Expired PAR-06-159: Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research (K26)

Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)

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EXPIRED

Part I Overview Information

Department of Health and Human Services

Participating Organization
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov/)

Components of Participating Organizations
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR/NIH), (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Aging (NIA/NIH), (http://www.nia.nih.gov/)

Title: Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research (K26)

Announcement Type
This is a reissue of PAR-01-064, which was previously released on March 7, 2001.

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

December 18, 2008 - This PA has been reissued as PAR-09-053.
October 10, 2007 - Expiration Date adjusted to accommodate recent changes to standing submission deadlines, per NOT-OD-07-093.

Looking Ahead: As part of the Department of Health and Human Services' implementation of e-Government, during FY 2006 the NIH will gradually transition each grant mechanism to electronic submission through Grants.gov and the use of the SF 424 Research and Related (R&R) forms. Therefore, once the transition is made for a specific grant mechanism, investigators and institutions will be required to submit applications electronically using Grants.gov.. For more information and an initial timeline, see http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/. NIH will announce each grant mechanism change in the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html). Specific funding opportunity announcements will also clearly indicate if Grants.gov submission and the use of the SF424 (R&R) is required. Investigators should consult the NIH Forms and Applications Web site (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm) for the most current information when preparing a grant application.

Program Announcement (PA) Number: PAR-06-159

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.389 National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
93.866 National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Key Dates
Release Date: February 24, 2006
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): 30 days before submission date
Application Submission Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Peer Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Council Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: A Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward for guidance on dates
Additional Information To Be Available Date (Url Activation Date): Not applicable
Expiration Date: January 8, 2009 (per NOT-OD-07-093) - Originally: November 2, 2008

Due Dates for E.O. 12372
Not Applicable

Additional Overview Content

Executive Summary

The goals of NIH-supported career development programs are to help ensure that diverse pools of highly trained scientists are available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to address the Nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical needs.
The Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research seeks to support established pathobiologists to allow them to devote protected time to mouse pathobiology research and mentor beginning investigators.
Eligible candidates must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent degree and are within 15 years of their specialty training.
Candidates must have a demonstrated record of meritorious mouse pathobiology research, experience in mentoring, conduct up to 5 years of enhanced mouse pathobiology research, and serve as mentors for beginning pathobiologist investigators.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals, or an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
Recipients of this award are required to hold independent research support, either Federal or private, during the period of this award.
Sponsoring institutions must have a well-established mouse pathobiology research and training program, provide a high-quality research environment, and demonstrate a commitment to the development of the candidate as a productive, independent investigator.
The K26 mechanism will be used.
The award provides up to five consecutive years of support, with a minimum of three years.
The anticipated number of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications, and availability of funds.
Candidates must devote an effort of up to 50 percent, and no less than 25 percent, to pathobiology research and mentoring.
Funding for salary and fringe benefits for up to 50 percent effort at the current NIH extramural salary cap (in FY 2006: $183,500 per annum; i.e., a maximum of $91,750 for 50 percent effort).
The sponsoring institution may supplement the NIH contribution up to a level consistent with the institution’s salary scale.
Applicants should not submit more than one application, unless the combined effort two K26 applications do not exceed 50% effort, and each application is scientifically distinct and provides appropriate mentoring.
See Section IV.1 for application materials.
Telecommunications for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 301-451-5936

Table of Contents

Part I Overview Information

Part II Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives

Section II. Award Information
1. Mechanism(s) of Support
2. Funds Available

Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
A. Eligible Institutions
B. Eligible Individuals
2.Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other - Special Eligibility Criteria

Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Information
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
A. Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
1. Letter of Intent
B. Sending an Application to the NIH
C. Application Processing
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
6. Other Submission Requirements

Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
A. Additional Review Criteria
B. Additional Review Considerations
C. Sharing Research Data
D. Sharing Research Resources
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
A. Evaluation
B. Other Income
C. Special Leave
D. Changes in Research or Career Development Program
E. Change of Institution or Termination
3. Reporting

Section VII. Agency Contact(s)
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2. Peer Review Contact(s)
3. Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s)

Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations

Part II - Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Research Objectives

This ongoing program Announcement (PAR) for the Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research is being reissued. This PAR replaces PAR-01-064, which was published March 7, 2001. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is especially interested in increasing the number of scientists trained to conduct high-quality mouse pathobiology research. The purpose of the Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research is to provide support for established outstanding pathobiologists to allow them protected time to devote to mouse pathobiology research, to relieve them from time consuming service obligations and administrative responsibilities, and to act as mentors for beginning investigators.

