Full Text DE-94-001

REGIONAL RESEARCH CENTERS FOR MINORITY ORAL HEALTH:  PHASE II

NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 1, January 7, 1994

RFA:  DE-94-001

P.T. 04, FF

Keywords: 
  Oral Diseases 
  Dentistry 


National Institute of Dental Research
National Center for Research Resources

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 15, 1994
Application Receipt Date:  September 21, 1994

PURPOSE

The National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) and the Research
Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program of the National
Center for Research Resources (NCRR) invite applications for grants
for Phase II of the Regional Research Centers for Minority Oral
Health (RRCMOH) initiative.  Receipt of a Phase I grant is not a
prerequisite for submission of an application for a Phase II grant.

The objective of the RRCMOH initiative is to improve the oral health
of U.S. racial and ethnic minorities, to expand the research
opportunities for minority scientists by encouraging their
participation in oral health research, and to develop and strengthen
the biomedical and behavioral oral health research capacity of
minority dental schools and RCMI eligible institutions.  For the
purpose of this solicitation, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians,
Pacific Islanders, and Alaskan Natives are considered to be racial or
ethnic minorities.

An orientation meeting for potential applicants will be conducted by
NIDR and NCRR/RCMI extramural program staff in connection with the
annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, in
March 1994, in Seattle, Washington.  Details of the time and location
of the meeting are available from the NIDR staff listed under
INQUIRIES.

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 research priority areas.
This Requests For Applications (RFA), Regional Research Centers for
Minority Oral Health: Phase II, is related to the priority area of
reducing health disparities among Americans by improving oral health.
Potential applicants 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

Only minority dental schools and dental schools serving large
minority populations are eligible to submit applications in response
to this request.  Prior receipt of a Phase I grant is not a
prerequisite for applying for, or receiving, a Phase II grant.
Applications from foreign institutions or those involving foreign
collaborations are not eligible.

To be responsive to this RFA, an applicant must propose collaborative
affiliations with other institutions that conform to the following
organizational structures and that address the objectives of the
RRCMOH initiative

o A minority dental school must propose an affiliation with one or
more research intensive dental schools.  In addition, this
arrangement may include affiliations with one or more minority
institutions.  Applications proposing affiliations between minority
institutions without substantive involvement of research intensive
institutions are not acceptable.

o A research intensive dental school serving a large minority
population must propose an affiliation with one or more
research-intensive institutions and additionally may include an
affiliation with one or more minority institutions.

o A research intensive institution may not be the applicant
organization unless it serves a large minority population.  In
instances where a dental school that serves a large minority
population also qualifies as a research-intensive institution,
affiliations must still be proposed with one or more minority
institutions.

When a minority dental school is not the applicant institution, clear
evidence of substantive involvement by the minority dental school or
minority institution in center activities must be provided.

Regional proximity of the affiliated institutions may be an asset
but, for a variety of reasons, such an arrangement may not be
possible.  In those instances, applicants are urged to provide
compelling evidence of procedures and/or processes that will be used
to overcome any potential problems associated with the geographical
separation.

Definitions

The following definitions are used for the purpose of this RFA:

1. "minority dental school" - a school whose student enrollment and
faculty consists of 50 percent or more ethnic minorities;

2. "dental school serving large minority populations" - a dental
school whose patient population consists of 50 percent or more ethnic
minorities; and

3. "research intensive institution" - an institution that received at
least one million dollars of NIDR research and training funds during
Fiscal Year 1993.  A list of these institutions is provided as an
appendix to this RFA; and

4. "minority institution" - an educational, health care or research
institution staffed predominantly by ethnic minorities, renders
service predominantly to minority groups, and/or whose student
population consists primarily of individuals from minority groups.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA is a one time solicitation by the NIDR and the NCRR/RCMI,
unless it is determined that there is a continuing program need.
Under Phase II of the RRCMOH initiative, awards will be for up to
five years using the Specialized Center (P50) mechanism.  The
earliest possible date for funding is September 1, 1995.

