THE NIDA SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Release Date: May 8, 2000
PA NUMBER: PAR-00-092
National Institute on Drug Abuse
PURPOSE
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is announcing a two phase (one
intramural, the other extramural) program, the NIDA Scholars Program. The
purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for outstanding new
investigators to begin their independent research careers (the intramural
phase) first within the collaborative and mentoring environment of the NIDA
intramural research program (IRP) and then to continue their careers (the
extramural phase) at an institution of their choice. This program is also
intended to continually enhance and invigorate the NIDA intramural community
by providing a cadre of new, creative scientists who will interact with and
expand the collaborative research opportunities of NIDA intramural scientists.
During the intramural phase of the program, the IRP will provide the Scholar
the necessary resources to progress to a stage of research independence
through a mentored 2-4 year experience within the NIDA IRP.
For the extramural phase of the program, which will directly follow the
intramural phase, Scholars will receive 2 years of additional support for
continuation of the research program at an extramural institution. The
extramural phase of the program will be supported by the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) Career Transition Award (K22). Selection for the intramural
phase does not guarantee selection for the extramural phase. For individuals
who are interested in remaining in an extramural environment, NIDA supports a
number of other mechanisms to support career development including the
Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01), the Mentored Clinical
Scientist Development Award (K08) and the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research
Career Development Award (K23).
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 Program Announcement, the NIDA
Scholars Program, is related to the priority area of human resource
development. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010"
at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1. Eligibility for Entry into the Intramural Component
Individuals with a research or health professional doctoral level degree or
equivalent who are recognized by their peers and mentors as exceptional, but
with no more than 5 years of postdoctoral research training at the time of
receiving the award, are eligible. These individuals should possess
outstanding potential for independent research in basic biomedical, clinical,
or population-based (e.g., epidemiological, behavioral, prevention, or
control) studies. This includes individuals with research experience in any
environment (e.g., academic, industry, government). Individuals who have had
more than 5 years of postdoctoral research training at the time of application
are NOT eligible; however, clinical training does not count toward the 5 years
of research experience. Individuals who have been principal investigators on
either PHS research grants (e.g., R29, RO1, P-mechanisms, or P-mechanism
subprojects) or non-PHS peer reviewed research grants are NOT eligible for
this award program. However, an exception is that recipients of R03 or R21
awards remain eligible. Postdoctoral fellows in intramural programs at NIDA
who meet the Eligibility Requirements are also eligible.
Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. All individuals interested in
the NIDA Scholars Program must contact NIDA IRP staff to secure an agreement
for mentoring. Individuals with questions regarding their eligibility for this
program should call NIDA's IRP contact (see INQUIRIES section).
2. Eligibility for the K22 Extramural Award
Eligibility to apply for the extramural component (K22) of the NIDA Scholars
Program will require (1) admission to the Scholars Program's intramural
component and successful completion of 2-4 years of research in the intramural
component, and (2) endorsement for continuation by the Director of NIDA's
Intramural Program. Postdoctoral fellows currently in the intramural program
who apply for the intramural NIDA Scholars experience may, with the consent of
the IRP Director, count experience already gained there towards the
requirement for 2-4 years of research in the intramural setting. Therefore,
the length of time such persons must spend as intramural NIDA scholars will be
negotiated for each individual and may be less than two years.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals, or must have been
lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration
Card (I-151 or I-152) or some other verification of legal admission as a
permanent U.S. resident, at the time of the extramural award. Non-citizen
nationals, although not U.S. citizens, owe permanent allegiance to the U.S.
They are usually born in lands that are not states, but are under U.S.
sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration. Individuals on temporary or
student visas are NOT eligible to apply.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
The NIDA Scholars Program consists of two Phases: an Intramural Support Phase
and an Extramural Support Phase. The maximum total period of combined
intramural support at NIDA and at the extramural institution as a NIDA Scholar
will be 6 years. Initially, from 2-4 years of the Scholar's research program
will be an Intramural Support Phase in which the salary and the research costs
of the successful Scholar will be derived entirely from NIDA intramural
resources. (As noted, this phase may be less than two years for exceptional
candidates who already have intramural experience.) The budget cannot exceed
$150,000 total costs per year (excluding equipment) and cannot exceed $600,000
total costs over a 4-year period (excluding equipment) which is the maximum
duration of the Intramural Support Phase.
