MENTORED CLINICAL SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AWARD IN DENTAL, CRANIOFACIAL
AND ORAL HEALTH RESEARCH (K12 AWARD)
Release Date: September 22, 2000
PA NUMBER: PAR-00-140
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
(http://www.nidcr.nih.gov)
Application Receipt Date: June 1, 2001
Subsequent submissions will have a receipt date of October 1.
PURPOSE
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) invites
applications for the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award in Dental,
Craniofacial and Oral Health Research. The award will be funded through the K12
Career Development Award mechanism. The NIDCR K12 is an institutional version of the
NIDCR Individual Scholar Development and Faculty Transition Award (K22), as described
in PAR-00-097. The NIDCR K12 is a five-year award to a consortium of educational
institutions or health science centers and consists of two phases. In the first or
Scholar Development phase, support is provided to outstanding new clinician
researchers and scientists with a clinically relevant Ph.D. degree to obtain
additional mentored postdoctoral research experience that leads to research
independence. In the second or Faculty Transition phase, the individual is appointed
to a tenure track line or equivalent position followed by funding for an independent
research project. New clinician (e.g., DDS/DMD, MD) researchers who are eligible for
appointment to the K12 must have completed at least two years of research training
beyond their professional degree. Candidates may have an advanced degree (e.g.,
Ph.D., MS, MPH) beyond their professional training, although that is not a
requirement. The maximum number of years of support for an appointee cannot exceed
five. However, the actual duration of support for any appointee and the phase in
which the person will start depends on her/his previous research training.
The NIDCR issues this program announcement to help meet the need for highly skilled
scientists with a clinical background (e.g., dentists, physicians) who can
successfully address the increasing scientific opportunities in dental, oral and
craniofacial research from a cross-disciplinary perspective. The expanding science
base requires new research approaches which integrate various disciplines and levels
of expertise in order to address effectively the increasing level of complexity in
the interplay between biological, physical, environmental, behavioral and
socioeconomic factors in human disease. These factors are of special importance to
address research needs in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, health
disparities, and diagnosis and treatment, especially as related to the medically
compromised patient. Scientists must become familiar with the knowledge base and the
methods of a wide variety of disciplines and must develop a diverse set of
competencies, including the ability to interact in cross-disciplinary research teams.
This career development program should provide the opportunity to develop these
skills and to create environments that prompt life-long learning, successful research
career transitions and pathways, and strong collaborative and partnering skills.
A secondary purpose for the NIDCR K12 is to help strengthen the research capacity in
dental, craniofacial and oral health science areas of health professional
institutions, especially U.S. dental schools. To do so, applications must be
submitted by a regional consortium composed of at least one dental or medical
institution that has a strong research grant portfolio in dental, craniofacial and
oral health science areas, and at least one dental school that does not have an
extensive portfolio.
Another intent of the NIDCR K12 program award is for institutions to utilize this
type of award, in conjunction with the NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants
(PAR-00-116), to stimulate the creation of regional centers for excellence in
research training and career development in dental, craniofacial and oral health
research. This concept is based upon the recommendations from the recent report by
the NIDCR Blue Ribbon Panel on Research Training to Meet the Scientific Opportunities
of the 21st Century and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health. It is
suggested that staff from institutions responding to this PA should communicate with
colleagues who will be preparing a submission to the PA for the Institutional T32
NRSA program. By obtaining a T32 and a K12 program, a regional consortium can
structure a well-integrated, comprehensive, cross-disciplinary research career
development pathway from the beginning of professional school through the mid-career
and senior scientist stages of development.
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 (PA) is related to the
priority objective of addressing diversity of the health professional pipeline.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Domestic non-profit, public or private academic research institutions are eligible to
apply. Applicants for the K12 award must be a regional consortium composed of (1) at
least one dental or medical institution that had NIDCR support of $2 million or
greater in FY 1999, and (2) at least one dental school that had a research portfolio
in FY 1999 of less than $2 million. A rank order listing of all U.S. dental schools
according to NIDCR support in FY 1999 can be found at
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/schools99.htm. An institution in the first
category should be primary in the application process.
