Full Text HL-97-009
 
NHLBI MINORITY INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 14, May 2, 1997
 
RFA:  HL-97-009
 
P.T. 44, K.W. 0720005, 0715032, 0715040, 0715165, 0715187


Keywords: 

 
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  July 1, 1997
Application Receipt Date:  August 25, 1997
 
PURPOSE
 
This National Research Service Award Program (NRSA) is intended to
train graduate students, health professional students, and
postdoctoral students in minority schools that have the potential to
develop a meritorious program in cardiovascular, pulmonary, or
hematological diseases, and/or sleep disorders for research careers
in these areas.  Graduate students, health professional students, and
postdoctoral students in minority schools need further opportunities
to develop biomedical and behavioral research skills.  The Minority
Institutional National Research Training Program is designed to
attract students in their developmental stages and to increase their
awareness of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases, and
sleep disorders, and to encourage them to pursue research career
opportunities.
 
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 Institutional Research Training 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 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
 
The Institution must be a domestic medical or non-medical college,
university or equivalent school in which students from
underrepresented minority groups including Blacks, Hispanics,
American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders comprise a
majority or a significant proportion of the school enrollment. It
must have ongoing staff and facilities required for the proposed
program. The program director at the minority school will be
responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees and the
overall direction of the training program.
 
Trainees
 
The individual to be trained must be a citizen of the United States,
a non-citizen national, or have been lawfully admitted to the United
States for permanent residence at the time of appointment for
training, and have a baccalaureate degree.  Trainees must be enrolled
at the post-baccalaureate level (i.e., predoctoral level) in a
relevant doctoral program in biomedical or behavioral sciences or the
must be enrolled in a minority health professional school, or have a
doctoral degree or equivalent in a biomedical or behavioral science.
The Minority Institutional Research Training Program may not support
studies leading to a health professional degree.  Research trainees
who have or are pursuing clinical degrees are expected to devote
their time to research training and to confine clinical duties to
those which are a part of the research training.
 
Research Center
 
The minority institution must identify and collaborate with a
research center (medical school or comparable institution) that has
strong, well-established cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, or
sleep disorders research and research training programs. Cooperation
between institutions is needed to provide each trainee with a mentor
who is recognized as an accomplished investigator in cardiovascular,
pulmonary, hematologic or sleep disorders research and who will
assist the advisor at the minority institution in the trainee's
development and research plan.  Plans for summer training as well as
academic year training should be developed by the student and advisor
at the trainee's home institution in collaboration with the mentor at
the research center.  It is expected that both advisor and mentor
will guide the trainee through the initial training period and
continue this interaction throughout the award.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
The RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Institutional National Research Service Award (NRSA) grant (T32)
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.  Indirect
costs will be awarded based on eight percent of total direct costs
exclusive of equipment, tuition, and fees.  The anticipated award
date is May 1, 1998.
 
The Minority Institutional Research Training program may support
predoctoral students, postdoctoral trainees, and short-term trainees
in health professional schools.  Stipend levels for predoctoral and
short-term trainees are $11,496 per year and stipend levels for
postdoctoral trainees range from $20,292-$32,300 per year. Stipends
may be supplemented from non-Federal sources. Training related
expenses ($1,500 annually for predoctoral trainees and $2,500
annually for postdoctoral trainees), tuition and fees, and travel
expenses ($800 per year) may also be requested for trainees, although
the levels may vary depending on the type of training to be
supported.
 
The trainees may be appointed to the training program for 9-12 months
periods (for short-term trainees, the period of appointment may be of
two to three months duration) at any time during the course of the
ear after acceptance as a full-time student.  A strong interest in a
cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, or sleep disorders research
career must be evident.  Trainees are encouraged to be appointed to
the training for at least two years, in order to obtain adequate
training.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
Background
 
Many studies have emphasized the need for minority individuals to
participate in modern research activities to develop their
investigative talents.  There are existing programs at the National
Institutes of Health that are designed to answer this need, such as
the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program, the Minority Access
to Research Careers Program, and the Minority Research Supplement
Program.  Even though these programs are successful in meeting their
specific objectives and career development goals, graduate students,
health professional students, and individuals in postdoctoral
training in minority schools need further opportunities to develop
biomedical and behavioral research skills.
 
The Minority Institutional Research Training Program is designed to
offer research training grant awards in cardiovascular, pulmonary,
hematologic, and sleep disorders research to minority schools to
enable qualified graduate students, health professional students, and
individuals in postdoctoral training to participate in research
programs.  It is expected to attract students in their developmental
stages, increase their awareness of these diseases, and to encourage
them to pursue career opportunities in research related to the
mission of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
 
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.  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.
 
Implementation
 
Minority institutions will compete for Institutional National
Research Service Awards (NRSA) of up to five years' duration.  Funds
will be provided on an annual basis to develop and maintain a stable
research training experience for qualified students.  Awards
recommended for the continuation years will be made contingent upon
satisfactory progress during the preceding year, upon the
availability of funds, and the requisite level authorization for
continued support of training activities.  Successful applicants may
compete for a second award of up to five years' duration upon
completion of the initial grant period.
 
