Full Text HL-97-007
 
MINORITY INSTITUTION FACULTY MENTORED RESEARCH SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT
AWARD
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 14, May 2, 1997
 
RFA: HL-97-007
 
P.T. 34, FF

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

 
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: July 1, 1997
Application Receipt Date:  August 25, 1997
 
THIS RFA USES "JUST-IN-TIME" CONCEPTS.  THE FULL RFA INCLUDES
DETAILED MODIFICATIONS TO STANDARD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS THAT MUST
BE FOLLOWED WHEN PREPARING APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFA.
 
PURPOSE
 
This program provides research support to faculty members at minority
institutions who have the interest and potential to conduct state of
the art research in the areas of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or
hematologic disease, or in sleep disorders.  This is an effort to
enhance the institution's science programs, and to assist in the
acquisition of "hands on" research opportunities for minority
students at the applicant's institution.
 
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,
Minority Institution Faculty Mentored Research Scientist Development
Award, is related to the priority area of heart disease, stroke,
tobacco, educational and community-based programs, environmental
health, maternal and infant health, diabetes and chronic disabling
diseases, and HIV infection.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy
of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-1 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
 
Minority School
 
A minority school 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,
and Asian or Pacific Islanders comprise a majority or significant
proportion of the school enrollment.  The commitment of the
institution to the faculty candidate's research and development must
clearly be presented in the application, including statement(s) from
the Dean and the candidate's departmental chair.  These signed
statements must also indicate that the candidate will be provided
with the amount of time and effort designated in the application to
accomplish the research goals stated in the proposal. Because the
NHLBI views this commitment as vital to the success of the program,
the Institute will closely monitor this aspect of the program if an
award is made.
 
Faculty Development Award Candidate
 
Candidates for this award are minority school faculty members 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, hematologic, or
sleep disorders research, and (4) have the background and potential
to benefit from the training.
 
Mentor at Research Center
 
Each candidate must also identify and complete arrangements with a
nearby mentor (within approximately 100 miles) who is recognized as
an accomplished investigator in the research area proposed and who
will provide guidance for the awardee's development and research
plan.  Arrangements with mentors at institutions greater than 100
miles from the applicant institution will be considered, but must be
strongly justified and clearly outlined in the application.  Plans
for the intensive training during the summer period (2-3 months) as
well as during the academic years should be developed with the
mentor.
 
The commitment of the mentor and his institution to both the summer
and academic year training period must be evidenced in the
application.  A statement of commitment from the mentor's
departmental chair must also be included in the application.  The
mentor must provide an annual evaluation of the faculty member's
career development.  This evaluation is to be included as part of the
Application for Continuation Grant if an award is made.
 
Concurrent and Subsequent Applications for NIH Research Support
 
Applicants may not apply for other Public Health Service research
grant support or its equivalent at the time of the Minority
Institution Faculty Mentored Research Scientist Development Award
application, nor may they apply concurrently for any other type of
career development award.  They may apply for and accept NIH research
grant support subsequent to award of the Minority Institution Faculty
Mentored Research Scientist Development Award.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
For this RFA, no detailed budget is required.  However, total direct
costs for all years must be provided in addition to the name, role on
project, percent effort and narrative justification for all project
personnel.  Instructions for completing the Biographical Sketch have
also been modified.  In addition, Other Support information for the
applicant and the application Checklist page are not required as part
of the initial application.  However, Other Support information is
required for the sponsor and co-sponsor.  If there is a possibility
for an award, necessary budget, Other Support and Checklist
information will be requested by NHLBI staff following the initial
review.  The Supplemental Instructions section of the full RFA
provides specific details of modifications to standard PHS 398
application kit instructions.
 