The target candidates are scientists engaged in mouse pathobiology research who are within 15 years of their specialty training, who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers, and who are committed to mentoring the next generation of mouse pathobiologists. This initiative is in response to recommendations established at the NIH meeting on "Priority Setting for Mouse Genomics and Genetics Resources," to increasing pressures created by the growing number of genetically-altered mice being used by the biomedical research community, and to burgeoning opportunities for mouse pathobiologists in the biomedical research environment.

The objectives of the Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research are to encourage experienced, midcareer pathobiologists to:

devote more time to mouse pathobiology research by relieving these investigators from time-consuming institutional service; this protected time will advance their skills in conducting independent biomedical research.
increase their mentoring of beginning investigators in mouse pathobiology to build up the pool of skilled mouse pathologists who can fill the growing need for trained professionals to contribute in the exciting discoveries being made using genetically-altered mice for biomedical research.
conduct state-of-the-art biomedical research in mouse pathobiology.

This Award will enable candidates holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree (see ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS below) to undertake up to five years (a minimum of three years is required) of enhanced mouse pathobiology research, thereby further developing their research skills, devoting time to mouse pathobiology research, and acting as mentors and role models for beginning investigators.

The prospective candidate for the Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research should propose a period of research consistent with his/her research and/or clinical experience and with the proposed further development of his/her research skills. All programs should be carefully tailored to meet the individual needs of the candidate and must include a description of meritorious past research projects that meet the definition of mouse pathobiology research. In addition, the candidate should have a demonstrated record of mentoring and should describe mentoring activities that will involve pathobiology investigators who have little or no research experience.

At the time of application, the candidate should have a demonstrated record of significant, ongoing peer-reviewed research support in the field of mouse pathobiology, either as a Principal Investigator or co-Investigator.

See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.

Section II. Award Information

1. Mechanism(s) of Support

This funding opportunity will use the Midcareer Investigator Award in Biomedical and Behavioral Research (K26) award mechanism.

As an applicant, you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.

This funding opportunity uses the just-in-time budget concepts. It also uses the non-modular budget format described in the PHS 398 application instructions (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html). A detailed categorical budget for the "Initial Budget Period" and the "Entire Proposed Period of Support" is to be submitted with the application.

2. Funds Available

The overall goal of the awarding Institute or Center (IC), i.e., the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) or National Institute on Aging (NIA), is to support between two and four new awards in Fiscal Year 2006 and in each succeeding year through Fiscal Year 2008. The actual number of awards to be made will vary yearly and will be dependent upon the number and quality of applications submitted and funds available.

Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. Although the financial plans of the IC(s) provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

The total direct costs must be requested in accordance with the K26 program guidelines, following the budget instructions described in the Career Award Section of the PHS 398.

Allowable Costs:

Salary: The NIH will provide salary and commensurate fringe benefits for the award recipient for up to 50 percent effort, up to the level of the current NIH extramural salary cap (in FY 2006, $183,500 per annum, or a maximum of $91,750 for 50 percent effort). At least 25 percent effort is required. The institution may supplement the NIH contribution up to a level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale. Institutional supplementation of salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of the award. The total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment. It must be consistent both with the established salary structure at the institution and with salaries actually provided by the institution from its own funds to other staff members of equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned. If full-time, 12-month salaries are not currently paid to comparable staff members, the salary proposed must be appropriately related to the existing salary structure.
Research Development Support: The awarding IC (NCRR or NIA) will provide generally up to $25,000 per year for the following expenses: (a) research expenses, such as supplies, equipment and technical personnel for the principal investigator and his/her mentored investigators; (b) travel to research meetings or training courses; and c) statistical services including personnel and computer time.
Ancillary Personnel Support: Salary for secretarial and administrative assistance etc., is not allowed.
Facilities and Administrative costs: These costs will be reimbursed at 8 percent of modified total direct costs.

Facilities and administrative costs requested by consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation; see NOT-OD-05-004.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

1.A. Eligible Institutions

You may submit (an) application(s) if your organization has any of the following characteristics:

For-profit organizations
Non-profit organizations
Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories
Domestic Institutions

Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.

1.B. Eligible Individuals

Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.

Most candidates for this award will have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or equivalent) from an institution recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In addition, individuals holding other clinical (such as the M.D.) or research (such as the Ph.D.) degree(s) may apply for the award if they have been certified or have demonstrated the necessary expertise to perform high quality, funded research in mouse pathobiology. Candidates must have completed their specialty or research training within 15 years of submitting the application, and there is no age limit for candidates. In exceptional circumstances, the period of eligibility may be extended if it can be demonstrated that candidates had an interruption in their career progression due to family or personal circumstances.

