Full Text HL-96-011
 
NHLBI MINORITY INSTITUTION FACULTY MENTORED RESEARCH SCIENTIST
DEVELOPMENT AWARD
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 18, June 7, 1996
 
RFA:  HL-96-011
 
P.T. 44, FF

Keywords: 
  Biomedical Research Training 
  Cardiovascular Diseases 
  Pulmonary Diseases 
  Blood Diseases 
  Sleep Disorders 

 
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  August 2, 1996
Application Receipt Date:  August 23, 1996
 
PURPOSE
 
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) invites grant
applications for the Minority Institution Faculty Mentored Research
Scientist Development Award program.  The purpose of this program is
to encourage the enhancement of research skills by faculty members at
minority institutions in areas relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary,
and hematologic diseases, sleep disorders, and transfusion medicine,
and stimulate cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic disease, and
sleep disorders research, prevention, control and education at
minority institutions by offering faculty members the opportunity to
enhance their research capabilities in these areas.
 
Within NHLBI, the term "hematologic" covers research on thrombosis
and hemostasis, immunohematology, blood cell disorders,
hematopoiesis, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, transfusion
medicine, blood resources including blood component and derivative
therapy, blood substitutes and blood resource management, aspects of
AIDS-products in AIDS prevention and treatment, and AIDS-related bone
marrow and hematologic disorders.  Other Institutes of the NIH are
responsible for research on disorders of white cells, including the
leukemias and other blood malignancies, and basic immunology related
to the lymphoid system. Therefore, NHLBI cannot provide support for
such studies.
 
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,
NHLBI Minority Institution Faculty Mentored Research Scientist
Development Award, is related to the priority areas of heart disease
and stroke, maternal and infant health, environmental health, and
educational and community-based programs.  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 202-783-3238).
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
Applications may be submitted by non-federal domestic, for-profit and
non-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities,
colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and units of state and local
government. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons
with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators.
Applications from foreign institutions will not be accepted.  Awards
in this program will be made to a domestic minority institution on
behalf of a principal investigator.  A minority institution is
defined as a domestic medical or non-medical college, university, or
equivalent school in which students of minority ethnic groups,
including Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives,
Asians, or Pacific Islanders, comprise a majority of the
institution's enrollment.  Candidates for this award are faculty
members of minority institutions who:  (1) are citizens of the United
States, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents at the time of
application, (2) have a doctoral degree or equivalent in a biomedical
or behavioral science, (3) wish to receive specialized training in
cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic research, and (4) have the
background and potential to benefit from the training.
 
Each candidate must propose a research development program that
includes intensive, full-time, training during the summer period (two
to three months) and part-time training during the academic year.  In
proposing a research development program, the candidate must identify
and complete arrangements with a nearby investigator (within
approximately 100 miles) who can act as a mentor for the research
development program.  The mentor must be an accomplished investigator
in the research area proposed in the application and will provide
guidance for the principal investigator's development and research
plan related to heart, lung, or blood disorders.  Plans for the
research development must be developed with the mentor.  The
commitment of the minority institution to the faculty candidate's
research and development must clearly be resented in the application.
This must include statement(s) from the Dean and departmental chair
indicating that the candidate will be provided with sufficient
release time from other duties to accomplish the research goals
stated in the application.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Mentored
Research Scientist Development Award grant (K01).  Responsibility for
the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed career
development program will be solely that of the applicant.  The total
project period for an application submitted in response to this RFA
may not exceed five years. Funding beyond the first year of the grant
is contingent upon satisfactory progress during the preceding year
and the availability of funds.  Indirect costs will be awarded based
on eight percent of total direct costs exclusive of equipment.  The
anticipated award date is May 1, 1997.
 
The awardee may receive salary support up to a maximum of $50,000 per
year plus fringe benefits for five years.  The actual amount
allowable for salary will be dependent upon the actual percent effort
committed to the project.  All funds must be used to support the
awardee.  Awardees must commit 100 percent effort during the summer
and/or off quarter periods and at least 25 percent effort during the
academic year.  Support for up to 10 percent of the mentor's salary
during the summer experience may be requested.  Up to $30,000 per
year will be provided for research support. Details regarding the
apportionment of these funds between the minority institution and the
research center must be worked out with the mentor at the research
center and agreed to by representatives of both institutions. If
funds are to be transferred to the mentor's institution for any
purpose, arrangements for the transfer or conduct of activities
should be formalized in a contract or written agreement with the
mentor's institution and submitted as part of the application.  The
award is non-renewable and may not be transferred to another
institution or another faculty member.  The indirect cost rate on
subcontract costs for the mentor's institution may not exceed 8
percent of total costs.
 