At least one applicant institution must be part of a comprehensive health science
center that has a strong research program in the proposed areas of career
development. The regional consortium must be able to provide cross-disciplinary
career development opportunities through local collaborations with other professional
or graduate schools. However, all institutional members of the consortium do not
have to be equally strong in the entire range of research areas to be offered. At
least one member of the consortium must have the requisite staff and facilities to
carry out the proposed program. An appointee could obtain a tenure track line at any
component institution of the consortium, not necessarily the one in which the career
development experience occurred. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and
persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators.
APPOINTEE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Individuals appointed to the institutional K12 must: (1) have either a health
professional degree, such as the DDS/DMD or MD, or a Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in
a clinically applicable discipline such as clinical genetics, clinical psychology,
clinical sociology, clinical social work, speech pathology, audiology or
rehabilitation, (2) have completed at least two years of research training beyond
their last doctoral degree, (3) be able to devote at least 75 percent of time to
research-related activities, (4) not be or have been a principal investigator on an
R01, R21, R29 or sub-project of a Program Project (P01) or Center (P50, P60) grant,
and (5) be a U.S. citizen or noncitizen national, or must have been lawfully admitted
for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt card (I-151 or I-
155) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent citizen.
Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible. In addition, any
individual initially appointed to the Scholar Development phase cannot have more than
five years of research training experience beyond their last doctoral degree. Those
individuals appointed directly to the Faculty Transition phase cannot have more than
six years of research training experience beyond their last doctoral degree. The
research training experience for either phase could have been obtained in a
postdoctoral (e.g., T32 trainee, F32 grantee or similar fellowship awards) or
equivalent postgraduate position (e.g., approved clinical residency or advanced
specialty program, individual or program research career development K award funded
by the NIH). Individuals appointed to the Faculty Development phase may presently be
in a tenure track line or similar position for no more than four years at an
institutional member of the applicant consortium.
A maximum of five years support can be offered any appointee through the K12 award.
The actual number of support years depends on the individual’s prior research
experience and the need for additional career development to prepare a competitive
application for an investigator-initiated research grant, such as the R01. For
example, individuals having the minimum two years postdoctoral training could be
provided with up to three additional years of didactics and mentored supervision
before proceeding to the Faculty Transition phase of the award. Appointees may not
concurrently hold any other PHS award that duplicates the provisions of this award.
Appointees are encouraged to apply for investigator-initiated research grants (e.g.,
R01) during the period of support under this award.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Support for this Program will be through the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program award or K12 mechanism.
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed program
will be solely that of the applicant institution(s). The program award provides five
years of support and is renewable based on a successful competing continuation
application, programmatic needs and the availability of funds. This PA is an on-going
initiative. The first receipt date for applications will be June 1, 2001, with awards
made in July 2002. Receipt date for subsequent applications is October 1, with award
expected by July of the following year.
The NIDCR intends to fund at least three K12 grants in the initial response to this
PA. Although the financial plans of the NIDCR provide support for this program,
awards pursuant to this PA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the
receipt of a sufficient number of applications of outstanding scientific and
technical merit.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
The NIDCR has expanded considerably its research programs in recent years. The
expansion was highlighted in the Institute’s strategic plan, Shaping the Future,
that was issued in 1997. This document can be found on the internet at
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/news/strat-plan/index.html. The programmatic organization
of the NIDCR reflects this expansion and provides support for research in areas such
as molecular medicine, bacterial genetics, oropharyngeal cancer and other neoplastic
diseases of the head and neck, chronic disorders, the link between oral and systemic
health, craniofacial anomalies and injuries, oral infectious diseases and AIDS,
biomaterials, biomimetics, tissue engineering, oral manifestations of systemic
diseases, and management of the medically compromised patient. In addition, growing
efforts are being devoted to clinical, behavioral and health promotion activities and
to the study of the factors responsible for the existence of health disparities among
various segments of the population. It is now recognized that, in most diseases, a
number of diverse genetic, environmental and socioeconomic factors converge to
disrupt health and that new interdisciplinary research approaches which integrate
various fields are required to effectively address the multifactorial nature of human
disease. These new approaches require a different and more diverse set of core
competencies of investigators who can interact in cross-disciplinary research teams
to take advantage of the expanding opportunities in dental, craniofacial and oral
health research.