Candidates must be working in a research environment, conducting mouse pathobiology research, and have significant peer reviewed research support. This support can be as a principal or co-investigator, and needs to involve a significant project with biomedical relevance. Candidates must be willing to spend up to 50% effort (at least 25%) conducting mouse pathobiology research and mentoring. Candidates must describe a research and mentoring program that will meet their individual needs and capabilities.

Applications may be submitted on behalf of candidates by domestic, non-Federal organizations, public or private, such as universities, veterinary, medical, dental, or nursing schools or other institutions of higher education. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.

At the time of award, candidates must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I- 551, or other legal verification of such status).

Noncitizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying possessions of the United States (i.e., American Samoa and Swains Island). Individuals on temporary visas are not eligible.

A candidate for the MIDCAREER INVESTIGATOR AWARD IN MOUSE PATHOBIOLOGY RESEARCH may not concurrently apply for any other PHS award that duplicates the provisions of this award. Recipients of this award are required to hold independent research support, either Federal or private, during the period of this award.

K26 awards are not renewable.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required.

The most current Grants Policy Statement can be found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/nihgps_Part2.htm#matching_or_cost_sharing

3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should not submit more than one application, unless the combined effort two K26 applications do not exceed 50% effort, and each application is scientifically distinct and provides appropriate mentoring.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Information

The PHS 398 application instructions are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Applicants must use the currently approved version of the PHS 398. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: [email protected].

Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY 301-451-5936.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Applications must be prepared using the most current PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms. Applications must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or through the web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/. The D&B number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form.

The title and number of this funding opportunity must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be checked.

Using the Supplementary Instructions in the PHS 398 for Research Career Awards (Instructions, Part III), the application must contain the following information:

Candidate

Evidence of the candidate's ability to conduct high-quality mouse pathobiology research.
A description of his or her immediate and long-term career objectives, explaining how the award will contribute to their attainment.
A description of how the candidate will use the relief from institutional service or administrative duties to expand his or her expertise in mouse pathobiological research.
A description with evidence of the candidate's commitment to a career in mouse pathobiology research.
This description of the candidate should not exceed six pages of the 25-page limit. One to two pages should be devoted to the candidate's background (high quality mouse research), two to four pages to the candidate's immediate and long-term career goals, and one to two pages to the candidate's commitment to a career in mouse pathobiology research.

Mentoring Plan

A demonstrated record of mentoring or training beginning investigators (e.g., graduate students, residents, post-doctoral fellows, visiting scientists) or a demonstration of the capability to provide mentoring to beginning investigators.
A description of plans for providing mentoring opportunities to beginning investigators, including a description of the types of investigators that could be mentored, plans for recruiting and selecting such individuals, and the training and educational experiences to be provided.
This description of the mentoring plan should not exceed five pages. One to two pages should be devoted to previous mentoring or training of beginning investigators, and one to two pages should describe the plans for identifying, selecting, training and mentoring the next generation of mouse pathobiologists.

Research Plan

A description of the candidate’s ongoing mouse pathobiology research. The research plan should (briefly) describe the specific aims, background and significance, and the research design and methods of the study. Emphasis should be given to the initial three years of the award.
This description of the research plan should not exceed 20 pages of the 25-page limit that includes the description of the candidate, and the mentoring plan. One to two pages should be devoted to state the hypothesis and specific aims; two to four pages should state the background, significance, and rationale; and two to four pages should summarize previous studies and their results.
Documentation that appropriate and adequate resources, both in terms of support and facilities are available to the candidate, to conduct the research program. This must include a description of other monetary support that will be utilized to conduct the research program.

Environment and Institutional Commitment

The sponsoring institution must document a strong, well-established mouse pathobiology research and training program related to the candidate's area of interest including a high-quality research environment with staff capable of productive collaboration with the candidate.
The sponsoring institution also must provide a statement of commitment to enhancing the candidate's ability as a productive, independent investigator.
The sponsoring institution must provide documentation that the candidate will be relieved from other duties, i.e. animal care, facility management, administrative, etc., to allow him/her to devote time to the mouse pathobiology research program.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Applications must include a description of a program to receive formal or informal instruction in scientific integrity or the responsible conduct of research. Applications without plans for instructions 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 to consider instruction in the following areas: conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, policies regarding the use of human an animal subjects, and data management. Applicants must follow the application instructions found on page 49 of the PHS-398 application package and refer to the NIH we site (http://www.nih.gov/sigs/bioethics/researchethics.html) for additional guidance.

