Research (OER)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
and Human Services (HHS)
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NCRR SHARED INSTRUMENTATION GRANT
Release Date: December 13, 2001
PA NUMBER: PAR-02-036
National Center for Research Resources
Application Receipt Date: March 22, 2002
PURPOSE
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) is continuing its
competitive Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program initiated in
Fiscal Year 1982. Results of the most recent study, "The National
Survey of Academic Research Instruments and Instrumentation," published
in 1997 identified bioanalytical equipment of the type provided through
this Program as the top most priority. The objective of the program is
to make available to institutions expensive research instruments that
can only be justified on a shared-use basis and for which meritorious
research projects are described. The SIG Program provides a cost-
effective mechanism for groups of NIH-supported investigators to obtain
commercially available, technologically sophisticated equipment costing
more than $100,000.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Under the general research support authority of Section 301(a)(3) of
the Public Health Service Act, Shared Instrumentation Grant awards are
made to public and non-profit domestic institutions only. These
institutions include health professional schools, other academic
institutions, hospitals, health departments, and research
organizations. Note that, Federal institutions, foreign institutions,
and for-profit institutions are not eligible to apply. A Federal
institution is defined by the NIH as a Cabinet-level department or
independent agency of the executive branch of the Federal Government or
any component organization of such a department or agency.
Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with
disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators.
To be eligible, the application must identify three or more NIH funded
investigators (Principal Investigators of active P01, R01, U01, R29,
R35 or R37 research grants) who will be users of the requested
instrument. The Principal Investigator of the SIG application does not
need to have an active NIH research grant or be a user of the requested
equipment.
Applications will be accepted that request a single, commercially
available instrument or integrated instrument system which costs at
least $100,000. There is no restriction on the number of applications
an institution can submit to the SIG program each year provided the
applications request different types of equipment. However, if two or
more applications are submitted for similar equipment (for example, two
600 MHz NMR spectrometers) from the same institution, documentation
from a high level institutional official must be provided stating that
this is not an unintended duplication, but part of a campus wide
institutional plan. An application requesting more than one type of
instrumentation (for example, a mass spectrometer and a confocal
microscope) will not be considered responsive to this program
announcement and will be returned.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Awards under this Program Announcement (PA) will use the SIG mechanism
(S10). SIG provides support for expensive state-of-the-art
instrumentation utilized in both basic and clinical research.
Applications are limited to instruments that cost at least $100,000 per
instrument or integrated instrument system. The maximum award is
$500,000. Since the nature and scope of the instruments that may be
requested will vary, it is anticipated that the size of an award will
vary also. Awards will be made for the direct costs only. The
institution must meet those costs (not covered in the normal purchase
price) required to place the instrumentation in operational order as
well as the maintenance, support personnel, and service costs
associated with maximum utilization of the instrument. There is no
upper limit on the cost of the instrument, but the maximum award is
$500,000. Grants will be awarded for a period of one year and are not
renewable. Supplemental applications will not be accepted. The
program does not provide facilities and administrative (F&A) costs or
support for construction or alterations and renovations. Cost sharing
is not required. If the amount of funds requested does not cover the
total cost of the instrument, the application should describe the
proposed source(s) of funding for the balance of the cost of the
instrument. Documentation of the availability of the remainder of
funding, signed by an appropriate institutional official, must be
presented to NCRR prior to issuance of award.
Applicants proposing purchase of an instrument that the institution is
planning to lease prior to award are urged to consult with their
institutional sponsored projects office regarding applicable NIH policy
prior to executing the leasing agreement. If the leasing agreement was
executed more than one year prior to submission of the SIG application,
the applicant must provide strong justification for the requested
Federal funds. Further, the instrument must be considered state-of-the-
art at the time of submission of the SIG application. Award adjustments
may be necessary. Execution of a purchase agreement, processing of a
purchase order, making a down payment or other formal obligation or
commitment to purchase the proposed equipment by the applicant
institution prior to award is subject to NIH policy regarding pre-award
cost authority.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
This program is designed to provide for the acquisition or updating of
expensive shared-use instrumentation not generally available through
other NIH mechanisms, such as the regular research project, program
project, or center grant programs. Proposals for research on advancing
the design or for the development of new instrumentation will not be
considered.