The programs of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute are
identified in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, numbers
93.837, 93.838, 93.839, and 93.231.  The mechanism of support for
this activity will be the career development grant, awarded under the
authority of the Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 301
(Public Law 78-410, as amended, 42 Part 241).  The regulations (Code
of Federal Regulations, Title 42, Part 52 and Title 45, Part 74) and
policies which govern the research grant programs of the National
Institutes of Health will prevail.  This program is not subject to
the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
to Health Systems Agency Review.  The award of grants pursuant to
this announcement is contingent upon availability of appropriated
funds.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
Background
 
Measurements of health status indicate that Americans today are, on
the whole, healthier than at any other time in our history.  Life
expectancy has increased while infant mortality statistics indicate
that fewer infants are dying at birth or in the first few months of
life. Diseases that disabled or killed at the start of the century
have virtually disappeared.  In spite of this national trend toward
better health, there is a continuing disparity in the burden of death
and illness experienced by Blacks and other minority Americans.  This
segment of the population continues to be over represented among
those in poor health and with remarkably higher death rates from
cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases.
 
Despite a recent decline in the death rate from coronary heart
disease, cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one cause
of death in the United States.  Cardiovascular disease accounts for
almost one million deaths annually.  An estimated 68 million
Americans are estimated to have diseases of the heart and blood
vessels, resulting in a large burden of acute and chronic illness and
disability.  Heart and blood vessel diseases cost the economy tens of
billions of dollars per year in lost wages, reduced productivity, and
expenses for medical care.
 
Diseases of the lung constitute a major national health problem.
About one in every five persons has some chronic respiratory problem
resulting in an annual estimated cost to the nation of over $29
billion.  In the newborn, the most common cause of death is neonatal
respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).  Neonatal RDS may be implicated
in development of adult respiratory diseases as well. Of the adult
respiratory diseases, emphysema and chronic bronchitis are major
causes of death.  Fibrotic and immunologic lung diseases are serious
causes of lung problems in the young adult.  Asthma, emphysema and
chronic bronchitis represent particularly pressing health problems,
affecting an estimated 17 million Americans.  Moreover, the death
rate and prevalence of these conditions have increased at an alarming
rate over the past 15 years.  As a disabling disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of worker retirement
on Social Security disability payments.
 
Disorders of the blood, including congenital or acquired disorders or
deficiencies, are critical contributors to health problems of
mankind.  As a consequence, they are major causes of death and
disability in the United States.  Disorders of the blood affect not
only the blood itself, but the tissues and organs through which it
flows.  Recent research findings have revealed the widespread
involvement of thrombosis in the pathology of numerous disorders,
including the development of atherosclerosis and coronary thrombosis.
Aggressive therapy for cancer has resulted in the increased
susceptibility of patients to bleeding disorders and has increased
the demand for blood products for therapeutic purposes. A significant
segment of the population has inherited blood disorders, such as
sickle cell disease, hemophilia, or Cooley's anemia, which require
life-long hematologic attention and blood product support.
 
Other diseases may be acquired or represent temporary demands, such
as transfusion therapy as a result of surgical or accidental trauma.
Research opportunities in blood resources and transfusion medicine
range from basic to clinical.  They cover such diverse topics as the
development of new blood products, methods to improve and assure the
stability and safety of these products, and ways to improve the
benefits and safety of transfusion.
 
Note:  Within NHLBI, the term "hematologic" covers research on
thrombosis and hemostasis, immunohematology, hematopoiesis,
thalassemia, blood cell disorders, sickle cell disease, transfusion
medicine 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.
 
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) continues its
commitment to address these important medical challenges.  One way of
meeting these challenges is to increase the pool of well trained
investigators, especially in minority groups where the proportion of
biomedical investigators is strikingly lower than the percentage of
minority U.S. citizens.  While 12 percent of the population is Black,
less than 0.25 percent of persons holding a Ph.D. in science are
Black.  The figures are even lower for Black Ph.D.s in the biomedical
sciences.  Furthermore, the number of doctorates, both M.D.s and
Ph.D.s, in other ethnic minority groups (such as American Indians or
Hispanics) is proportionally lower than for Blacks.  Vigorous
recruitment is underway throughout the government, academic
institutions, hospitals, research institutions, and industry.
 
