
years.
b. Long-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement
This supplement provides long-term research support
for minority faculty members to conduct research in
the biomedical or behavioral sciences. Support is
provided for up to 4 years at a minimum of 30 percent
effort during each 12-month period.
ELIGIBILITY
The minority investigator may be affiliated with either the applicant
institution or any other institution. The investigator must have a doctoral
degree, be beyond the level of a research trainee and be a member of the
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 4
faculty with at least one year of postdoctoral experience. MBRS, MARC, small
grants, or AREA investigators are eligible for these supplements; individuals
who have received previous funding from NIH as an independent Principal
Investigator on regular research grants (R01, R29, etc.), program project
grants (P01, P50, etc.), or research career program awards (K04, K08, etc.)
are not eligible.
PROVISIONS
The minority faculty supplemental award is for a maximum of $50,000 in direct
costs per year. A maximum of $40,000 may be requested for salary and fringe
benefits; additional funds totalling $10,000 may be requested for supplies and
travel. Equipment may not be purchased except in unusual circumstances, and
not without prior approval of the NIH awarding component. The maximum period
of support for any investigator is four years.
The amount of salary requested must be consistent with the policies of the
parent grantee institution (and, if applicable, the minority investigator's
employing institution) and must be related to the percent effort of the
minority investigator. Institutions are discouraged from adding individuals
whose salary support is from other sources in an effort to increase funds for
supplies and travel. However, individuals with outside sources of funds for
partial support of a research experience are not excluded from participating
in these programs.
See GENERAL PROVISIONS (above) for application procedures, review criteria,
and funding.
INQUIRIES
Principal Investigators interested in participating in these programs are
encouraged to contact NIH staff administering the parent grant. For general
information about the Initiative for Underrepresented Minorities in Biomedical
Research, please contact the following staff person in the appropriate
awarding component:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
Associate Director for Office of Extramural Affairs
NIA, NIH
Building 31, Room 5C02
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-9322
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Chief, Research Manpower Development Office
NIAID, NIH
Westwood Building, Room 7A03
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-5030
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES
Deputy Director, Extramural Activities Program
NIAMS, NIH
Westwood Building, Room 403C
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7495
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Special Assistant to the Deputy Director, NICHD, NIH
Building 31, Room 2A03
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-0104
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION
DISORDERS
Acting Director, Extramural Activities
NIDCD, NIH
Federal Building, Room 1C11
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-1804
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 5
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL RESEARCH
Director, Extramural Program
NIDR, NIH
Westwood Building, Room 503
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7723
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES
Director, Division of Extramural Activities
NIDDK, NIH
Westwood Building, Room 657
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7277
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
Director, Division of Extramural Research and Training
NIEHS, NIH
Building 3, Room 301A
P.O. Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Telephone: (919) 629-7723
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
Deputy Associate Director, Office of Program Activities
NIGMS, NIH
Westwood Building, Room 955
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7063
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
Director, Division of Extramural Activities
NINDS, NIH
Federal Building, Room 1016A
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-9248
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Director, Division of Extramural Activities
NCI, NIH
Building 31, Room 10A03
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-5147
NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
Research Training and Resources Officer
NEI, NIH
Building 31, Room 6A48
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-5884
NATIONAL HEART, LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE
Director, Division of Extramural Affairs
NHLBI, NIH
Westwood Building, Room 7A17B
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-7416
NATIONAL CENTER FOR NURSING RESEARCH
Director, Extramural Programs
NCNR, NIH
Building 31, Room 5B09
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-0523
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 6
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
Acting Associate Director, Division of Extramural Programs
NLM, NIH
Building 38A, 5N505
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-4621
DIVISION OF RESEARCH RESOURCES
Deputy Director, DRR, NIH
Westwood Building, Room 8A16
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-6023
*For the purpose of these announcements, underrepresented minority
investigators, hereinafter referred to simply as minorities, are defined as
individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group which has been
determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or
behavioral research. Awards will be limited to citizens or noncitzen
nationals of the United States. In awarding supplements, NIH will give
priority to projects involving Black, Hisplanic, Native Americans, Pacific
Islanders or other ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be
underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research nationally.
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 7
APPENDIX A
ADDITIONAL NIH SUPPORT FOR MINORITY INVESTIGATORS
In addition to the Initiatives for Underrepresented Minorities in Biomedical
Research, the NIH supports minority investigators through a variety of other
mechanisms. Below is a list of these programs. For additional information
about individual programs, please contact the appropriate NIH staff person
listed above.
Research Grant Programs
The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program fosters faculty and
student participation in biomedical research. The program is administered by
the Division of Research Resources.