Types of instrumentation supported include, but are not limited to,
nuclear magnetic resonance systems, electron and confocal microscopes,
mass spectrometers, protein and DNA sequencers, biosensors, x-ray
diffractometers and cell sorters. Support will not be provided for
general purpose equipment or purely instructional equipment, personal
computers, personal workstations, printers, and Ethernet interfaces.
Proposals for "stand alone" computer systems will only be considered if
the instrument is solely dedicated to the research needs of a broad
community of NIH-supported investigators.
For purposes of eligibility, a major user group of three or more
investigators must be identified. A minimum of three major users must
be Principal Investigators on NIH peer reviewed research grants at the
time of the application and award. For purposes of this program,
research grants are defined as those grants awarded with the following
activity codes: P01, R01, U01, R29, R35 and R37.
In addition to the above eligibility criteria, the application should
also show a clear need for the instrumentation by projects supported by
multiple NIH peer review research grants (including, but not limited to
those listed above) and demonstrate that these projects will require at
least 75 percent of the total usage of the instrument. Major users can
be individual researchers, or a group of investigators within the same
department or from several departments at the applicant institution.
NIH extramural awardees from other nearby institutions may also be
included.
If the major user group does not require total usage of the instrument,
access to the instrument should be made available to other users upon
the advice of the internal advisory committee (see below). These users
need not be NIH awardees, but priority should be given to NIH-supported
scientists engaged in biomedical/behavioral research. To promote cost
effectiveness, to encourage optimal sharing among individual
investigators, research groups and departments, and to foster a
collaborative multidisciplinary environment, the instrument should be
integrated into a central core facility, whenever possible.
Each applicant institution must propose a Principal Investigator who
can assume administrative/scientific oversight responsibility for the
instrumentation requested. This person need not be an NIH grantee. An
internal advisory committee to assist in this responsibility should
also be utilized. The Principal Investigator and the advisory group are
responsible for the development of guidelines for shared use of the
instrument, for preparation of all reports required by the NIH, for
relocation of the instrument within the grantee institution if the
major user group is significantly altered, and for continued financial
support for the maximum utilization and maintenance of the instrument
in the post-award period.
The application must include a plan for the day-to-day management of
the instrument including designation of a qualified individual to
supervise the operation of the instrument and to provide technical
expertise to the users. Specific plans for sharing arrangements and for
monitoring the use of the instrument should be described. If a grant
award is made, a final progress report is required that describes the
use of the instrument, listing all users and indicating the value of
the instrumentation to the research of the major users and to the
institution as a whole. This report must be submitted to NCRR 90 days
following the end of the project period.
URLS IN NIH APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICIES
All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained
within specified page limitations. Unless otherwise specified in an NIH
solicitation, Internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide
information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no
obligation to view the Internet sites. Reviewers are cautioned that
their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an
Internet site.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev.
5/01) at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html must be used
in applying for these grants. This version of the PHS 398 is available
in an interactive, searchable format. For further assistance contact
Grants Info, Telephone 301/710-0267, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
Follow the PHS 398 instructions with the following special instructions
below.
Do not use the format for Modular Grant applications.
1. Form Page 1 (Face Page)
Item 1. Name the type of instrument requested.
Item 2. Check the box marked "YES" and enter the number and title of
this program announcement.
Item 4. Not applicable
Item 5. Not applicable
Item 6. The dates should be 04/01/03 through 03/31/04.
Items 7A and 7B, 8A and 8B. Use these blocks to give the total amount
requested from NCRR for this instrument or system. The direct costs and
total costs for the budget period and project period must be the same.