The Minority Institution Mentored Research Scientist Development
Award is designed to address this critical need by increasing the
research and academic capabilities of faculty members at minority
schools.  In doing so, the pool of well trained biomedical and
behavioral investigators in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and
hematologic research will be enlarged.  Furthermore, their
undergraduate and graduate students, most of whom will be
underrepresented minority individuals, will become more cognizant of
research opportunities in these areas.  Thus, the NHLBI anticipates
that the Minority Institution Mentored Research Scientist Development
Award will help meet this future challenge by providing research
support to faculty members at minority institutions who have the
interest and potential to conduct state of the art research in the
areas of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic disease, or in
sleep disorders.
 
PROGRAM GOALS
 
The major goals of the Minority Institution Faculty Mentored Research
Scientist Development Award Program are as follows:
 
Develop or enhance the research skills and abilities of the awardee.
 
Establish collaborative linkages with other investigators that lead
to "cutting edge" research opportunities.
 
Publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
 
Enhance skills in grantsmanship to increase the likelihood of
obtaining additional grant support from the NIH and other sources.
 
Enhance the science program at the applicant's institution by:
o  serving as a resource for other scientific faculty;
o  incorporating new skills and knowledge into the academic
curriculum; and
o  developing or enhancing scientific seminar series at the
applicant's institution.
 
Provide/assist in the acquisition of "hands on" research
opportunities for minority students at the applicant's institution.
 
Implementation
 
The awards will be made to the minority institution on behalf of the
awardee.  Each award will have a duration of five years and is
non-renewable.  These awards may not be transferred to another
institution or another faculty member.  Funding beyond the first year
of the grant is contingent upon satisfactory progress during the
preceding year.
 
The progress of the Minority Institution Faculty Mentored Research
Scientist Development Award recipient will be reviewed annually using
information in the non-competitive renewal application to determine
whether the award should be continued.  The ability of the department
chairman to provide the awardee with the agreed-upon time and effort
will be monitored closely.  In addition, to assess the effectiveness
of the program in fulfilling its objectives, the Institute intends to
follow the progress of the recipient for a period of five years after
completion of each grant to determine: (1) the investigator's
professional affiliation(s); (2) his or her record of subsequent
grant or contract support; (3) his or her record of scientific
publications; and (4) the institution's research programs.
 
PROVISIONS OF THE AWARD
 
Salary
 
The awardee will receive salary support up to a maximum of $50,000
plus fringe benefits per year for five years.  All funds must be used
to support the awardee.  The level of support will be based upon the
candidates' actual salary and must be consistent with the established
salary structure of the minority institution for persons of
equivalent qualifications, experience, and rank.  The actual salary
level will be determined by the proportion of effort devoted to this
program.  Awardees must commit 100 percent of effort during summer
and/or off quarter periods and at least 25 percent of effort during
the academic year.  Supplementation of the awardee's salary from
non-Federal sources is permissible.  Supplementation of the awardee's
salary from other Federal funds is not allowed unless explicitly
authorized by both the program from which funds are derived and the
NHLBI.  In no case may other NIH funds be used to supplement salary
support of the awardee.
 
In addition to salary support for the candidate, support for up to 5
percent of the mentor's salary during the summer experience may also
be requested.  If funds are to be transferred to the mentor's
institution for the mentor's salary or for research expenses,
arrangements for the transfer of funds and the conduct of activities
should be formalized in a contract or written agreement with the
mentor's institution.
 
Research Support
 
Up to $30,000 per year beyond that requested for the candidate's and
mentor's salaries 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.  A statement of agreement must be provided in the
application.
 
These research support funds may be used for:
 
Personnel:  support for students or other technical personnel;
 
Equipment:  limited to specialized research equipment essential to
the proposed program; in accordance with PHS policy, title to such
equipment will vest with the grantee institution;
 
Supplies:  consumable supplies essential to the proposed program;
 
Travel:  domestic travel for the awardee that is essential to the
proposed program; and
 
Other:  publication costs, computer costs, or other costs necessary
for the research program.
 