Responsibility for the planning, direction and execution of the
proposed research will be solely that of the applicant and
collaborating institutions.  However, periodic consultation with NIDR
and NCRR/RCMI staff may be expected in the form of periodic site
visits and/or meetings of center directors.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

It is anticipated that up to three, five-year awards may be made if a
sufficient number of highly meritorious applications are received.
Each award may not exceed $500,000 in direct costs for research
projects, pilot projects and cores for the first year.  Additional
support of up to $100,000 in direct costs for the first fiscal year
may be provided by the NCRR/RCMI program for RRCMOH-related faculty
development activities where the applicant institution meets the
basic RCMI eligibility criteria (i.e., more than 50 percent minority
students and awards, M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D. or other relevant health
science degrees). However, where indirect costs are assigned to a
subcontract and counted as direct costs on the parent grant, the
allowable direct cost maximum may be exceeded by the amount of the
indirect costs assigned to the subcontract.  Increases in costs for
subsequent years, including those for faculty development, will not
exceed four percent.  It is strongly urged that additional funds be
sought from institutional, corporate and foundation sources to
augment support from the NIDR.  Award of grants pursuant to this RFA
is contingent upon the availability of funds.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

The NIDR, along with NCRR through the RCMI program, in recognizing
the need to improve the oral health status of minorities relative to
other groups, launched the RRCMOH initiative in September 1992.  At
that time, awards were made to six centers whose hallmark was
collaboration between minority institutions and research intensive
institutions committed to achieving the objectives of the program.
The three year developmental grants were aimed at providing minority
institutions with the opportunity to establish affiliations and
organizational structures which could facilitate research on dental
and oral health problems, particularly those of importance to
minority populations.

In initiating the RRCMOH program, the NIDR and the NCRR responded to
evidence that shows that, on most measures of oral health, ethnic
minorities are worse off than their counterparts in mainstream U.S.A.
For example, while over half of all children between 5 and 17 years
have no cavities in their permanent teeth, there are still
substantial disparities in the application of known caries preventive
strategies in minority populations, particularly among those who may
not have access to dental and other health promotion services.  The
disparity in oral health between minority and other populations in
the United States is highlighted in the NIDR Long-Range Research Plan
for the Nineties, BROADENING THE SCOPE, a plan that calls for
addressing all diseases affecting the oral cavity among all
populations and at all ages.  The development of the plan was aided
by conceptual contributions from participants in dental and oral
health research including minorities, who emphasized the need for
consortial arrangements to strengthen the capacity of minority
institutions to plan and conduct scientifically meritorious research
and to engage in appropriate research training and career
development.  In addition, emphasis was placed on social and
behavioral sciences in order to encourage the development of
culturally sensitive strategies to effect disease prevention and
health promotion behaviors.

The necessity for a concerted effort in achieving the three major
objectives of the RRCMOH initiative is based on the rapidly
increasing number and diversity of minorities in the U.S. population
and the generally poor status of oral health among minority
populations.  The oral health status of African Americans, for
example, is compromised when assessed by virtually every oral health
parameter (e.g., incidence and prevalence of caries, missing teeth,
gingivitis/periodontitis and oral malignancies).

Another indicator of the need for additional research on minority
populations is the fact that the information available for other
minority groups is too limited to allow valid comparisons on most
oral health measures.  Anecdotal reports of the status of these
groups, however, indicate that they may be even more disadvantaged
than African Americans.  While a recent survey indicated that there
are significant differences in oral health among different groups of
Hispanic Americans, more specific information about the oral health
status of Hispanics in the United States is similarly sparse.

The relatively poor oral health status of minority populations as
well as the lack of research on these conditions may reflect the
relative scarcity of minority scientists engaging in basic and
clinical oral health research.  This may be attributed to limited
opportunities for minorities to participate in research activities.
While the NIDR continues to encourage the participation of minority
scientists in oral health research through various training programs
as well as through the recently established Research Supplements for
Underrepresented Minorities initiative, the ability to conduct
large-scale studies is often dependent on substantial external
funding.

