Full Text HL-97-008 NHLBI SHORT-TERM RESEARCH TRAINING FOR MINORITY STUDENTS PROGRAM NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 14, May 2, 1997 RFA: HL-97-008 P.T. 44, 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 PURPOSE This program provides short-term research support to minority underrepresented undergraduate students, graduate students, and students in health professional schools to provide them with career opportunities in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases, and sleep disorders research. The grant provides training experiences of 2-3 consecutive months and exposes talented students to the various possibilities in pursuing a biomedical research career. 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, Short-Term Training for Minority Students Program, is related to the priority areas of Heart Disease and 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) through or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325 (telephone: 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applicant Institutions Domestic non-federal private or public nonprofit institutions or organizations engaged in health related research may apply for grants. The applicant institution must have the available research facilities, personnel, and support for the program in either the cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic diseases or sleep disorders area. Minority institutions with adequate staff and resources in these research areas are encouraged to apply. Only one application per health professional school may be submitted for a given receipt date and a health professional school may have only one active NHLBI Short-Term Training for Minority Students award at any time. Trainees The grantee institution will be responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees. Underrepresented minority students are defined as individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. In making awards, NHLBI may give priority to those programs involving Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander or other ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research nationally. Trainees should have successfully completed at least one undergraduate year at an accredited school or university (including baccalaureate schools of nursing) or have successfully completed one semester at a school of medicine, optometry, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy or public health or an institution with an accredited graduate program, prior to participating in the short term training program. These grants are intended to introduce students to research that would not otherwise be available through their regular course of studies. For graduate students, this may include students in programs such as mathematics, where they would not normally be exposed to biomedical research, or students who may need a specialized research experience to supplement their normal education. Individuals holding Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M. or equivalent doctoral degrees in the health sciences are not eligible. Trainees must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residency (i.e., in possession of the Alien Registration Receipt Card) at the time of appointment. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible. Trainees need not be affiliated with the applicant institution. The applicant's program can be designed to include research experiences for minority individuals at the applicant institution but applicants are strongly encouraged to propose a program that includes a number of individuals from other institutions, schools, colleges or universities. The only requirement for student selection is that the trainees fulfill the above referenced eligibility requirements. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Award Short-Term Research Training grant (T35) mechanism. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed training 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. Facilities and administrative costs will be awarded based on eight percent of total direct costs exclusive of equipment and tuition and fees. The anticipated award date is May 1, 1998. Institutions may request support for at least four but not more than 24, short-term trainees per year. The requested number of short-term trainees must be justified in the application. Trainees may be minority undergraduate, graduate, or health professional students. The stipend level for trainees is $958 per month. Stipends may be supplemented from non-federal funds. Training-related expenses up to $125 per month per trainee may be requested. In addition, up to $250 per month per trainee may be requested to cover the cost of housing at the training site. Trainee tuition and fees, where necessary to the research training, must be covered by the Training Related Expenses. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background There is a need for minority students to participate in research activities to develop their investigative talents and increase the pool of accomplished minority biomedical investigators. In 1991, 108 Ph.D.s in the natural sciences were awarded to Blacks. Academic positions totaled 1177 Blacks (1.7%) and 1113 Hispanics (1.6%) in the life sciences out of a total of 69,122 individuals. In medical schools, there were 1748 Black (2.3%) and 2087 Hispanic (2.8%) faculty members in 1993. Blacks represented 7.4% of the total enrollment in medical schools in 1993. Although 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 research positions may even exacerbate the situation due to a lack of visible role models for students. There are existing programs at the National Institutes of Health that are designed to answer the need for more minority investigators. These include the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program, the Minority Access to Research Careers Program, the NHLBI Minority Institutional Research Training Grant, Predoctoral Fellowship Awards for Minority Students, Mentored Research Scientist Development Award for Minority Faculty, Minority Institution Faculty Mentored Research Scientist Development Award, and the Minority Investigator Research Supplement Program. Although these programs are successful in meeting their specific objectives and career development goals, the need to attract minority students to research careers continues to exist. This NHLBI Short-Term Training for Minority Students program is designed to provide opportunities for underrepresented minority students at the undergraduate and graduate level to become exposed to biomedical research in areas relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases and sleep disorders through a short-term research experience. Within NHLBI, the term "hematologic" covers research on thrombosis and hemostasis, immunohematology, blood cell disorders, sickle cell disease, 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 and the lymphocirculatory system. 