Administrative Supplements for Pilot Studies on Health Span Measurements in Mice

Notice Number: NOT-AG-09-006

Key Dates
Release Date:  July 28, 2009
Receipt Date: September 1, 2009
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 30, 2009

Issued by
National Institute on Aging (NIA), (http://www.nia.gov)

Purpose

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) announces the availability of funds ($520,000 paid over two Fiscal Years, 2009-2010) to support administrative supplements to the existing Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in Basic Biology of Aging for research on the development of assays and tests that measure parameters of health span during normal aging in mice.

The purpose of this program is to stimulate research to develop or validate batteries of assays and tests that can be used in mouse models for quantitative tracking of health span parameters (normal functioning) in mice which relate directly to aging in humans.  Of particular interest are assays that measure function in response to a challenge and/or assays that are non-invasive in nature and can be used longitudinally.  Examples of assays include, but are not limited to, response to novel vaccines or xenobiotics, assays of musculoskeletal function such as balance, grip strength or climbing ability, changes in bone strength or structure, measurements and responsiveness of metabolic, cardiovascular or respiratory functions in response to relevant challenges or stimuli.  Assays do not need to serve as biomarkers or be predictive of future health.

Background

Mouse models have contributed greatly to our understanding of the genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of normal aging in mammals, and serve as good models for many aspects of human aging.  Recent studies have highlighted the importance of health span in studies of aging, especially when investigating the effects of genetic manipulations and dietary or pharmacological interventions on aging of mouse models.  Historically, most emphasis has been placed on lifespan as the endpoint to determine the effects of such manipulations.  However, the field has matured to the point where more refined analyses are needed to more quantitatively ascertain health over the lifetime of mouse models. There is a need to develop pilot assays and to generate preliminary data for future full-scale studies in this topic. This Notice aims to accelerate the pace of pilot and preliminary research in this urgently needed area.       

Eligibility

The current announcement is for supplements to NIA-supported Centers currently funded under RFA-AG-04-010, Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in Basic Biology of Aging.

Rules: critical for Administrative Supplement

To be considered for an administrative supplement, submit a request electronically (via pdf attachment) or in writing to NIA, not to the Division of Receipt and Referral, Center for Scientific Review. The request must be signed by the authorized institutional official and describe the need for additional funding and the categorical costs.  Requests under this notice should use the PHS 398 forms (rev. 11/2007; available at: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html) and include the following elements in the request packet. Font size restrictions apply as designated within the PHS398 instructions.

1) Cover Letter - Citing this Notice, NOT-AG-09-006, and the following information:

The cover letter must be signed by the authorized organizational representative.

2) PHS 398 Form Page 1 (Face page) MS Word (81K), PDF (500K)

3) PHS 398 Form page 2 MS Word (107K), PDF (313K)

Note: The project “summary” is that of the administrative supplement, not the parent grant. All other information requested on Form Page 2 should be provided.

4) A brief proposal describing the project, including:

a) Scope of the overall project and the anticipated contribution of the requested supplement (not to exceed five pages). This section should include a description of the supplement's specific aims, including research design and methods and data analysis, as well as future plans on how full development of the assays and complete testing will be done.

b) Budget for the supplement with a justification that details the items requested, including Administrative costs and a justification for all personnel and their role(s) in this project. The budget should be appropriate for the work proposed in the supplement request. Applicants are encouraged to discuss budgets with their NIH Program Officer. All applications under this notice must include detailed budgets on the PHS 398 Form Pages 4 (MS Word (82K), PDF (294K)) and 5 (MS Word (75K), PDF (141K)). Modular budget pages will not be accepted.

c) Biographical Sketch for all new Senior/Key Personnel. There is no need to repeat information previously provided for other Senior/Key Personnel. MS Word PDF

d) Human Subjects/ Vertebrate Animal documentation (if applicable). Include a current Vertebrate Animals/IACUC approval letter, if available. Otherwise, this will be required at the time of funding. All appropriate IACUC approvals must be in place prior to a supplement award being made.
Any differences in the involvement or use of vertebrate animals, between the administrative supplement activity and the parent grant should be noted.

e) PHS 398 Checklist Form MS Word (37K), PDF (416K)
This paragraph must be included in all Administrative supplements:
IMPORTANT:  The research proposed by the NIH grantee in the supplement application must be within the original scope of the NIH-supported grant project.  The funding mechanism being used to support this program, administrative supplements, can be used to cover cost increases that are associated with achieving certain new research objectives as long as they are within the original scope of the project.  Any cost increases need to result from making modifications to the project in order to take advantage of opportunities that would increase the value of the project consistent with its originally approved objectives and purposes.

Submitting an Administrative Supplement Request

To be considered for an administrative supplement, requests should be sent directly to Dr. Felipe Sierra (Sierraf@nia.nih.gov) at the National Institute on Aging, not to the Division of Receipt and Referral, Center for Scientific Review. The request must be signed by the authorized Business Official and describe the need for additional funding and the categorical costs. Requests should also be sent to Ms. Pamela Adewunmi (see address below).

Selection Factors

Administrative supplement requests will be reviewed administratively by NIA Program and Grants Management Staff. Selection factors will include the following:

Budget and Funding Information

Total funds of $520,000, payable over FY2009-2010, will be available for 2-3 administrative supplements to existing Centers.  Administrative supplement requests are limited to $150,000 total direct costs and the time frame of the proposed work should not exceed the active lifetime left in the parent grant. It is anticipated that supplemental funding will begin in September 2009.

How to Apply

This is a one-time announcement.  Applications must be received on or before September 1, 2009. 
Submit one original, hard copy of the request packet (with original signatures of the authorized business official) to the NIA address listed below:

Grants Management Contact:

Pamela Adewunmi
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health
7201 Wisconsin Ave., Room 2N212
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Phone: (301) 496-1472
Fax: (301) 402-3672
EXPRESS/COURIER zip code:   20814
Email: Pamela.Adewunmi@nih.gov

Do not send applications to the NIH Center for Scientific Review. 

In addition, applicants are encouraged to send an electronic copy of the submitted supplement request as an e-mail attachment in PDF format to the program and grants management contacts listed below under “Inquiries.”

Inquiries

Inquiries and discussion of plans for responding to this Notice are strongly encouraged. Please direct inquiries or discussions, as needed, to one of the following:

Program Contact:
Felipe Sierra, Ph.D.
National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health
7201 Wisconsin Ave., Room 2C231
Bethesda, MD 20892
EXPRESS/COURIER zip code:  20814
Phone: (301) 496-6402
Fax: (301) 402-0010
Email: sierraf@nia.nih.gov    


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