Facilities and administrative (indirect) costs will be provided for
at a rate of 8 percent of the total direct costs of each award,
exclusive of equipment.  The indirect cost rate on a subcontract with
the mentor's institution may not exceed 8 percent.
 
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 policy results from
the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law
103-43).  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 in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 23,
No. 11, March 18, 1994.
 
LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit by, July 1, 1997, 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 NIH 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
 
The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used
in applying for these grants.  Applications kits are available at
most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained
from the Division 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.
 
Special supplemental instructions necessary for preparing the
application are included in the program guidelines, which must be
obtained by contacting the appropriate individual listed under
INQUIRIES prior to preparation of the application.
 
The RFA label available in the PHS 398 application from 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.
 
Send the completed application and four signed exact photocopies to:
 
DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040, MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
 
One additional copy of the application must be sent to:
 
Dr. C. James Scheirer
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7924
Bethesda, MD  20892-7924
Telephone: (301) 435-0288
FAX: (301) 480-3541
 
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
 
All applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit
by the Research Training Review Special Emphasis Panel of the
Division of Extramural Affairs, NHLBI, followed by a second level
review by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council.
 
Review Criteria
 
The factors to be considered in the evaluation of the proposed
training program are:
 
the overall merit of the candidate's five year plan for research and
the development of research skills;
 
the candidate's background and the candidate's potential to meet the
goals of the program, which are to develop their research skills,
strengthen their laboratory research program, and enhance the
scientific program at the minority institution;
 
the candidate's commitment to a research career;
 
the ability of both the minority institution and the training center
to provide facilities, resources, and opportunities necessary for the
candidate's research development;
 
the qualifications, ability, and plans of the sponsor who will
provide the candidate with the guidance necessary for career
development in research; and the institution's commitment to the
development of the candidate.
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
o Technical merit of the application as determined by peer review;
o Availability of funds;
o Program balance among the research areas of the announcement.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Special Supplemental Instructions for preparing the application are
included in the full Program Guidelines.  Potential applicants must
contact NHLBI staff to obtain these guidelines prior to preparation
of an application.
 
Michael Commarato, Ph.D., or Beth Schucker, M.A.
Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge, MSC 7940
Bethesda, MD  20892-7940
Phone:  (301) 435-0530
FAX: (301) 480-1454
Email: michael_commarato@nih.gov or beth_schucker@nih.gov
 
Mary Reilly, M.S., or Ann Rothgeb
Division of Lung Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7952
Bethesda, MD  20892-7952
Phone:  (301) 435-0222
FAX: (301) 480-3557
E-mail: mary_reilly@nih.gov; ann_rothgeb@nih.gov
 
LeeAnn Jensen, Ph.D.
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7950
Bethesda, Maryland  20892-7950
Phone:  (301) 435-0065
FAX: (301) 480-1060
E-mail: leeann_jensen@nih.gov
 
Thomas Blaszkowski, Ph.D.
Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7938
Bethesda, Maryland  20892-7938
Phone:  (301) 435-0433
FAX: (301) 480-1864
E-mail:  thomas_blaszkowski@nih.gov
 
James Kiley, Ph.D.
National Center for Sleep Disorders Research
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7920
Bethesda, Maryland  20892-7920
Phone:  (301) 435-0199
FAX:  (301) 480-3451
E-mail: james_kiley@nih.gov
 
For fiscal and administrative matters, please contact:
 
William W. Darby
Grants Operations Branch, Heart Section
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7926
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7926
Phone:  (301) 435-0177
FAX: (301) 480-0422
E-mail: william_darby@nih.gov
 
Raymond L. Zimmerman
Grants Operations Branch, Lung Section
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7926
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7926
Phone: (301) 435-0171
FAX: (301) 480-3310
E-mail: raymond_zimmerman@nih.gov
 
Jane Davis
Grants Operations Branch, Blood Section
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7926
Bethesda, Maryland  20892-7926
Phone:  (301) 435-0166
FAX: (301) 480-3310
E-mail: jane_davis@nih.gov
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATION
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance numbers 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, and 93.231.  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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