The traditional MBRS Grant supports faculty members, who frequently have
prohibitively heavy teaching loads, to conduct research and students to
participate in actual research, thereby stimulating their scientific
interests.
The MBRS Undergraduate Grant seeks to enhance research capabilities of faculty
members, at 2-year and 4-year colleges, who have not been successful in
securing the necessary support for scientific research. The awards support
pilot projects, the development of research skills, and enrichment activities
that expand faculty and student research capabilities, such as travel to
scientific meetings, seminars, workshops, and participation in research at
off-campus laboratories during the summer by faculty and students.
The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program provides grant
support to predominantly minority institutions that offer the doctoral degree
in the health sciences. RCMI funds are used to hire additional research
faculty in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, support training in
specialized analytical methods, upgrade facilities, and purchase advanced
scientific instrumentation.
The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) supports faculty at
institutions that award baccalaureate and/or higher degrees in the sciences
related to health, provided that the institution has not received an NIH
Biomedical Research Support Grant of $20,000 or more per year for four out of
the past seven years. The award supports scientists within these eligible
institutions to conduct feasibility studies, pilot projects, and other
small-scale research endeavors preparatory to seeking more substantial funding
through the regular NIH research grant programs. Several Institutes offer
support for underrepresented minority researchers through supplemental grants
to institutions having active previously peer-reviewed grants awarded by the
respective Institutes. These Institutes are the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Cancer Institute, the National
Institute of Dental Research, the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive
and Kidney Diseases, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The Exploratory Studies in Minority Aging supports investigators to conduct
preliminary work and pilot studies that may eventually lead to full-scale
research applications. This program is supported by the National Institute on
Aging.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases provides support for
preliminary studies leading to an independent research grant. This two year,
small grant program is open to all faculty members in HBCU institutions. The
Minority Satellite Supplement supports minority clinical faculty to contribute
to the research effort of National Cancer Institute clinical trials research
groups.
The National Cancer Institute Cancer Education Programs supports networks
consisting of Black churches and historically Black colleges as part of its
overall program. This initiative is targeted toward traditionally underserved
populations that are at high risk for certain malignancies.
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development supports research
related to minority families with specific reference to behavioral and
societal variables affecting the development of children.
The Small-Grant Program for Pilot Projects of the National Eye Institute
supports researchers at minority institutions.
The Minority School Faculty Development Award supports faculty investigators
at minority schools in areas relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary and blood
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 8
disease research. This program is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute.
Junior Research Investigator Enhancement Award supports minority scientists
from member institutions of the Association of Minority Health Professions
Schools who are pursuing or plan to pursue careers in research related to
heart, lung and blood diseases. This program also is supported by the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The Resource Grant Program supports the development of health science
libraries at minority institutions. In addition, minority institutions
benefit from the Regional Medical Library Program which provides services and
conducts activities relative to the retrieval and utilization of health
information. These programs are supported by the National Library of
Medicine.
Research Training Programs
The Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program provides special
training opportunities and incentives in biomedical science to attract and
retain minority students with research career potential. This program is
administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
The MARC Honors Undergraduate Research Training Grant supports minority
faculty members to teach and provide research training for honors
undergraduates who are in their third or fourth year of college and who plan
to obtain the Ph.D. in an area of biomedical science.
The MARC Predoctoral Fellowship Award supports outstanding graduates of the
MARC Honors Undergraduate Program to pursue doctoral degrees in the biomedical
sciences.
The MARC Faculty Fellowship Award supports faculty members of four-year
colleges, universities, and health professional schools in which student
enrollments are drawn substantially from ethnic minority groups, to pursue a
period of advanced study and research training in the biomedical sciences.
The MARC Visiting Scientist Award supports outstanding scientist-teachers to
serve as visiting scientists at four-year colleges, universities and health
professional schools, where student enrollments are drawn substantially from
minority groups.
The MARC Supportive Award supports research conferences, such as the National
Institute of Science meeting held in conjunction with the Beta Kappa Chi
meeting. Recipients of these awards must be supported under the MARC Program.
The Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program offers summer
apprenticeships in biomedical research to minority high school students. The
program is administered by the Division of Research Resources.
A Short-term (summer) Training Program supports minority dental students to
conduct research in the dental sciences. This program is supported by the
National Institute of Dental Research.
The Minority Institutional Research Training Program supports full-time
research training for investigative careers at minority schools in areas
related to cardiovascular, pulmonary or hematologic diseases. This program is
supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The Summer Research Training Program for Undergraduate Minority Students is a
10-week research experience for undergraduate students who have completed the
junior year and who have career goals in the health sciences. The program is
supported by the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney
Diseases.