The ability to obtain such support, especially from the Federal
government, is, in turn, often dependent on a successful record of
previous research and on a research infrastructure capable of
supporting proposed research projects as well as on the inherent
scientific merit of the projects.  Without the opportunity to
establish such a research record or to develop the necessary
resources to support research, qualified scientists at minority
institutions are often disadvantaged when compared with their
colleagues at research intensive institutions.  Thus, a central aim
of the RRCMOH program is to enhance the funding opportunities for
scientists at minority institutions by pairing them, through
collaborative affiliations, with individuals at research intensive
institutions who have both the resources and experiences necessary to
successfully compete in the NIH scientific peer review system.  It is
anticipated that accomplishment of this aim will not only enhance the
research careers of minority scientists but also attract qualified
minority undergraduate and graduate students to careers in dental and
oral health research.

Center Characteristics

Each center will be a consortium consisting of two or more
institutions, as described under ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. The
consortium will be structured to foster an alliance capable of
addressing the objectives of the RRCMOH initiative.  A director,
affiliated with the applicant institution, and a co-director,
affiliated with the principal collaborating institution, will be
responsible for the scientific and administrative leadership of the
center.

The director will be assisted by an administrative advisory committee
of senior staff from the principal participating institutions.
Membership on this committee may be supplemented as needed by
individuals from outside the participating institutions.  The role of
this committee is to provide administrative advice to the director by
assisting in the  preparation of the application, advising the
director on scientific and related issues including faculty
development activities.  In addition, an independent scientific
advisory committee consisting of consultants with appropriate
research experience and accomplishments, but who are not associated
with the participating institutions, will aid in the review of pilot
projects proposed after initiation of the grant.  This committee will
also assess interim progress of all scientific projects and their
relevance to the broad objectives of the RRCMOH initiative.

The center will consist of a series of related research projects and
cores focusing on the oral health of minorities.  The projects may be
of a pilot nature or they may be regular research projects.  Each
project will involve participation by co-investigators from the
collaborating institutions.  It is expected that each center will
support a minimum of three regular research projects and no more than
five pilot projects.  Projects involving outreach to minority
populations are encouraged.  Some may involve basic biomedical or
behavioral research while others may be drawn from the clinics and
the catchment area of the minority dental school or of the dental
school serving a large minority population.

Core resources such as center development activities, administrative
services, unique clinical facilities, animal facilities,
biostatistical and computer services, and shared equipment will be
supported.  The level of support for core resources should be
commensurate with the level of research proposed and funded.  The
center administrative core might include support of meetings or other
activities to explore new and expanded collaborative research,
research training, and career development opportunities.  Travel to
the site of an annual Center Directors' meeting may be budgeted in
the administrative core.  Budgetary constraints, however, preclude
expenditures for expensive items of equipment or renovations.

Research Career Development and Training Opportunities

While formal research training activities cannot be supported
directly by this grant mechanism, there is realization that
participation in research supported by the RRCMOH program can have a
significant impact on the career development of minority faculty
members.  In addition to the more traditional mechanisms of support
for career development (i.e., K04 - research career development
award; K15 - individual dentist scientist award; K16 - institutional
dentist scientist award; K11 - physician scientist award) the RCMI
program of the NCRR is providing funds to cover the cost of faculty
development activities for eligible faculty members from minority
dental schools or other RCMI eligible institutions.  Minority dental
school applicants may request up to $100,000 per year for support of
faculty development.  Funds for faculty development will be provided
by the RCMI program of the NCRR through a co- funding arrangement.  A
single award per center, however, will be made.

Candidates for faculty development support through the RCMI program
must possess a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in the health
professions, must hold a full-time faculty position at a minority
dental school or at an RCMI eligible institution, and be a U.S.
citizen or have a permanent immigration visa.  Candidates may not
hold independent peer reviewed grant support as principal
investigators within five years prior to or concurrently with funding
of this application.  Developmental activities may occur either at a
minority dental school, at another institution with appropriate
facilities or the developmental experience may be shared between
institutions.  Candidates will be expected to submit a grant
application for extramural research support prior to the completion
of the faculty development experience and must remain at the minority
dental school or RCMI eligible institution for a period of time equal
to the length of faculty development support.

