Notice of Availability of Administrative Supplements for the Initiative on Research and Innovation Management (iRIM)

Notice Number: NOT-TW-11-025

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

• October 13, 2011 - See Notice NOT-TW-12-002. Extension of Receipt Date.

Release Date: August 5, 2011
Receipt Date: (Extended to October 28, 2011 per NOT-TW-12-002), Originally October 14, 2011
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: December, 2011

Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

The Fogarty International Center (FIC) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) are issuing this Notice of funding availability for the Initiative on Research and Innovation Management (iRIM). iRIM will provide administrative supplements to meritorious applications from institutions participating in the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) network and the International Extramural Associates Research Development Awards (IEARDA). This Notice invites applications for 1-year supplemental funding to current MEPI and IEARDA grants to foster, stimulate, or expand research administration capacity and training. Highest priority will be given to collaborative capacity building and research administration training projects.

The goal of iRIM is twofold: (1) to provide African institutions with research management training experience the opportunity to develop and host innovative research administration training modules to train and develop a career path in research management for neighboring and regional academic institutions; and (2) allow African institutions with limited research administration capacity to obtain the infrastructure necessary to develop and/or strengthen a centralized institutional research and innovation management office which can serve as a resource to other institutions as part of a network of research management offices. Partnerships with African, U.S., or other institutions and organizations with research management and training experience is required.

Background

The Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 also known as the President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has set a goal to support treatment for 3 million people, prevent more than 12 million new infections, and care for more than 12 million people - including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children.

The objective of the PEPFAR initiative is to provide the resources to organizations with excellent HIV care and treatment programs to rapidly expand ART for HIV-infected persons in a manner that is consistent with national plans and policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Caribbean, as well as for countries in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and other countries and areas. An additional intent is to develop sustainable local partner capacity to continue these programs and improve health outcomes. An environment that values and nurtures research contributes to this objective by paving the way for important discoveries that will improve health and save lives.

Building a sustainable research environment in research institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is crucial to the evolution and maintenance of strong research programs in those countries. The development of comprehensive research and innovation management offices (in the U.S. known as Offices of Sponsored Programs ), in LMIC institutions builds a critical part of the sustainable research environment by enhancing the ability of the institution to recruit and retain researchers and garner important research infrastructure and funding. While scientific capacity in LMICs has been strengthened over time through research and research training programs, little or no attention has been dedicated to research management, something almost every research institution in the developed world finds essential to sustain their research enterprise.

The Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) provides a unique opportunity to support research and innovation management programs (including building curriculum and career paths, providing training, and establishing and/or supporting research management offices) in LMIC institutions. Building upon the pre-existing MEPI network of more than 30 African institutions - which includes more established LMIC medical research institutions (which have some research management expertise and some MEPI funding to enhance that expertise) and collaborating LMIC institutions with varied research management capability or funding, provides the chance to create research and innovation management networks to facilitate building research management capacity in SSA.

The recipients of the International Extramural Associates Research Development (IEARDA) awards have gained the expertise and experience to help promote biomedical and behavioral research capacity through the strengthening of their key research administration staff and infrastructures. The IEARDA awards have prepared these grantees to address institutional and regional needs by producing a cadre of trained academic research administrators that can facilitate and/or develop the appropriate administrative infrastructures for the implementation of a rigorous sponsored research program. These grantees have received training and can provide resources and support to faculty, students, and staff in the application for and administrative oversight of research awards and, when appropriate, serve as regional resources.

The intent of iRIM is to use these existing programs to build expertise, infrastructure, and capacity in research administration. It is expected that the IEARDA grantees funded under this supplement, in collaboration with other partners who have expertise in this area, will share their research administration expertise with the MEPI network and other institutions in SSA by providing training and technical assistance to institutions who have or plan to develop centralized institutional research management and innovation offices. The MEPI institutions funded under iRIM will participate in and use this training to develop and/or strengthen a centralized institutional research management and innovation office in collaboration with other partners who have expertise in this area. It is expected that these institutions and offices will also become a resource to other institutions as part of a network of research management offices. Both programs will be used to support and develop a career path for administrators responsible for research administration in SSA.

Budget and Funding Information

Funding will be available in fiscal year 2012 for administrative supplements to currently funded IEARDA and MEPI grants. This initiative is supported by funds provided to the NIH and HRSA under the Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde United States Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, Public Law 110-293 (more commonly known as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)).

Supplement requests from IEARDA grantees applying for the Research Administration Training Module administrative supplements must not be for more than $50,000 in total costs for a funding period of one year. In addition, the budget format should be the same as that used for the parent grant.

Applications from MEPI grantees applying for Centralized Institutional Research Management and Innovation Office administrative supplements must not be for more than $500,000 in total costs for a funding period of one year. Requests which are limited to developing this capacity in a single institution should not exceed $300,000 in total for a funding period of one year. In addition, the budget format should be the same as that used for the parent grant.

