Department of Health and Human Services


Part 1. Overview Information
Participating Organization(s)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Components of Participating Organizations

Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives, Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

Funding Opportunity Title

Improvement of Animal Models for Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine (R01)

Activity Code

R01 Research Project Grant

Announcement Type

New

Related Notices

  • February 9, 2016 - This PA has been reissued as PAR-16-093.
  • NOT-OD-16-004 - NIH & AHRQ Announce Upcoming Changes to Policies, Instructions and Forms for 2016 Grant Applications (November 18, 2015)
  • NOT-OD-16-006 - Simplification of the Vertebrate Animals Section of NIH Grant Applications and Contract Proposals (November 18, 2015)
  • NOT-OD-16-011 - Implementing Rigor and Transparency in NIH & AHRQ Research Grant Applications (November 18, 2015)
  • June 3, 2014 - Notice NOT-14-074 supersedes instructions in Section III.3 regarding applications that are essentially the same.
  • May 30, 2013 (NOT-OD-13-074) - NIH to Require Use of Updated Electronic Application Forms for Due Dates on or after September 25, 2013. Forms-C applications are required for due dates on or after September 25, 2013.
  • July 3, 2013 - See Companion PAR-13-252 Improvement of Animal Models for Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine (R24).
  • February 14, 2013 - See Notice NOT-AR-13-013. Notice of NIAMS' Participation.

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number

PAR-13-114

Companion Funding Opportunity

PAR-13-115, R21 Exploratory/Developmental Grant
PAR-13-113, R24 Resource-Related Research Projects Grants

Number of Applications

See Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s)

93.351, 93.847, 93.837, 93.121, 93.859, 93.846

Funding Opportunity Purpose

This FOA encourages Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions and organizations proposing research aimed at characterizing animal stem cells and improving existing, and creating new, animal models for human disease conditions. The intent of this initiative is to facilitate the use of stem cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine. The initiative focuses on the following areas: 1) comparative analysis of animal and human stem cells to provide information for selection of the most predictive and informative model systems; 2) development of new technologies for stem cell characterization and transplantation; and 3) improvement of animal disease models for stem cell-based therapeutic applications.

Key Dates
Posted Date

February 11, 2013

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

May 5, 2013

Letter of Intent Due Date(s)

Not Applicable

Application Due Date(s)

Standard dates apply, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

AIDS Application Due Date(s)

Not Applicable

Scientific Merit Review

Standard dates apply

Advisory Council Review

Standard dates apply

Earliest Start Date

Standard dates apply

Expiration Date

New Date February 9, 2016 per issuance of PAR-16-093. (Original Expiration Date: May 8, 2016)

Due Dates for E.O. 12372

Not Applicable

Required Application Instructions

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this FOA or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the FOA) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Overview Information
Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement


Section I. Funding Opportunity Description


Purpose

This FOA encourages Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions and organizations proposing research aimed at characterizing animal stem cells and improving existing, and creating new, animal models for human disease conditions. The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) in ORIP and representatives from other NIH institutes convened an NIH workshop in 2012 that addressed the current status of animal stem cell biology and made recommendations concerning improvements in technologies and applications of animal stem cells to regenerative medicine (see http://dpcpsi.nih.gov/orip/documents/summary_of_the_improving_animal_models.pdf). The results of this workshop provide the basis for this FOA. The intent of this initiative is to facilitate the use of stem cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine. The initiative focuses on the following areas: 1) comparative analysis of animal and human stem cells to provide information for selection of the most predictive and informative model systems; 2) development of new technologies for stem cell characterization and transplantation; and 3) improvement of animal disease models for stem cell-based therapeutic applications.

Background Information

Regenerative Medicine is the process of creating living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissue or organ function lost due to damage or congenital defects. Regenerative medicine has the potential to solve the problem of the shortage of organs available for donation. It also holds the promise of repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs in the body by stimulating organs previously considered irreparable to heal themselves. The recent discovery of the reprogramming of adult cells to a pluripotent state provides opportunities to address a major problem of regenerative medicine, immune rejection of transplanted tissue. The ability to generate differentiated cells and tissues using cells from specific patients will facilitate individualized medicine and eventually will lead to specialized therapies. The field is moving toward translation to clinical practice and is becoming increasingly dependent on animal models and information regarding the potential therapeutic efficacy of new technologies. Generating the correct type and quantity of the specific cell types required for replacement therapy is a significant challenge, as are the problems associated with introducing these cells into the proper environment in vivo and overcoming immune reactions. Finding solutions to these problems will require extensive testing in experimental animal models.