FUNDS AVAILABLE
 
The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of
support for the program are expected to be $250,000 in fiscal year
1997.  The actual amount may vary, depending on the response to the
RFA and availability of funds, but the anticipated number of awards
for the Minority Institution Faculty Mentored Research Scientist
Development Award Program is three new awards.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
Background
 
Many studies have emphasized the need for minority individuals to
participate in modern research activities to develop their
investigative talents.  Whereas approximately 12 percent of the U.S.
population is Black, less than 0.25 percent of individuals holding a
Ph.D. degree in biomedical science are Black.  There are existing
programs at the National Institutes of Health that are designed to
answer this need.  These include the Minority Biomedical Research
Support Program, the Minority Access to Research Careers Program, and
the Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities Program.
Even though these programs appear successful in meeting their
specific objectives and career development goals, students and
faculty at minority schools need additional opportunities to develop
biomedical and behavioral research skills and become productive
investigators.
 
While there is strong interest in the scientific community in
attracting minority students into research careers, few minority
students opt for science degrees and research careers, and few
minority graduates of health professional schools go on to
investigative careers.  The shortage of qualified minority
investigators in academic research positions may even exacerbate the
situation due to a lack of visible role models for students.  One
method of addressing this problem is by increasing the research
capabilities of minority faculty members and faculty members at
minority institutions, so that these individuals may serve as role
models for minority undergraduate and graduate students, and
stimulate students to become more cognizant of research opportunities
in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases and sleep
disorders.
 
Other
 
The present RFA is designed to offer career development opportunities
for faculty at minority institutions.  The Minority Institution
Faculty Mentored Research Scientist Development Award is intended to:
 
o  Encourage the development of faculty investigators at minority
schools in areas relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and
hematologic diseases, sleep disorders, and transfusion medicine.
 
o  Stimulate cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic disease, and
sleep disorders research, prevention, control, and education by
offering minority school faculty members the opportunity to enhance
their research capabilities in these areas.
 
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN
SUBJECTS
 
It is the policy of 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 new 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 may obtain copies from these sources or from the
program staff or contact person listed below.  Program staff may also
provide additional relevant information concerning the policy.
 
LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by August 2, 1996, a
letter of intent that includes the name, address, and 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 subsequent applications, the information
that it contains allows NHLBI staff to estimate the potential review
workload and to avoid conflict of interest in the review.  The letter
of intent is to be sent to Dr. C. James Scheirer, at the address
listed under APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
 
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; and from the program
administrator listed under INQUIRIES.
 
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 (NHLBI Minority Institution
Faculty Mentored Research Scientist Development Award Training
Program) and number (HL-96-011) 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 four signed 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 service)
 
One additional copy of the application must also be sent to:
 
C. James Scheirer, Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7220 - MSC 7924
Bethesda, MD  20892-7924
Telephone:  (301) 435-0266
FAX:  (301) 480-3541
Email:  james_scheirer@nih.gov
 
Applications must be received by August 23, 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 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 NHLBI.  Incomplete and/or non-responsive
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 a Special
Emphasis Panel in the Division of Extramural Affairs, NHLBI, in
accordance with the review criteria stated below.
 
The following criteria will be considered when assessing the merit of
career development applications, including the Minority Institution
Faculty Mentored Research Scientist Development Award.
 
o  Candidate -- The candidate's overall competence as demonstrated by
academic record and performance, potential for a career in
independent research, and commitment or interest in pursuing an
academic research career.
 
o  Mentor(s) -- The mentor's accomplishments in the scientific
research area(s) proposed, experience and track record in training
investigators, and commitment for the duration of a candidate's
research development.
 
o  Environment -- The applicant institution's ability to provide
adequate facilities, resources, and opportunities necessary for the
candidate's training, and the institutional commitment to the
candidate.  The  quality of the research and research training
programs at the mentor's institution.
 
o  Acceptability of plan to provide instruction on the responsible
conduct of research.
 
o  Career Development Plan -- The adequacy of the research career
development plan, based on the detailed description of the
candidate's past research experience, training, and career goals.
 
o  Research Project -- Scientific merit of the proposed research
project and its appropriateness as a vehicle for developing the
candidate's research skills.
 
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.
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
Applications will compete for funds with all other approved
applications assigned to the NHLBI.  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 balance among the research areas of the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute
 
INQUIRIES
 
Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  The opportunity to
clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.
 
Inquiries regarding program guidelines, supplemental instructions, or
programmatic issues may be directed to:
 
LeeAnn Jensen, Ph.D.
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive MSC 7950
Bethesda, MD  20892-7950
Telephone:  (301) 435-0065
FAX:  (301) 480-1060
Email:  leeann_jensen@nih.gov
 
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Jane Davis
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive MSC 7926
Bethesda, MD  20892-7926
Telephone:  (301) 435-0166
FAX:  (301) 480-3310
Email:  jane_davis@nih.gov
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATION
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance numbers 93.837, 93.838, and 93.839.  Awards are made under
the authority 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 grant policies and Federal
Regulations at 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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