Document prior instruction in or propose plans for instruction in the responsible conduct of research in terms of subject matter and duration of instruction. An award cannot be made if an application lacks this component.

Biographical Sketch

A biographical sketch is required for all key personnel, following the instructions in the career award section of the PHS 398, and list current and recent research support.

3. Submission Dates and Times
See Section IV.3.A for details.

3.A. Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates

Letter of Intent Submission Date: 30 days before submission date
Application Submission Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Peer Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Council Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: A Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward for guidance on dates

3.A.1. Letter of Intent

Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

Descriptive title of proposed research
Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
Names of other key personnel
Participating institutions
Number and title of this funding opportunity

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed at the beginning of this document.

The letter of intent should be sent to:

William F. Rall, Ph.D
Division of Comparative Medicine
National Center for Research Resources
One Democracy Plaza, Room 946
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 435-0744
FAX: (301) 480-3819
Email: [email protected]

3.B. Sending an Application to the NIH

Applications must be prepared using the research grant application forms found in the PHS 398 instructions for preparing a research grant application. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, 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 (U.S. Postal Service Express or regular mail)
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service; non-USPS service)

Two additional signed copies and all appendix materials should also be sent to:

Dr. John Glowa, Ph.D
Office of Review
National Center for Research Resources
One Democracy Plaza, Room 1078
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892-4874 (U.S. Postal Service Express or regular mail)

Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service; non-USPS service)

Personal deliveries of applications are no longer permitted (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-040.html).

3.C. Application Processing

Applications must be submitted on or before the application receipt/submission dates described above (Section IV.3.A.) and at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/dates.htm.

Upon receipt applications will be evaluated for completeness by CSR. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The NIH will not accept any application in response to this funding opportunity that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial merit review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of a substantial revision of an application already reviewed, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous critique.

Although there is no immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of an application, applicants are generally notified of the review and funding assignment within eight (8) weeks.

4. Intergovernmental Review
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

5. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm.

Pre-Award Costs: Pre-Award Costs are allowable. A grantee may, at its own risk and without NIH prior approval, incur obligations and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning date of the K01 initial budget period of a new award if such costs: are necessary to conduct the project, and would be allowable under the grant, if awarded, without NIH prior approval. If specific expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the grantee must obtain NIH approval before incurring the cost. NIH prior approval is required for any costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new award.

The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a competing award imposes no obligation on NIH either to make the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award costs incurred. NIH expects the grantee to be fully aware that pre-award costs result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not impair the grantee's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project. See NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part6.htm.

6. Other Submission Requirements

Plan for Sharing Research Data

The precise content of the data-sharing plan will vary, depending on the data being collected and how the investigator is planning to share the data. Applicants who are planning to share data may wish to describe briefly the expected schedule for data sharing, the format of the final dataset, the documentation to be provided, whether or not any analytic tools also will be provided, whether or not a data-sharing agreement will be required and, if so, a brief description of such an agreement (including the criteria for deciding who can receive the data and whether or not any conditions will be placed on their use), and the mode of data sharing (e.g., under their own auspices by mailing a disk or posting data on their institutional or personal website, through a data archive or enclave). Investigators choosing to share under their own auspices may wish to enter into a data-sharing agreement. References to data sharing may also be appropriate in other sections of the application.

All applicants must include a plan for sharing research data in their application. The data sharing policy is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing. All investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a description of how final research data will be shared, or explain why data sharing is not possible.

The reasonableness of the data sharing plan or the rationale for not sharing research data will be assessed by the reviewers. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed data sharing plan into the determination of scientific merit or the priority score.

Sharing Research Resources

NIH policy requires that grant awardee recipients make unique research resources readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community after publication (NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/index.htm and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part7.htm#_Toc54600131). Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a plan for sharing research resources addressing how unique research resources will be shared or explain why sharing is not possible.

The adequacy of the resources sharing plan and any related data sharing plans will be considered by Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding applications. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each non-competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm). See Section VI.3. Reporting.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria (Update: Enhanced review criteria have been issued for the evaluation of research applications received for potential FY2010 funding and thereafter - see NOT-OD-09-025)

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.

Applications submitted for this funding opportunity will be assigned to the ICs on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines.

Appropriate scientific review groups convened in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures (http://www.csr.nih.gov/refrev.htm) will evaluate applications for scientific and technical merit.