The Intramural Summer Student Employment Program supports high school,
undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as college faculty members to
conduct research in the biomedical sciences at the National Institutes of
Health. This program is supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
The NIH Visiting Professors Program encourages NIH intramural scientists to
visit HBCUs for a period from a week to several months to collaborate with
HBCU faculty and stimulate their students to seek research careers. This
program is supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development.
The NIH National Research Service Award (NRSA) programs train pre- and
post-doctoral students in all areas of biomedical research. A special
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 9
initiative requires that each new application or competing renewal application
include a plan to recruit individuals from underrepresented minority groups.
Other Fellowships
The NIH Extramural Associates Program sponsors individuals from minority
institutions to come to the NIH to learn first-hand about the NIH programs,
peer review, and grant administration. Scientist administrators from eligible
institutions, including HBCUs, participate in this program. Support is
arranged through the intergovernmental personnel act agreement. Since the
program's inception in 1978, more than 50 HBCUs have participated in the
Extramural Associates Program.
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 10
APPENDIX B
MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RESEARCH APPRENTICE PROGRAM
P.T. 34, 44, FF; K.W. 0720005
Division of Research Resources
Application Receipt Date: December 1
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The Division of Research Resources (DRR), National Institutes of Health (NIH),
currently plans to expand the Minority High School Student Research Apprentice
Program.
The purpose of the program is to provide minority high school students with a
meaningful experience in various aspects of health-related research in order
to stimulate their interest in careers in science.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible institutions are those that were awarded grants during the latest
complete Federal fiscal year from either the Biomedical Research Support Grant
(BRSG) Program or the Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program,
both of which are administered by DRR, NIH. Only one application for the
Apprentice Program can be submitted by a component of an institution that is
the recipient of both the BRSG and MBRS awards.
Students eligible for support under this program are those who: (1) identify
themselves as minority (i.e., Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan
Native, Pacific Islander, or Asian); (2) are U.S. citizens or have a permanent
visa; and (3) are enrolled in high school during the current academic year.
(Students who will graduate from high school this year are eligible, as is a
student who participated in a previous year - provided he/she is still
enrolled at the high school level.)
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
The mechanism of support for this program will be the NIH grant-in-aid.
Support will be provided at a level of $1,500 for each apprentice position
allocated. No indirect costs will be paid. Direct support to the apprentice
must be as salary; stipends are not allowed. Within the $1,500 per student
allocation, funds may also be utilized for supplies, extending the research
experience, or if adequate funds exist, for the addition of an apprentice.
However, funds from these grants may only be used for the costs of the
apprentice program. The Program Director is responsible for recruitment and
selection of the apprentices and assignment of each to an investigator.
Recruitment and selection of students should emphasize factors of the
students' motivation, ability and scholastic aptitude and accomplishments. In
addition, consideration should be given to science teachers' recommendations
and where possible the degree of parental commitment. Assignments should be
made to investigators involved in health-related research who are committed to
developing in the high school students both understanding of the research in
which they participate and the technical skills needed.
APPLICATION
Eligible institutions should submit an application consisting of no more than:
1. A one-page letter stating the number of student positions requested, plus
2. An original and two signed and completed copies of the Grant Application
Form, PHS 398 (Rev. 09/86) face page only.
Mark the "YES" box in item 2 and indicate the announcement title as "Minority
High School Student Research Apprentice Program."
Mark items numbered 4, 5, 7, 8b, 10 and 14 Not applicable (N.A.). Complete
item 8a with the total dollar amount of your request, which is the sum of the
number of student positions requested times $1,500 per student.
The original and one copy of the signed Program Director's report and each
student report should be submitted with the renewal application due December 1
annually in order that the data contained in these reports can be used by DRR
to decide about policies and future funding for the Minority High School
Student Research Apprentice Program. These reports should also be submitted
at the same time even if renewal support is not requested.
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 11
In any event, all reports including the Financial Status Report must be
submitted to the NIH by the grantee institution no later than May 31 unless an
extension of the budget period end date has been authorized.
Please Note: Limited funds and increased requests for such student positions
may restrict the final allocations by DRR to three or four students per
eligible applicant institution. Upon recommendation of the National Advisory
Research Resources Council, the Division will give preference in making awards
to those institutions that can support a summer program having a "critical
mass" of at least five or six students using institutional as well as DRR
funds.
The applications should be submitted to:
Biomedical Research Support Program
Division of Research Resources
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 10A11
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Inquiries can be made of Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle at the above indicated address
or by calling (301) 496-6743.
The firm deadline for receipt of applications is December 1. Awards will be
effective March 1 the following year, contingent upon availability of
appropriated funds.
Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 12