Major advances have been made in the past several years in deriving pluripotent cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) from both humans and animals. In parallel, other investigations have isolated and characterized multipotent somatic or adult stem cells from various tissues, including Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Germinal Stem Cells (GSCs). The discovery of mouse ESCs in 1981 revolutionized the field of developmental biology and provided new capability for genome manipulation and investigations of gene function. Isolation of human ESCs created new possibilities for the field of regenerative medicine. ES-like cells have been derived from a number of animal species, including rats, fish, cows, pigs and non-human primates. Many characteristics of animal ES-like cells, including surface markers, growth factor requirements, ability to differentiate and others can be quite different from human ESCs.

The field of stem cell research experienced a dramatic new direction with the isolation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), derived by reprogramming somatic cells to a pluripotent state. Several studies on various animal systems suggest that the basic pluripotency network appears to be conserved among different species, allowing derivation of iPSCs from a variety of animals.

MSCs, a type of somatic stem cell, were originally identified as a subpopulation of bone marrow cells with osteogenic potential. The properties of MSCs have been examined extensively over the past decade. Studies using animal models have shown promising results following MSC therapy for induced injury in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems. In addition, many clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of MSC infusion for treating various human diseases. Given the wide range of tissue sources, the recognition of subpopulations with specific properties, and the frequent production of genomic alterations upon expansion in cell culture, extensive characterization of MSCs and development of improved techniques are required. Most importantly, there is relatively limited understanding of the normal biological functions of MSCs and the mechanisms by which they participate in tissue repair.

GSCs are another type of somatic stem cells of great interest for regenerative medicine. They are an essential component of reproductive biology. Genetic manipulation of GSCs provides a powerful tool for producing transgenic animals, for elucidating mechanisms underlying germ cell development and differentiation and for understanding the interactions between stem cells and their niche. Further development of the methods for unlimited production of GSCs (for producing either sperm or eggs) will impact the ability to investigate the molecular basis of germ cell differentiation and for treatment of infertility by transplantation. Numerous reports using animal and human GSCs have shown generation of pluripotent cells during in vitro cultivation, which potentially can solve a number of issues. However, it remains difficult to isolate, derive and maintain stable cultures of these cells from humans and animals. Furthermore, the mechanisms that determine the reprogramming of GSCs into pluripotent stem cells are not well understood and efficient methods for directed reprogramming of these pluripotent stem cells still have to be developed.

Along with rodents, several other animal species are being developed as models for various studies in the field of regenerative medicine. Understanding the properties and capabilities of stem cells derived from animals such as rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats and monkeys will increase the potential for the use of the most appropriate systems for modeling particular human disease conditions or for other medical applications. Non-rodent species (often referred to as large animal models ) provide important advantages for transplantation studies, including large size, similarity to human physiology and pathology and longer life span, thus facilitating translation to studies in humans. The use of animal stem cells as a model for human cells in procedures related to regenerative medicine requires in-depth understanding of common regulatory pathways and species-specific properties and their impact on potential therapeutic applications.

Animal experiments have historically made a significant contribution to understanding human disease. However, animal studies need to be improved in order to better predict the effectiveness of treatment strategies in clinical trials. Several possible causes of the disparity between the results of animal studies and clinical trials have been identified, including failure to acknowledge the limitations of animal models, inadequate animal data and conclusions from them, less than optimal disease models and overestimation of treatment efficacy due to the preferential publishing of positive results, relative to negative results. These problems should be addressed in the design and execution of preclinical, animal-based studies involving stem-cell based therapies.

Scope of Research

The research activities specific to each of the participating Institutes and Centers (ICs) are discussed below. While the objectives of the application must be in accord with the specific interests of the ICs listed below, applications submitted for funding consideration by ORIP may be of a more general nature and should involve activities that are relevant to the interests of two or more of any of the categorical NIH Institutes and Centers. Specific interests of the sponsoring Institutes and Centers are as follows:

Projects supported by ORIP under this FOA are intended to improve existing and create new animal models for regenerative medicine. Preference will be given to investigations that examine general principles involved in developing the most informative animal models for regenerative medicine, rather than focusing on a specific disease. However, investigations involving specific diseases can be used as proof of principle. In all cases, for funding consideration by ORIP, the potential results of investigations should be applicable to the interests of two or more of any of the categorical NIH ICs. Furthermore, investigations of a disease that predominantly relates to the interests of one NIH IC and peripherally relates to the interests of other NIH ICs are not appropriate for ORIP funding. The ultimate objective of these efforts should be to provide essential preclinical knowledge that can help inform future clinical investigations.