As part of the initial merit review, all applications:

May undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score.
Will receive a written critique.
Will receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Research Resources Council (NARRC) or the National Advisory Council on Aging (NACA).

Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved research career development award applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

Scientific merit and quality of the proposed applications as determined by peer review.
Relevance of the proposed career development program, prior training, and commitment of the applicant to becoming an independent researcher.
Relevance to program priorities.
Availability of funds.

Review Criteria

The goals of goals of NIH-supported career development programs are to help ensure that diverse pools of highly trained scientists are available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to address the Nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. The scientific review group will address and consider each of these criteria in assigning the application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application.

Candidate
Mentoring Plan
Career Development Plan
Research Plan
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
Appropriateness of and Statements by Mentor, Co-Mentor(s), Consultant(s), and Collaborator(s)
Environment and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate

The application does not need to be strong in all categories to receive a high priority score. These criteria are listed in logical order and not in order of priority.

Candidate

Quality of the candidate's academic and professional record, including capability and commitment to serve as a mentor;
Evidence of prior and ongoing high quality mouse pathobiology research and the relationship of that research to this program;
Potential to conduct quality mouse pathobiology research;
Commitment to a mouse pathobiology research career;
Appropriateness of the content and duration of the proposed research program;
Evidence of monetary support for the proposed research.

Mentoring Plan

Experience serving as a mentor; this mentoring may include undergraduate or graduate students, residents, junior professionals, or visiting scientists who seek training in mouse pathobiology;
Adequacy of the plans for mentoring or supervising beginning investigators in mouse pathobiology;
Plans for the potential development and expansion of the training plan.

Career Development Plan

Based on the Candidate Statement, Research Plan, Environment, Institutional, and other components, consider the following:

Likelihood that the overall program will contribute substantially to the candidate's scientific development;
Appropriateness of the content and duration of the proposed research phases of the award;
Consistency of the overall program with the candidate's career goals and prior research experience.

Research Plan

Although the K26 application does not require the level of detail necessary in other research grant applications, a fundamentally sound research plan must be provided for award years one through three. In general, less detail is expected of the planned research for years four and five (if appropriate), but the application should outline the general goals for those years;
Appropriateness of the research plan to capitalize on the growing opportunities of available mouse pathobiology resources and to expand technical skills;
Scientific and technical merits of the proposed research;
Relevance of the proposed research to the candidate's career objectives;
Availability of adequate resources to conduct the proposed research;
Demonstration that the proposed program will relieve the candidate from other service or administrative duties and allow him/her to devote sufficient time to mouse pathobiology research.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Quality and appropriateness of the proposed training in the responsible conduct of research.

Appropriateness of and Statements by Mentor/Co-Mentor(s), Consultant(s), and Collaborator(s)

Appropriateness of the mentor's research qualifications in the area of the proposed research;
Quality and extent of the mentor’s proposed role in providing guidance and advice to students;
Previous experience in fostering the development of students;
History of research productivity and peer-reviewed support in the area of pathobiology research;
Strength of the mentor’s statement.

Environment and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate

Applicant institution's commitment to the scientific development of the candidate and assurances that the institution intends the candidate to be an integral part of its research program;
Adequacy of research facilities and the availability of appropriate educational opportunities;
Quality and relevance of the environment for scientific and professional development of the candidate and others pursuing mouse pathobiology research;
Applicant institution's commitment to provide adequate time for conduct of the research program.

See also Section IV. 5. Funding Restrictions for special terms and conditions on cost limitations.

2.A. Additional Review Criteria:

In addition to the above criteria, the following items will continue to be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score:

Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk: The involvement of human subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in the proposed research will be assessed (see the Research Plan, Section E on Human Subjects in the PHS Form 398).

Inclusion of Women, Minorities and Children in Research: The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both genders, all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research will be assessed. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated (see the Research Plan, Section E on Human Subjects in the PHS Form 398).

Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, the five items described under Section F of the PHS Form 398 research grant application instructions will be assessed.

Biohazards: If materials or procedures are proposed that are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, determine if the proposed protection is adequate.

2.B. Additional Review Considerations

Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research career development plan. The priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget.

2.C. Sharing Research Data

Data Sharing Plan: The reasonableness of the data sharing plan or the rationale for not sharing research data will be assessed by the reviewers. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed data sharing plan into the determination of scientific merit or the priority score. The presence of a data sharing plan will be part of the terms and conditions of the award. The funding organization will be responsible for monitoring the data sharing policy.