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. Program Elements Each institution is invited to develop an application that is best suited to its own strengths and characteristics. Applicant institutions need not propose a program that encompasses all types of students, i.e., undergraduate, graduate, and health professional students, but specific types of students should not be excluded without careful consideration and justification. The goal is to identify a cadre of minority students with the potential to pursue careers in biomedical and biobehavioral research in the areas of heart, lung, blood diseases, transfusion medicine, and sleep disorders, and provide the students with a research training experience that may stimulate interest in pursuing a research career. If the proposed area of research is not obviously related to the areas indicated, the principal investigator should explain the benefits of training students in areas not within the mission of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The training program director and participating faculty should have a demonstrated record of success in conducting research and in working with research trainees. Each application should describe a plan for widely advertising the program to ensure active competition for appointments. Special attention should be given to the recruitment of individuals from minority groups that now are underrepresented nationally in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, i.e., Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders. The strategy for recruitment is left to the discretion of the applicant institution. The overall training is not restricted to activities in a single discipline or department but should be centered on research activities in the areas of cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic diseases, and sleep disorders. The choice of participating training sites and mentors should be carefully described, to show that the institution's best environments and role models have been selected. It is expected that students will be assigned to the institution's strongest research and training programs, which may involve basic or clinical research or a combination of both. For those training programs that include undergraduate students, emphasis should be on providing an interesting, informative, inspiring, and stimulating research experience with close supervision in a nurturing environment. At the end of the research experience, the undergraduate students may be required to write a paper or present a poster of their research endeavors. More rigorous intellectual endeavors, such as research presentations, should be carefully considered, depending on the enthusiasm and talent of the individual trainee. Each institution will be expected to encourage among the trainees a sense of belonging to a community of scientists. Among the methods that may be used is providing a special seminar series, addressing such topics as research methodology, instrumentation, experimental design, grantsmanship, research ethics, scientific publications, etc. A plan for evaluating the impact of the program on the institution and the trainee is required. Grants will be awarded to support no fewer than 4, and not more than 24 trainees per budget period, based on a full-time three month appointment. A trainee may be appointed for a minimum of two months and a maximum of three months during a budget period; however, institutions are encouraged to appoint a trainee for more than one budget period, e.g., two or more successive summer research experiences. A student may be appointed, in special circumstances, to more than one 3-month period during a budget period, provided prior approval is obtained from the staff of the NHLBI. All research training must be full-time during the specific training sequence. It is expected that most programs will be designed to provide a summer research experience but other innovative program designs and time schedules will be considered. Authority: Under authority of Section 487 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 288), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute awards National Research Service Award (NRSA) Short-Term Training Students in Health Professional Schools (STSHPS) institutional grants. These grants, by supporting short-term research training experiences of two to three consecutive months, expose talented students in health professional schools to the opportunities inherent in a research career. The Short-Term Training for Minority Students program is based on the STSHPS program and is designed to help ameliorate the shortage of minority biomedical and biobehavioral investigators in the areas of heart, lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders by attracting minority students in their developmental stages, increasing their awareness of heart, blood vessel, lung, blood diseases, transfusion medicine, and sleep disorders and acquainting them with career opportunities in biomedical and behavioral research. 