Candidates may receive a maximum salary of $30,000 or the current
salary received for their academic appointment whichever is less for
50 percent time and effort for the first year.  Incremental salary
increases of up to $5,000 may be included for the second and third
years of the award to a maximum of $40,000.  However, salary support
may be prorated based on the percent time engaged in faculty
developmental activities.  The salary request must be commensurate
with institutional salary policies for individuals with comparable
experience.  Because of the necessity for commuting between
institutions during the training, up to $3,000 may be requested for
travel.

Evaluation will be based on the qualifications of the candidate,
appropriateness and relevance of expertise to be gained by the
candidate, qualifications and suitability of the preceptor, the
likelihood that the proposed plan for faculty development will enable
the candidate to become an independent investigator capable of
successfully competing for independent peer reviewed grant support,
and the evidence of institutional commitment to the candidate's
further research career development following the faculty development
experience.

Beyond the RCMI program and the career development grant mechanisms,
applicants are encouraged to apply for support for both short and
long-term training support through the National Research Service
Award (NRSA) program, which can support individual fellowships (F32)
institutional training (T32) and short-term training (T35) awards.

Another source of support for research training for minority high
school, undergraduate or graduate students, post- doctoral fellows
and minority faculty at the RRCMOH is obtained through the
Supplements For Underrepresented Ethnic Minorities Program.  Up to
three such supplements may be requested following a Phase II award.
For additional information about the minority supplement program
contact Dr. Matthew Kinnard at the address listed under INQUIRIES.

Research intensive dental school applicants and institutions serving
large minority populations are expected to obtain support for
training and career development through these mechanisms or other
sources since they are not eligible for faculty development support
through the NCRR.  Applicants may contact Dr. Thomas Valega at the
address listed under INQUIRIES, for additional information about
career development, training and fellowship opportunities.

Scientific and Research Opportunities

The following topics are suggested for inclusion in center
applications.  These, however, are not listed in priority order nor
are they exhaustive, and other research topics relevant to minority
oral health may be proposed.

o  Studies of the incidence and prevalence of oral disease in
minority populations and subpopulations based on biological factors,
physical environment, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle as well as
health services delivery factors.

o  Studies of the relationship of the general health status of
minorities to oral health status.

o  Oral manifestations of AIDS/HIV in minority populations.

o  Studies of the underlying genetic and environmental factors
involved in cleft-lip and palate of native-born and Asian immigrants.

o  Studies of facial growth patterns in all ethnic minority
populations.

o  Studies of the qualitative and quantitative constituents of bones
and teeth (hard tissues) in different ethnic groups.

o  Studies to establish the relationship between diabetes and
periodontitis, particularly juvenile diabetes, refractory
periodontitis and early onset periodontitis in minority populations.

o  Studies of factors contributing to differences in the rates of
periodontal diseases in minorities and non- minorities.

o  Fundamental studies of the molecular events involved in tissue
growth and repair, particularly the keloid phenomenon often observed
in wound healing of African-Americans.

o  Etiologic and epidemiologic studies to establish the prevalence of
autoimmune disorders such as Sjgren's syndrome, cystic fibrosis and
recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) in minority populations.

o  Follow-up studies to investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of
autoimmune disorders that may impact oral health of minorities.

o  Studies designed to investigate factors contributing to the excess
morbidity and mortality associated with oral cancer and precancer in
minority populations.

o  Studies of dietary and nutritional factors in the prevention and
intervention of oral diseases in minority populations.

STUDY POPULATIONS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF NIH
POLICIES CONCERNING INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL
RESEARCH STUDY POPULATIONS

It is the policy of NIH that applicants for NIH clinical research
grants are required to include minorities and women in study
populations so that research findings can be of benefit to all
persons at risk of the disease, disorder or condition under study.
Special emphasis should be placed on the need for inclusion of
minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders and conditions
which disproportionately affect them.  This policy is intended to
also apply to males and females of all ages.  If women or minorities
are excluded or inadequately represented in clinical research,
particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear compelling
rationale should be provided.

