Full Text PAR-94-063 DISSERTATION RESEARCH GRANTS IN: CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY HIV/AIDS RESEARCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 16, April 29, 1994 PA NUMBER: PAR-94-063 P.T. 34 Keywords: 0730057 Psychopathology AIDS National Institute of Mental Health Application Receipt Dates: August 10, 1994, December 13, 1994, and April 11, 1995 PURPOSE The purpose of this program announcement (PA) is to stimulate and encourage doctoral candidates to carry out dissertation research in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychopathology; HIV/AIDS Research; or Mental Health Services Research. These selected areas of emphasis are of critical importance to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). A dissertation represents the most extensive research experience formulated and carried out by doctoral candidates, with the advice and guidance of mentors. Dissertation research involves a major investment of the doctoral student's time, energy, and interest, and its substance is often the basis for launching a research career. The intent of these dissertation research grants is to assist in providing a positive and constructive research experience that will motivate a small but critical mass of candidates to make a commitment to research careers in one of the three areas covered in this PA. The increased support for investigators in developmental psychopathology and in mental health services research at this early juncture in their research careers is a natural consequence of recommendations in the NIMH National Plan for Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders and the NIMH National Plan to Improve Services Research. The encouragement of developing investigators in HIV/AIDS research represents yet an additional effort to improve the quality of research and increase the number of researchers in this priority area. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This program announcement, Dissertation Research Grants in: Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychopathology; HIV/AIDS Research; and Mental Health Services Research, is related to the priority area of mental health and mental disorders. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS The applicant investigator applying for a dissertation research grant must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral degree program in the behavioral, biomedical, or social sciences and must have approval of the dissertation proposal by a named committee. The applicant must be conducting or intending to conduct research in one of the three areas specified in this program announcement. Minority and women doctoral candidates and candidates with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply for these grants. The applicant must be a registered doctoral candidate in resident or nonresident status. All requirements for the doctoral degree other than the dissertation (and for students requiring it, the clinical internship) must be completed by the time of the award. This information and the approval of the dissertation topic by a named committee must be verified in a letter of certification from the thesis chairperson and submitted with the grant application (see APPLICATION PROCEDURES). The applicant institution administering the grant on behalf of the applicant must be domestic. Applications may be submitted by any public or private nonprofit university, college, or professional school. The doctoral candidate must be a citizen or noncitizen national of the United States or hold a permanent residence visa. Academic institutions are encouraged to facilitate application from qualified doctoral candidates. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanism of support is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) small grant (R03). Grants to support dissertation research will provide no more than $25,000 in direct costs. Awards will depend on the availability of funds. FUNDS AVAILABLE Availability of funds is determined by annual congressional appropriations. The NIMH anticipates funding up to 30 Dissertation Research Grants in the three research areas covered in this program announcement, with a total program cost of $810,000 per year, including indirect costs. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The general objectives for the three designated areas include, but are not limited to, the examples listed below. Additional detail is provided under INQUIRIES. 1. Research in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychopathology holds enormous promise for enabling investigators to understand the origin and course of child and adolescent psychopathology, of temporal and relational factors affecting vulnerability and resilience, and of preventive, treatment, and service strategies to address the mental health problems of children, adolescents, and their families. Candidates applying under this rubric must use a developmental approach to the understanding of psychopathology in examples such as those provided below. o Studies that address any of the following factors in developmental processes relevant to various risk or psychopathological conditions: 1. genetic, ontogenetic, biochemical 2. cognitive, emotional, personality, family 3. economic, sociocultural, environmental o Studies that address the processes underlying adaptive and maladaptive outcomes in populations at risk for psychopathology o Studies that address the implications of developmental processes for effective interventions with children and adolescents. 2. The HIV/AIDS Research program of the NIMH supports studies to better understand, assess, and treat the behavioral, psychosocial, and neuropsychiatric aspects of HIV infection and AIDS. In the neurosciences, the program includes elucidation of how HIV infection produces specific neuropsychiatric syndromes, the natural history of these syndromes, their impact upon cognitive function and performance, and the development of treatment for HIV central nervous system (CNS) disease. In the behavioral and psychosocial arena, program emphases include identification of determinants of high-risk sexual and drug-using behaviors; determinants of maintaining low-risk behaviors, especially for hard-to-reach and special populations; the social contexts in which risk-taking behaviors occur; the impact of HIV and AIDS on the person, caregivers, families, and significant others; and the development of more accurate methods to assess and treat HIV-related mental disorders and to improve access to mental health services and delivery of those services to persons affected by HIV. Within these broad parameters, HIV/AIDS research priorities include: o The development of behavior change and prevention strategies to reduce the further spread of the epidemic o Brain, immune system, and neural aspects of HIV infection o Measurement, course, and treatment of HIV-related mental disorders such as neural complications of opportunistic infections and HIV- related malignancies o Children and/or parents with HIV infection and AIDS o Severely mentally ill at risk of or with HIV infection o Health care services for persons with HIV infection. 3. Mental Health Services Research examines the availability, quality, cost, structure, and effectiveness of mental health and related services, programs, organizations, and systems; supply and use of mental health services; need and access to services; help- seeking and self-help behavior; disability assessment and rehabilitation services; effects of changes in the health care/ mental health care system; impacts of legislation and regulations on the provision of health care; and effectiveness and outcomes of service delivery systems. The scope of the program includes mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. For purposes of the Dissertation Research Grants in Mental Health Services Research, six areas of research emphasis have been identified: o Services for persons with severe mental illness and persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders. o Economics and financing of services o Mental disorders in general health care settings o Services provided to children and adolescents o Mental health services provided to special populations o Research methods. STUDY POPULATIONS INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This new policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations) which have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some new provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research", which have been published in the Federal Register of March 9, 1994 (FR 59 11146-11151), and reprinted in the NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS of March 18, 1994, Volume 23, Number 11. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The application is to be submitted on form PHS 398 (REV 9/91), which is available from university offices of sponsored research AND from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone 301/710-0267. The special instructions described below and in the application kit must be followed. Under item 2a of the face page of the application the number of this program announcement "PAR-94-XXX" and one of the following titles must appear: "NIMH Dissertation Research Grant in: (select one) Developmental Psychopathology; HIV/AIDS Research; Services Research." The narrative portion of the application, which describes the research plan of the dissertation (see pp. 20-22 of Form PHS 398, items 1-4), may not exceed 10 pages of text in standard-size type. This does not include material on human subjects, vertebrate animals, consultants/collaborators, consortium/contractual arrangements, or literature cited. The information in the required narrative project description must be presented in a form suitable for detailed scientific and technical review. Applications exceeding the 10-page length for the research plan will be returned without review. Scope of Awards Applicant investigators should request support for the amount of time necessary to complete the dissertation. A dissertation research grant usually is awarded for a period of 12 months but may be extended without additional funds for up to 24 months. Investigators who need additional time to complete the research project will be required to submit a request for an extension of the grant for support beyond the first 12 months. An extension may be awarded if satisfactory progress is being made, but no supplemental NIMH funds are available. Allowable Costs Expenses usually allowed under PHS research grants will be covered by the NIMH dissertation research grant, but may not exceed $25,000 in direct costs for the project. An application that requests more than $25,000 will be returned to the applicant. Allowable costs include the investigator's salary (not to exceed $14,000 for 12 months full- time effort) and direct research project expenses such as data processing, payments to subjects, supplies, and dissertation costs (e.g., printing and binding of the dissertation). Travel funds up to $750 may be requested to attend one scientific meeting; additional travel costs in connection with research at a remote performance site must be fully justified. No tuition, alterations/renovations, contracting costs, or space rental are allowed on dissertation research grants. Small equipment items may be requested, if special justification is provided for them. Indirect costs are limited to eight percent of requested direct costs, less equipment. Level of Effort Any level of effort that is less than full time (40 hours per week) must be fully justified, and the investigator's salary must be prorated accordingly. Letter of Certification A letter from the faculty committee or university official directly responsible for supervising the development and progress of the dissertation research must be submitted with the application. The letter must (a) fully identify the members of the dissertation committee and certify their approval of the dissertation proposal; (b) certify that all requirements for the doctoral degree, except the dissertation and, if