Cognizant of the various ideas and trends discussed above, the NIDCR recently
initiated an in-depth review of its training and career development programs. A Blue
Ribbon Panel was appointed in 1999 to examine the evolving scientific opportunities
for the 21st century and to identify the investigator competencies that will be
required of those pursuing these areas of biomedical research. The entire report can
be accessed at the following internet address:
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/blueribbon/career_BRP.htm. The conclusions of the
Blue Ribbon Panel were discussed by the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial
Research Council (NADCRC) at the September, 1999 and January, 2000 meetings. The
NADCRC emphasized the need for multidisciplinary programs, partnering within the
Academic Health Centers, multiple career paths and choices, flexibility in training
and a life-long career development continuum. Based on the Blue Ribbon Panel report
and NADCRC deliberations, an implementation plan was formulated. This plan can be
accessed on the internet through the NIDCR Extramural Research Training and Career
Development page at http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/blueribbon/impPlan_BRP.htm.
General Requirements
Applicant institutions are required to include the following elements in their
proposal:
O Structure of the Scholar Development phase: The application should include a
description of the activities, including didactics, that will be incorporated into
the mentored postdoctoral research experience of the Scholar Development phase.
Opportunities must be provided for individuals to carry out supervised relevant
research and further develop research skills in an area(s) related to dental,
craniofacial and oral health and disease. Current areas of NIDCR research emphasis
are found at the following internet address:
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/extramural/sciprog.htm. The proposed program
should include: (A) an emphasis on opportunities for cross-disciplinary and
interprofessional links and collaborations within and between the academic health
professional sciences, and the integration of basic and clinical sciences in career
development activities, (B) collaboration with community settings and public health
programs and facilities, where possible, and (C) inquiry-based and experiential
learning to "mine" the expanding and complex knowledge bases using such tools, where
appropriate, as bioinformatics.
Scholar Development in the basic sciences should give priority to research
experiences in one or more of such areas as: genomics, molecular biology and
molecular epidemiology, gene-mediated diagnostics and therapeutics, cell biology,
neuroscience, computational biology (i.e., modeling, development of algorithms),
bioinformatics (e.g., storage and analysis of genomic data), biomaterials,
biomimetics, nanotechnology, tissue engineering, and bioimaging technology.
Postdoctoral programs that focus on patient-oriented research should give priority to
such areas as: clinical research and clinical trials design, diagnosis and management
of the medically compromised patient, evidence-based care, clinical epidemiology,
biostatistics, health services, public health and outcomes research, health promotion
and disease prevention, health disparities among racial, ethnic and socioeconomic
populations, behavioral and social science research, and research bioethics. Career
development postdoctoral programs should provide some integration, wherever possible,
of both basic science and patient-oriented/clinical research. The goal is for
appointees to become knowledgeable about the cross-disciplinary approaches to
research necessary to address most scientific opportunities, and to be aware of the
processes that facilitate transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to clinical
practice and community applications.