The composition of the proposed study population must be described in
terms of gender/ethnic group.  In addition, gender and racial/ethnic
issues should be addressed in developing a research design and sample
size appropriate for the scientific objectives of the study.  This
information should be included in form PHS 398 in Items 1-4 of the
Research Plan and summarized in Item 5, Human Subjects.

Applicants are urged to assess carefully the feasibility of including
the broadest possible representation of minority groups.  However,
NIH recognizes that it may not be feasible or appropriate in all
research projects to include representation of the full array of
United States racial, ethnic, minority populations.  The rationale
for studies on single minority population groups should be provided.

For the purpose of this policy, clinical research includes human
biomedical and behavioral studies of etiology, epidemiology,
prevention (and preventive strategies), diagnosis, or treatment of
diseases, disorders or conditions, including but not limited to
clinical trials.

The usual NIH policies concerning research on human subjects also
apply.  Basic research or clinical studies in which human tissues
cannot be identified or linked to individuals are excluded.  However,
every effort should be made to include tissues from women and
racial/ethnic minorities when it is important to apply the results of
the study broadly, and this should be addressed by applicants.

If the required information is not contained within the application,
the application will be returned.  Applicants are reminded of the NIH
policy, contained on pages 11-13 of the instructions accompanying
Form PHS-398 (revised 9/91), concerning documentation of
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and approval of all human
studies.  According to the policy, all documentation must be
submitted either with the application or be received by the
Scientific Review Administrator within 60 days after the receipt date
of the application.  Failure to comply with this policy may result in
return of the application.

Peer reviewers will address specifically whether the research plan in
the application conforms to these policies. If the representation of
women or minorities in a study design is inadequate to answer the
scientific question(s) addressed and the justification for the
selected study population is inadequate, it will be considered a
scientific weakness or deficiency in the study design and will be
reflected in assigning the priority score to the application.

All applications for clinical research submitted to the NIH are
required to address these policies.  NIH funding components will not
award grants or cooperative agreements that do not comply with these
policies.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent by
March 15, 1994.  The letter should contain a descriptive title of the
proposed center, the name, address and telephone number of the center
director, co-director, identifying information for other key
personnel and participating institutions, and the number and title of
this RFA.  Although a letter of intent is neither required nor
binding, and does not enter into the review of subsequent
applications, the information that it contains is helpful in planning
for the review of applications by allowing NIDR staff to estimate the
potential review workload and to avoid possible conflict-of-interest
in the composition of the review panel.

The letter of intent is to be addressed to Dr. Matthew Kinnard at the
address listed under INQUIRIES.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Prospective applicants are advised to communicate with NIDR
Extramural Program and Grants Management staff as early as possible
in the planning stage of application preparation. NIDR staff are
available to assist applicants to ensure that the objectives,
structure, and the budget format for the proposed center are
acceptable.

The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) must be used
in applying for these grants.  These forms are available at most
institutional business offices, from the Office of Grants Inquiries,
Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333
Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892 telephone 301/710-0267
and from the NIDR Extramural Program administrator listed under
INQUIRIES.

The RFA label available in the form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) must be
affixed to the bottom of the face page of the original 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 in
item 2a of the face page of the application form and the YES box
checked.

The instructions accompanying form PHS 398 must be followed as
completely as possible, but some modification will be necessary.  For
example, a new Table of Contents should be prepared giving page
numbers for all items in the application.  Pagination must be
consecutive throughout the application.  Each subproject should be
identified by number and investigator.  Separate detailed budgets for
each year for the entire center, core resources, and subprojects and
pilot projects should be prepared.  A consolidated budget for the
center for all years of support should be included (use pages DD-EE,
Form PHS 398).  Direct and indirect cost estimates must be provided.
Funds may be requested for professional, technical, and
administrative personnel; core resources; equipment; supplies;
consultant services; travel; publication costs; and patient costs
directly related to the research. Detailed justification of all
budget requests will be required and commitment of collaborating
institutions to the center should be fully documented.