The final 2 years of the Scholar's research program will be supported by a
competitive K22 award to the extramural institution to which the Scholar is
recruited. The budget cannot exceed $140,000 plus fringe benefits in direct
costs per year, or $280,000 plus fringe benefits in direct costs over a 2-year
period, which is the maximum duration of the Extramural Support Phase.
Transition from the intramural phase of support to the extramural phase is not
automatic. Candidates eligible for the K22 extramural support will submit a
competing application (PHS 398), and transition will depend on (1) the outcome
of NIH peer review of the competing application, and (2) a decision of the
NIDA extramural program staff to support funding. The application should be
submitted approximately 1 year before the applicant intends to leave the IRP.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
The intramural scientists and facilities of NIDA have provided a research
environment for the training of new scientists who have subsequently entered
the extramural biomedical and behavioral research community and have become
leaders in their fields of investigation. This has been accomplished primarily
through staff fellow and senior staff fellow programs that, to varying
degrees, have afforded independent research opportunities to new scientists.
With the continuing effort of NIDA to develop an intramural research
environment of the highest scientific quality, there is a new opportunity to
use the unique intramural environment of NIDA to effectively foster the
research careers of individuals who will pursue their careers as extramural
scientists.
Goals and Scope
The NIDA Scholars Program is designed for promising new investigators in
basic, clinical, or population-based biomedical and behavioral research who
have demonstrated outstanding scientific potential during their training. The
NIDA Intramural Research Program invites applications for the support of
scholars who wish to develop independent research programs in a wide range of
scientific areas relevant to NIDA's mission. The major objective of the
Scholars Program is to sustain and advance the early research careers of the
most promising investigators while they consolidate and focus their research
programs. NIDA Scholars will, in collaboration with NIDA IRP staff, design and
pursue research projects in their area of interest for which they would be
provided with facilities, operating budget, salary, and personnel. Although
the Intramural component of the program is a mentored experience, NIDA
Scholars will essentially function as principal investigators while in the
intramural program in terms of their research.
Allowable Costs
1. Intramural Support Phase: The budget for the Intramural Support Phase will
be approximately $150,000 per year in total costs excluding equipment. The
final budget for this phase of the award will be negotiated with the
sponsoring NIDA intramural laboratory and will depend upon the nature and
scope of the research.
Salaries will be provided for the Scholar and up to two additional support
positions. Salaries of the Scholar and other personnel must be commensurate
with the level of training and experience Applicants should contact NIDA IRP
staff listed under INQUIRIES for specific salary information.
Up to $25,000 per person will be provided for annual operating expenses (e.g.,
supplies, disposables, copying, etc.). Up to $50,000 in the first year will be
provided for laboratory equipment. Additional budget expenses, such as
animals, will be provided as necessary and negotiated with NIDA.
2. Extramural Support Phase: The budget for the 2-year extramural transition
phase may not exceed $140,000 plus fringe benefits per year in direct costs.
At the extramural institution, Scholars will be provided salary support
consistent with the salary structure and benefits for Career Development (K)
Awards. At the time of release of this NIDA Scholars Program announcement, the
salary structure provides varying proportions of the institutional base
salary, with the upper limit being 75% of a base salary of $90,000. Applicants
should check for updated information prior to completing an application. The
total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff
appointment, and there should be no less than 75 percent effort devoted by the
Scholar specifically to the proposed research program. The institution may
supplement the NIDA contribution. However, supplementation may not be from
federal funds unless specifically authorized by the federal program from which
such funds are derived. In no case may Public Health Service funds be used for
salary supplementation. Institutional supplementation of salary will not
require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose
of this award. Under expanded authorities, institutions may carry over
unexpended funds into the next budget period and re-budget funds within the
total costs awarded but may not re-budget funds involving the salary component
of the budget. The total salary requested must be based on a full-time,
12-month staff appointment.
Up to $50,000 per year in direct costs will be provided to partially support
ancillary personnel, supplies, equipment, travel, tuition, and other costs
which are deemed essential for the individual's research program.
Indirect costs are now reimbursed at 8 percent.
Special Restrictions
Acceptance into the NIDA Scholar's Program does not convey any commitment or
intent of NIDA to consider the Scholar for a tenure track position within
NIDA. The NIDA Scholars Program is specifically intended to help develop
scientists who will pursue their careers in the extramural biomedical research
community. However, NIDA Scholars are not explicitly precluded from applying
for available tenure track positions at the NIH.