2.D. Sharing Research Resources

NIH policy requires that grant awardee recipients make unique research resources readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community after publication (See the NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/part_ii_5.htm#availofrr and http://ott.od.nih.gov/RTguide_final.html). Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a sharing research resources plan addressing how unique research resources will be shared or explain why sharing is not possible.

Program staff will be responsible for the administrative review of the plan for sharing research resources.

The adequacy of the resources sharing plan will be considered by Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding applications. Program staff may negotiate modifications of the data and resource sharing plans with the awardee before recommending funding of an application. The final version of the data and resource sharing plans negotiated by both will become a condition of the award of the grant. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each non-competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590). See Section VI.3. Reporting.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Not applicable

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons.

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant. For details, applicants may refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part4.htm).

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document. Once all administrative and programmatic issues have been resolved, the NoA will be generated via email notification from the awarding component to the grantee business official (designated in item 12 on the Application Face Page). If a grantee is not email enabled, a hard copy of the NoA will be mailed to the business official.

Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs. See Also Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the Notice of Award. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part4.htm) and Part II Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part9.htm).

2.A. Evaluation

In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related programs, the NIH may begin requesting information essential to an assessment of the effectiveness of this program. Accordingly, recipients are hereby notified that they may be contacted after the completion of this award for periodic updates on various aspects of their employment history, publications, support from research grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.

2.B. Other Income

Awardees may retain royalties and fees for activities such as scholarly writing, service on advisory groups, honoraria from other institutions for lectures or seminars, fees resulting from clinical practice, professional consultation or other comparable activities, provided these activities remain incidental, are not required by the research and research-related activities of this award, and provided that the retention of such pay is consistent with the policies and practices of the grantee institution.

All other income and fees, not included in the preceding paragraph as retainable, may not be retained by the career award recipient. Such fees must be assigned to the grantee institution for disposition by any of the following methods:

The funds may be expended by the grantee institution in accordance with the NIH policy on supplementation of career award salaries and to provide fringe benefits in proportion to such supplementation. Such salary supplementation and fringe benefit payments must be within the established policies of the grantee institution.
The funds may be used for health-related research purposes.
The funds may be paid to miscellaneous receipts of the U.S. Treasury. Checks should be made payable to the Department of Health and Human Services, NIH and forwarded to the Director, Office of Financial Management, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Checks must identify the relevant award account and reason for the payment.

Usually, funds budgeted in an NIH supported research or research training grant for the salaries or fringe benefits of individuals, but freed as a result of a career award, may not be rebudgeted. The awarding component will give consideration to approval for the use of released funds only under unusual circumstances. Any proposed retention of funds released as a result of a career award must receive prior written approval of the NIH awarding component.

2.C. Special Leave

Leave to another institution, including a foreign laboratory, may be permitted if the proposed experience is directly related to the purpose of the award. Only local institutional approval is required if such leave does not exceed three months. For longer periods, prior written approval of the NIH awarding institute or center is required. Details on the process for submission of prior approval requests can be founds in the NIHGPS (rev. 12/03), Requests for Prior Approval, at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part7.htm#_Toc54600130.)

A copy of a letter or other evidence from the institution where the leave is to be taken must be submitted to assure that satisfactory arrangements have been made. Support from the K01 award will continue during such leave.

Leave without award support may not exceed 12 months. Such leave requires the prior written approval of the NIH component institute and will be granted only in unusual situations.

Support from other sources is permissible during the period of leave without award support. Such leave does not reduce the total number of months of program support for which an individual is eligible.

2.D. Changes in Research or Career Development Program

Individual awards are made for career development at a specific institution in a specific research program. A change in the specified scientific area of the research component of the career development program requires prior approval of the awarding NIH institute. A scientific rationale must be provided for any proposed changes in the aims of the original peer-reviewed research plan. The new research plan will be evaluated by staff of the awarding NIH component institute to ensure that the plan remains within the scope of the original peer-reviewed research program. If the new plan does not satisfy this requirement, staff could recommend that the award be terminated.

2.E. Change of Institution or Termination

Consultation with the applicable NIH program staff is strongly encouraged when either termination or a change of institution is being considered.

A change of grantee request normally will be permitted only when all of the benefits attributable to the original grant can be transferred, including equipment purchased in whole or in part with grant funds. In reviewing a request to transfer a grant, NIH will consider whether there is a continued need for the grant-supported project or activity and the impact of any proposed changes in the scope of the project. A change may be made without peer review, provided the PI plans no significant change in research and career development objectives and the facilities and resources at the new organization will allow for successful performance of the project. If these conditions or other programmatic or administrative requirements are not met, the NIH awarding office may require peer review or may disapprove the request and, if appropriate, terminate the award.