It is the expectation that the work accomplished through these supplemental funds be led by host-country Principal Investigators and conducted with leadership from host-country researchers and institutions. The application should reflect a budget in which a minimum of 80% of the award dollars be spent in the foreign country.

This Notice is soliciting applications from currently funded IEARDA and MEPI institutions for administrative supplements to foster, stimulate, or expand research administration capacity and training. MEPI awards administered by both FIC and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) are eligible for these supplements.

To be eligible, the parent grant must be active, and the research proposed in the supplement must be accomplished within the competitive segment. The proposed supplement must be within the general scope of the peer-reviewed activities and aims approved within the parent grant.

IMPORTANT: The activity proposed by the IEARDA or MEPI grantee in the supplement application must be within the original scope of the NIH or HRSA-supported grant project. The funding mechanism being used to support this program 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 should be related to 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.

Research Administration Training Module Administrative Supplement Requests

Current IEARDA grantees in Africa may submit applications to develop and host innovative research administration training modules for short-term intense regional trainings as well as a longer residency program in collaboration with other partners. Applicants may consider partnering with other NIH grantees, regional research management associations, or other partners who can add value to the proposed innovative training. The training program is intended to prepare a new cadre of LMIC research administrators who can facilitate and/or develop the appropriate administrative infrastructures for the implementation of a centralized institutional research management and innovation office at their institution.

A letter of support must be provided by the authorized organizational official for each participating institution.

Centralized Institutional Research Management and Innovation Offices Administrative Supplement Requests

Current MEPI grantees and their consortium partners may submit applications for the centralized institutional research management and innovation office supplement. Applications must address the need for and how they will obtain the infrastructure necessary to develop and/or strengthen a centralized institutional research management and innovation office which can serve as a resource to other institutions as part of a network of research management offices. Applications must also address how research administrators at the new office will utilize the training provided through the research administration training modules. Partnerships with African, U.S., or other institutions and organizations with research management and training experience is required.

The applicant must also submit a letter of support from the authorized organizational official and the head research administrator or equivalent and Director of Finance or equivalent from all participating institutions. These are required to substantiate the institution’s commitment to the development or strengthening of a centralized institutional research management and innovation office.

To be considered for an administrative supplement, the request must be signed by the Authorized Organizational Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO), and must describe the need for additional funding and the categorical costs.

Submit one original, hard copy of the request packet (with original signatures of the authorized business official) to the address listed below:

Research Administration Training Module Administrative Supplement Requests

Bryan Clark
Grants Management Specialist
Office of Grants Management
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
6100 Executive Blvd, Room 8A01, MSC 7510
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: 301-435-6975
Email: clarkb1@mail.nih.gov

Centralized Institutional Research Management and Innovation Office Administrative Supplement Requests

Ms. Rhea Hubbard
Grants Management Specialist
Fogarty International Center
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room B2C29
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
Telephone: (301) 496-5710
FAX: (301) 594-1211 Email: rhea.hubbard@nih.gov

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 email listed above.

MEPI grantees managed by HRSA are required to also send an electronic copy to:

Ms. Christine K. Lim
Public Health Analyst
Global Program, HIV/AIDS Bureau
Health Resources and Services Administration
5600 Fishers Lane 7-34
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 594-4057
Email: clim1@hrsa.gov

Requests should be submitted on the PHS398 Application Guide forms (font size and other formatting rules apply as designated in the instructions), as indicated below. Include only the following elements:

Cover Letter which cites this Notice, 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.
• The cover letter must be signed by the authorized organizational representative/institutional official.

PHS 398 Form Page 1 (Face page)

• The title of the project should be the title of the parent award.
• This Notice 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.

PHS 398 Form Page 2

• Note: The project summary is that of the administrative supplement, not the parent grant.

PHS 398 Form Page 3 and 4 or SF424a (for grants managed by HRSA)

• These pages must be completed outlining the proposed budget and budget justification. Please include sufficient detail for all costs requested and use the PHS continuation format page, if additional pages are needed for the justification.
• Budget requests from MEPI grantees managed by HRSA must be completed on the SF424a and accompanied by a budget justification and detailed line-item budget.

A brief proposal describing the project, including:

• 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 and methods and data analysis. Describe the relationship of the supplement request to the parent grant.
• Biographical Sketch for all new key personnel (those who are additions on the supplemental project)
  • For the Centralized Research Management and Innovation Office requests, it is expected that new key personnel will include research administrators, financial administrators, and other staff and leadership necessary to establish, enhance, or strengthen the institution's research and innovation management office.
• 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.
• PHS 398 Checklist Form

Administrative supplement applications in response to this solicitation will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

• Outcome of administrative review by scientific staff of NIH and HRSA.
• Relevance of the proposed activities to the parent grant activities or geographic location.
• Scientific content for program balance.
• Relevance to the interests of partner organizations.
• Potential for sustainability of the project after this 1-year supplement.

Research Administration Training Module

This notice invites supplemental applications from IEARDA awardees in Africa to host regional training workshops that would provide didactic instruction around topics such as pre-award and post award processes, grants and financial management, and ethical compliance. It is anticipated that a total of three regional meetings will be supported (e.g. Western, Eastern, and Southern Sub-Sahara Africa) by this initiative. Each applicant should propose a comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated one week training module in one of the noted regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. The proposed one week training modules would take place in Africa with didactic training provided by both the IEARDA awardees and NICHD staff. NICHD will coordinate transportation scholarships for participants attending the iRIM training activities. Applicants may consider partnering with other NIH grantees, regional research management associations, or any other partner who adds value to the proposed innovative training module.

The Research Administration Training Module plan should include the following information about the week-long training institute:

• Duration and location (to include costs for venue and associated costs for participants lodging, etc);
• Agenda/curriculum;
• Content of sessions to be held, including names of invited speakers;
• Audience, including expected number;
• Methods to enhance attendance of neighboring institutions;
• Registration procedures;
• Content and extent of training evaluation;
• Timeline for planning, implementation, and evaluation; and
• Dissemination of training activities and outcomes.

Specific examples of training sessions should include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Pre Award Services (e.g. stimulating grant proposals, grant writing seminars, proposal submission including registrations and electronic submission, planning and management strategies)
• Post Award Services (e.g. regulatory compliance, program administration, evaluation, and financial management of grants)
• Ethical Compliance (e.g. ensuring human subjects protection)

In addition to developing a one-week training module in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is also anticipated that IEARDA grantees would develop, as part of their proposal, innovative modules, methods, and interactions that could be incorporated into a longer term residency training or career path development. This longer term training module will provide additional instruction in research administration in areas such as: framework for capacity building, effective grants management practices, resources for offices of sponsored programs, database management, mentoring techniques, evaluation basics for offices of sponsored programs, and may also include field trips to universities with established offices of sponsored programs. It is anticipated that this comprehensive approach to training will maximize the effectiveness of the research administration training component and provide for career path development in research and innovation management.

Centralized Institutional Research Management and Innovation Offices

This notice invites supplemental applications from African Institutions within the MEPI network, in partnership with institutions and/or organizations with established research management experience, to develop a plan and obtain the hardware and software, training, and staffing support necessary to establish, enhance, or strengthen their institution's research and innovation management office as part of a network of research management offices to serve the country’s research institutions.

Institutions applying for this supplement should address the following in the submitted application:

• Discuss how these additional funds will be used to support the development and/or implementation of an Institutional Research Policy and Strategic Plan as well as policies and activities for ensuring fiscal accountability and ethical compliance (e.g. human subjects, informed consent, institutional review boards, and responsible conduct of research).
• Describe existing research management resources at the participating institution(s) and how efforts will be coordinated amongst existing offices/projects/schools within the institution to create, enhance, or strengthen a centralized institutional research management and innovation office.
• A plan for providing training and support to research administrators as well as supporting faculty and students in applying to and managing research awards.
• Discuss how the institution(s) will interact with and coordinate activities with IEARDA grantees participating in iRIM and the Research Administration Training Modules.
• Discuss and document how the activities initiated under this supplement will be sustained and the resources that will be committed by the Institution(s) to implement and ensure sustainability.
• Applications should discuss how the activities of the Centralized Institutional Research Management and Innovation Office(s) will be assessed and how each activity will define, identify, and determine impact and implement modifications to improve efforts begun by this supplement. Monitoring and evaluation activities should generate sufficient information to assess office sustainability and specifically how activities initiated will be continued and supported by the institution(s) and contribute to building capacity in other institutions in the region.

Scientific/Research Contact(s):

Research Administration Training Module Administrative Supplement Requests

Regina Smith James, M.D.
Director
Division of Special Populations
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health
6100 Executive Blvd, Room 5E03
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: 301-435-2692
Fax: 301-480-0393 Email: rjames@mail.nih.gov

Centralized Institutional Research Management and Innovation Offices Administrative Supplement Requests

Letitia B. Robinson, Ph.D., R.N.
International Program Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa
Division of International Relations
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
National Institutes of Health
Building 31 Room B2C11
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
Telephone: (301) 496-4784
FAX: (301) 480-3414 Email (preferred): FICMEPI@mail.nih.gov

Christine K. Lim, MPH, CHES
Public Health Analyst
Global Program, HIV/AIDS Bureau
Health Resources and Services Administration
5600 Fishers Lane 7-34 Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 594-4057
Email: clim1@hrsa.gov

Financial/Grants Management Contact(s):

Research Administration Training Module Administrative Supplement Requests

Bryan Clark
Grants Management Specialist
Office of Grants Management
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
6100 Executive Blvd, Room 8A01, MSC 7510
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: 301-435-6975
Email: clarkb1@mail.nih.gov

Centralized Institutional Research Management and Innovation Offices Administrative Supplement Requests

Ms. Rhea Hubbard
Grants Management Specialist
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room B2C29
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
Telephone: (301) 496-5710
FAX: (301) 594-1211 Email: rhea.hubbard@nih.gov