Detailed information should be provided as to the recruitment and selection of
candidates for the Scholar Development postdoctoral research experience, and
evaluation of their progress.
o Structure of the Faculty Transition Phase: Transition to the Faculty Transition
phase should not be automatic. Detailed information should be presented about
determination by the program that an appointee is ready for transition from
the Scholar Development phase to the Faculty Transition independent research
project phase. Among the factors that must be considered are (1) the success
of the appointee’s mentored research experience, (2) the scholar’s obtaining a tenure
track line or equivalent position, and (3) proposed peer-review procedure to evaluate
the scientific merit of the proposed independent research project. The institution
must demonstrate a commitment to the candidate by providing protected research time
and space needed to perform the proposed research. Matching funds from the
institution for equipment and supplies (and salary if needed) are encouraged. A
candidate for appointment to the grant who already has a tenure track position must
have her/his research proposal peer-reviewed by the process developed by the grantee
institution prior to an appointment being made to the program. A copy of the written
summary statement for all reviews of independent research projects must be forwarded
to the Assistant Director, Office of Training and Career Development, Division of
Extramural Research, NIDCR.
o Plan for the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities, individuals
with disabilities and women must be included in the proposal: The NIDCR remains
committed to increasing the participation of women and individuals from racial or
ethnic groups underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical and behavioral sciences.
The following groups have been identified as underrepresented in biomedical and
behavioral research nationally: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native
Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Pacific Islanders. Use of the term "minority" in
this announcement will refer to these groups.
o Plan for on-going evaluation of the program: The application should include a plan
for program evaluation in terms of recruitment and retention goals, completion
success, overall outcome, the curriculum and program staff. For purposes of
evaluating the impact of all research career development programs, awardees must
agree to provide the NIDCR with information on career outcomes for those appointed to
the program. This information will be supplied annually for 10 years subsequent to
completion of the award. Program directors can satisfy this requirement by providing
current curriculum vitae for each of their graduates, including information about
current address and title, employment history, publications, and research grants and
contracts received
o Plan for an Advisory Oversight Board: Plans must be provided for the appointment of
an advisory body to act as an oversight committee for the career development program.
Composition, responsibilities, frequency of meetings and other relevant information
should be included. An annual evaluation by the Advisory Board is recommended.
o Plan for instruction in bioethics, scientific integrity and the responsible conduct
of research: Every individual supported by a research career development award must
receive instruction in the responsible conduct of research. Applications must
include a description of a program to provide formal or informal instruction in
bioethics, scientific integrity and the responsible conduct of research.
Applications without such plans will be considered incomplete and will be returned to
the applicant without review. Although the NIDCR does not establish specific
curricula or formal requirements, all programs are encouraged 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
security data management. 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 appointees and
faculty participation, must be included in future competing continuation and
noncompeting applications. The NIDCR encourages institutions to provide instruction
in the responsible conduct of research to all graduate students and postdoctorates in
a department, regardless of the source of support.
o A plan for periodic research meetings and networking: Plans should be included for
periodic, or at least twice per year, meetings of all program appointees and mentors
in which research projects/results/directions are discussed and evaluated. Each
application also must include plans to network with one or more similar programs in
the same or other institutions, whether through joint meetings, electronic links or
telemedicine interactions. The NIDCR plans to hold an annual meeting for appointees
and relevant program personnel at the NIH.
Other Requirements
O Environment: At least the primary institution in a consortium must have well-
established research and clinical career development programs and highly qualified
faculty mentors in research areas to be offered. It is expected that one or more
institutions in the consortium will be less involved at present in research.
However, those institutions must make a financial and administrative commitment to
develop the necessary infrastructure for a research program in coordination with the
other consortial member(s). Appointees who complete an independent research project
as part of the K12 must be offered a tenure track line at one institutional member of
the consortium as part of the commitment.
o Program Director: The proposed Program Director (PD) must possess the scientific
expertise, leadership and administrative capabilities required to coordinate and
supervise an interdisciplinary research and development program of this scope. The
Director also must be experienced in the design and management of programs for
developing independent scientists. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and
persons with disabilities are encouraged to serve as PD or co-directors. The PD (and
any co-directors) is expected to participate in at least one annual meeting with the
staff of the NIDCR. This meeting likely will be held in conjunction with the annual
meeting of the American Association for Dental Research.
o Mentors: Each appointee on the program award must have a primary sponsor/mentor who
is recognized as an accomplished investigator, is actively involved in the area of
research chosen by the appointee, and who has a successful record of providing the
type of career development experience required under this award. Mentors can have
appointments at any component of the academic centers to which the consortium
institutions belong. An assigned mentor will provide guidance for the development of
each of his/her appointees. The mentor must be committed to continue this
involvement throughout the appointee’s total period of development under the award.
