Department of Health and Human Services

Part 1. Overview Information
Participating Organization(s)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Components of Participating Organizations

Fogarty International Center (FIC)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Funding Opportunity Title

Limited Competition: Planning Grant for Fogarty HIV Research Training Program for Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions (D71)

Activity Code

D71 International Training Program Planning Grant

Announcement Type

New

Related Notices

Request for information notice (NOT-TW-10-006); Notice to consolidate (NOT-TW-11-010); Clarification notice (NOT-TW-11-016);Notice to discontinue AITRP (NOT-TW-11-015); ICOHRTA AIDS TB (NOT-TW-11-014)

  • April 25, 2013 - This PAR has been expired and reissued as PAR-13-214.
  • July 19, 2012 - See Notice NOT-TW-12-017. This Notice announces a change in the instructions for the Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research and extends the application receipt date.
  • February 15, 2012 - See Notice NOT-TW-12-006. Is clarifying information relating to organizational eligibility and to application instructions for the PHS398 Research Training Program Plan section.

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number

PAR-12-070

Companion FOA

PAR-12-068 (D43), PAR-12-069 G11

Number of Applications

See Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s)

93.989, 93.242

FOA Purpose

The purpose of this FOA is to encourage institutions in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) to submit an application for a planning grant under the Fogarty HIV Research Training Program. This program supports research training that will strengthen the HIV research capacity of institutions in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). The planning grant application must propose a plan to develop the components necessary for an application for a research training program to submit in response to D43 FOA (PAR-12-068 for D43 FOA). In developing an application for a planning grant, applicants need to be familiar with the objectives and special requirements of the research training program as defined in the D43 FOA.

Key Dates
Posted Date

December 22, 2011

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

June 24, 2012

Letter of Intent Due Date

June 24, 2012, June 24, 2013, June 24, 2014

Application Due Date(s)

July 24, 2012 (Extended to August 16, 2012 per NOT-TW-12-017), July 24, 2013, July 24, 2014, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

AIDS Application Due Date(s)

Not Applicable

Scientific Merit Review

October/November 2012, October/November 2013, October/November 2014

Advisory Council Review

January 2013, January 2014, January 2015

Earliest Start Date(s)

April 2013, April 2014, April 2015

Expiration Date

(Now Expired April 26, 2013 per issuance of PAR-13-214), Originally July 25, 2014

Due Dates for E.O. 12372

Not Applicable

Required Application Instructions

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide especially the Supplemental Instructions to the SF424 (R&R) for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Application, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this FOA or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the FOA) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Overview Information
Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

The overall goal of the Fogarty HIV Research Training Program is to strengthen the human capacity to contribute to the ability of the institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to conduct HIV-related research on the evolving HIV-related epidemics in their country and to compete independently for research funding. See http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups for the countries defined as low-and middle-income.

The Fogarty HIV Research Training Program encourages application under three different Funding Opportunities Announcements (FOAs). The Fogarty International Center (FIC) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), through this FOA (D71), are encouraging planning grant applications to support LMIC institutions to plan and develop an application for a research training program in response to the second FOA (D43 FOA PAR-12-068). The future research training program is expected to develop and strengthen the scientific leadership and expertise needed to strengthen the research capacity of the LMIC institution to address a specified scientific topic or question.

U.S. institutions interested in applying to support research training in an LMIC institution and LMIC institutions who have already received a planning grant through the FIC AIDS International Training and Research Program (AITRP) or a Phase II International Clinical, Operations and Health Services Research Training Award for AIDS and TB (ICOHRTA AIDS TB) should also consult the D43 FOA. The third FOA will support applications from U.S. institutions for training in defined research infrastructure areas at LMIC institutions, and interested applicants should consult the FOA for Training for Critical HIV Research Infrastructure for Low-and Middle-Income Country Institutions (G11 FOA, PAR-12-069).

