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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