Notice of Availability of Administrative Supplements for the U.S.-JAPAN Brain Research Cooperative Program U.S. Component

Notice Number: NOT-NS-10-014

Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:

Key Dates
Release Date: May 14, 2010
Receipt Date: September 15, 2010, 2011, 2012
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: February 1, 2011

Issued by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)
National Cancer Institute (NCI) (http://www.nci.nih.gov)
National Eye Institute (NEI) (http://www.nei.nih.gov)
National Institute on Aging (NIA) (http://www.nia.nih.gov)
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) (http://www.nibib.nih.gov)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) (http://www.nichd.nih.gov)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (http://www.nida.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), (http://www.niehs.nih.gov)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/)

Purpose

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the continuation of the United States (U.S.) component of the U.S.-Japan Brain Research Cooperative Program (BRCP). This administrative supplement program will provide funds to research projects supported by the participating NIH Institutes.
The purpose of the BRCP is to promote scientist exchange, training, and research collaborations between neuroscientists from the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. component of the BRCP supports the following activities: 1) Visit of U.S. scientists to conduct collaborative research and/or to acquire advanced research skills in Japanese institutions, 2) Joint workshops to exchange scientific information and to foster collaborations.

Background

An agreement on Cooperation in Research and Development in Science and Technology was signed by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Japan on May 1, 1980 and has subsequently been renewed and extended. Under the umbrella of this Agreement, the NINDS and the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki National Research Institutes, Japan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Brain Research Cooperative Program on November 29, 2000. Since its inception in 2002, the U.S. component of the BRCP has successfully supported U.S. neuroscientists collaborative activities at Japanese institutions and international workshops in the neurosciences. The Japanese component of the BRCP has been active since 2001. Details of the Japanese component of the program are available at http://www.nips.ac.jp/jusnou/english/.
Within the funding guidelines of the BRCP program, each country supports its own scientists who participate in the aforementioned activities.

Areas of research interests of the participating NIH Institutes

  • The NINDS supports basic, translational and clinical research to understand the structure and function of the nervous system and mechanisms underlying neurological disorders and stroke.
  • The NCI leads a national effort to improve the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors. An active program of both early translational research and later phase clinical trials via specialized trial networks is currently on-going. The institute also supports basic science and correlative science efforts in CNS tumors.
  • The NEI supports basic, translational and clinical research with respect to blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, preservation of sight, mechanisms of normal visual function, and the special health problems and requirements of individuals with impaired vision. The NEI also supports the development of new technologies, strategies, and research tools that can be applied to basic and translational research which will benefit vision health.
  • The NIA supports a broad spectrum of research and training aimed at a better understanding of age-related normal and pathological changes in the structure and function of the nervous system and how such changes affect behavior. This mission includes basic and clinical studies of the nervous system, clinical trials of interventions of therapeutic modalities, and epidemiological research to identify risk factors and to establish prevalence and incidence estimates of pathologic conditions.
  • The mission of NIBIB is to improve human health by leading the development and accelerating the application of biomedical technologies. The NIBIB encourages submission of proposals that support the development of bioengineering and biomedical imaging technologies.
  • The NICHD supports basic, clinical and behavioral research in the neurosciences, particularly as the research relates to normal and abnormal nervous system development, reproduction, promotion of healthy development as prevention of disability, and improving through rehabilitation the health, function, and quality of life of persons with chronic physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
  • The NIDA supports basic, clinical, and applied research on the causes, consequences, prevention and treatment of drug abuse and addiction.
  • The NIDCD encourages collaborative basic and clinical biomedical and bio-behavioral research in the communication sciences of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language.
  • The NIDCR supports research on molecular mechanisms regulating normal craniofacial development; genetic and environmental influences on abnormal craniofacial disorders; and the etiology and pathophysiology of chronic pain in orofacial tissues with a focus on the temporomandibular joint.
  • The NIEHS supports basic mechanistic and human based studies on the interplay of environmental neurotoxicant exposure in neuronal dysfunction across the life span. This includes the influence of prenatal exposure on both childhood and adult dysfunction/disease as well as adult exposures on the aging brain.
  • The NIMH supports an integrated program of basic and clinical research in biology, neuroscience, epidemiology, behavioral sciences as well as services research aimed at developing and assessing new approaches to diagnose, prevent and treat mental illness.