The Fogarty International Center (FIC), with co-funding from other NIH Institutes, Centers and Offices, has provided 25 years of support to HIV research through two HIV research training programs, (AITRP) and the (ICOHRTA AIDS TB). Awards under these two programs have supported research training of LMIC individuals who have participated in important HIV-related research, conducted at LMIC institutions and in partnership with U.S. and other international scientists and scientific institutions. Over the years, some of the most important recent scientific advances in HIV/AIDS, including interventions to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission, to address HIV/TB co-infection, and to prevent HIV infection through behavior change, microbicides, and antiretroviral drugs, have been facilitated through partnerships with LMIC scientists and supported by the FIC research training programs.

Efforts to implement research findings within the context of increased provision of HIV prevention, care and treatment services in LMIC over the past ten years have led to the emergence of new research issues, such as combination HIV prevention interventions, better linking of newly diagnosed individuals into care programs, and integration of HIV programs with other health services. As LMICs implement HIV prevention, care and treatment programs for their populations, these and other, yet undefined, research issues will need evidenced based solutions. Because the social context of an LMIC will influence the research designed to answer these evolving research questions, LMIC institutions and their researchers, who intimately understand the social context of their country and with the research capacity to design and conduct the research, are best positioned to conduct the most relevant research, disseminate the results in-country, and influence policymakers, program managers and medical/public health practice. Continued investment in training to strengthen research and research capacity at LMIC institutions is needed to address the on-going HIV epidemic in LMICs.

FIC decided to consolidate the two FIC HIV research training programs in FY2013 into a new program, Fogarty HIV Research Training Program. This new program is designed to focus each individual research training award on specific research capacity at an identified LMIC institution. The new program will move beyond simple output indicators (number and type of people trained) to outcome indicators (increased research capacity at an institutional level) for more meaningful monitoring and evaluating both of individual awards and of the program as a whole.

This FOA provides support for those LMIC institutions with strong research experience, expertise and resources in various scientific areas to plan their own research training program, in response to D43 FOA, so that they can share their expertise with others. Research training programs, developed and led by LMIC institutions will maximize previous FIC and other NIH research and research training investments in those LMIC institutions, will further strengthen the LMIC institution's research and research training capabilities, and will provide additional and more accessible research training opportunities to others in their own country and in other LMICs.

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the D43 FOA as they prepare their planning grant application in response to this FOA. The planning grant applicant will need to identify the specific scientific topic or question upon which to focus the future research training program, provide rationale for why this topic or question was selected, and propose a plan for developing an application for a research training program at the LMIC institution

The objectives of the planning grant are:

The planning grant application should describe a step-wise process to meet the above objectives of the planning grant, demonstrate support and expertise of collaborators and partners named in the planning grant application, provide evidence that the leadership of the LMIC institution and significant LMIC leaders support the development of the research training, and describe how proposed future research training would be relevant to the health priorities of the LMIC. Evidence of LMIC and LMIC institutional support for the planning grant as well as sustained support for any subsequent comprehensive program is expected. The application should describe relevant research and training collaborations in the specified scientific area which the applicant institution has with others, and indicate if they are proposed partners.

Applicants are encouraged to review the FIC Strategic Plan at http://www.fic.nih.gov/About/Pages/Strategic-Plan.aspx and the NIH Plan for HIV-Related Research for the year they are applying, available at http://www.oar.nih.gov/strategicplan/. Applicants are also encouraged to explore research training in topics of interest to PEPFAR (http://www.pepfar.gov/) and the U.S. Global Health Initiative (http://www.ghi.gov/).

Section II. Award Information
Funding Instrument

Grant

Application Types Allowed

New
Resubmission

The OER Glossary and the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations, and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Award Budget

Application budgets are limited to $28,000 direct costs. Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs requested by consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation, see NOT-OD-05-004. Facilities and administrative costs are limited to 8% for all awards and sub-awards.

Award Project Period

Two years

Other Award Budget Information
Stipends, Tuition, and Fees
Not Applicable
Trainee Travel
Not Applicable
Other Program Related Expenses

Senior/Key Personnel Salary:

The salary for the PD, other key personnel and administrative staff must be commensurate with the salary structure and benefits at the institution where they are employed and within the limits described at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/salcap_summary.htm. Collaborators may receive appropriate compensation for significant activities on the program, such as recruitment and selection activities, as well as other program-related roles.

