Full Text DA-96-005
 
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE TRACK AWARDS FOR RAPID TRANSITION
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 12, April 19, 1996
 
RFA:  DA-96-005
 
P.T. 34

Keywords: 
  Drugs/Drug Abuse 
  Behavioral/Social Studies/Service 
  Addiction 

 
National Institute on Drug Abuse
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  May 17, 1996
Application Receipt Date:  June 18, 1996
 
PURPOSE
 
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), through the issuance of
this Request for Applications (RFA) hopes to facilitate the entry of
beginning investigators into the field of basic behavioral science
research.  It is well-documented that the number of investigators
entering basic behavioral sciences research is declining.  This is of
special concern to NIDA because understanding basic behavioral
processes is fundamental to curbing drug abuse and addiction.
Because of the importance of this public health mission, the pipeline
of behavioral science investigators who will make the next important
discoveries in drug abuse must not run dry.  Recently NIDA has
pursued several initiatives to emphasize its interest in the
behavioral sciences.  The purpose of this RFA is to underscore NIDA's
commitment and interest in expanding the scope of basic behavioral
sciences research in drug abuse. NIDA supports both animal and human
basic research to elucidate underlying behavioral mechanisms,
determinants and correlates of drug abuse (both licit and illicit),
and to characterize the harmful sequelae of drug abuse and addiction.
 
NIDA invites newly independent investigators to submit applications
for small-scale, exploratory (i.e., pilot) research projects related
to NIDA's basic behavioral sciences mission. The Behavioral Science
Track Award for Rapid Transition (B/START) will provide rapid review
and funding decisions of applications. Basic science (mostly
laboratory) applications are encouraged in cognitive and perceptual
processes, social processes and motivational factors in drug abuse.
Given the role that drug abuse plays in HIV/AIDS transmission,
studies applying basic behavioral science models and methods to
address this issue are especially encouraged.
 
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 RFA,
Behavioral Science Track Awards for Rapid Transition, is related to
the priority area of alcohol and other drugs.  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 202-512-1800).
 
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.
 
To be eligible for a B/START - NIDA award, the proposed principal
investigator must be independent of a mentor at the time of award but
be at the beginning stages of her/his research career.  If the
applicant is in the final stages of training,  he/she may apply, but
no B/START award will be made to individuals in training status.  The
proposed principal investigator may not have been designated
previously as principal investigator on any Public Health Service
(PHS)-supported research project.  Previous receipt of National
Research Service Award funds (i.e., Institutional Training Grant or
Individual Fellowship) is permissible.  Foreign organizations are not
eligible to apply.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
The funding mechanism that will be used to support this initiative is
the small grant (R03).  Each award is not to exceed $50,000 in direct
costs and is for a period of one year only.  The award is not
renewable.  The anticipated award date is September 30, 1996.
 
FUNDS AVAILABLE
 
It is anticipated that up to $400,000 for FY 1996 will be available
to support six to eight projects submitted under this RFA.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
Animal and human research applications are encouraged in the
following broad areas (specific research examples shown are
illustrative only; research topics will not be restricted to those
listed).  While the proposed project is not required to use drugs of
abuse or to study drug abusers in the research protocol, the
application should advance our understanding of and be related to
drug abuse and addiction.
 
o  Cognitive processes (learning and memory, language and information
processing, perceptual processes including pain and analgesia,
problem solving, concept formation, spatial ability, neuropsychology,
animal cognition).
 
o  Social and personality factors (group and interpersonal processes,
risk taking and HIV/AIDS, social influence, social values, social
attitudes and cognition, persuasion conformity and compliance).
 
o  Motivational bases of behavior (self-control, behavioral
alternatives, craving, appetitive and ingestive behaviors)
 
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.
 
LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by May 17, 1996, a letter
of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research,
the name, address, and the telephone number of the Principal
Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating
institutions, and the number and title of the RFA in response to
which the application may be submitted.  Although a letter of intent
is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review
of the subsequent application, the information that it contains
allows NIDA staff to estimate the potential review workload and avoid
conflict of interest in the review.
 
The letter of intent is to be sent to:
 
Director
Office of Extramural Program Review
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10-42
Rockville, MD  20857
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS
398 (rev. 5/95).  Applications kits are available at most
institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from
the Grants Information Office, Office of Extramural Outreach and
Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge
Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/710-0267,
email:  ASKNIH@odrockm1.od.nih.gov.
 
The RFA number and title "B/START - NIDA" must be typed in Item 2 on
the face page of the application.  The biographical sketch must be
kept to a minimum (not to exceed 1 page).  Sections 1-4 of the
Research Plan must be brief; in no case may the Research Plan exceed
10 pages.  Include sufficient but concise information to facilitate
an effective evaluation.  The following information must be included:
a description of the objectives of the research and what the research
is intended to accomplish; why the work is important; and a brief
description of the research design and the procedures to be used to
accomplish the objectives of the project.  In all other respects,
applications must meet the conditions set out in form PHS 398 (rev.
5/95), including a standard cover page, a statement of current and
pending research support and a budget.
 
The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) 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 must be typed on
line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must
be marked.
 
Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including
the Checklist, and three signed, 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  20897 (for overnight/express mail service)
 
To permit an expedited review of the application, applicants must
simultaneously send two complete copies to:
 
Office of Extramural Program Review
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10-42
Rockville, MD  20857
 
Applications must be received by June 18, 1996.  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 the NIDA.  Incomplete applications 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 peer
review group convened by the NIDA in accordance with the review
criteria stated below.  Scientific reviews will be conducted on
receipt of the application.  Within one to two months, applicants
will be notified by NIDA staff whether or not their application will
be funded.  No funding will occur during the months of October and
November.  Revised B/START - NIDA applications are not allowed.
 
Review Criteria
 
o  scientific, technical, or medical significance and originality of
proposed research;
 
o  appropriateness and adequacy of the experimental approach and
methodology proposed to carry out the research;
 
o  qualifications and research experience of the Principal
Investigator in the area of the proposed research;
 
o  availability of the resources necessary to perform the research;
 
o  appropriateness of the proposed budget 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 review group will also examine the provisions for the protection
of human and animal subjects, and the safety of the research
environment.
 
Schedule
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  May 17, 1996
Application Receipt Date:       June 18, 1996
Peer Review:                    July/August 1996
Earliest Start Date:            Aug/Sept 1996
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
The following will be considered in making funding decisions: quality
of the proposed project as determined by peer review, availability of
funds, and 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:
 
Jaylan S. Turkkan, Ph.D.
Division of Basic Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10A-20
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-1263
FAX:  (301) 594-6043
Email:  jaylan@nih.gov
 
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Dr. Gary Fleming
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8A-54
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-6710
Email:  GFLEMING@AOADA.SSW.DHHS.GOV
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.279.  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.  Grants must be administered in accordance with the PHS
Grants Policy Statement, (DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000 (rev.
4/94).  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 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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