Eligibility

The current announcement is for supplements to Research Project (R01, R37, R21), Program Project (P01), Center (P50), and Cooperative Agreement (U01, U54) grants funded by the participating NIH Institutes.
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.

Activities Supported

Travel Fund

  • The Travel Fund provides support for the travel and lodging expenses of the U.S. scientist’s visit to Japan.
  • The total direct cost of each Travel Fund request may not exceed $15,000. Up to $2,500 may be used for research supplies. Funds from the BRCP may not be used as salary support to the principal investigator (PI), co-investigators, or collaborators.
  • The visit to the Japanese institution may be performed by the PI, co-investigator, postdoctoral fellow or students who work on the collaborative project. Support from the Travel Fund can be used for one or multiple trips. Travel costs should not exceed the U.S. Government Foreign Per Diem Rate for Japan (http://www.state.gov/m/a/als/prdm/).
  • The duration of the supplement is one year. The supplement may be carried over into the next fiscal year, with prior approval from NIH program staff.

Workshop Fund

  • The Workshop Fund provides partial support for joint workshops. The total direct cost of each Workshop Fund request may not exceed $35,000. The support of travel and lodging expenses should not exceed the U.S. Government Per Diem Rates. No honorarium is allowed. Applicants are encouraged to obtain additional support from other sources.
  • Each component (U.S. or Japan) of the BRCP will support the travel and lodging expenses of the joint-workshop participants from their own country. Applicants are encouraged to use the Workshop Fund to compensate the travel and lodging for women and underrepresented minority investigators, junior investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students.
  • If the joint workshop is to be held in Japan, the Japanese component of the BRCP will support the logistical meeting expenses. If the joint workshop is to be held in the U.S., the U.S. component of the BRCP will support the logistical meeting expenses.

Submitting an Administrative Supplement Request

To be considered for an administrative supplement, submit a request to the NINDS (see How to Apply section below), 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 under this notice should use the PHS 398 forms (rev. 6/2009; available at http://grants.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 (rev. 6/2009) instructions.

1) Cover Letter - Citing this Notice (NOT-NS-10-014), and the following information:

  • Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) name
  • Parent grant number and title
  • Amount of the requested supplement
  • Name and title of the institutional official, and
  • Phone, email, and address information for both the PD/PI and institutional official
  • Name of the program official and the NIH Institute who has agreed to accept the application

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

2) PHS 398 Form Page 1 (Face page) MS Word PDF

  • The title of the project (Box 1) should be the title of the parent award.
  • This Notice (number and title) should be cited in Box 2, and the yes box should be checked.
  • The Principal Investigator (PI) must be the same as the PI on the parent award. For Multiple PI parent awards, the Contact PI must be the PI listed on the supplement request, and the supplement cannot change the Multiple PI team.
  • The remaining items on the face page should be filled out in accordance with the PHS 398 application instructions.

3) PHS 398 Form Page 2 MS Word PDF

Note: The project summary is that of the administrative supplement, not the parent grant. The Japanese collaborator(s) should be noted under Performance Sites, along with their institution(s).

4) A brief proposal describing the project, including:

a) A 1-page introduction.

b) Scope of the overall project and the anticipated contribution of the requested supplement (not to exceed five pages). Provide a brief description of the scope of the overall project on which the supplemental request is based.