The responsibilities and time commitment for personnel receiving salary should be thoroughly described and justified.

Senior/Key Personnel Travel:

Funds may be requested for round-trip economy airfare on U.S. carriers (to the maximum extent possible) and lodging and per diem for the applicant to attend necessary meetings, including the annual program network meeting, normally in the U.S. PD(s)/PI(s) are invited to attend the network meeting and may also budget for grant administrators, other faculty, collaborators and trainees to attend.

Costs associated with meetings and other communication and organization needs for the planning process needs to be described in the budget justification.

Indirect Costs

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and fees and expenditures for equipment), rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Organizations

Current LMIC ICOHRTA AIDS TB award institutions are not eligible to submit applications under this FOA until the last year of their current ICOHRTA AIDS TB project period. At that time, they may apply under the D43 FOA if they are building on the training they provided under their completed ICOHRTA AIDS TB awards, or under this FOA for a planning grant, if they are proposing a new scientific area for training.

LMIC institutions who have had a planning grant under the AITRP should apply under the D43 FOA if they are proposing training in the same area as their AITRP planning grant. They may apply under this FOA for a planning grant, if they are proposing a new scientific area for training.

The applicant institution must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program.

The applicant institution must have a strong and high quality HIV research program in the scientific topic proposed under this FOA and must have the requisite faculty and facilities on site to conduct the future research training program.

Foreign Institutions

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Required Registrations

Applicant organizations must complete the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. Applicants must have a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to begin each of the following registrations.

All Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) must also work with their institutional officials to register with the eRA Commons or ensure their existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA Commons account of the applicant organization.

All registrations must be completed by the application due date.

Registrations for international institutions may take up to 4 months. Guidance for International Applicants Blocked from Registration Websites NOT-OD-11-090.

International applicants may obtain more information on the registrations required for grants.gov and eRA Commons at:

http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/files/Tips_for_International_Applicants.pdf.

http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/files/international_support.pdf

http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/files/international_qa.pdf

http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing_grantsgov_reg.htm.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s))

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed HIV research training as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Women and individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PD(s)/PI(s), visit the Multiple Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide.

The PD(s)/PI(s) should be an established investigator in the scientific area in which the application is targeted and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the planning and development of the future research training program. The PD(s)/PI(s) will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required.

The PD(s)/PI(s) must demonstrate the ability to put together a team and training program to bring the LMIC institution to the next level of capacity as defined in the application. The PD(s)/PI(s) on a D71 award is expected to be the PI(s)/PD(s) on the future D43 application.

2. Cost Sharing

This FOA does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is programmatically and scientifically distinct.

NIH will not accept any application in response to this FOA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial peer review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. Resubmission applications may be submitted, according to the NIH Policy on Resubmission Applications from the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Mentors

Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to participate as mentors. Mentors should have research expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program. Mentors must be committed to continue their involvement throughout the total period of the award.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application package associated with this funding opportunity using the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.

Letter of Intent

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.

By the date listed in Part 1. Overview Information, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

The letter of intent should be sent to:

Jeanne McDermott
Program Officer
Division of International Training and Research
Fogarty International Center, NIH
Bldg 31 Rm B2 C39
31 Center Dr. MSC 2220
Bethesda MD 20892-2220 U.S.A.
Telephone: 301-496-1492
Email: jeanne.mcdermott@nih.gov

Required and Optional Components

The forms package associated with this FOA includes all applicable components, mandatory and optional. Please note that some components marked optional in the application package are required for submission of applications for this FOA. Follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide to ensure you complete all appropriate optional components.

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following modification:

SF 424(R&R) Cover Component, SF 424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations Component

Item 12. Proposed Project Start and Ending Dates - Use the Earliest Anticipated Start Dates given in this FOA as the Proposed Project Start Date.

Include the applicant and any other participating institutions, both U.S. and foreign as performance sites.

SF424 (R&R) Other Project Information Component

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA), with the following modification:

Project Summary /Abstract

Provide an abstract of the entire application, including the specific scientific topic, rationale for its selection and short description of planning processes to be used. Include the country and name of the LMIC institution.

Project Narrative

Include the name of the LMIC and the LMIC institution, the specified scientific topic for which research training is being proposed, and describe the public health relevance of the increased research capacity to the LMIC in Project Narrative.

The filename provided for each Other Attachment will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.

SF 424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile Expanded Component

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following modifications:

Both the Training Budget Component and the R&R Budget Component are required for a complete application.

R&R Budget

PHS398 Training Budget

PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan

All Supplemental Instructions to the SF424 (R&R) for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Application must be followed, with the additional instructions described below:

Training Data Tables are not required for this FOA Upon submission of your application, you may receive a Warning message that Data tables are missing. You can disregard this message

Background

Program Administration (Component of Program Plan)

Describe the strengths, leadership and administrative skills, and scientific expertise of the Training PD/PI. Include the planned strategy and administrative structure to be used to oversee and monitor the program. For applications with multiple PDs/PIs, address the Leadership Plan and how the combined knowledge, skills and experience of the individual PDs/PIs will enhance the likelihood of success of the program. Indicate the level of effort and activities for which the PD/PI will be responsible. Describe the decision-making process, including how the PD/PI will obtain continuing advice with respect to the planning and development of the application for the future research training program.

Program Faculty (Component of Program Plan)

Provide a short description of the relevant research and research training expertise for faculty expected to be involved in the planning grant. Include relevant information for each on their past training record and the subsequent success of former trainees, especially those from LMICs, in seeking further career development and in establishing productive careers.

Proposed Training (Component of Program Plan)

Describe the goal and objectives for this planning grant, and how it will lead to a successful application for an award under the D43 FOA in the HIV Research Training Program. Describe a step-wise plan of activities to meet the objectives of the planning grant, The plan should provide enough details of the activities that will be used to accomplish the objectives for the reviewers to evaluate the probability of success. Describe the plans for the integration of any new research training into existing research capacity building activities at the LMIC institution. Identify existing research training programs to leverage. Describe the plan to avoid duplication of research training with other research training awards in which the applicant institution is involved.

Program Evaluation (Component of Program Plan)

Define a monitoring and evaluation plan for the two-year planning process.

Trainee Candidates (Component of Program Plan)

Describe the potential pool of candidates for the future research training and strategies that may be used to recruit and select trainees.

Institutional Environment and Commitment to the Program (Component of Program Plan)

Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity

This section not required for this FOA.

Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research

This section not required for this FOA.

Appendix

Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. Applicants are encouraged to submit in advance of the deadline to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission.

Organizations must submit applications via Grants.gov, the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies. Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

4. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

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. .

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit Applying Electronically.

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the SF 424(R&R) Application Package. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD(s)/PI(s) Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed.

Post Submission Materials

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-10-115.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. As part of the NIH mission, all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

For this particular announcement, note the following:

The application should be evaluated for the experience, expertise, and resources and proposed planning process for the development of a research training program application at the applicant institution that will be expected to bring that LMIC institution to the next level of capacity in the scientific topic proposed in the application. The applicant should provide a clear rationale for the selection of the particular scientific topic as critical to the research capacity of the applicant institution.

Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact/priority score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the program to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact.

Training Program and Environment

Do the objectives defined in the application address the objectives of the planning grant FOA? Does the applicant demonstrate the need for research training in the specified scientific topic? Does the applicant propose a realistic plan for developing an application in response to the D43 FOA for the Fogarty HIV Training Program? Does the applicant propose creative approaches to develop a research training program? Is there adequate potential for supportive training environment at the applicant and any proposed partner institutions as demonstrated by available mentors, institutional support, and on-going research projects in which trainees may participate? Is there evidence of a significant institutional commitment from all the participating institutions to collaboratively plan a research training program? Is there evidence of institutional and individual research collaborations among the faculty of the participating institutions to support the future research training?

Training Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s))

Does the Training PD(s)/PI(s) have the scientific background, expertise, and experience to provide strong leadership, direction, management, and administration of the planning process and for proposed research training program? Does the Training PD(s)/PI(s) plan to commit sufficient time to the planning process to ensure its success in submitting an application to the D43 FOA?