The K22 extramural award is not renewable. K22 recipients are not eligible for
any NIDA supported Mentored K Awards (K01, K08, K23, K25). It is expected that
by the time the candidate leaves the IRP or spends a year or so in an
extramural site, the candidate will be able to secure independent funding.
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS
It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and
their subpopulations must be included in all NIH-supported biomedical and
behavioral research projects involving human subjects unless a clear and
compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is
inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the
research. This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Public
Law 103-43).
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the
NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical
Research which were published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59
14508-14513) and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number
11, March 18, 1994.
Investigators may obtain copies from these sources or from the program staff
or contact person listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide
additional relevant information concerning the policy.
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS
It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 2 1)
must be included in all human subjects research conducted or supported by NIH
unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This
policy applies to all applications submitted in response to this RFA. All
investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH
Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of Children as Participants in Research
Involving Human Subjects" that was published in the NIH Guide for Grants and
Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is available at the following URL address:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html.
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON DRUG ABUSE RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS TO HUMAN SUBJECTS
The National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse recognizes the importance of
research involving the administration of drugs to human subjects and has
developed guidelines relevant to such research. Potential applicants are
encouraged to obtain and review these recommendations of the Council before
submitting an application that will administer compounds to human subjects.
The guidelines are available on NIDA's Home Page at www.nida.nih.gov under
"Funding" or may be obtained by calling (301) 443-2755.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
1. Entry into the NIDA Scholars Program and the Intramural Research Program
Phase
To apply for the initial IRP experience, applicants should first contact the
IRP representative listed in the INQUIRIES section. The purpose of this
initial contact is to determine the availability of a position given the
applicant's research interest. The initial contact may be made at any time;
there is no specific receipt date for the intramural phase of the program.
If a position is available, the applicant will be instructed to send the
following to the IRP contact:
o 1-2 page letter of interest providing a detailed accounting of the research
to be done in the IRP.
o Curriculum Vita.
o 2-3 letters of recommendation from predoctoral and postdoctoral mentors.
Entry into the Intramural Phase of the program does not require the completion
of the grant application form PHS 398 application.
2. Application for the Extramural Phase
The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used. These
forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research; from
the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National
Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910,
telephone: 301/435-0714, Email: grantsinfo@nih.gov, and on the Web at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm. Follow the instructions for the "K"
series applications. The candidate must identify an extramural institution
that serves as the applicant institution and co-signs the application. The
form PHS 398 kit describes the obligations of the applicant organization. The
standard receipt dates described in the form PHS 398 for the "K" series
applies for the extramural phase of the program.
The PA title (NIDA Scholars Program) and PA number must be typed on line 2 of
the face page of the application, and the YES box must be marked.
The "K Table of Contents" should be completed.
Enter in item 6 (Dates of Proposed Period of Support) the 2 years of support
needed to complete the Extramural Support Phase of the NIDA Scholars Program.
Letters from the applicant's IRP mentor and the Scientific Director of the IRP
must be included. The letters should address the following issues:
o Potential for conducting independent research,
o Evidence of originality,
o Adequacy of scientific background,
o Quality of research endeavors and publications to date, and
o Commitment to health-oriented research.
Career Development Plan:
Applicants should describe their career goals and plans to continue an
independent research career.
Plans to ensure the candidate's continued understanding of responsible conduct
of research should be provided in detail, citing experiences obtained during
the Intramural phase and experiences planned in the extramural phase.
Research Plan:
The scientific objectives and specific aims should describe research plans
that are sufficient to justify up to 2 years of support. Describe the research
plan as outlined in form PHS 398 including sections on the Specific Aims,
Background and Significance, Progress Report/Preliminary Studies, Research
Design and Methods.
Budget:
Budget requests must be provided according to the instructions in the form PHS
398.
Follow the instructions for submitting an application and appendix materials
as provided in the form PHS 398 packet. Submit a signed, typewritten original
of the application and three 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)
Send an additional copy of the application directly to:
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Office of Extramural Affairs
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3158, MSC 9547
Bethesda, MD 20892-9547
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
1. Review of the Intramural Application
Once a completed application is received, it will be reviewed by a committee
chaired by the IRP Associate Director for Education and Training. Promising
candidates will be invited for an interview during which they will present
their current research in a seminar.
