Full Text AG-95-003 MINORITY DISSERTATION RESEARCH GRANTS IN AGING NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 1, January 13, 1995 RFA: AG-95-003 P.T. 40, FF Keywords: Aging/Gerontology National Institute on Aging Application Receipt Date: March 20, 1995 PURPOSE Small grants to support doctoral dissertation research will be available for minority doctoral candidates. Grant support is designed to aid the research of new minority investigators and to encourage individuals from a variety of academic disciplines and programs to study problems in aging. 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 Request for Applications (RFA), Minority Dissertation Research Grants in Aging, is related to several priority areas applicable to aging. Potential candidates for the awards may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS For the purpose of this RFA, individuals who are eligible to apply are minority students who are defined as belonging to a particular racial or ethnic group. In awarding dissertation grants the National Institute on Aging (NIA) will give priority to African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders or other ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Within this group, women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. The applicant for dissertation research grant support must be a citizen, or noncitizen national, of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. The doctoral candidate must have a dissertation topic approved by the named committee. This information must be verified in a letter of certification from the thesis chairperson and submitted with the grant application (see APPLICATION PROCEDURES). Research topics should be on aging-related issues and should fit within one or more of the areas described below for each individual program (see RESEARCH OBJECTIVES). The applicant organization must be a domestic institution supporting doctoral level training, such as a university or college. The performance site may be foreign or domestic. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanism of support is the NIH small grant (R03). Grants may be made for up to two years. Grants to support dissertation research will provide no more than $30,000 in total direct costs, and no more than $25,000 in direct costs in any one year. FUNDS AVAILABLE The NIA anticipates funding approximately 20 grants with a total cost of up to $600,000. These grants are not eligible for competitive renewal. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES This research initiative is to provide minority students assistance to complete their dissertation research on an aging-related topic and thereby increase the pool of minority researchers in aging. The description of the four extramural programs below is provided to help potential applicants to determine whether their topic may be appropriate for this initiative. Questions on the relevance of a particular topic can be addressed to the program contact listed under INQUIRIES. Biology of Aging Program This program supports studies that focus on diseases associated with increasing age and the basic mechanisms involved in aging processes. The overall objectives of the program are related to understanding normal functions and alterations in them that can be induced by interaction with the environment and disease processes as aging proceeds. The program interests are in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, immunology, basic nutrition, and endocrinology. Behavioral and Social Research Program This program supports research on social and psychological aging processes and the place of older people in society and its social institutions. The emphasis is on promoting health, effective functioning, productivity and independence throughout the middle and later years. Areas of special interest include health and behavior; cognitive functioning; long term care; work, retirement and productivity; family and intergenerational relationships; aging demographics; and minorities, women, oldest old, rural and retarded older adults. Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program This program supports research on the structure and function of the aging nervous system and the behavioral manifestations of the aging brain. Areas of special interest include age-related changes in the nervous system, especially as these affect sensory processes, learning, cognition, memory and sleep. The study of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders associated with the aging nervous system, including the causes, diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and management of such disorders are of special interest. Geriatrics Program This program supports research on clinical problems that occur predominantly among older persons or that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in older people. Areas of interest include cardiovascular-pulmonary diseases, infectious diseases, osteoporosis, digestive diseases, rehabilitation and physical function and performance in older persons. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Additional Material. In addition to the completed PHS 398 form described under APPLICATION PROCEDURES, applicants must also submit: o A letter from the faculty committee or university official directly responsible for supervising the development and progress of the dissertation research. The letter must be countersigned by a representative of the graduate school of the sponsoring institution. The letter must: (a) fully identify the members of the committee and certify their approval of the dissertation topic, (b) certify that the candidate is eligible to apply under the guidelines described in this RFA, (c) certify that the author of the letter has read the application and that it reflects the work to be completed in the dissertation, and (d) note that the university official or faculty committee expects the doctoral candidate to proceed with the approved project proposal with or, without NIA support. o A transcript of the investigator's graduate school record o Biography of mentor limited to 2 pages (use the Biographical Sketch page in PHS form 398) o Statement of the investigator's career goals to be placed under "Background" (see the Research Plan instructions in PHS form 398) Although not required, identification of the investigator's minority group would be helpful so that NIA may continue to monitor and improve the effectiveness of this program. Grant Conditions. The following conditions apply to dissertation grants: o The doctoral candidate must be the designated Principal Investigator on the grant and the doctoral candidate must be the only individual on the grant for whom salary support is requested. o The principal investigator's salary may not exceed $12,000 per twelve months. o Work on the funded project must be initiated within three months after the date of the award. o An awardee may be invited to participate in a meeting or presentation of other NIA dissertation awardees. o The dissertation constitutes the final report of the grant. Two copies of the dissertation must be submitted. The