For applications designating multiple PD(s)/PI(s): Is a strong justification provided that the multiple PD(s)/PI(s) leadership approach will benefit the training program and the trainees? Is a strong and compelling leadership approach evident, including the designated roles and responsibilities, governance, and organizational structure consistent with and justified by the aims of the training program and with the complementary expertise of each of the PD(s)/PI(s)?

Do the PD/PI and Research Administrator (if applicable), have the experience to develop, direct and administer the proposed program? Does the leadership team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the program? Is there evidence that an appropriate level of effort will be devoted by the program leadership to ensure program objectives? Are the research qualifications, scientific stature, previous leadership and mentoring experience, and track record(s) appropriate for the proposed career development program? Are the PD(s)/PI(s) currently engaged in research relevant to the scientific area of the proposed program?

Preceptors/Mentors

Are sufficient numbers of experienced faculty/mentors with appropriate expertise and funding available to support the future research training program? Will additional mentors be needed to support the future research training program? Do the mentors have adequate funded research to support the future training program?

Trainees

Is there an adequate pool of potential trainees? Are there recruitment and selection strategies that will attract good candidates?

Training Record

How successful have the applicant institution been in previous research training efforts? Has the applicant demonstrated an ability to leverage other research or training resources in pervious training efforts

Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact/priority score, but will not give separate scores for these items.

Protections for Human Subjects

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Vertebrate Animals

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Biohazards

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Resubmissions

For Resubmissions, the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the project.

Renewals

Not Applicable

Revisions

Not Applicable

Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact/priority score.

Recruitment & Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity

Not Applicable

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Not applicable

Select Agent Research

Not Applicable

Budget and Period of Support

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s) of the Center for Scientific Review, in accordance with NIH peer review policy and procedures, using the stated review criteria. Review assignments will be shown in the eRA Commons.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications:

Applications will be assigned to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications . Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the FIC Advisory Board. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

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

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the grantee’s business official.

Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. 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.

Any application awarded in response to this FOA will be subject to the DUNS, CCR Registration, and Transparency Act requirements as noted on the Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities. More information is provided at Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants.

3. Reporting

The Non-Competing Continuation Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590) and financial statements as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are required annually. Continuation support will not be provided until the required forms are submitted and accepted. Chapter 8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, Additional Instructions for Preparing a Progress Report for an Institutional Research Training Grant, Including Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards, must be followed.

Failure by the grantee institution to submit required forms in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in an expenditure disallowance or a delay in any continuation funding for the award.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act), includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of applicable NIH grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.fsrs.gov on all subawards over $25,000. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting requirement.

Other Reporting Requirements

A final Progress Report and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Evaluation results should be included as part of the final Progress Report.

4. Evaluation

Not Applicable

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

Application Submission Contacts

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission, downloading or navigating forms)
Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726
Email: support@grants.gov

GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and process, finding NIH grant resources)
Telephone 301-710-0267
TTY 301-451-5936
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov

eRA Commons Help Desk(Questions regarding eRA Commons registration, tracking application status, post submission issues)
Phone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
TTY: 301-451-5939
Email: commons@od.nih.gov

Scientific/Research Contact(s)

Jeanne McDermott
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Telephone: 301-496-1492
Email: jeanne.mcdermott@nih.gov

Dr. Willo Pequegnat
National Institute of Mental Health
Telephone: 301.443.1187
Email: wpequegn@mail.nih.gov

Peer Review Contact(s)

Hilary D. Sigmon, Ph.D., R.N.
Center for Scientific Review (CSR)
Telephone: 301-357-9236
Email: hilary.sigmon@nih.gov

Financial/Grants Management Contact(s)

Bruce Butrum
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Telephone: 301-496-1670
Email: Bruce.Butrum@nih.gov

Rita Sisco
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: (301) 443-2805
Email: siscor@mail.nih.gov

Section VIII. Other Information

Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Authority and Regulations

Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 287b) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 63a.


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