The following are examples of research topics of particular interest to ORIP. Other innovative concepts are also encouraged.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is interested in the above listed research topics as applied to the following mission areas of the Institute: i) stem cell engineering and regeneration of complex heart, vascular, lung, and blood systems; ii) stem cell correction of either congenital or acquired heart, lung and blood defects, iii) stem cell regeneration/reconstruction of heart, lung, and blood tissue; and iv) optimization of the host’s microenvironment to improve the survival and function of transplanted HUMAN heart, vascular, lung, and blood tissues, including but not limited to, in vivo models that aim to overcome immunological/ex vivo manipulation/tumorigenic safety concerns associated with FDA regulatory requirements. Preference will be given to in vivo models developed using NHLBI resources (e.g., Production Assistance for Cellular Therapies (PACT), Science Moving towArds Research Translation and Therapy (SMARTT), Gene Therapy Resource Program (GTRP). NHLBI has interest in the development of new in vivo models for health and disease, particularly large animal models such as sheep, pig, dog and non-human primates, to overcome the unique dynamics of heart, lung, and blood systems, which can be scientifically justified. New models should include in their research plan validation studies for the purpose of preclinical experiments that may lead to an Investigational New Drug (IND), Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or similar regulatory approval. NHLBI does not have interest in applications proposing mechanistic studies on mouse models.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) will support projects which relate to the major mission of the institute, to improve oral, dental and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information. The following are examples of potential research topics, though other related innovative projects are also encouraged:

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is interested in applications conducting basic and translational research that will facilitate the use of stem cell-based therapies for diseases/conditions in the NIDDK mission, including: Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, endocrine and metabolic diseases, kidney and urologic diseases, hematologic diseases, and digestive diseases (including liver disease).

Of particular interest are projects within these disease areas focused on:

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) welcomes projects that are relevant to the Institute's mission: basic scientific research that increases understanding of life processes and lays the foundation for more applied advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NIGMS is interested in research on fundamental aspects of pluripotent stem cells, such as self-renewal, pluripotency, reprogramming, differentiation capability, and niche-stem cell interactions. Comparative studies between human and animal stem cells with respect to these properties would be appropriate, particularly those addressing mechanistic questions.

Section II. Award Information
Funding Instrument

Grant: A support mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity.

Application Types Allowed

New
Renewal
Resubmission
Revision

The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Award Budget

Application budgets are not limited, but need to reflect actual needs of the proposed project.

Award Project Period

The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period. The maximum award period is 4 years for ORIP/DPCPSI and 5 years for NHLBI, NIDCR, NIDDK and NIGMS.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Section III. Eligibility Information


1. Eligible Applicants


Eligible Organizations

Higher Education Institutions

The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

For-Profit Organizations

Governments

Other

Foreign Institutions

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Required Registrations

Applicant Organizations

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. The NIH Policy on Late Submission of Grant Applications states that failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission.

Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s))

All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account and should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate an existing account with the applicant organization’s eRA Commons account. If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

2. Cost Sharing

This FOA does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility


Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed within the past thirty-seven months (as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement), except for submission:

  1. To an RFA of an application that was submitted previously as an investigator-initiated application but not paid;
  2. Of an investigator-initiated application that was originally submitted to an RFA but not paid; or
  3. Of an application with a changed grant activity code.
Section IV. Application and Submission Information


1. Requesting an Application Package

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application package associated with this funding opportunity using the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.

Required and Optional Components

The forms package associated with this FOA includes all applicable components, mandatory and optional. Please note that some components marked optional in the application package are required for submission of applications for this FOA. Follow all instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide to ensure you complete all appropriate optional components.

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the SF424 Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

PHS 398 Research Plan Component

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Research Strategy

NHBLI applications: Applications proposing new in vivo models for health and disease aimed at overcoming the unique dynamics of heart, lung, and blood systems should include validation studies for the purpose of preclinical experiments that may lead to an Investigational New Drug (IND), Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or similar regulatory approval.

All applications: If cell lines, reagents or other biomaterials are developed, the applicant must specify how duplicate storage facilities will be maintained so that these materials will not be lost in case of natural disaster. If new strains of animals are developed, the applicant must specify how germ plasm will be cryopreserved and stored in duplicate facilities.

Resource Sharing Plan

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modification:

Appendix

Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Foreign Institutions

Foreign (non-U.S.) institutions must follow policies described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, and procedures for foreign institutions described throughout the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the deadline to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission.

Organizations must submit applications via Grants.gov, the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies. Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the deadline in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

4. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

5. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit Applying Electronically.

Important reminders:
All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the SF424(R&R) Application Package. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for theSystem for Award Management (SAM). Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR) within the Center for Scientific Review (CSR), NIH. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed.

Requests of $500,000 or more for direct costs in any year

Applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year (excluding consortium F&A) must contact NIH program staff at least 6 weeks before submitting the application and follow the Policy on the Acceptance for Review of Unsolicited Applications that Request $500,000 or More in Direct Costs as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. NHLBI will not accept applications proposing budgets in excess of $500,000 in any given year.