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 Program Director, 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 Submit applications on Form PHS-398 (Rev. 5/95), Application for Public Health Service Grant, using the Institutional National Research Service Award substitution pages NN-PP. This form is available at the applicant institution's office of sponsored research. An application may also be obtained from the NIH Office of Extramural Research (301-710-0267; E-mail: asknih@odrockm1.od.nih.gov). When submitting the application, identify the NHLBI Short-Term Training for NHLBI Minority Students Program, on the face page in item 1, and the RFA number HL-97-008 in item 2. Special supplemental instructions for preparing the application are included in the full program guidelines. Applicants must contact the appropriate individual listed under the inquiries section for a copy of these guidelines prior to preparation of the application. Send the completed application and four (4) signed exact photocopies by the announced receipt date (August 25, 1997) 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 be sent to: Dr. C. James Scheirer Chief, Review Branch NHLBI Research Training Review Special Emphasis Panel Division of Extramural Affairs, NHLBI 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7924 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7924 Telephone: (301) 435-0288 FAX: (301) 480-3541 REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS All applications responding to this announcement 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: Design of the proposed training program; Qualifications, dedication, and previous training record of the program director and participating faculty; Adequacy of facilities, environment, grant support, and other resources for the proposed research training; Feasibility of proposed methods of recruiting, selecting and assigning minority students; Commitment of the institution and participating faculty to the objectives of the training program; Procedures for evaluation of the effectiveness of the program and the impact of the program on the students involved and its impact on the institution; and Plans for tracking students. PROVISIONS OF THE AWARD Period of Support Institutions applying for a new or a competitive renewal Short-Term Training for Minority Students grant may request up to five years of support. The earliest start date is May 1. Trainee Expenses The stipend level for trainees is $958 per month. Stipends may be supplemented by an institution from non-Federal funds. No Federal funds may be used for stipend supplementation unless specifically authorized under the terms of the program from which the supplemental funds are derived. Under no circumstances may the conditions of stipend supplementation detract from or prolong the training. Trainee Related Expenses Up to $125 per month for each participating student may be requested to defray other costs of training, such as staff salaries, consultant costs, research supplies, etc. Trainee tuition and fees, where necessary to the research training, must be covered by the Training Related Expenses. Trainee Travel Expenses Up to $500 per year per trainee may be requested to cover domestic trainee travel to and from the training site. In addition, up to $250 per month per trainee may be requested to cover housing costs for trainees. Facilities and Administrative (Indirect) Costs Facilities and administrative (indirect) costs for short-term training grants will be reimbursed at 8 percent of total allowable direct costs. Trainee Reporting Requirements A Statement of Appointment form (PHS 2271, rev.1/95) must be submitted at the start of each trainee appointment and reappointment. Individuals supported under this program are not required to sign an NRSA Payback Agreement or submit an NRSA Termination Notice. Applicants for competitive renewal applications will be required to provide information concerning past trainees in the program, the accomplishments of the program, trainee publications, and whether students supported by the program have pursued research careers. Other Terms and Conditions Except as modified by this announcement, the terms and conditions in the National Research Service Awards, Guidelines for Individual Awards - Institutional Grants (January 6,1984), as amended, will be applicable to grants made under this program. 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. Applicants must contact the appropriate individual listed below for a copy of these guidelines prior to preparation of the application. Michael Commarato, Ph.D. or Beth Schucker, M.A. Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7940 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7940 Telephone: (301) 435-0530 FAX: (301) 480-1454 Internet Address: 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, Maryland 20892-7952 Telephone: (301) 435-0222 FAX: (301) 480-3557 Internet Address: mary_reilly@nih.gov or ann_rothgeb@nih.gov Joyce Creamer, MBA or Bette Houston Division of Blood Diseases and Resources National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7950 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7950 Telephone: (301) 435-0064 FAX: (301) 480- 0146 Internet Address: joyce_creamer@nih.gov or bette_houston@nih.gov Thomas Blaszkowski, Ph.D. Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7838 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7838 Telephone: (301) 435-0433 FAX: (301) 480-1455 Internet Address: thomas_blaszkowski@nih.gov James P. Key, Ph.D. National Center for Sleep Disorders Research National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive MSC 7920 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7920 Telephone: (301) 435-0199 FAX: (301) 480-3451 Internet Address: james_kiley@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: 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 Telephone: (301) 435-0177 FAX: (301) 480-3310 Internet Address: william_darby@nih.gov Raymond L. Zimmerman Grants Operations Branch, Lung Section National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7926 Bethesda, MD 20892-7926 Telephone: (301) 435-0171 FAX: (301) 480-3310 Internet Address: raymond_zimmerm@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 Telephone: (301) 435-0166 FAX: (301) 480-3310 Internet Address: jane_davis@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS 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 102-277, 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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