Full Text PAR-97-037 PILOT GRANTS IN BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE OF AGING NIH Guide, Volume 26, Number 5, February 14, 1997 PA NUMBER: PAR-97-037 P.T. 34 Keywords: Nucleic Acid Sequencing 0755044 National Institute on Aging Application Receipt Date: March 17, July 17, November 17, 1997 PURPOSE The Behavioral and Social Research Program (BSR) of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is seeking small grant (R03) applications to stimulate and facilitate research in underdeveloped topics in the behavioral and social sciences of aging. This Small Grant (R03) Program provides support for pilot research that is likely to lead to a subsequent individual research project grant (R01) or a First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) award application and/or a significant advancement of aging research. These R03 projects include, but are not limited to, research that is innovative and/or high risk. 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. This Program Announcement, Pilot Grants in Behavioral and Social Science of Aging, is related to is related to several priority areas applicable to aging. 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 2202-512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. Foreign organizations and institutions are not eligible. Participation in the program by investigators at minority institutions is strongly encouraged. To be eligible for this award, the proposed Principal Investigator must, at a minimum, be an independent investigator at the beginning of her/his research career as defined by the eligibility requirements for a FIRST (R29) award. That is, they should be genuinely independent of a mentor. Individuals in the final stages of training may apply, but individuals can not be in a training status at the time the award is made. Established investigators proposing research unrelated to a currently funded research program are also eligible to apply for these grants. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Applicants may request up to $50,000 (direct costs) for one year through the small grant (R03) mechanism. However, the grants will be awarded under Expanded Authorities and are eligible for a single one- year no cost extension. These awards are not renewable. Before completion of the R03, investigators are encouraged to seek continuing support for research through a research project grant (R01) or FIRST (R29) award. Replacement of the Principal Investigator on this award is not permitted. In fiscal year 1997, approximately $500,000 will be available to fund 7 to 10 small grants, contingent on high scientific merit and program priority. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The Small Grant program is designed to support new, junior, and established behavioral and social science researchers interested in conducting research on underdeveloped topics in the behavioral and social sciences of aging. Collection of new data or secondary analysis of existing data is allowed. Topics of interest are limited to the eight topics described below: Social Cognition in Adulthood and Old Age Social cognition is the intersection between cognitive and social gerontology. Research on cognitive aging suggests that social reasoning and social comprehension are largely spared from deleterious aging processes. In fact, there is a small but growing body of evidence that points to the potential for developmental gains in cognitive performance when embedded in social contexts. Topic areas include, but are not limited to: metacognition, collaborative cognition, emotion and motivation, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, self regulation, self evaluation, and attitudes and beliefs including stereotypes and automaticity. Personality in Adulthood and Old Age Considerable data suggest that personality is stable during adulthood, although other data suggest that personality changes across the life span. Results vary as a function of sample, when personality is measured and the particular constructs measured. Topic areas include, but are not limited to: studies of stability and change in personality with age; personality, health and disease; personality and environment; personality and genetics; and age- related differences in personality by socioeconomic class, gender, and racial/ethnic groups. Behavior Genetics and Aging Molecular genetics research has begun to identify specific genes associated with behavior. This domain includes both single-gene traits and complex traits influenced by multiple genes as well as multiple environmental factors. Most geneticists agree that complex behaviors are not likely to be genetically simple. One research approach is the one-gene one-disorder or OGOD method in which many complex behaviors or disorders are assumed to result from many smaller behaviors, each the result of a different single gene which is a necessary and sufficient cause. Another approach is the quantitative trait loci or QTL method which assumes that genetic influence on complex behaviors and disorders is largely due to multiple genes with effects of varying sizes which contribute cumulatively and interchangeably. These new techniques can track the developmental course of genetic contributions to behavior, identify genetic heterogeneity, and explore genetic links between the normal and abnormal. Properly designed studies can also identify the importance of nongenetic factors. Some areas of opportunities for behavior genetics and aging research in both humans and animals include attention, processing speed, memory, intelligence, training, emotionality, sense of control, motivation, attention, and temporal organization. Direct inquiries on the topics of Social Cognition, Personality, and Behavior Genetics to Dr. Jared B. Jobe at the address listed under INQUIRIES. Interventions to Enhance Self Care in Older People Although the linkage between health behaviors and lifestyles to a wide range of health outcomes is now well documented, less is known about the development, maintenance, and modification of such behaviors over the life course. While calling for small scale research on the wide range of self care behaviors, this solicitation gives special encouragement to medical self-care--or how older people recognize and act upon new illness symptoms and/or manage everyday chronic conditions. Two types of research are solicited: 1) basic research exploring the patterns, dynamics and processes of self care behaviors practiced by older adults, and 2) the design, implementation, and evaluation of theoretically based self-care interventions to encourage the adoption of new health behaviors or to modify health impairing habits and lifestyles. Religiousness in Health and Aging Religiousness, whether defined as spiritual beliefs or organizational affiliation, is consistently associated with better well-being and increased longevity for elders. Research projects are invited that encourage a better understanding of the complex interrelationships among religious variables (beliefs or behaviors), other psychosocial mediating factors (e.g., health beliefs or coping styles), and health and functioning throughout the life course. Several specific research topics were identified in a 1995 NIA/Fetzer Conference on Methodological Advances in Religion, Health and Aging. Two are of special interest: 1) the biopsychosocial mechanisms by which religion, spirituality and/or religious affiliations may affect health and 2) the development of rigorous, but parsimonious scales and indices that can be embedded in more general studies of health and aging. AIDS in an Aging Society The behavioral and social implications of AIDS for the middle-aged and older population have been largely ignored. This is despite the fact that people fifty and older have constituted approximately ten percent of the reported AIDS cases since the beginning of the epidemic, and that AIDS has become a major public health problem affecting people of all ages. Research is recommended on a variety of topics, including, but not limited to: 1) the social epidemiology of older people at risk, including transmission routes for those 50 and older; 2) factors affecting quality of life for older persons with HIV/AIDS and their families; 3) interventions to change older people's AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; 4) behavioral and social strategies for helping older people enhance their AIDS-related caregiving capacities (e.g., care for adult children or grandchildren); and 5) interrelationships between HIV/AIDS and changing health care structures. Direct inquiries on the topics of Interventions to Enhance Self Care in Older People, Religiousness in Health and Aging, and AIDS in an Aging Society to Dr. Marcia G. Ory at the address listed under INQUIRIES. Social and Structural Factors in Health Care The basic thrust of this initiative is to understand the complex interactions between changing health care systems and the needs of aging persons in an aging society. The fluid organization and financing of health care, coupled with the health care needs of the growing U.S. older population will alter many features of health care delivery both for providers and for patients. Research topics in this area include, but are not limited to: 1) impact of the type of health care organization (e.g., structure, reimbursement mechanism, organizational control, and professional control) on clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and/or provider satisfaction; 2) differences between "real" clinical outcomes and "perceived" outcomes in the elderly based on organizational characteristics; 3) health and social consequences of a change in the usual source, quality and quantity of health care at the time of Medicare enrollment; 4) effect of managed care's prevention model on clinical and behavioral outcomes in an aging patient base; and 5) the dynamic interplay between changing needs of aging persons and changing health care delivery system characteristics. Aging and Work Organizations There has been much public attention to the aging of our society, and the implications for health care and the economy. Less is known about the characteristics of work organizations, how they are changing, and the implications of these changes for the health of older workers who continue working. Possible topics to be explored for further development include: 1) the changing nature of the workplace and workforce; 2) how aging workers are perceived and dealt with in the workplace; 3) specification of characteristics of work/workplace that facilitate or impede the productivity of older workers and the ability of older workers to stay in the workforce (e.g., the changes in work organizations; flexible work rules; phased retirement plans, etc.); and 4) innovations in the workplace to accommodate older workers or parents of workers (e.g., development of elder care programs). Direct inquiries on the topics of Social and Structural Factors in Health Care, and Aging and Work Organizations to Dr. Sidney M. Stahl at the address listed under INQUIRIES. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification are provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects of the purpose of the research. This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43). All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research", which have been published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The submission, review, and award schedule for the Small Grant Program for 1997/1998 is: Application Receipt Dates: Mar 17 Jul 17 Nov 17 Institute Committee Review: Jun 97 Oct 97 Mar 98 Earliest funding: Sep 97 Jan 98 May 98 Only one small grant application may be submitted by a principal investigator per receipt date. Applicants may not submit R01 or R29 applications on the same topic concurrent (to be considered at the same review cycle) with the submission of a small grant application. Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) and prepared according to the directions in the application packet, with the exceptions noted below. 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 301/710-0267, e-mail: ASKNIH@odrockm1.od.nih.gov. On the face page of the application: Item 2 Type "Pilot Grants (R03) in Behavioral and Social Science of Aging." Check the "YES" box. Sections 1-4: Do not exceed a total of ten pages for the following sections: specific aims, background and significance, progress report/preliminary studies, and experimental design and methods. Tables and figures are included in the ten page limitation. Applications that exceed the page limitation or PHS requirements for type size and margins (Refer to PHS 398 application for details) will be returned to the investigator. The ten page limitation does not include Sections 5-9 (Human Subjects, Consortia, Literature cited). Appendix materials are not allowed. "Just-in-time" (JIT) is an initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Extramural Reinvention Laboratory under the auspices of the National Performance Review and government-wide efforts to create a government that works better and costs less. JIT postpones the collection of certain information that currently must be included in all competing applications when submitted. The information for the applications with a likelihood of funding is submitted "just-in-time" for awards to be made. This program announcement is incorporating JIT procedures as described below. Some sections are modified and others in the application do not need to be completed for the submission of the application, but WILL be requested if your application receives a priority score in the fundable range. Form DD - Page 4 - DETAILED BUDGET PLAN FOR INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD Do not complete this form on page 4 of the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95). It is not required nor will it be accepted at the time of the application. Form EE - Page 5 - BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE PROPOSED PROJECT Do not complete the categorical budget table form on page 5 in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95). Only the requested total direct costs for each year and total direct costs for the entire proposed period of support should be shown. Begin the budget justification in the space provided, using continuation pages as needed. Budget Justification o List the name, role on project, and percent effort for all project personnel (salaried or unsalaried) and provide a narrative justification for each person based on his/her role on the project and proposed level of effort. o Identify all consultants by name and organizational affiliation and describe the services to be performed. o Provide a narrative justification for any major budget items, other than personnel, that are requested for the conduct of the project that would be considered unusual for the scope of the research. No specific costs for items or categories should be shown. o Indirect costs will be calculated at the time of the award using the institution's actual indirect cost rate. Applicants will be asked to identify the indirect cost exclusions prior to award. o If consortium/contractual costs are requested, provide the percentage of the subcontract total costs (direct and indirect) relative to the total direct costs of the overall project. The subcontract budget justification should be prepared following the instructions provided above. Biographical Sketch - A biographical sketch is required for all key personnel, following the modified instructions below. Do not exceed the two-page limit for each person. o Complete the education block at the top of the form page; o List current position(s) and those previous positions directly relevant to the application; o List selected peer-reviewed publications directly relevant to the proposed project, with full citation; o Provide information on research projects completed and/or research grants participated in during the last five years that are relevant to the proposed project. Title, principal investigator, funding source, and role on project must be provided. Other Support - Do not complete the other support page (format page 7 of the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95)). Information on active support for key personnel will be requested prior to award. Checklist - Do not submit the checklist page. For amended and competing continuation applications, applicants must complete the block in the upper right corner of the face page to indicate the previous grant number. A completed checklist will be required prior to award. Submit a signed, original of the application, including the checklist, and three exact photocopies in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 -MSC-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for courier/overnight service) In addition, to expedite the review of the application, submit two additional exact photocopies of the application directly to: Chief, Scientific Review Office National Institute on Aging Gateway Building Suite 2C212, MSC 9205 7201 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 In order not to delay review, it is important that applicants comply with this request. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Small grant applications will be assigned on the basis of established Public Health Service referral guidelines. Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by a review committee of the National Institute on Aging, in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. Applications will be evaluated with respect to the following criteria: o Importance of the area to aging research o Feasibility of the proposed exploratory research o Likelihood of the proposed pilot project leading to the development of an R01/R29 grant application, or significant advancement of aging research. o Adequacy of approach and scientific originality and significance o Appropriateness of the proposed budget and timetable in relation to the scope of the proposed research o Qualifications and research experience of the principal investigator. o Availability of resources necessary for the research, including any needed to supplement the budget. o The adequacy of the proposed means for protecting against or minimizing potential adverse effects upon humans, animals, or the environment. o Adequacy of adherence to guidelines for including gender and minority representation in any study population. AWARD CRITERIA Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review; o availability of funds; o program priority. INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Jared B. Jobe, Ph.D. Adult Psychological Development National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Room 533 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-3137 FAX: (301) 402-0051 Email: Jared_Jobe@NIH.GOV Marcia G. Ory, Ph.D. Social Science Research on Aging National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Room 533 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 402-4156 FAX: (301) 402-0051 Email: Marcia_Ory@NIH.GOV Sidney M. Stahl, Ph.D. Health Care Organizations National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Room 533 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 402-4156 FAX: (301) 402-0051 Email: Sidney_Stahl@NIH.GOV Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Mr. David Reiter Grants and Contracts Management Office National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2N212 - MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-1472 FAX: (301) 402-3672 Email: David_Reiter@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.866. 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. The 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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