dissertation must be officially accepted by the faculty committee or university official responsible for the candidate's dissertation and must be signed by the responsible officials. o Investigators may request support for up to 24 months. An application that requests support beyond this time will be returned. o Grantees who are approved for two years of support must submit a satisfactory progress report no later than 10 months after the start of the first year of the grant. This report should contain a brief summary of the work completed to date together with copies of any publications supported wholly or in part by the dissertation grant. Investigators who need more than 24 months to complete the research project will be required to submit a request for an extension without funds for support beyond the first 24 months. An unfunded continuation of the grant may be awarded if satisfactory progress is being made, but the total direct costs of the entire project may not exceed $30,000 overall, and $25,000 in any one year. An applicant who receives support for dissertation research under a grant from the NIA may not at the same time receive support under a predoctoral or fellowship grant awarded by any other Federal agency, nor be supported under any other research project grant. Allowable Costs. Expenses usually allowed under PHS research grants will be covered by the NIA dissertation research grants, but may not exceed $30,000 for the project. Allowable costs include the investigator's salary (not to exceed $12,000 per 12 months); direct research project expenses such as travel to one scientific meeting per year (limited to $800 per year), data processing, supplies, and dissertation costs. Any level of effort that is less than full time by the candidate must be fully justified. No tuition is allowed. It is expected that most equipment needed for the research will be available at the site or laboratory in which the dissertation is to be performed. Therefore, any requests for equipment must be specially justified. Indirect costs are limited to eight percent of requested direct costs, less equipment. 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 is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This new policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations), which have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. 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 reprinted in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research; from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 710-0267 and from the program administrator listed under INQUIRIES. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the RFA title and number (Minority Dissertation Research Grants in Aging, AG-95-003) must be typed on line 2a of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Instructions for completing the applications are found in the PHS 398 form. These instructions should be followed except that under C. Specific Instructions - Research plan, no more than 10 pages should be used for items 1 to 4 (instead of 25 pages as stated in the standard instructions). Applications that exceed the 10 page limit for this section will be returned. Submit a signed typewritten original of the application (with the supporting letter and graduate school transcript), including the Checklist, and three signed photocopies, in one package to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892** At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application (with the supporting letter and the graduate school transcript) must be sent to: Dr. Michael Oxman Chief, Scientific Review Office National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Suite 2C212 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 ATTN: Minority Dissertation Applications must be received by March 20, 1995. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. The Division of Research Grants (DRG) will not accept any application in response to this RFA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The DRG will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an introduction addressing the previous critique. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by DRG and responsiveness by NIA. Applications that are either incomplete or nonresponsive will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate review group convened by the NIA in accordance with the review criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, a process (triage) may be used by the initial review group in which applications will be deemed to be competitive or non-competitive based on their scientific merit relative to other applications received in response to the RFA. Applications judged to be competitive will be discussed and assigned a priority score. Applications determined to be noncompetitive will be withdrawn from further consideration and the Principal Investigator and the official signing for the applicant organization will be notified. Review Criteria. o scientific, technical, or medical significance and originality of the proposed research; o appropriateness and adequacy of the literature review, experimental approach and methodology proposed to carry out the research; o qualifications and research experience of the Principal Investigator (the student); o qualifications, research and training experience of the mentor; o quality and availability of research resources needed to complete the dissertation; o appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research; o Adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects and the safety of the research environment. AWARD CRITERIA The anticipated date of award is September 1995. Final funding decisions are based on the recommendations of the reviewers, the relevance of the project to NIA priorities, and the availability of funds. INQUIRIES Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Interested investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the person named below who can provide clarifying information about material described in this RFA. The investigator will then be referred to the relevant program to discuss the suitability of the research topic. Dr. Robin A. Barr Office of Extramural Affairs National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Suite 2C218 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-9322 FAX: 301-402-9245 Email: barr%nihniagw.bitnet@cu.nih.gov Direct inquiries relating to fiscal matters to: Mr. Joseph Ellis Grants and Contracts Management Office Gateway Building, Suite 2N212 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-1472 FAX: 301-402-3672 Email: EllisJ@gw.nia.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.366. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act Title IV, Part A (Public Law 79-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 DSC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. The requirements of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," are not applicable to NIA research grant programs. The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. .
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