The NIDCR strongly encourages multiple mentors for each appointee, in keeping with
the cross-disciplinary research experience to be provided.
o Number of appointee positions: The applicant can request support for up to two new
appointees to enter the program each year, giving a total of ten during the five year
project period. It is expected that all appointees will either hold or be offered a
tenure track line or similar position either at the institution providing the career
development experience, or at another component of the health science center, or at
another institution(s) that is part of the regional consortium. Appointees cannot
progress to the independent research project part of the K12 without the tenure track
line being finalized. In planning appointments beyond the first year of the award,
the PD should be aware that continued NIDCR support beyond the five-year project
period is dependent upon the availability of appropriated funds and success in
competition for renewed support. The applicant institution should have plans in place
to provide such support in the event that funding from the NIDCR is not available.
New appointments must occur within three months of the start of a new budget period,
usually between July 1 and September 30. Unfilled positions resulting from either
failure to make appointments within the prescribed period or due to termination of an
appointee prior to completion of a five year program, will be eliminated from the
program. The associated funds will not be available for carry over and will be
deleted from future years. A "Statement of Appointment" form (PHS 2271) must be
completed and sent to the NIDCR whenever an individual is appointed or reappointed to
the program.
ALLOWABLE COSTS
Salary and Support
During the Scholar Development phase, appointees may be provided support of up to
$100,000 each year. For the independent research phase, appointees may receive
support of up to $125,000. This amount includes (1) direct salary, not to exceed
$75,000, that is commensurate with the applicant institution"s salary structure for
persons of equivalent qualifications, experience, and rank, and (2) research and
development support, which can include such expenses as supplies, equipment and
technical personnel, tuition and fees, travel to research meetings or training, and
statistical services including personnel and computer time. These costs must be
specifically documented for each individual candidate and must be directly related to
the candidate’s research activities. They cannot be pooled and used for advertising,
recruiting or other things unrelated or indirectly related to the research activities
of individual appointees. In addition, fringe benefits will be provided that are in
keeping with the policies of the institution at which the majority of career
development and independent research activities will take place.
The institution may supplement the NIDCR 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 PHS funds be used for salary
supplementation. Institutional supplementation of salary may not require extra
duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of this award. The
total salary requested must be based on a full-time, twelve month staff appointment.
Up to ten percent of the PD"s salary plus fringe benefits will be allowed. A PD may
serve as a mentor. Salary for other mentors, secretarial and administrative
assistance, etc., is not allowed. The sponsoring institution is expected to provide
these services.
Facilities and Administrative Costs
These costs, which were formerly called indirect costs, will be reimbursed at 8
percent of modified total direct costs.
The K12 grant, as administered by the NIDCR, is not subject to the
Streamlined Noncompeting Application Process (SNAP). In general this means
that all reporting of budgetary information and program progress are provided
in greater detail in an annual progress report. While the K12 is subject to
Expanded Authorities, the one exception to this is that carryover of funds
from one fiscal year to the next must be approved by the NIDCR Grants
Administration staff (see INQUIRIES).
LEAVE
In general, appointees may receive salary during the normal periods of vacation and
holidays observed by individuals in comparable positions at the grantee institution.
For the purpose of these awards, however, the period between the spring and fall
semesters is considered to be an active time of research and is not considered to be
a vacation or holiday. Appointees may receive salary for up to 15 calendar days of
sick leave per year. Sick leave may be used for the medical conditions related to
pregnancy and childbirth. Appointees also may receive stipends for up to 30 calendar
days of parental leave per year for the adoption or the birth of a child when those
in comparable positions at the grantee institution have access to paid leave for this
purpose and the use of parental leave is approved by the program director.
A period of terminal leave is not permitted and payment may not be made from grant
funds for leave not taken. Individuals requiring periods of time away from their
research career development experience longer than specified here must seek approval
from the NIDCR for an unpaid leave of absence.
PROGRESS REPORTS
An Annual Progress Report for the grant is required. This report should provide
information about changes in the Program, a summary of the evaluation by the Advisory
Committee, and a description of the research and career progress of each candidate.
These Annual Reports will be closely monitored by NIDCR staff to ensure that the
grant is achieving the goals of this Research Career Development Program. Progress
reports are submitted using the Form PHS 2590, which can be obtained at the following
website address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm. Forms are also
available at most institutional offices of sponsored research.
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS
It is the policy of the NIDCR that women and members of minority groups and their
sub-populations must be included in all NIDCR-supported biomedical and behavioral
research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale
and justification are provided indicating 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 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43).
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the UPDATED
"NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical
Research," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on August 2, 2000
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html), a complete copy
of the updated Guidelines are available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm: The revisions
relate to NIH defined Phase III clinical trials and require: a) all applications or
proposals and/or protocols to provide a description of plans to conduct analyses, as
appropriate, to address differences by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic groups,
including subgroups if applicable, and b) all investigators to report accrual, and to
conduct and report analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group
differences.
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS
It is the policy of NIDCR that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must
be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by the NIDCR,
unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This policy
applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after
October 1, 1998.
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.
Investigators may also obtain copies of these policies from the program staff listed
under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information
concerning the policy.
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
Applications are to be submitted on the grant application Form PHS 398 (rev.
4/98) using the modified instructions provided below. Application forms can be
obtained directly at the following website address:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. Forms are also
available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and from the
Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National
Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-
7910, Phone: (301) 435-0714, FAX: (301) 480-0525, E-mail: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
The instructions in the Form PHS 398 do not fully apply to the special needs
of this grant application. Therefore, please follow the modified instructions below
in preparing an application for an NIDCR MENTORED CLINICAL SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM AWARD IN DENTAL, CRANIOFACIAL AND ORAL HEALTH RESEARCH. These instructions
have been adapted to accommodate the Form PHS 398 and the special needs of the K12
grant:
1. Face Page: Use page AA of the PHS Form 398. On Line 1, include the
title that best represents the nature of the career development program. On Line 2,
provide the number of this Program Announcement beginning with PAR..., and
the title of the Program Announcement. The Program Director will be the
principal investigator (PI) of the grant application.
2. The Description/ Performance Sites/ Key personnel (page BB of Form PHS
398): List all sites involved, especially if a regional consortium is in place. Key
Personnel should include the Program Director and any co-Directors, Advisory
Oversight Board members, mentors and other faculty participating in the program.
3. Table of Contents (Page CC) to be organized as follows:
Content
Page Number
a. Face Page
b. Description, Performance Sites, Key Personnel
c. Table of Contents
d. Detailed Budget for First Year
e. Budget for Entire Proposed Period of Support
f. Budgets Pertaining to Consortium Arrangements (if applicable)
h. Biographical Sketches (not to exceed three pages per individual)
- Program Director (and co-Directors if applicable)
- Advisory Board Members
- Mentors
- Other Faculty
- Appointees (when available)
i. Other Support of the Program Director and the Mentors
j. Resources
k. Career Development Plan (not to exceed 25 pages)
i. Purpose and Objectives
ii. Structure of Scholar Development Phase
iii. Structure of Faculty Transition Phase
iv. Research Environment, Resources and Facilities
v. Program Management
- Program Director/co-Directors
- Recruitment Strategies
- Advisory Oversight Board
- Networking and Periodic Research Meetings
- Evaluation plan
- Bioethics, Scientific Integrity, Responsible Conduct of Research
vi. Other
l. Human Subjects
m. Vertebrate Animals
n. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
o. Checklist
p. Appendices
4. Detailed Budget for the First Year: Use Page 4 (page DD) of the Form PHS
398 and provide detailed budget information with regard to Salary and Fringe
benefits, supplies, travel, etc., specified for program director and any appointees
identified or by position, if there is no one identified to fill the position. Note
there is an upper salary limit of $75,000 plus fringe benefits and an upper limit for
other costs of $25,000 per appointee to the Scholar Development phase.
6. Budget for the Entire Proposed Period of Support (page EE): Follow instructions
as provided in the Form PHS 398.
7. Biographical Sketches (page FF): Divide into five sections as follows: (1)
Program Director/co-Directors, (2) Advisory Oversight Board Members, (3) Mentors, (4)
Other Faculty, (5) Appointees (when available).
8. Other Support (Page GG): Include research support that is specifically relevant
to the purpose and objectives of this Program
9. Resources (Page HH)
10. Career Development Plan:
a. Purpose and Objectives: Briefly describe the background, purpose and objectives
of this career development Program.
b. Structure of Scholar Development Phase: Address at least all of the points
included above under General Requirements.
c. Structure of Faculty Transition Phase: Address at least all of the points included
above under General Requirements.
d. Research Environment, Resources and Facilities: Include at least the following -
ongoing basic biomedical and clinical research, availability of research support,
equipment, facilities, and clinical resources, the past research and career
development record of both the program director and the designated preceptors, as
determined by the success of their former postdoctoral fellows. This 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.
e. Program Management: Address at least all of the points included above under
General Requirements for recruitment of underrepresented minorities and women,
as well as the disabled and recruitment in general, ongoing evaluation of the
program, Advisory Oversight Board, instruction in bioethics, scientific integrity
and responsible conduct of research, and periodic research meetings and
networking. In addition, address at least all of the points included above under
Other Requirements for program director, mentors, and number of appointee
positions.
f. Other: Describe any other aspects of the proposed program which applicant feels
the need to clarify.
11. Human Subjects: Follow instructions in Form PHS 398 application kit.
12. Vertebrate Animals: Follow instruction in Form PHS 398 application kit.
13. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements: A Statement of Institutional Commitment must
be included for each institution participating in the consortium. Any plans for
enhancing the research infrastructure of a regional consortium member should be
described here.
14. Checklist: (Page II)
15. Appendices: Follow instructions in Form PHS 398 application kit.
NIH requires that applicants for any grant who are planning to submit an
investigator-initiated new (type 1) or competing continuation (type 2) application
requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs for any year must contact the NIDCR
program staff before submitting the application, i.e., as plans for the study are
being developed. Furthermore, the application must obtain agreement from the NIDCR
staff that the Institute will accept the application for consideration for award.
Finally, the applicant must identify, in a cover letter sent with the application,
the NIDCR staff member who agreed to accept assignment of the application. This
policy requires an applicant to obtain agreement for acceptance of both any such
application and any such subsequent amendment. Refer to the NIH Guide for Grants and
Contracts, March 20, 1998 at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-030.html.
The completed original application and three legible copies must be sent to
or delivered to:
CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040, MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (For express/courier service)
At the time of submission, two additional copies must also be sent to:
Dr. George Hausch
Chief, Scientific Review Branch
DER, NIDCR
45 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Applications for the initial submission in response to this PA must be received by
June 1, 2001. Applications received later than that date will be returned without
review. For the future duration of this PA, the receipt date will be October 1 of
each year.
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Applications will be assigned to NIDCR. Applications will be evaluated for
scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific review group convened by
NIDCR in accordance with the 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,
generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a
priority score, and receive a second level review by the appropriate national
advisory council or board.
Review Criteria
All applications are evaluated for merit based on the following criteria:
o Research Career Development Environment. Evidence of: institutional commitment
from all member institutions of the regional consortium, ongoing basic and clinical
research, availability of research support, equipment, facilities, and clinical
resources.
o Program Director and co-Directors. Demonstration of: scientific and administrative
expertise, experience in or potential for managing research career development
programs and development of research skills, time commitment, other research support,
assignment of mentors and projects, and evaluation of progress. Assessment of past
research career development record of both the program director and the designated
mentors/preceptors as determined by the success of former trainees in seeking further
career development (evidence of further career development can include receipt of
fellowships, career awards, additional career development and training appointments,
and similar accomplishment) and in establishing productive scientific careers
(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 career development and
training received).
o Mentors. Evidence for their roles and time commitment now and for the duration of
the program, accomplishments in basic and/or clinical research, current and pending
research grants, and mentoring experience of graduate researchers and dental
clinicians.
O Advisory Oversight Board. Demonstration of high quality individuals on Board,
procedures for selection, specific role of the Board.
O Networking and Periodic Research Meetings. Evidence for development of networks
with other career development programs within the health science center and
institutions in the consortium, and for periodic meetings to discuss research areas
being pursued by the appointees.
o Methods for recruitment, selection and retention of trainees. Demonstration of
well-defined recruitment procedures (including potential sources of high-quality
candidates), candidate selection criteria and retention strategies.
o Scholar Development and Faculty Transition requirements. Evidence for the
development and implementation of the didactic and postgraduate research experience
for the Scholar Development phase, organization and quality of cross-disciplinary and
interprofessional research career development of all appointees, criteria for receipt
of tenure track line and for progression to the Faculty Transition phase of the
grant, including peer-review of independent research project, quality of the plan for
evaluating the program.
ADDITIONAL REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS
Recruitment Plan for Underrepresented Minorities: After the overall educational and
scientific merit of an application has been assessed, peer reviewers will examine and
evaluate the minority recruitment plan. 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 NIDCR, with guidance from the NADCRC,
will determine whether amended plans and reports submitted after the initial review
are acceptable.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research: The applicant’s plans for providing
experience in the responsible conduct of research will be assessed 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 scientific, educational and administrative 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 considered
for funding until the applicant provides a revised, acceptable plan. NIDCR staff
will judge the acceptability of the revised plan.
Notification
Shortly after the review meeting, each applicant will be sent notification of the
Review Group’s recommendation and the name and phone number of the NIDCR official
responsible for the application. When the NIDCR official receives the summary
statement of the review, prepared by the Scientific Review Administrator after the
review meeting, a copy will be forwarded to the applicant. Following Council Review,
the NIDCR program official will notify each applicant of the final disposition of the
application.
AWARD CRITERIA
Applications are selected for funding primarily on the basis of scientific and
educational merit and sound administrative organization. However, other factors are
considered, such as: availability of funds, research program priorities, the balance
among types of research training and career development supported by the NIDCR, the
acceptability of the plan for minority recruitment, and the acceptability of the
proposal for instruction in the responsible conduct of research. The NIDCR will
notify the applicant of the final action shortly after advisory council review. The
earliest award date will be July 1, 2002. The NIDCR appreciates the value of
complementary funding from other public and private sources, including foundations
and industrial concerns, for activities that will complement and expand those
supported by the NIDCR.
INQUIRIES
Inquiries concerning this PA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or
questions from potential applicants is welcome.
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
Dr. James A. Lipton
Assistant Director, Office of Training and Career Development
Division of Extramural Research, NIDCR
Natcher Building, Room 4AN-18J
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Telephone: (301) 594-2618, FAX: 301-480-8318
Email: James_Lipton@nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Mr. Martin R. Rubinstein
Grants Management Officer
Division of Extramural Research, NIDCR
Natcher Building, Room 4AS-55
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Telephone: (301) 594-4800, FAX: (301) 480-8301
Email: Martin_Rubinstein@nih.gov
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
Awards are made under the authority of Section 487 of the Public Health Service Act
as amended (42 USC 288). Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 66, is
applicable to this program. This program is also described under section 93.121 in
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.
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, any 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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