If the grantee is moving to another eligible institution, career award support may be continued provided:

A relinquishing statement is submitted by the original institution and a transfer application is submitted by the new institution at least three months prior to the transfer in order to allow the necessary time for administrative review by the NIH awarding institute.
The awardee must establish in the transfer application that the specific aims of the research program to be conducted at the new institution are within the scope of the original peer-reviewed research program, and that a new sponsor has been identified who has the appropriate research expertise and support to provide adequate guidance to the awardee and research support for the awardee's research program.
All conditions of the award are met at the new institution.
The period of support requested is no more than the time remaining within the existing award

When a grantee institution plans to terminate an award, the Grants Management Specialist listed on the NoA must be notified in writing at the earliest possible time so that appropriate instructions can be given for termination. The Director of the NIH may terminate an award upon determination that the purpose or terms of the award are not being fulfilled. In the event an award is terminated, NIH shall notify the grantee institution in writing of this determination, the reasons therefore, the effective date, and the right to appeal the decision period.

3. Reporting

Awardees will be required to submit the PHS Non-Competing Grant Progress Report, Form 2590 annually (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm) and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status Report are required when an award is relinquished when a recipient changes institutions or when an award is terminated.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage your inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into three areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management issues:

1. Scientific/Research Contacts:

William F. Rall, Ph.D.
Division of Comparative Medicine
National Center for Research Resources
One Democracy Plaza, Room 948
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 435-0744
FAX: (301) 480-3819
Email: [email protected]

Nancy L. Nadon, Ph.D.
Head, Office of Biological Resources and Resource Development
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Ave / GW 2C231
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-0181
FAX: (301) 402-5997
Email: [email protected]

2. Peer Review Contacts:

Dr. John Glowa, Ph.D.
Office of Review
National Center for Research Resources
One Democracy Plaza, Room 1078
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892-4874 (U.S. Postal Service Express or regular mail)
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service; non-USPS service)
Telephone: (301) 435-0807
FAX: (301) 480-3660
Email: [email protected]

Mary Nekola, Ph.D.

NIA Scientific Review Office
7201 Wisconsin Ave., GW 2C212
Bethesda MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-9666
FAX: (301) 402-0066
Email: [email protected]

3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:

Ms. Holly Atherton
Office of Grants Management
National Center for Research Resources
One Democracy Plaza, Room 1040
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 435-0840
FAX: (301) 480- 3777
Email: [email protected]

Ms. Linda Whipp
NIA Grants Management Office
7201 Wisconsin Ave., GW 2N212
Bethesda MD 20892
Telephone: 301-496-1472
FAX: (301) 402-3672
Email: [email protected]

Section VIII. Other Information

Required Federal Citations

Use of Animals in Research:
Recipients of PHS support for activities involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf) as mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm), and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm) as applicable.

Human Subjects Protection:
Federal regulations (45CFR46) require that applications and proposals involving human subjects must be evaluated with reference to the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm).

Data and Safety Monitoring Plan:
Data and safety monitoring is required for all types of clinical trials, including physiologic toxicity and dose-finding studies (phase I); efficacy studies (Phase II); efficacy, effectiveness and comparative trials (Phase III). Monitoring should be commensurate with risk. The establishment of data and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) is required for multi-site clinical trials involving interventions that entail potential risks to the participants (NIH Policy for Data and Safety Monitoring, NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).

Sharing Research Data:
Investigators submitting an NIH application seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year are expected to include a plan for data sharing or state why this is not possible (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing).

Investigators should seek guidance from their institutions, on issues related to institutional policies and local IRB rules, as well as local, State and Federal laws and regulations, including the Privacy Rule. Reviewers will consider the data sharing plan but will not factor the plan into the determination of the scientific merit or the priority score.

Access to Research Data through the Freedom of Information Act:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to provide access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in a project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope of this amendment. NIH has provided guidance at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm. Applicants may wish to place data collected under this funding opportunity in a public archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the distribution for an indefinite period of time. If so, the application should include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include information about this in the budget justification section of the application. In addition, applicants should think about how to structure informed consent statements and other human subjects procedures given the potential for wider use of data collected under this award.