necessary, the clinical internship, are completed or will be completed by the time the grant award starts; (c) note that the university official or faculty committee expects the doctoral candidate to proceed with the approved project proposal with or without NIMH support; and (d) certify that the institution's facilities and general environment are adequate to conduct the proposed research. Additional Material A transcript of the applicant's graduate school record should be included with the application. The Biographical Sketch section of the form PHS 398 (Form Page 6) must contain a scientific autobiography. Applicants must provide a statement of career goals, including reference to their interest in one of the three specific areas of research designated in this program announcement and a description of their intended career trajectory. The mentor's biographical data should not exceed two pages. The mentor should also include material on other support (Form Page 7) indicating active research support. Receipt Dates Applications must be submitted for the receipt dates of August 10, 1994, December 13, 1994, and April 11, 1995. Applications received late will be returned to the applicant. Conformity An application that does not conform to the instructions, including the special instructions provided below, will be returned. Copies Required The applicant must submit the original and five copies of the completed application which includes a detailed narrative project description (not to exceed 10 pages) and letter of certification (also an original and five copies) to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892** The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the PA title and number must be typed on line 2a of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Special Instructions Applications for dissertation research grants must follow the instructions contained in the form PHS 398, "Application for PHS Grant," except as noted in this program announcement and these special instructions. I. General a. Applications are accepted on August 10, December 13, and April 11. It is the intent to announce the funding decision to the applicant no more than four months after the deadline. b. A letter of certification from the faculty committee or university official directly responsible for supervising the development and progress of the dissertation research must be submitted with the application. An example of the letter of certification is attached to this announcement. The applicant should provide the names of the dissertation committee and their university affiliations. II. Specific Instructions - Face Page Item Number 2a. Response to Specific Program Announcement: Check "YES" and enter "PAR-94-063" for the number of the program announcement. In the space marked "Title," enter "NIMH Dissertation Research Grant in" (select one of the three designated areas to complete the title: "Developmental Psychopathology"; "HIV/AIDS Research"; or "Services Research"). 2b. Type of Grant Program: Enter "R03". 3a. Principal Investigator: Designate by name the doctoral candidate who is to be directly involved in carrying out the proposed research. The doctoral candidate must be listed as principal investigator. 3d. Position Title: Enter "Doctoral Candidate". 3f. Department, Service Laboratory or Equivalent: Enter the name of the department or program in which the principal investigator is a candidate for a doctoral degree. 6. Dates of Entire Proposed Project Period: Most applicants are expected to propose a total project period of 12 months for the research project and its support. A grant may be extended without additional funds if more than a year is required, but the entire project period of the grant must not exceed 24 months. If an extension beyond 12 months is desired, the principal investigator must submit a report of progress no later than 10 months after the effective date of the award. An extension of the grant, without additional funds, may be provided if there is evidence of acceptable progress. 10. Inventions: Enter N.A. 11-16. Follow the instruction sheet for PHS-398. III. Specific Instructions - Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period. Follow the Instruction Sheet for PHS-398, pages 16 through 19. See "Allowable Costs" above. IV. Specific Instructions - Research Plan The principal investigator must provide a narrative project description that contains a detailed scientific and technical discussion of the following specific points. This must not exceed 10 pages. (Item "E" addressing human subjects and Item "F" regarding vertebrate animals must be filled out if human subjects and/or vertebrate animals are to be involved.) Address the following points rather than those shown in the PHS-398 instructions: a. A description of the research project and what it is intended to accomplish; the relevance of the project to child and/or adolescent developmental psychopathology, HIV/AIDS research, or mental health services research b. A summary of related published research that addresses the identified problem(s) c. The questions to be answered or the hypotheses to be tested by the project d. The methodological procedures to be followed and, whenever applicable, information on such matters as sampling procedures, including the size and composition of the population to be studied and the size and composition of the sample and control groups, as well as a description of the types and sources of data to be gathered, methodological problems to be encountered, specific statistical analyses to be made, and steps that will be taken to protect human subjects or research animals as appropriate e. The management of the project including a schedule of the main steps of the proposed investigation f. The facilities and resources that will be available for the project. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Dissertation research grants are competitive. These applications will be reviewed initially by non-Federal experts, convened by the NIH, and a second level of review will be conducted by senior NIMH staff members. Reviewers will be selected on the basis of their knowledge and accomplishments in research pertinent to the applications and their experience in research training and career development. An abbreviated summary statement will be provided for applications not recommended for further consideration. All elements of the application will be considered in the review process. Reviewers will take into account the applicant's stage of development and the importance of the dissertation project as a learning experience that is part of the applicant's graduate education. Emphasis will be given to the scientific merit, feasibility, and relevance of the project to child and/or adolescent developmental psychopathology, HIV/AIDS research, or mental health services research. The qualifications of the candidate will also be emphasized in the review. It is the intent to provide review results and announce funding decisions within four months after the submission date. Review Criteria Review criteria include significance of problem; scientific quality of the application; relationship of proposed research to expanding the knowledge base in child and/or adolescent developmental psychopathology, HIV/AIDS research, or mental health services research; research design and research methods; personal qualifications of the candidate; supervision of the candidate; institutional facilities and support structure; and appropriateness of budget. Problem Significance o The project is focused primarily on a significant problem in child/adolescent developmental psychopathology, HIV/AIDS research, or mental health services research. o The potential generalizability, heuristic value, or usefulness of the results is considered. Research Design and Methods o The problem to be addressed by the research is clearly defined. o The application reflects an excellent grasp of scientific principles and adequate knowledge of other research related to the problem. o Questions to be answered or hypotheses to be tested are well formulated and clearly stated. o Research methodology is fully described including, where applicable, explanation of scientifically appropriate sampling procedures, description of control and experimental groups, description of types and sources of data to be gathered, discussion of methodological problems expected to be encountered, and description of specific analyses to be performed. o The application adequately describes the plans for managing the project, including a tentative schedule for the main steps of the investigation within the project period requested. o The application adequately plans to include female children/ adolescents, women, and minorities as subjects in research, if applicable. o The application adequately plans for the protection of human subjects and/or care of animals, if applicable. Qualifications of the Applicant and Support Structure o The applicant shows promise as a research investigator in areas relevant to the application. o The experience and training of the applicant are sufficient to carry out the research. o The proposed research project is consistent with the long-term research interests of the applicant. o Faculty advice, support, and necessary supervision are available and suitable. o The available facilities and organizational arrangements are appropriate to the research. Budget o The allocation of time and money reflects an understanding of the research tasks to be accomplished and of the problems likely to arise. AWARD CRITERIA Final funding decisions are based on the recommendations of the reviewers, the relevance of the project to developmental psychopathology, HIV/AIDS, or mental health services, program balance, and the availability of appropriated funds. Continuation of Support Without Additional Funds Awardees who have been funded for 12 months of a project requiring up to 24 months must submit a progress report 10 months after the award begins, accompanied by a letter signed by the principal investigator, the mentor, and an institutional business official requesting an extension of the grant beyond 12 months without additional funds. The total amount awarded cannot exceed $25,000 in direct costs. Direct research project costs and/or salary not spent in the first year of the award can be used in the second year, if an extension is approved, but the candidate's salary may not exceed $14,000 per year. Terms and Conditions of Award o Work on the funded project must be initiated within three months after the date of the award. o The NIMH Grants Management Branch must be informed if there is a change of mentor. A biographical sketch and material on the new mentor's research support should be provided. o Dissertation Research Grants are not transferable to another applicant institution. o The dissertation constitutes the final report of the grant. As a part of the closeout process, two copies of the dissertation must be submitted to the NIMH within 90 days of the termination of the grant. The dissertation must be officially accepted by the faculty committee or university official responsible for the candidate's dissertation, and it must be signed by the responsible official. Concurrent Support An applicant who receives support for dissertation research under a grant from the NIMH may not at the same time receive support under a predoctoral training grant or fellowship grant awarded by any Federal agency, nor be supported under any other research project grant. INQUIRIES Potential applicants for Dissertation Research Grants are strongly advised to contact NIMH staff regarding current program priorities before applying for a grant. Child and/or Adolescent Psychopathology Dissertation research applications in developmental psychopathology must involve a developmental approach to the evolution of mental disorders and the implications of childhood and adolescent development for treatment, services, prevention, and other interventions. Persons applying for Dissertation Research Grants in Child/ Adolescent Developmental Psychopathology may address their inquiries to the NIMH staff indicated below. Applicants in this research area are also directed to the Attachment to this program announcement for additional information regarding the research programs of the NIMH. Inquiries regarding basic research dealing with genetic, ontogenetic, biochemical, cognitive, emotional, personality, family, sociocultural, or economic factors in developmental processes relevant to various risk conditions or psychological dysfunction, studied in normative (i.e., nonclinical) human populations or in animal populations or processes promoting adaptive outcomes under conditions of stress or apparent risk for psychopathology may be directed to: Lynne Huffman, M.D. Room 11C-10 Telephone: (301) 443-3942 FAX: (301) 443-4822 Inquiries regarding research dealing with clinical aspects of genetic, ontogenetic, biochemical, cognitive, emotional, or personality factors in developmental processes relevant to psychopathology; those processes underlying maladaptive outcomes in populations at risk for psychopathology or with developmental approaches to the etiology, assessment, course, treatment, or rehabilitation of clinically diagnosed children or adolescents such as those with autism, pervasive developmental disorder, conduct disorder, attention deficit disorder, affective and anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, etc., may be directed to: Rebecca Del Carmen, Ph.D. Room 18C-17 Telephone: (301) 443-5944 FAX: (301) 443-6000 Inquiries regarding research dealing with identification of biological, psychological, and social risk and protective factors for psychopathology in defined populations; causal pathways for psychopathologic (e.g., mental disorders, maladaptive behaviors) and for nonpsychopathologic outcomes in populations identified as being at high risk; preventive interventions that alter the course of the development of psychopathology in children or adolescents; the effects of abuse or violence on development processes related to psychopathology; the impact of physical disease upon the development of psychopathology; or the implications of developmental epidemiology for mental health services should be directed to: Karen H. Bourdon, M.A. Room 10C-09 Telephone: (301) 443-3774 FAX: (301) 443-4045 HIV/AIDS Research Additional information about the NIMH Office of AIDS programs is provided in the Attachment to this announcement. Information regarding Dissertation Research Grants in HIV/AIDS research may be obtained from: Leonard Mitnick, Ph.D. Room 10-75 Telephone: (301) 443-6100 FAX: (301) 443-9719 INTERNET: LMITNICK@AOAMH2.SSW.DHHS.GOV Mental Health Services Research General information regarding the NIMH Mental Health Services Research Program may be obtained from: Thomas Lalley, Chief Room 10C-06 Telephone: (301) 443-3364 FAX: (301) 443-4045 Additional information regarding the six areas of research emphasis in Mental Health Services Research may be obtained by contacting the persons named below. Services for Persons with Severe Mental Illness and Persons with Co- occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders: Ann Hohmann, Ph.D., M.P.H. Kathryn Magruder, Ph.D., M.P.H. Room 10C-06 Telephone: (301) 443-3364 FAX: (301) 443-4045 Economics and Financing of Services: Agnes Rupp, Ph.D. Room 10C-06 Telephone: (301) 443-3364 FAX: (301) 443-4045 Mental Disorders in General Health Care Settings: Kathryn Magruder, Ph.D., M.P.H. Room 10C-06 Telephone: (301) 443-3364 FAX: (301) 443-4045 Services Provided to Children and Adolescents: Kimberly Hoagwood, Ph.D. Room 10C-06 Telephone: (301) 443-4233 FAX: (301) 443-4045 Mental Health Services Provided to Special Populations: Ann Hohmann, Ph.D., M.P.H. Room 10C-06 Telephone: (301) 443-3364 FAX: (301) 443-4045 Research Methods: Ann Hohmann, Ph.D., M.P.H. Room 10C-06 Telephone: (301) 443-3364 FAX: (301) 443-4045 Inquiries related to fiscal matters or grants management issues on any Dissertation Research Grant may be directed to: Diana S. Trunnell Grants Management Branch Room 7C-08 Telephone: (301) 443-3065 The street address for all contact persons listed above is: National Institute of Mental Health 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.242. Awards are made under the authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A, Public Law 78-410, as amended, and administered under PHS grants policies and regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR 74. The requirements of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," are not applicable to NIMH research grant programs. SAMPLE: LETTER OF CERTIFICATION FROM UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL OR FACULTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE HEAD To Whom It May Concern: This letter is in reference to the Dissertation Grant application submitted to the NIMH by (Name) for the (Date) deadline. As the University official responsible for supervising the subject dissertation research, I and the University certify the following: a) The members of the applicant's dissertation committee are b) The project proposal has been approved by the applicant's faculty advisory committee (or approval is imminent and will occur before any possible NIMH funding; no significant changes in the proposed project are anticipated upon arrival). c) All requirements for the doctoral degree except the dissertation (and, where required, the clinical internship) are completed or will have been completed by the doctoral candidate before the time of the grant award. d) I, the faculty advisory committee, and the University expect the doctoral candidate to proceed with the approved project proposal with or without NIMH support. e) The facilities and general environment of the institution are adequate to conduct the proposed research. f) The doctoral candidate is a citizen or noncitizen national of the United States, or holds a permanent residence visa. Sincerely, .
Return to NIH Guide Main Index
Office of Extramural Research (OER) |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
||||||||
Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files. |