A summary of financial support from non-NIDR/NCRR sources for studies
that will complement and expand the program supported by the
NIDR/NCRR must be provided.  It should be explained how the support
of these studies will further the goals of the center and make it
more cost effective.

Under Research Plan, the goals of the center should be described and
background and significance of the topics being addressed should be
discussed.  Also, each research project, core, and the faculty
development activities should be fully explained in light of how they
will contribute to achieving these goals.  The organizational and
administrative structure, the responsibilities of the director and
co-director, individual investigators, and the proposed mechanisms
for monitoring scientific progress should be described in detail.

Each subproject (regular research project) should be presented as if
it were a research grant application (R01) and each pilot project as
if it were a small grant (R03) application.  Instructions for pages
19-24 of form PHS 398 should be followed.  For the Research Plan, a
25-page limitation will apply to each subproject and a 10 page
limitation for each pilot project.  The length of each core unit
description may not exceed 25 pages.  A page BB (Abstract form
PHS-398) should be completed for the core resources, each subproject,
pilot project, and for the entire application.

The faculty development component of the application, including the
scientific proposal, the formal and informal course of study and the
seminars, journal club, and other similar activities should be
submitted as an appendix to the application and should not exceed 10
pages.  Three sealed letters of reference for each participant must
accompany the application.  Eligible applicant institutions should
contact the RCMI office for specific instructions for preparing the
faculty development component of the application.

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
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**

At the time of submission, two additional copies must also be sent
to:

H. George Hausch, Ph.D.
Extramural Program
National Institute of Dental Research
5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 519
Bethesda, MD  20892

Applications must be received by September 21, 1994.  If an
application is received after that date, it will be returned to the
applicant.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed by NIH staff for
completeness and responsiveness.  Applications that are incomplete,
nonresponsive to this RFA, or exceed the first year budget limit of
$500,000 in direct costs will be returned to the applicant without
further consideration. However, where indirect costs are assigned to
a subcontract and counted as direct costs on the parent grant, the
allowable direct cost maximum may be exceeded by the amount of the
indirect costs assigned to the subcontract.  Costs associated with
subcontractual arrangements and/or faculty development activities
must be clearly labeled and identified as such within the budget
presentation and justification.  Applications requesting support of
faculty development activities may exceed the budget limit by up to
$100,000 in direct cost attributed to faculty development resources
provided by the NCRR/RCMI program.

Applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated in
accordance with the criteria stated below for scientific and
technical merit by a special review committee convened by the NIDR
Scientific Review Office.  Applications may be subjected to triage by
the committee to determine their scientific merit relative to other
applications received in response to this RFA.  The NIDR will
withdraw from further competition those applications judged by triage
to be noncompetitive for award and notify the applicant and
institutional official.  Applications judged to be competitive will
undergo further scientific merit review. This review may involve an
applicant interview or site visit.  The second level of review will
be provided by the National Advisory Dental Research Council.

Major factors to be considered in the evaluation of applications
include:

o  The scientific merit of all projects proposed, including their
significance, originality, feasibility and experimental design.

o  The technical merit and justification for core resources requested
including the extent to which they will assist in developing the
center.

o  The combination of the various pilot and research projects, core
units and faculty development activities into a cohesive program
which will effectively address the center objectives.

o  The adequacy of the administrative and organizational structure to
ensure efficient inter- and intra-institutional collaboration,
interaction and dissemination of information among investigators
necessary to attain center objectives.  This element is especially
important to collaborative efforts of institutions that are
geographically separated.  In these cases, special care should be
taken to provide evidence that the geographical separation will not
hinder the collaborative nature of the research projects and also
will be cost effective.

o  The competence and combined efforts of the investigators from
collaborating institutions and their commitment to the accomplishment
of the research goals and the objectives of the RRCMOH Program.

o  The qualifications, experience, and commitment of the center
director and co-director, including their ability to provide
effective leadership of the center and provisions for selection of
replacements should it become necessary.