This section should include a description of the supplement's specific aims, including research design, methods and data analysis. Describe the relationship of the supplement request to the parent grant.

c) Budget for the supplement with a justification that details the items requested, including Facilities and Administrative costs, personnel costs, supplies, travel and other expenses. Applicants must submit a budget using the same budget format as was used for the parent award. Any no-cost extension must be in place before submission of the revision application.

d) Biographical Sketch for all new key personnel (those who are additions on the supplemental project) MS Word PDF . Letters of commitment from all participants should be included in section L (Consultants) of the Research Plan.

e) Resources page(s) for all key personnel

f) Current grant support (citing the participating NIH Institute)

g) Human Subjects/ Vertebrate Animal documentation (if applicable). Include a current Human Subjects/IRB or Vertebrate Animals/IACUC approval letter, if available. Otherwise, this will be required at the time of funding. All appropriate IRB and IACUC approvals must be in place prior to a supplement award being made.

Any differences in the involvement or use of human subjects or specimens, or use of vertebrate animals, between the administrative supplement activity and the parent grant should be noted. When appropriate, details should be provided on the protection of human subjects and inclusion of women, children, and minorities. Additional guidance on Human Subjects Research and Vertebrate Animals is provided under Part II of the PHS 398 instructions (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html).

h) Bibliography and References Cited (Section 5 of the PHS 398 Research Plan) should be included.

i) PHS 398 Checklist Form MS Word PDF

Research Collaborations

In addition to the items outlined in the Submitting an Administrative Supplement Request section above, applications for research collaboration/training must also include a Research/Training Plan for the project (not to exceed five pages). Font size restrictions apply as designated within the PHS398 (rev. 6/2009) instructions.

Research Plans must include:

  • Description of the goals of the collaborative research/training and how the research/training will enhance the research of the NIH-supported parent grant
  • Background and significance of the proposed research/training and relevance to the goals of the BRCP and the mission of the participating NIH Institutes
  • The unique opportunities offered by this collaboration/training, and the reciprocal (U.S. and Japan) component of the project should be clearly delineated
  • Research design and methods
  • Description of the qualifications of the Japanese host and the research environment of the host institution
  • A letter of invitation from the Japanese host

Joint Workshops

Joint workshop applications should be developed collaboratively by both the U.S. and Japanese organizers. In addition to the items outlined in the Submitting an Administrative Supplement Request section above, U.S. applications for Joint Workshops must also include a workshop plan. Font size restrictions apply as designated within the PHS398 (rev. 6/2009) instructions.

Workshop Plans must include:

  • Importance of the proposed workshop to investigators in the field and the larger neuroscience community
  • Relevance of the workshop to the goals of the BRCP and the mission of the participating NIH Institutes
  • Background and anticipated outcomes
  • Content: topics, sessions, list of invited participants and a tentative agenda
  • Plans to foster potential collaborations between U.S. and Japanese participants
  • Plans to include the participation of junior investigators, women and underrepresented minorities (if not within the scope of the meeting, explain why)
  • The proposed workshop location and duration
  • Organizing committee (if applicable)
  • Plans to disseminate information generated from the proposed workshop to the larger neuroscience community

Reporting

Within one month of the completion of all collaborative research/training efforts and workshops, U.S. supported investigators are required to submit a final report to the NIH, detailing the following information:

  • Project objectives
  • Significance
  • Results/findings including a list of publications, presentations, dissemination material or research grant applications resulting from the collaboration/training or workshop
  • Outcome of collaboration/training or workshop and how it benefits the NIH supported research
  • Plans for continued collaboration with the Japanese investigator(s)

Selection Factors

Administrative supplement requests will be reviewed administratively by the joint U.S.-Japan BRCP Review Committee and Grants Management Staff. Awards will be determined on the selection factors listed below and the availability of funds. All funding decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Selection factors will include the following:

  • Relevance of the proposed activities to the parent grant
  • Adequate progress of the parent grant appropriate to the current stage of the project
  • Appropriate and well-described plan to accomplish the goals within the timeframe proposed
  • Expertise of the research team proposed to conduct and achieve the goals the supplemental study.
  • Significance of the collaboration/training or workshop
  • Qualifications of the U.S. applicant and Japanese host
  • Environment of the Japanese host institution
  • Relevance of the proposed work to the goals of the BRCP and to the mission of the participating NIH Institutes

How to Apply

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the respective Program Official listed in this Notice prior to the submission of an administrative supplement application.