2. Form Page 2. Complete the abstract as directed. Under "Key
Personnel," give the data on the Principal Investigator and the major
user group as required.
3. Form Page 3. Complete. Insert page number(s) for user and accessory
table(s) (see Research Projects)
4. Form page 4. Describe the instrument requested including
manufacturer and model number. Use a continuation page(s) as necessary.
The model chosen should be justified by comparing its performance with
other available instruments where appropriate. Specific features and
any accessories should be justified, both in this section and in the
description of research projects. Provide a detailed budget breakdown
of the main equipment and accessories requested including tax and
import duties, if applicable. An itemized quote from a vendor should be
included. If a project involves a potential biohazard, funds for
accessory containment equipment for the instrument or instrument system
may be included in the
requested budget.
5. Form page 5. Budget Estimates for All Years. Not applicable; do not
complete.
Modular Budget Format Page. Not applicable
Biographical Sketch Format Page. In addition to the personnel listed
on page 2, include a biographical sketch of the person(s) who will be
in charge of maintenance and operation of the instrument and a brief
statement of the qualifications of the individual(s). Biographical
sketches should not exceed 4 pages for each individual.
Resources Format Page. Not applicable
Checklist Form Page. Check all that apply.
Personal Data Form Page. Complete
Other Support Format Page. Provide the requested information for each
major user and for each application for the same instrumentation sent
to NSF or another organization or agency.
Personnel Report Format Page. Not applicable
Targeted/Planned Enrollment Format Page. Not applicable
Enrollment Format Page. Not applicable
Research Plan section of the application. (If this is a revised
application, note the special instructions on page 15 in the PHS 398
instructions regarding completion of this section of the application).
Do not include what would normally be in Items a-d of the Research Plan
but provide information relative to the points identified under
criteria for review including:
Instrument Requested
Describe the instrument requested. Inventory similar instruments
existing at the applicant institution, neighboring research
institutions, or otherwise accessible; describe why they are
unavailable or inappropriate for the proposed research. Provide a clear
justification why new or updated equipment, including accessories, is
needed. Include specific documentation on the current usage and
downtime of existing instruments and a realistic estimate of the
projected usage for the requested instrument.
Research Projects
Give a brief description of the major users projects. Since the
projects have been previously peer reviewed, the project descriptions
should be concise and focus on the benefit of the instrument to the
research objectives of each user. Sufficient technical detail
(preliminary data and/or supplemental information) should be included
to evaluate whether the instrument is appropriate, would be effectively
employed, and would provide advantages over other methods. The need for
special features and accessories must be justified. If possible, each
user should highlight those publications that demonstrate the user's
expertise in using the requested instrumentation. If the number of
projects is large and broadly diversified, select out a smaller
representative group. Use a table to list the names of the users, brief
titles of the projects, the NIH grant numbers and the estimated
percentage of use. Make a separate table to indicate the user's needs
for the requested accessories. List the page number of each table under
Table of Contents (Form Page 3). For minor users, only include a very
brief (one-paragraph) summary of the research related to the need for
the instruments. The combined project descriptions of the user groups
should not exceed 25 pages.
Technical Expertise
Describe the technical expertise present at the institution to set up,
run and maintain the instrument. Specify who will operate the
instrument and train new users.
Organizational / Management Plan
Describe the organizational plan to administer the grant. Include how
the instrument will be utilized, how requests are made, how time will
be allocated among major and minor users and plans for attracting new
users. List the names and titles of the members of the local advisory
committee to oversee instrument use. Indicate the role and
responsibility of the advisory committee in developing and implementing
policies and procedures to assure equitable use of the instrument.
Submit a specific financial plan for long-term operation and
maintenance of the instrument. Explain how the costs to place the
instrument in operational order as well as the maintenance, support
personnel, and service costs associated with effective use of the
instrument will be met.
Institutional Commitment
Describe the institutional infrastructure available to support the
instrumentation. Provide documentation (e.g., separate letters signed
by appropriate institutional officials) specifically describing the
required institutional commitment (in dollars) in support of the
proposed plan.
Overall Benefit
Explain how the instrument will impact NIH funded research and
contribute to the institution's long- range biomedical research goals.
Applications must be received by March 22, 2002. Applications received
after this date will not be accepted for review in this competition and
will be returned to the applicant. The completed, signed original and
four exact photocopies of the signed application and any appendix
material must be sent 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)
Do not send applications for different instruments in the same package.
One copy of the application must be sent to:
SHARED INSTRUMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM
DIVISION OF BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES
6705 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 6148 - MSC 7965
BETHESDA, MD 20892-7965
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Applications will be reviewed for completeness by CSR and
responsiveness by NCRR. Applications that are complete and responsive
to the program announcement will be evaluated for scientific and
technical merit by specially convened initial review groups of the
Center for Scientific Review (CSR) with a second level review by the
National Advisory Research Resources Council (NARRC). Approximately
half of the applications will be reviewed at the September 2002 NARRC
meeting and the remainder at the NARRC meeting in January 2003. Funding
decisions on all applications received for the March 22, 2002, deadline
will not be made until the program receives an appropriation for FY
2003. The Council date will not affect the likelihood of funding.
JOINT NIH/NSF SUBMISSION
A recent NIH/NSF Memorandum of Understanding permits the joint agency
review and funding of requests for a single instrument costing more
than $500,000, which would normally be eligible for submission to both
NIH and NSF. Such a request may be submitted to NIH for the March 22
deadline for review by NIH with NSF participation, thus avoiding
separate agency peer review. Under this arrangement, the agencies may
offer joint funding in excess of their current award limits.
Applicants contemplating joint NIH-NSF submission are strongly urged to
contact both the NSF Division of Biological Infrastructure (NSF
contact: Multi-User Biological Instrumentation Program Officer:
dbiiid@nsf.gov; (703-292-8470) and the NCRR SIG Program (Dr. Marjorie
A. Tingle 301-435-0772; SIG@ncrr.nih.gov) for information concerning
eligibility and required documentation.
REVIEW CRITERIA
The Scientific Need
The extent to which an award for the specific instrument would meet the
scientific needs and enhance the planned research endeavors of the
major users by providing an instrument that is unavailable or to which
availability is highly limited.
Technical Expertise
The availability and commitment of the appropriate technical expertise
within the major user group or the institution for use of the
instrumentation.
Management Plan
The adequacy of the organizational plan for use of the instrument and
the internal advisory committee for oversight of the instrument
including sharing arrangements.
Institutional Commitment
The institution's commitment for continued support of the utilization
and maintenance of the instrument.
Overall Benefit
The benefit of the proposed instrument to the overall research
community it will serve.
AWARD CRITERIA
In making funding decisions, the NCRR will give consideration to ensure
program balance among various types of instruments supported and
geographic distribution of awards.
INQUIRIES
Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunities to clarify any issues or
questions from potential applicants are welcome.
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic or scientific issues to:
Marjorie A. Tingle, Ph.D.
Shared Instrumentation Grant Program
National Center for Research Resources
6705 Rockledge Drive, Room 6148, MSC 7965
Bethesda, MD 20892-7965
Telephone: (301) 435-0772
FAX: (301) 480-3659
Email: SIG@ncrr.nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Ms. Judy Musgrave
Office of Grants Management
National Center for Research Resources
6705 Rockledge Drive, Room 6205, MSC 7965
Bethesda, MD 20892-7965
Telephone: (301) 435-0841
Email: JudithM@ncrr.nih.gov
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No.93.371, Biomedical Technology. Awards will be 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 NIH grants policies and Federal Regulations
42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
Health Systems Agency review.
The DHHS 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 DHHS mission to
protect and advance the physical and mental health of the
American people.
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