JOINTLY SPONSORED NIH PREDOCTORAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN THE NEUROSCIENCES Release Date: January 5, 2000 PA NUMBER: PAR-00-037 National Institute on Aging National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Eye Institute National Institute of General Medical Sciences National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Nursing Research Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 1 Application Receipt Date: May 10 This program announcement replaces PAR-97-007, which was published in the NIH Guide, Vol. 25, No. 10, November 8, 1996. PURPOSE The National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) are continuing joint sponsorship of a predoctoral research training program in the neurosciences. The aim of the program is to encourage and support broad, early-stage training in the neurosciences by offering institutions a single comprehensive training grant. It is expected that the new training programs will enhance basic and disease-related neuroscience research that is relevant to the participating NIH Institutes. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS- led national activity for setting priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474- 0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the superintendent of documents, government printing office, Washington DC 20402-9325 (Telephone 202-512-1800) or at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Only domestic, non-profit, private or public institutions engaged in health- related education or research are eligible to apply. All of the eligibility requirements, rules and regulations of the National Research Service Award (NRSA) programs as articulated in NIH National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grants (NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 16, May 16, 1997, available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-007.html) apply to this program. NRSA program guidelines are available in National Research Service Awards Guidelines, published in the NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 21, June 20, 1997 (available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-009.html). MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This program will use the NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) mechanism. The number of grants awarded will depend on funds available. Awards will be made for a period of up to five years, and are renewable. The training grant will support predoctoral level stipends and other training costs according to the current NRSA guidelines, "NIH National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grants" (NIH Guide NOTICE Vol. 26, No. 16, May 16, 1997, available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-007.html) and National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipend Increase (NIH Guide Notice, November 19, 1998, available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT98-161.html). Funds to support trainee travel to attend scientific meetings should not exceed $400/year per trainee. RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM CONSIDERATIONS Nine NIH Institutes (listed above) are continuing joint sponsorship of a predoctoral research training program in the neurosciences. The aim of the program is to encourage and support broad, early-stage training in the neurosciences by offering institutions a single comprehensive training grant. Support through the program is focused on the early years of training, typically the first and second years, before full-time thesis research is started. Trainees are expected to be participants in a formal predoctoral curriculum offering broad and fundamental training in the neurosciences. Such training would include taking core courses, laboratory rotations and multidisciplinary courses, but not full time thesis research. Institutions that presently have multiple training grants supporting predoctoral trainees in the neurosciences are encouraged to consolidate their predoctoral training positions into a single training grant jointly sponsored by the participating NIH Institutes of this program announcement. Applications are also encouraged from institutions that do not have current NIH training grant support and that provide neuroscience training. Depending on the policies of the awarding NIH Institute, other training grants at the applicant institution may continue to support predoctoral trainees involved in thesis research and postdoctoral fellows (applicants are strongly encouraged to contact specific NIH Institute staff listed under INQUIRIES prior to preparing and submitting an application). The number of trainee positions requested must be justified in terms of the available pool of eligible trainees, the training faculty, the course offerings, etc., and the proposed consolidation of existing training positions. As part of the program all trainees will be encouraged to visit NIH once during their appointment for a two-day special orientation and training session sponsored by the participating NIH Institutes. These orientation sessions will take place once every two years, and will be restricted to trainees supported under this program. Travel funds (travel and two days per diem per trainee) to participate in this event should be requested in the budget of the application. At these sessions each NIH Institute will have an opportunity to describe their mission and research interests, a series of research lectures will be given by leading investigators in the neurosciences, and an introduction to the NIH grant system will be presented. The Program Directors of the training grants will be asked to attend a one- day workshop in the Washington DC area every two years. The workshops will take place on the off years of the trainee orientation sessions. Travel funds (travel plus one day per diem) for the Program Director to attend this event may be included in the budget of the application. At these workshops, the Program Directors will be asked to report on successes or problems in their training programs, and NIH staff will provide briefings on new training and career development opportunities in the participating NIH institutes. It is expected that the new training programs will enhance basic and disease- related neuroscience research that is relevant to the participating NIH Institutes. Applicants should ensure that there are ongoing research programs available to trainees in areas relevant to the missions of one or more of the sponsoring NIH Institutes. It is also important that the administration of the applicant institution as well as all participating academic units and departments indicate within the application their willingness to support the training goals of the program. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to submit, by March 1, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed training program, the name, address, and telephone number of the Program Director, the identities of other key faculty and participating departments, and the number and title of this PA. Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows NIH staff to estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Bradley C. Wise at the address listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used in applying for these grants. The grant application kit contains special instructions (Section V) for Institutional National Research Service Awards (T32). Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone (301) 435-0714, Email: GRANTSINFO@NIH.GOV. Applications are also available on the internet at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. Supplemental application instructions are available and may be requested from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. The title and number of the program announcement must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist and five signed photocopies in one package to: CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040, MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS A special emphasis panel convened by the sponsoring NIH Institutes in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures will evaluate applications that are responsive to the requirements of this PA. Applications will be evaluated according to the general review criteria outlined in the "NIH National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grants," NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 16, May 16, 1997, which can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-007.html. Additional review criteria specific to this initiative include: 1) whether the training program provides broad-based, fundamental, early-stage training in neuroscience at the Institution, 2) the potential impact of the proposed training grant on neuroscience training at the Institution, 3) whether appropriate expertise is available in the neuroscience community at the Institution, and 4) the extent of participation of all appropriate faculty and departments at the Institution in the neuroscience training program. Consolidation of predoctoral training in the neurosciences at an Institution into a single training grant is encouraged, but is not a requirement. The consolidation plan (if any) for combining training positions from other training grants at the Institution should be fully explained in the application. The consolidation plans (if any) will be considered in relation to the participation of other departments in the training program. For example, are there plans to consolidate trainee positions from existing training grants that participating faculty use to train students in the neurosciences? Reviewer comments on the consolidation plan (if any) will appear in an administrative note. This information will not be considered in scoring the application, however, it will be considered in the budget recommendation process. Reviewers will first determine the quality of the training program and then consider whether the requested number of trainee positions is appropriate for the number of high quality, eligible first/second year trainees likely to be accepted into the program. Comments on the appropriateness of the requested number of slots will appear as a budget note or an administrative note. Schedule Applications for Jointly Sponsored NIH Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences will be accepted and reviewed once a year only according to the following schedule: Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 1 Application Receipt Date: May 10 Review Meeting: October/November Council Meeting: January/February Earliest Possible Start Date: July 1 Applications received after the May 10 deadline will be returned to the applicant. AWARD CRITERIA The general award criteria are outlined in the "NIH National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grants," NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 16, May 16, 1997. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: Quality of the proposed training program as determined by peer review Availability of funds Program priority INQUIRIES Inquiries are strongly encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff for technical assistance and information concerning current program priorities before applying for an award. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Bradley C. Wise, Ph.D. Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Room 3C307, MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-9350 FAX: (301) 496-1494 Email: bw86y@nih.gov Deborah B. Henken, Ph.D. Center for Research for Mothers and Children National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 4B01, MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 Telephone: (301) 496-5541 FAX: (301) 480-0303 Email: dh50g@nih.gov Daniel A. Sklare, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Research National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400C, MSC 7180 Bethesda, MD 20892-7180 Telephone: (301) 496-1804 FAX: (301) 402-6251 Email: daniel_sklare@nih.gov James A. Lipton, D.D.S., Ph.D. Division of Extramural Research National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-18J, MSC 6402 Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Telephone: (301) 594-2618 FAX: (301) 480-8318 Email: liptonj@de45.nidr.nih.gov Maria Y. Giovanni, Ph.D. National Eye Institute 6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite 350, MSC 7164 Bethesda, MD 20892-7164 301-496-0484 301-402-0528 myg@nei.nih.gov Alison Cole, Ph.D. Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AS-49K, MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-1826 FAX: (301) 480-2802 Email: colea@nigms.nih.gov Walter L. Goldschmidts, Ph.D. Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 7200, MSC 9645 Bethesda, MD 20892-9645 Telephone: (301) 443-3563 FAX: (301) 443-1731 Email: wgoldsch@nih.gov Robert W. Baughman, Ph.D. Office of Extramural Research National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2137, MSC 9170 Bethesda, MD 20892-9170 Telephone: (301) 496-1779 FAX: (301) 402-1501 Email: rb175y@nih.gov Karin F. Helmers, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Nursing Research 45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12, MSC 6300 Bethesda, MD 20892-6300 Telephone: (301) 594-2177 FAX: (301) 480-8260 Email: karin_helmers@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Joseph Ellis Grants Management Officer National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 2N212, MSC9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-1472 Fax: (301) 402-3672 Email: ellisj@exmur.nia.nih.gov Douglas Shawver Grants Management Branch National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Building 61E, Room 8A017, MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 Telephone: (301) 496-1303 FAX: (301) 402-0915 Email: shawverd@hd01.nichd.nih.gov Sharon Hunt Division of Extramural Activities National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400-B, MSC 7180 Bethesda, MD 20892-7180 Telephone: (301) 402-0909 FAX: (301) 402-1758 Email: sh79f@nih.gov Martin R. Rubinstein Division of Extramural Research National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44A, MSC 6402 Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Telephone: (301) 594-4800 FAX: (301) 480-8303 Email: rubinstein@de45.nidr.nih.gov Will W. Darby Grants Management Branch National Eye Institute Executive Plaza South, Suite 350, MSC 7164 Bethesda, MD 20892-7164 Telephone: (301) 496-5884 FAX: (301) 496-9997 Email: wwdarby@nei.nih.gov Ruth Monaghan Grants Management Office National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AN-24D, MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-5135 FAX: (301) 480-2554 Email: rm64j@nih.gov Diana S. Trunnell Grants Management Branch National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6115, MSC 9605 Bethesda, MD 20892-9605 Telephone: (301) 443-2805 FAX: (301) 443-6885 Email: dtrunnell@mail.nih.gov Maurice Johnson Grants Management Branch National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3254, MSC 9190 Bethesda, MD 20892-9190 Telephone (301) 496-9231 FAX: (301) 402-0219 Email: johnsonm@ninds.nih.gov Cindy McDermott Grants Management Office National Institute of Nursing Research 45 Center Drive, Room 3AN12, MSC 6301 Bethesda, MD 20892-6301 Telephone: (301) 594-5979 FAX: (301) 480-8260 Email: cindy_mcdermott@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants are made under the authority of Section 487 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 288). Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 66, is applicable to this program. This program is also described under the following numbers in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.272, 93.278, 93.282, 93.306, 93.361, 93.398, 93.821, 93.837-93.839, 93.846-93.849, 93.853-93.856, 93.859, 93.862-93.868, 93.871, 93.880, 93.894, and 93.929. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. Awards will be administered under PHS policy as stated in the NIH Grants Policy Statement (October 1, 1998). PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke- free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.


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