Post Submission Materials

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-10-115.

Section V. Application Review Information

Important Update: See NOT-OD-16-006 and NOT-OD-16-011 for updated review language for applications for due dates on or after January 25, 2016.



1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. As part of the NIH mission, all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.

Significance

Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? If the aims of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?

Investigator(s)

Are the PD(s)/PI(s), collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the project? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, or in the early stages of independent careers, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the project?

Innovation

Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?

Approach

Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the project is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed?

If the project involves clinical research, are the plans for 1) protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?

Environment

Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the project proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements?

Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.

Protections for Human Subjects

For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.

For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children

When the proposed project involves clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and members of both genders, as well as the inclusion of children. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.

Vertebrate Animals

The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.

Biohazards

Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.

Resubmissions

For Resubmissions, the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the project.

Renewals

For Renewals, the committee will consider the progress made in the last funding period.

Revisions

For Revisions, the committee will consider the appropriateness of the proposed expansion of the scope of the project. If the Revision application relates to a specific line of investigation presented in the original application that was not recommended for approval by the committee, then the committee will consider whether the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group are adequate and whether substantial changes are clearly evident.

Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.

Applications from Foreign Organizations

Reviewers will assess whether the project presents special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions that exist in other countries and either are not readily available in the United States or augment existing U.S. resources.

Select Agent Research

Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).

Resource Sharing Plans

Reviewers will comment on whether the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources, are reasonable: 1) Data Sharing Plan; 2) Sharing Model Organisms.

Budget and Period of Support

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s), convened by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences,, in accordance with NIH peer review policy and procedures, using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications:

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the appropriate National Advisory Council or Board. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons.

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Section VI. Award Administration Information


1. Award Notices

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the grantee’s business official.

Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs.

Any application awarded in response to this FOA will be subject to the DUNS, SAM Registration, and Transparency Act requirements as noted on the Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities. More information is provided at Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants.

Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award

Not Applicable

3. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, awardees will be required to submit the annual Non-Competing Progress Report (PHS 2590 or RPPR) and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A final progress report, invention statement, and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award, as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act), includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of applicable NIH grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.fsrs.gov on all subawards over $25,000. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting requirement.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

Application Submission Contacts

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission, downloading or navigating forms)
Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726
Email: support@grants.gov

GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and process, finding NIH grant resources)
Telephone 301-710-0267
TTY 301-451-5936
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov

eRA Service Desk (Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons registration, tracking application status, post submission issues)
Phone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
TTY: 301-451-5939
Email: commons@od.nih.gov

Scientific/Research Contact(s)

Oleg Mirochnitchenko, Ph.D.
Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM)
Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP)
Division of Program Coordination,
Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI)
Telephone: (301) 435-0744
Fax: (301) 480-3819
Email: oleg.mirochnitchenko@nih.gov

Martha S. Lundberg, Ph.D.
Division of Cardiovascular Sciences
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Telephone: (301) 435-0513
Fax: (301) 480-1454
Email: lundberm@nhlbi.nih.gov

Nadya Lumelsky, Ph.D.
Integrative Biology and Infectious Disease Branch
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Telephone: (301) 594-7703
Fax: (301) 480-8319
Email: nadyal@nidcr.nih.gov

Kristin M. Abraham, Ph.D.
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Phone: (301) 451-8048
Fax: (301) 480-0475
Email: abrahamk@mail.nih.gov

Susan R. Haynes, Ph.D.
Division of Genetics & Developmental Biology
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Telephone: (301) 594-0943
Fax: (301) 480-2228
Email: hayness@nigms.nih.gov

Peer Review Contact(s)

Ross D. Shonat, Ph.D.
Center for Scientific Review (CSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
6701 Rockledge Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892
Ph: 301.435.2786, FAX: 301.480.0287
ross.shonat@nih.gov

Financial/Grants Management Contact(s)

Kristin Wegner
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP)
Telephone: 301-435-0848
Email: kristin.wegner@nih.gov

Amy Connolly
Office of Grants Management
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Telephone: (301) 435-0166
Email: connolla@nhlbi.nih.gov

Dede Rutberg, MBA
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Telephone: (301) 594-4798
Fax: (301) 480-3562
Email: rutbergd@mail.nih.gov

Natasha Loveless, MBA
Office of Grants Management
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Telephone: (301) 594-8853
Email: natasha.loveless@nih.gov

Nicole Fleisher
Office of Grants Management
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Telephone: (301) 594-3923
Fax: (301) 480-2554
Email: fleishen@nigms.nih.gov

Section VIII. Other Information

Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Authority and Regulations

Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.


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NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices



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