This is a reoccurring announcement. Applications must be received on or before September 15th of each participating year. Do not send applications to the NIH Center for Scientific Review.


Submit one original, hard copy of the request packet (with original signatures of the authorized business official) to the address listed below. Applications may also be submitted electronically as an e-mail attachment in PDF format with clearly visible signatures from the PD/PI and Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

Stacey D. Chambers, M.S.
Office of International Activities
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Neuroscience Center, Room 2179
6001 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20852-9523
Phone: 301-496-0690
FAX: 301-480-1080
Email: chambers@ninds.nih.gov

Inquiries

Inquiries and discussion of plans for responding to this Notice are strongly encouraged. When contacting Program Staff, applicants should be prepared to discuss the purpose, significance and necessity of their visit to Japan and how the collaborative arrangement will benefit their NIH-supported research. The names and contact information of the Program Staff representing the participating NIH Institutes are listed below:

Yuan Liu, Ph.D.
Chief, Office of International Activities
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Blvd. NSC Room 2187
Bethesda, MD 20892-9523 (USPS)
Rockville, MD 20852 (Courier)
Phone: 301-496-0012
FAX: 301-480-2060
Email: liuyuan@ninds.nih.gov

William C. Timmer, Ph.D.
Program Director
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
Division of Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, EPN Room 7009, MSC 7432
Bethesda, MD 20892-7432
Phone: 301-496-8866
FAX: 301-480-4663
Email: william.timmer@nih.gov

Jerome R. Wujek, Ph.D.
Research Resources Officer
Division of Extramural Research
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health
Suite 1300
5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9300
Bethesda, MD 20892-9300
Phone: 301-451-2020
FAX: 301-402-0528
Email: wujekjer@nei.nih.gov

Wen G. Chen, Ph.D.
Program Director
Sensory and Motor Disorders of Aging
Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience Branch
Division of Neuroscience
National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS
7201 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Phone: 301-496-9350
FAX: 301-496-1494
Email: chenw@nia.nih.gov

John W. Haller, PhD
Liaison for International Activities
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20892-5649
Phone: 301-451-4780
FAX: 301-480-1614
Email: hallerj@mail.nih.gov

Nancy L. Shinowara, PhD
Program Director, Spinal Cord and Musculoskeletal Disorders and Assistive Devices
National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Blvd. Room 2A03 MSC7510
Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 (for courier delivery use: Rockville, MD 20852)
Phone: 301-402-2242
FAX: 301-402-0832
Email: shinowan@mail.nih.gov

Christine Colvis, Ph.D.
Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Blvd, Room 4282
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-435-1323
FAX: 301-594-6043
Email: cc303v@nih.gov

Barry Davis, Ph.D.
Division of Scientific Programs
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
6120 Executive Boulevard, EPS Room 400C, MSC-7180
Bethesda, MD 20892-7180
Phone: 301-402-3464
FAX: 301-402-6251
Email: Davisb1@nidcd.nih.gov

Annette Kirshner, PhD
Program Administrator
Cells and Organ Systems Pathobiology Branch
Division of Extramural Research and Training
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Box 12233 KE 3020 MD K3-15
Research Triangle Park, NC 27713
Phone: 919-541-0488
FAX: 919-541-0462
Email: kirshner@niehs.nih.gov

Margaret Grabb, Ph.D.
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd., Room 7201
Mail Stop Code 9645
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301- 443-3563
FAX: 301-443-1731
Email: mgrabb@mail.nih.gov