o  The composition and use of the director's administrative and
scientific advisory committees, including an indication of their
involvement in the development of the application and procedures for
monitoring research progress.

o  The commitment of collaborating institutions to the center
including the adequacy of their facilities, resources and
administrative capabilities.

o  The effectiveness of the faculty development opportunities
offered, including the quality of research experiences and mentoring
to be provided.

o  The feasibility of the plan to develop young minority
investigators.

o  The appropriateness of the period of support and budget requested
for pilot and research projects, cores, faculty development
activities and for the entire center.  This includes the distribution
of responsibilities and funding among collaborating institutions.

o  The availability and appropriateness of study populations and the
utilization of minorities and women as study subjects.

o  The potential or proven ability of the center to use NIDR funds to
obtain collaborative funding from other sources.

The inclusion of projects that are deemed to have little or no
scientific merit or that are deemed peripheral to the objectives of
the RRCMOH may be considered a reflection of the director's judgement
and may adversely affect the overall rating.  Component projects
without significant and substantial merit will not be recommended for
further consideration.  Projects with significant and substantial
scientific merit but deemed not essential to the success of the
center may also be recommended for deletion.

AWARD CRITERIA

The NIDR appreciates the value of complementary funding from other
public and private sources, including foundations and industrial
concerns, for activities that will complement and expand those
supported by the NIDR and NCRR/RCMI.

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.
The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential
applicants is welcome.  Direct inquiries regarding programmatic
issues to:

Inquiries regarding career development and NRSA training
opportunities may be directed to:

Matthew Kinnard, Ph.D.
Extramural Program
National Institute of Dental Research
Westwood Building, Room 509
Bethesda, Maryland  20892
Telephone:  (301) 594-7641
FAX:  (301) 594-9720

Dr. Thomas Valega
Extramural Program
National Institute of Dental Research
Westwood Building, Room 503
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 594-6324

Inquiries regarding fiscal matters may be directed to:

Ms. Theresa Ringler
Extramural Program
National Institute of Dental Research
Westwood Building, Room 510
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 594-7629

Inquiries regarding faculty development may be directed to:

Dr. Sidney A. McNairy, Jr.
Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 10A10
Bethesda, MD  20899
Telephone:  (301) 594-7944

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.121.  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.

APPENDIX

U.S. Research Intensive Dental Schools or Institutions Receiving More
Than $1.0 Million for Research and Training, from the NIDR in Fiscal
Year 1991

Institution                          City             State

University of Washington             Seattle          Washington
State University of New York at
  Buffalo                            Buffalo          New York
Forsyth Dental Center                Boston           Massachusetts
University of Alabama at Birmingham  Birmingham       Alabama
University of Florida                Gainesville      Florida
University of Pennsylvania           Philadelphia     Pennsylvania
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor  Ann Arbor        Michigan
University of Iowa                   Iowa City        Iowa
University of Texas Health Science
  Center at San Antonio              San Antonio      Texas
University of North Carolina, Chapel
  Hill                               Chapel Hill      North Carolina
University of Rochester              Rochester        New York
University of Minnesota              Minneapolis      Minnesota
University of Southern California    Los Angeles      California
University of California, SF         San Francisco    California
University of Connecticut Health
 Center                              Farmington       Connecticut
Virginia Commonwealth University     Richmond         Virginia
Harvard University                   Boston           Massachusetts
American Dental Association Health
  Foundation                            Chicago       Illinois
University of Texas Health Science
  Center Houston                        Houston       Texas
University of California, Los Angeles   Los Angeles   California
Emory University                        Atlanta       Georgia
Columbia University New York            New York      New York
Louisiana State University Medical
  Center New Orleans                    New Orleans   Louisiana
Medical College of Georgia              Augusta       Georgia
University of Massachusetts Medical
  School                                Worcester     Massachusetts

Other institutions may be eligible.

.

Return to RFAs Index

Return to NIH Guide Main Index

	Office of Extramural Research (OER)			National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892			Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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