Sharing of Model Organisms:
NIH is committed to support efforts that encourage sharing of important research resources including the sharing of model organisms for biomedical research (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/model_organism/index.htm). At the same time the NIH recognizes the rights of grantees and contractors to elect and retain title to subject inventions developed with Federal funding pursuant to the Bayh Dole Act (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/index.htm). All investigators submitting an NIH application or contract proposal, beginning with the October 1, 2004 receipt date, are expected to include in the application/proposal a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organism research resources generated using NIH funding or state why such sharing is restricted or not possible. This will permit other researchers to benefit from the resources developed with public funding. The inclusion of a model organism sharing plan is not subject to a cost threshold in any year and is expected to be included in all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated.

Inclusion of Women And Minorities in Clinical Research:
It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their sub-populations must be included in all NIH-supported clinical research projects unless a clear and compelling justification is 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 clinical research should read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html); a complete copy of the updated Guidelines is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm. The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition of clinical research; updated racial and ethnic categories in compliance with the new OMB standards; clarification of language governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials consistent with the new PHS Form 398; and updated roles and responsibilities of NIH staff and the extramural community. The policy continues to require for all NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) all applications or proposals and/or protocols must 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) investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group differences.

Inclusion of Children as Participants in Clinical Research:
The NIH maintains a policy that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all clinical research, conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them.

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 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm).

Required Education on the Protection of Human Subject Participants:
NIH policy requires education on the protection of human subject participants for all investigators submitting NIH applications for research involving human subjects and individuals designated as key personnel. The policy is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC):
Criteria for federal funding of research on hESCs can be found at http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp and at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-005.html. Only research using hESC lines that are registered in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (http://escr.nih.gov). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide in the project description and elsewhere in the application as appropriate, the official NIH identifier(s) for the hESC line(s)to be used in the proposed research. Applications that do not provide this information will be returned without review.

NIH Public Access Policy:
NIH-funded investigators are requested to submit to the NIH manuscript submission (NIHMS) system (http://www.nihms.nih.gov/) at PubMed Central (PMC) an electronic version of the author's final manuscript upon acceptance for publication, resulting from research supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH. The author's final manuscript is defined as the final version accepted for journal publication, and includes all modifications from the publishing peer review process.

NIH is requesting that authors submit manuscripts resulting from 1) currently funded NIH research projects or 2) previously supported NIH research projects if they are accepted for publication on or after May 2, 2005. The NIH Public Access Policy applies to all research grant and career development award mechanisms, cooperative agreements, contracts, Institutional and Individual Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards, as well as NIH intramural research studies. The Policy applies to peer-reviewed, original research publications that have been supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH, but it does not apply to book chapters, editorials, reviews, or conference proceedings. Publications resulting from non-NIH-supported research projects should not be submitted.

For more information about the Policy or the submission process please visit the NIH Public Access Policy Web site at http://www.nih.gov/about/publicaccess/ and view the Policy or other Resources and Tools including the Authors' Manual (http://www.nih.gov/about/publicaccess/publicaccess_Manual.htm).

Public Access to Research Data through the Freedom of Information Act:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in a project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope of this amendment. NIH has provided guidance at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm. Applicants may wish to place data collected under this funding opportunity in a public archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the distribution for an indefinite period of time. If so, the application should include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include information about this in the budget justification section of the application. In addition, applicants should think about how to structure informed consent statements and other human subjects procedures given the potential for wider use of data collected under this award.

Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued final modification to the "Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information", the "Privacy Rule", on August 14, 2002 . The Privacy Rule is a federal regulation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 that governs the protection of individually identifiable health information, and is administered and enforced by the DHHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Decisions about applicability and implementation of the Privacy Rule reside with the researcher and his/her institution. The OCR website (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/) provides information on the Privacy Rule, including a complete Regulation Text and a set of decision tools on "Am I a covered entity?" Information on the impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on NIH processes involving the review, funding, and progress monitoring of grants, cooperative agreements, and research contracts can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-025.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. Furthermore, we caution reviewers that their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an Internet site.

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 is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.

Authority and Regulations:
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The NIH Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm.

The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and discourage the 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.

Loan Repayment Programs:
NIH encourages applications for educational loan repayment from qualified health professionals who have made a commitment to pursue a research career involving clinical, pediatric, contraception, infertility, and health disparities related areas. The LRP is an important component of NIH's efforts to recruit and retain the next generation of researchers by providing the means for developing a research career unfettered by the burden of student loan debt. Note that an NIH grant is not required for eligibility and concurrent career award and LRP applications are encouraged. The periods of career award and LRP award may overlap providing the LRP recipient with the required commitment of time and effort, as LRP awardees must commit at least 50% of their time (at least 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour week) for two years to the research. For further information, please see: http://www.lrp.nih.gov.

Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices