This Program Announcement expires on May 15, 2004, unless reissued.
NCRR TRAINING GRANT FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS IN ANIMAL-ORIENTED,
HYPOTHESIS-BASED RESEARCH
Release Date: September 20, 2001 (see revision NOT-RR-02-010)
PA NUMBER: PA-01-138
National Center for Research Resources
(NCRR: http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/)
Application Receipt Dates: January 10, May 10, and September 10
PURPOSE
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) will award National
Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Training Grants (T32) to
eligible institutions to develop or enhance animal-oriented,
hypothesis-based biomedical research training opportunities for
individuals pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.
D.). The purpose of this program is to help ensure that highly trained
comparative medical scientists will be available to meet collaborative
research needs in animal-based, biomedical research. This award
provides support for one year of supervised research experience to
introduce veterinary students with an interest in biomedical research
at a formative stage of their veterinary medical science education to
pursue training in research careers.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Summary
Animal models are important tools to study the causes of human disease
and to develop new treatments. A large variety of animal models, both
mammalian and nonmammalian, are currently used in research to improve
human health. Gene targeting and transgenic methodologies have
resulted in the production of an enormous variety of new animal strains
engineered specifically to study particular genes or diseases. For
instance, scientists have recently developed strategies for conducting
large-scale mutagenesis in mice and zebrafish. The resultant mutations
introduced into the genome can be reflected in the alterations in
physical, biochemical, behavioral and physiologic parameters that are
relevant to human development as well as aging and disease processes
such as neurodegeneration and cancer. As transgenic methodologies have
resulted in a large variety of new animal model strains to study
particular genes or diseases, there is an increasing need for
veterinary scientists to contribute to basic research, assess and
develop new animal models, and study laboratory animal diseases that
can interfere with animal-based biomedical research. Veterinarians of
the future will need increased scientific skills and specialty training
to take full advantage of current and evolving biomedical technologies.
At present, there is a serious shortage of trained veterinary
scientists to meet the independent and collaborative research needs of
biomedical science in such fields as genetics, pathology, and
epidemiology of diseases in laboratory animal models. This current
Program Announcement is being issued to enhance the interest of
veterinary students in biomedical research by initiating a one-year
program that would provide a mentored research experience at research-
intensive institutions. This program will provide students with an
introduction to animal-oriented, hypothesis-based, biomedical research
at a formative stage of their veterinary medical science education.
Research that aims to assess and develop new animal models and
techniques, investigate problems relevant to human health, and
understand the biology of research animals would be responsive to this
program.
Objectives
The overall objectives of the training program described in this PA are
to provide support for integrated training programs for future
veterinarians that enhances their skills in the areas of animal-
oriented, hypothesis-based, biomedical and/or behavioral science.
To expand the training opportunities for veterinary students in
biomedical research in order to introduce them to scientific career
opportunities in research areas including, but not limited to, gene
targeting and transgenic methodologies, and/or behavioral science. And
provide the training institutions and mentors with support mechanisms
characterized by flexibility, by an emphasis on cross-disciplinary
interactions, and by a diversity of opportunities for sustained
learning and for training choices for future veterinarians.
SPECIAL PROGRAM CONSIDERATIONS
The primary objective of the National Research Service Award program is
to prepare qualified individuals for careers that significantly impact
the Nation"s research agenda. Within the framework of the program"s
longstanding commitment to excellence and projected need for
investigators in particular areas of research, attention must be given
to recruiting individuals from minority groups underrepresented
nationally in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. The following
groups have been identified as underrepresented in biomedical and
behavioral research nationally: American Indian or Alaskan Native,
Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
Only domestic, non-profit, private or public institutions may apply for
grants to support the research-training program described herein. The
applicant institution must have a strong research program in the area
proposed for research training and must have the staff and facilities
required for a substantive portion of the proposed program.
Collaborative arrangements with one or more cooperating institutions
may be proposed to provide multidisciplinary biomedical research
opportunities not available at the applicant institution. The research
training program director at the parent institution will be responsible
for the selection and appointment of trainees to receive NRSA support
and for the overall direction of the program.
Trainee Eligibility Requirements
Trainees must have a baccalaureate degree and be enrolled in a program
leading to a D.V.M./VMD degree. In addition, trainees must have
completed their first year of veterinary school. Trainees are required
to pursue research training on a full-time basis, devoting at least 40
hours per week to the program. Trainees appointed to the program must
have the opportunity to carry out supervised research with the primary
objective of developing or extending their skills and knowledge for
their professional training in biomedical research. Relevant
disciplines include, but are not limited to, neuroscience, physiology,
pathology, behavioral science, immunology, biochemistry, and genetics.
Citizenship
To be appointed to a training position supported by an NRSA research
training grant, an individual must be a citizen or non-citizen national
of the United States or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent
residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration
Receipt Card, I-551, or some other legal verification of such status).
Non-citizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying
possessions of the United States (e.g., American Samoa and Swains
Island). Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
This program announcement will use the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) Institutional National Research Service Award (T32) mechanism.
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the
proposed project will be solely that of the applicant institution. The
total project period for an application submitted in response to this
program announcement may not exceed 3 years. Awards may be renewable
upon submission of a successful competing continuation application,
depending on programmatic needs and the availability of funds. This
program announcement is an on-going initiative and will remain
operational for at least 3 years. The first receipt date for new and
competing continuation applications will be January 10, 2002, with
awards made in December 2002.
PROVISIONS OF THE AWARD
Funds may be requested for:
A. Stipends - The current NRSA stipend levels for graduate and
postdoctoral trainees is available on the NIH website at
http://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm. Stipend levels and other
financial provisions of these awards are often adjusted at the
beginning of a fiscal year. Potential applicants are advised to
consult this page for the current stipend levels.
B. Tuition, Fees, and Health Insurance - The combined cost of
tuition, fees, and health insurance (either self-only or family as
appropriate) will be offset at the following rate: 100% of all costs up
to $3,000 and 60% of costs above $3,000 per trainee. Costs associated
with tuition and fees are allowable only if they are required for
specific courses in support of the research training experience
supported by the fellowship. A full description of the tuition policy
is contained within the NRSA Policy Guidelines on the NIH website at:
http://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsaguidelines/nrsa_toc.htm
C. Trainee Travel Costs - The institution may request funds to cover
the costs of trainees" travel, including attendance at scientific
meetings, that are necessary to the individual"s training. The maximum
allowable per student per year is $1,400.
D. Training-related Expenses - Institutional costs of $2,000 a year per
predoctoral trainee and $3,500 a year per postdoctoral trainee may be
requested to defray the costs of other research training related
expenses, such as staff salaries, consultant costs, equipment, research
supplies, and staff travel.
E. Facilities and Administrative Costs - The Notice of Grant Award will provide
facilities and administrative costs based on 8% of total direct costs, exclusive
of tuition, and fees.
F. Short-Term Training - Applicants who wish to include a request for
short-term research training positions should identify short-term
positions separately within the "stipends" and "training related
expenses" categories on the budget page. Under "stipends," short-term
positions should be listed in the "other" category. Tuition, fees,
health insurance, and trainee travel, and other expenses are to be
included in "training related expenses." Within each section of the
program plan, a separate description of the short-term training should
be included. The applicant should address the relationship of
the proposed short-term training to the regular research training and
provide assurance that the short-term program will not detract from the
regular program. Applicants must observe the 25-page limit on the
narrative section.
Payback Agreement - As specified in the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993,
NRSA recipients incur a service payback obligation only during their
first 12 months of postdoctoral support. Additionally, the NIH
Revitalization Act of 1993 specifies that the second and subsequent
years of postdoctoral NRSA training will serve to pay back a
postdoctoral service payback obligation. Accordingly, the following
guidelines apply:
Predoctoral trainees are not required to sign the payback agreement and
do not incur a service payback obligation.
Postdoctoral trainees in the first 12 months of postdoctoral NRSA
support must sign the payback agreement form (PHS form 6031) before
initiating an appointment. Postdoctoral trainees in their first 12
months of support will incur a period of service payback obligation
equal to the period of support.
Postdoctoral trainees in the 13th and subsequent months of NRSA
postdoctoral support are not required to sign the payback agreement
form and will not incur a service payback obligation.
The 13th and subsequent months of postdoctoral NRSA support are
considered acceptable payback service for prior postdoctoral support.
For example, postdoctoral trainees who continue under that award for 2
years have fulfilled the obligation incurred during the first 12 months
of support by the end of the second year. Simple guidelines for
completing the payback requirement are available at
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/policies/t32/payback.htm.
Service payback obligations can also be paid back by conducting health-
related research or teaching averaging more than 20 hours per week of a
full work year after terminating NRSA support.
Recipients with service obligations must begin to provide service on a
continuous basis within two years of termination of NRSA support. The
period for undertaking payback service may be delayed for such reasons
as temporary disability, completion of residency requirements, or
completion of the requirements for a graduate degree. Requests for an
extension must be made in writing to the NIH specifying the need for
additional time and the length of the required extension.
Recipients of NRSA support are responsible for informing the NIH of
changes in status or address.
For individuals who fail to fulfill their obligation through service,
the United States is entitled to recover the total amount of NRSA funds
paid to the individual for the obligated period plus interest at a rate
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Financial payback must be
completed within 3 years beginning on the date the United States
becomes entitled to recover such amount.
Under certain conditions, the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (or those delegated this authority) may extend the
period for starting service or repayment, permit breaks in service, or
in rare cases in which service or financial repayment would constitute
an extreme hardship, may waive or suspend the payback obligation of an
individual.
Officials at the awardee institution have the responsibility of
explaining the terms of the payback requirements to all prospective
training candidates before appointment to the training grant.
Additionally, all trainees recruited into the training program must be
provided with information related to the career options that might be
available when they complete the program. The relationship of the
positions available and the training provided must also be
discussed along with the applicability of these positions to any
outstanding service payback obligation.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Every NRSA trainee
supported by an institutional research training grant must receive
instruction in the responsible conduct of research. (For more
information on this provision see the current announcement for NRSA
Institutional Research Training Grants [T32] published in the NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts [PA-00-103, Release Date: June 1, 2000] or
the World Wide Web at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-00-103.html).
URLS IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES
All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained
within specified page limitations. Unless otherwise specified in an
NIH solicitation, internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to
provide information necessary to the review because reviewers are under
no obligation to view the Internet sites. Reviewers are cautioned that
their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an
Internet site.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
All candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the program staff
listed under INQUIRIES. Such contact should occur early in the
planning phase of application preparation. Such contact will help
ensure that applications are responsive to the goals and policies of
NCRR.
The PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev.
5/2001) at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html are
to be used in applying for these grants and will be accepted at the
standard application deadlines (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/dates.htm)
as indicated in the application kit. This version of the PHS 398 is
available in an interactive, searchable PDF format. For further
assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone 301/710-0267, Email:
GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
To identify the application as a response to this program announcement,
check "YES" on item 2 of page 1 of the application and enter the number
and title of this program announcement. Submit a signed, typewritten
original of the application with five signed photocopies, in one
package to:
CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040, MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
The application must contain the following:
A detailed description of the research training program plan that
should not exceed a 25-page limit. Within the 25-page limit, a
description of the Background and training strategies outlining the
structure and multifaceted training in animal-based research the
students will receive, special emphasis should, among others, focus on
training in laboratory techniques such as cell and molecular biology,
experimental design, statistical analyses, composition of scientific
papers and reports, exposure to post-doctoral level training
opportunities, and monitoring of progress,
Qualifications of the program director and the participating faculty
mentors, including a short paragraph outlining their research
interests,
Past research training records of both the program director and the
potential faculty mentors,
Institutional training environment(s), including participating resource
and support by faculty in other departments or universities, as well as
the institutional commitment to training veterinary students in
biomedical research,
Proposed plans for advertisement and selection of trainees, and
assignment of mentors, and Institution’s plan for measuring the
effectiveness of the training program, including the progress of the
trainees in acquiring biomedical research skills (e.g., presentations,
abstracts, publications), the impact of the program on the institution,
and the impact of the program on the career choices, opportunities and
further research activities of the trainees.
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Applications are evaluated for merit by NIH initial review groups based
on the following criteria:
Past research training record of both the program and the designated
mentors as determined by the success of former trainees in seeking
further career development and in establishing productive scientific
careers. Evidence of further career development can include receipt of
fellowships, career awards, further training appointments, and similar
accomplishments. Evidence of a productive scientific career can
include a record of successful competition for research grants, receipt
of special honors, a record of publications, receipt of patents,
promotion to scientific positions, and any other measure of success
consistent with the nature and duration of the training received,
Objectives, design, and direction of the research training program,
Caliber of mentors as researchers, including successful competition for
research support,
The institutional training environment, including the level of
institutional commitment, quality of the facilities, availability of
appropriate courses, and availability of research support, and
Recruitment and selection plans for trainees and the availability of
high-quality candidates.
ADDITIONAL REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Minority Recruitment Plan
The NIH remains committed to increasing the participation of
individuals from underrepresented minority groups in biomedical and
behavioral research. As first announced in 1989, all competing
applications for institutional National Research Service Award research
training grants must include a specific plan to recruit and retain
underrepresented minorities in the training program. In addition, all
competing continuation applications also must include a report on the
recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities during the
previous award period. If an application is received without a plan, or
without a report on the previous award period, the application will be
considered incomplete and will be returned to the applicant without
review. Additional information on this requirement was published in the
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 22, Number 25, July 16, 1993.
As indicated above, competing continuation applications must include a
detailed account of experiences in recruiting individuals from
underrepresented groups during the previous award period. Information
must be included on successful and unsuccessful recruitment strategies.
The report should provide information on the racial/ethnic distribution of:
o Students who applied for admission or positions within the
department(s) relative to the training grant,
o Students who were offered admission to or a position within the
department(s),
o Students actually enrolled in the academic program relevant to the
training grant,
o Students who were appointed to the research-training grant.
For those trainees who were appointed to the grant, the report should
include information about whether those trainees have finished their
training in good standing.
After the overall educational and technical merit of an application has
been assessed, peer reviewers will examine and evaluate the minority
recruitment plan and any record of recruitment and retention. For
competing continuation applications, the reviewers will examine and
evaluate the record of the program in recruiting and retaining
underrepresented minority trainees during the previous award period.
The panel also will consider whether the experience in recruitment
during the previous award period has been incorporated into the
formulation of the recruitment plan for the next award period.
The findings of the panel will be included in an administrative note in
the summary statement. If the minority recruitment plan or if the
record of recruitment and retention of minorities is judged to be
unacceptable, funding will be withheld until a revised plan that
addresses the deficiencies is received. Staff, within the NIH awarding
component, with guidance from the appropriate national advisory
committee or council, will determine whether amended plans and reports
submitted after the initial review are acceptable.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
Every predoctoral and postdoctoral NRSA trainee supported by an
institutional research training grant must receive instruction in the
responsible conduct of research. (For more information on this
provision, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 21,
Number 43, November 27, 1992, see
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not92-236.html)
Applications must include a description of a program to provide formal
or informal instruction in bioethics, scientific integrity or the
responsible conduct of research.
Applications must include a description of a program to provide formal
or informal instruction in scientific integrity or the responsible
conduct of research. Applications without plans for instruction in the
responsible conduct of research will be considered incomplete and may
be returned to the applicant without review.
Although the NIH does not establish specific curricula or formal
requirements, all programs are encouraged strongly to consider
instruction in the following areas: conflict of interest, responsible
authorship, policies for handling misconduct, policies regarding the
use of human and animal subjects, and data management. Within the
context of training in scientific integrity, it is also beneficial to
discuss the mutual responsibilities of the institution and the students
appointed to the program.
Plans must address the subject matter of the instruction, the format of
the instruction, the degree of faculty participation, trainee
attendance, and the frequency of instruction.
The rationale for the proposed plan of instruction must be provided.
Program reports on the type of instruction provided, topics covered,
and other relevant information, such as attendance by trainees and
faculty participation, must be included in future competing
continuation and noncompeting applications.
The NIH encourages institutions to provide instruction in the
responsible conduct of research to all students in a training program
or department, regardless of the source of support.
The NCRR initial review group will assess the applicant"s plans on the
basis of the appropriateness of topics, format, amount and nature of
faculty participation, and the frequency and duration of instruction.
The plan will be discussed after the overall determination of merit, so
that the quality of the plan will not be a factor in the determination
of the priority score. Plans will be judged as acceptable or
unacceptable. The acceptability of the plan will be described in an
administrative note on the summary statement. Regardless of the
priority score, applications with unacceptable plans will not be funded
until the applicant provides a revised, acceptable plan. Staff within
the NCRR awarding component will judge the acceptability of the revised
plan.
Following initial review, applications are also reviewed by the
National Advisory Research Resource Council (NARRC). The NARRC will
consider, in addition to the assessment of the scientific and
educational merit of the research training grant application, the
initial review group"s comments on the recruitment of individuals from
underrepresented minority groups into the research training program and
the plan for instruction in the responsible conduct of research.
Trainee Reporting Requirements
For those trainees who were appointed to the grant, a report is
required. This report should include information about the trainee(s)
accomplishments upon completion of their award(s) or at the time of
relinquishment of an award.
AWARD CRITERIA
Applications are selected for funding primarily on the basis of
scientific and educational merit, but other factors are considered,
such as: availability of funds, research program priorities, the
balance among types of research training supported by the awarding
component, the acceptability of the plan for minority recruitment, and
the acceptability of the proposal for instruction in the responsible
conduct of research. NCRR will notify the applicant of the final action
shortly after advisory council review.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information, see the current document titled,
"Guidelines for National Research Service Awards, Individual Awards -
Institutional Grants" usually available at the institution or contact
the appropriate NCRR staff person listed below.
INQUIRIES AND NIH STAFF CONTACTS
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the individuals
designated below, in advance of preparing an application, for
additional information concerning the areas of research, receipt dates,
and other types of pre-application consultation.
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
Franziska Grieder, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Division of Comparative Medicine
National Center for Research Resources
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6050 MSC 7965
Bethesda, MD 20892-7965
Telephone: (301) 435-0744
FAX: (301) 480-3819
Email: griederf@ncrr.nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Ms. Irene Grissom
Office of Grants Management
National Center for Research Resources
6705 Rockledge Drive, Room 6086
Bethesda, MD 20892-7965
Telephone: (301) 435-0844
FAX: (301) 480-3777
Email: grissomi@ncrr.nih.gov
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a
PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This PA, NCRR
TRAINING GRANT FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS IN ANIMAL-ORIENTED, HYPOTHESIS-
BASED RESEARCH, is related to one or more of the priority areas.
Potential candidates may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" from
the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202/512-1800) or electronically
(http://www.health.gov/healthypeople).
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Number 93.306. Awards are made under the authority of title III,
Section 487 of the PHS Act as amended. The Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 42 Part 66 are applicable to this program. This
program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of
Executive Order 12372 to 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, and
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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