PILOT PROJECTS OR FEASIBILITY STUDIES FOR GENOMIC ANALYSIS NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 10, March 11, 1994 PAR NUMBER: PAR-94-046 P.T. 34 Keywords: Human Genome Nucleic Acid Sequencing National Center for Human Genome Research PURPOSE [This program announcement supersedes the previous announcement that was published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 19, No. 28, July 27, 1990.] The National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR) invites applications for pilot projects/feasibility studies that have the potential for significantly advancing progress toward achieving the extended scientific goals of the Human Genome Program as recently described in Science. Vol. 262, 43-46, 1993. The purpose of this program announcement is to encourage applications from individuals who are interested in developing novel, creative approaches that will provide significant advances in the areas of physical map annotation, DNA sequencing, high-throughput genotyping, gene identification and informatics, but which are not yet fully developed enough to successfully compete for a standard R01 grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Domestic universities, medical colleges, hospitals, corporations, and other public, private, or for-profit research institutions, including state and local government units, are eligible. Applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This program will be supported through the exploratory/developmental grants (R21) mechanism. Applicants may request up to two years of support. Projects will be limited to $100,000 (direct cost per annum). These grants will not be renewable; continuation of projects developed under this program will be through the research grant program. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is currently engaged, along with several other federal, private, and international organizations, in a 15-year research program designed to characterize the human genome and the genomes of selected model organisms. This research program, the Human Genome Project (HGP), has the following interrelated goals: (1) the construction of high-resolution genetic linkage maps; (2) the development of detailed physical maps; (3) the determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of the human genome and the genome of selected organisms; (4) the development of efficient methods of identifying genes and for placement of known genes on physical maps or sequenced DNA; (5) the development of the capability to collect, store, distribute and analyze the data and materials produced; (6) the development of appropriate new technologies to achieve these goals; and (7) the identification of major issues related to the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genome research, and the development of policy options to address them. The products of the HGP will include information and material resources, as well as new technologies, available to the entire research community that will facilitate further research leading to the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of disease, as well as to further understanding of human biology. Significant progress has been made toward meeting the initial five- year goals of the HGP (as described in the document "Understanding Our Genetic Inheritance - The U.S. Human Genome Project: The First Five Years FY 1991-1995). Meeting the set of extended goals of the HGP and completing the HGP, however, will require still further increases in efficiency and cost-effectiveness of mapping and sequencing techniques. Achieving such increases will undoubtedly benefit from the development of new approaches. Pilot projects can be a valuable means of promoting the development of novel or conceptually creative ideas that are scientifically sound and may significantly advance progress toward the scientific goals of the Human Genome Program, but which may not be developed fully enough to warrant support with a standard R01 grant. Objectives Applications for pilot projects or feasibility studies are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following areas: o development of new technologies for improving STS-based physical maps at a resolution of 100 kilobases; o development of new methods for DNA sequencing that are capable of significantly reducing the cost and/or increasing the throughput of sequencing; o development of high-throughput genotyping technologies that are accurate, rapid, efficient and cost-effective; o development of new technologies for rapidly and cost-effectively identifying and mapping genes and coding regions in genomic DNA; o development of computer tools, information systems, and strategies for collecting, storing, retrieving, analyzing, interpreting and distributing large amounts of mapping and sequencing data. The purpose of this initiative is to identify high-risk/high payoff projects that, if successful, could lead to significant increases in the rate of data generation, significant decreases in the cost of genomic research, or significant new insights. The NCHGR encourages applications from scientists who have not traditionally been funded by the NCHGR, such as chemists, engineers, physicists, and information scientists, as well as from molecular biologists and other biologists. Applicants must clearly identify the biological problem for which the technology is being developed, and must indicate plans for demonstrating or testing the utility of the technology. Applicants whose expertise is primarily non-biological and who are interested in addressing problems of genome analysis with new, non-biological tools are especially encouraged to interact closely with biologists. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91). Submission dates for new applications are February 1, June 1, and October 1; competing continuation applications and amended applications are accepted on March 1, July 1, and November 1. Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone 301/710-0267. The title and number of this program announcement must be typed in Item 2a on the face page of the application. The completed original application and five legible copies must be delivered to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892** REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will first be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate study section in the Division of Research Grants. Following the initial scientific review, applications will receive a second-level review by the National Advisory Council for Human Genome research. The following review criteria will be used to assess the scientific merit of an application: o Significance and originality of the research and methodological approaches; o Feasibility of the research and adequacy of the experimental design; o Training, experience, research competence, and commitment of the investigator(s); o Adequacy of the facilities and resources; and o Appropriateness of the requested budget for the work proposed. Because this program is designed to support innovative ideas, preliminary data are not required. However, the applicant does have the responsibility for developing a sound research plan and for presenting any other information that can be considered as evidence of feasibility. AWARD CRITERIA Applications assigned to the NCHGR will compete for available funds with all other approved applications assigned to the NCHGR. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o Innovativeness of the proposed project as determined by peer review; o The potential for developing technology or strategies that will accelerate progress toward achieving the research goals of the National Center for Human Genome Research; and o Availability of funds. INQUIRIES The program staff and grants management officer welcome the opportunity to discuss program interests and PHS grant policy, respectively, with prospective applicants and current grantees. Telephone, electronic and/or written inquiries are strongly encouraged. Specific questions regarding programmatic areas may be directed to: Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D. Mapping Technology Branch National Center for Human Genome Research Building 38A, Room 610 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7531 FAX: (301) 480-2770 Internet: Bettie_Graham@occshost.nlm.nih.gov Inquiries about fiscal matters may be directed to: Ms. Jean Cahill Grants and Contracts Management Branch National Center for Human Genome Research Building 38A, Room 613 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 402-0733 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.172. Awards will be made under the authority 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 Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirement of Executive Order 12372 or to Health Systems Agency review. .
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