The minority institution will identify and complete arrangements with
an established cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, or sleep
disorders research center(s) before submitting an application.
Predoctoral trainees appointed to the grant may receive support for
up to five years.  Postdoctoral trainees appointed to the grant may
receive support for up to three years.
 
The trainee and his or her faculty advisor at the minority
institution will jointly select a faculty mentor at the research
center.  A written commitment to the training plan signed by the
intended faculty mentors at the research center, the department(s)
involved and countersigned by both institutional officials, must be
part of the application.
 
Students may spend not more than 50% time at the research training
center over the course of the year, including a period of intensive
research training during the summer.  Students are expected to pursue
their research training on a full-time basis devoting no less than 40
hours per week as specified by the sponsoring institution in
accordance with its own policies.  Students are expected to meet the
degree requirements at their institution.
 
Because the research training environment provides a powerful context
in which to promote responsible research practices, all competing
Institutional NRSA research training grant applications must include
a description of formal or informal activities or instruction related
to the responsible conduct of research that will be incorporated into
the proposed research training program.
 
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) using substitute
pages for the Institutional National Research Service Award.  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, (301-435-0174, E-mail to
asknih@odrockm1.od.nih.gov).  When submitting the application,
identify the NHLBI Minority Institutional Research Training Program
on the face page.
 
Special supplemental instructions for preparing the application are
included in the full program guidelines.  Applicants must contact the
appropriate individual listed under the Program information section
for a copy of these guidelines prior to preparation of the
application.
 
Send the completed application and four (4) signed exact photocopies
by 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
Internet Address: james_scheirer@nih.gov
 
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:
 
Adequacy of faculty, facilities, and resources for the proposed
research training, both at the minority institution and the
established research center;
 
Adequacy of the cooperative arrangements between the minority
institution and the established research center;
 
Commitment of the relevant faculty and the two institutions to the
goals of the training program; and
 
Procedures for evaluation of the impact of the program on the
trainees involved.
 
PROVISIONS OF THE AWARD
 
The trainees may be appointed for 9-12 months at any time during the
course of the budget period.  Students must have been accepted on a
full-time basis.  A strong interest in a cardiovascular, pulmonary,
hematologic, or sleep disorders research career must be evident.
Short-term training positions for health professional students are
allowed under this program.
 
Funds may be requested for:
 
Stipends - The current stipend level for graduate and health
professional student trainees at all levels of experience is $11,496
per year. Current stipend levels for postdoctoral trainees range from
$20,292 - $32,300 per year, depending on experience.
 
Tuition, Fees,  and Medical Insurance (individual coverage) when
regularly charged to all students regardless of their source of
support, are allowable trainee costs.  Please refer to Detailed
Budget under Supplemental Instructions for additional information.
 
Trainee Travel Costs - The institution may request funds to cover the
costs of trainee travel including attendance at scientific meetings
that are necessary to the individual's training.  The maximum
allowable per student per year is $800.  Funds for commuting expenses
that are clearly in excess of those incurred during the usual home to
work travel of the trainee may also be requested.
 
Training-Related Expenses - Funds are provided to partially defray
the cost of training such as staff salaries, equipment, research
supplies, staff travel, and other expenses.  The current level of
training related expenses is $1,500 per annum per full-time graduate
student trainee or health professional student trainee, and $2,500
per annum for postdoctoral trainees.
 
Facilities and Administrative (Indirect) Costs - The Notice of Grant
Award will provide facilities and administrative (indirect) costs
based on 8% of total direct costs, exclusive of equipment, and
tuition and fees.
 
Payback Agreement - The NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 substantially
modified the service payback requirement for individuals supported by
the NRSA program.  Beginning with new appointments and reappointments
made on or after June 10, 1993, the following new guidelines will
apply:
 
Predoctoral trainees will not be required to sign the Payback
Agreement Form (PHS Form 6031) and will not incur a service payback
obligation.
 
All postdoctoral trainees must sign an agreement to fulfill the NRSA
payback requirements when they are appointed initially to a training
grant or receive an individual fellowship.  Postdoctoral trainees in
the first twelve months of postdoctoral NRSA support must sign the
payback agreement form and will incur one month of payback obligation
for each month of support.  Postdoctoral trainees in the thirteenth
and subsequent months of NRSA support will not sign the Payback
Agreement Form and will incur no obligation for that support.  The
thirteenth and subsequent months of postdoctoral NRSA support will be
considered acceptable payback service for prior postdoctoral support.
Individuals who are appointed to their initial NRSA postdoctoral
period on or after June 10, 1993, and continue under that award for
two years will have fulfilled their first year obligation by the end
of the second year.  Service payback obligations can also be paid
back by engaging in health-related research and/or teaching that
averages more than 20 hours per week of a full year.
 
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) 480-1046
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
Internet Address: thomas_blaszkowski@nih.gov
 
James P. Kiley, Ph. D.
National Center for Sleep Disorders Research
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7920
Bethesda, MD 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, Maryland 20892-7926
Telephone: (301) 435-0171
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
Phone:  (301) 435-0166
Internet Address: 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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