Acceptance into the NIDA Scholars Program will be based on the following
criteria:
o Quality of present research and proposed research
o Quality of curriculum vita
o Letters of recommendation from mentors
o Seminar presentation
o Interview
2. Review of the K22 Extramural Application
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed by the Center for Scientific
Review (CSR) for completeness. Incomplete applications will be returned to the
applicant without further consideration. Applications also will be evaluated
for responsiveness to this PA. Applications that are not responsive will be
returned to the applicant without review.
Applications that are complete and responsive to this PA will be evaluated for
scientific and technical merit in accordance with the review criteria stated
below, by an appropriate extramural scientific review group (SRG) convened in
accordance with standard NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial
merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a
process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific
merit will be discussed and assigned a priority score. All applications will
receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Council on Drug
Abuse.
The following review criteria will be applied:
Candidate -
o Capacity to carry out independent research;
o Potential to become an outstanding scientist who will make significant
contributions to the field;
o Past and present research productivity as evidenced by contributions to the
scientific literature, and success in obtaining independent funding;
o Ability to conceptualize and organize a long-term research approach; and
o Level of training, experience, and competence commensurate with the purposes
of the award.
Career Development Plan -
o Likelihood that the award will contribute substantially to the continued
scientific development and productivity of the candidate;
o The extent to which the award will enable a candidate to devote full time to
research and related duties by release from teaching, administration, clinical
work, and other responsibilities;
o Consistency of the career development plan with the candidate's career
goals; and
o Collaboration with other active investigators and opportunities for
professional growth.
Research Plan
o Quality of research plan and significance for contributing to the scientific
literature;
o Scientific and technical merit of the proposed research plan; and
o Adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups
as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans to include
children and plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be
evaluated.
Budget
o Justification of budget requests in relation to career development goals and
research aims and plans.
SELECTION AND AWARD CRITERIA
1. Intramural Support Phase
Candidates will be evaluated by an IRP committee based on the criteria
outlined in the REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS. Acceptance decisions will be made
within 30 days of the candidate's interview.
The specific terms of the Intramural Support Phase with be finalized in a
"Scholars Agreement." The applicant indicates his/her acceptance of the
Scholar's Award and the specific intramural appointment terms by signing the
Scholar's Agreement.
2. Extramural Support Phase
K22 applications will compete for available positions/funds with all other
recommended applications submitted in response to this PA. The following will
be considered in making award decisions: 1) qualifications and potential of
the applicant, and quality of the proposed research project as determined by
peer review; 2) programmatic priorities; and 3) availability of funds.
INQUIRIES
Inquiries concerning this PA are encouraged, especially during the planning
phase of the application, to clarify any issues or questions from potential
applicants. NIDA contacts for specific areas of expertise are listed below:
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
Lucinda L. Miner, Ph.D.
Office of Science Policy and Communications
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5230, MSC 9591
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9591
Telephone: (301) 443-6071
FAX: (301) 443-6277
E-mail: cm171W@nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding the Intramural Research Program Phase to:
Stephen J. Heishman, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Education and Training
Intramural Research Program
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5500 Nathan Shock Drive
Baltimore, MD 21224
Telephone: (410) 550-1547
FAX: (410) 550-1849
Email: sheish@intra.nida.nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Gary Fleming, J.D., M.A.
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 313 1, MSC 9541
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9541
Telephone: (301) 443-6710
FAX: (301) 594-6847
Email: gf6s@nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding eligibility for the K22 extramural award to:
Rita Liu, Ph.D.
Office of Extramural Affairs
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3158, MSC 9547
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9547
Telephone: (301) 443-2755
FAX: (301) 443-0538
Email: rl62i@nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding review of the K22 extramural award to:
Teresa Levitin, Ph.D.
Office of Extramural Affairs
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3158, MSC 9547
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9547
Telephone: (301) 443-2755
FAX: (301) 443-0538
Email: t125u@nih.gov
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Nos.
93.855 and 93.856. Awards are made under the authority of Title 111, Section
301 of the PHS Act as amended. The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42 Part
52 and Title 45 Part 74, 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 Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide
a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of 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 for 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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