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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