INDIVIDUAL DENTIST SCIENTIST AWARD

NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 18, May 13, 1994



PA NUMBER:  PAR-94-065



P.T. 34



Keywords:

  Oral Diseases 

  Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl 



National Institute of Dental Research



PURPOSE



The National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) re-announces the

availability of individual Dentist Scientist Awards in basic

biomedical, behavioral and clinical oral health research, which were

initiated nine years ago.  Several changes have been introduced in

the policies and provisions governing these awards, which are

effective for applications for the June 1, 1994, and later receipt

dates and will apply to all appointments made on or after March 1,

1995.  Dentists previously eligible for Physician Scientist Awards

for Dentists (K11), now are eligible for K15s. The NIDR will no

longer accept K11 applications.  Existing policies and provisions

will remain in effect for current appointees until completion of

their five years career development.  This Program Announcement (PA)

supersedes all previous K11 and K15 announcements.



The purpose of the K15 is to develop outstanding clinician research

scientists.  It will provide doctoral (Ph.D.) basic science and

research experiences to facilitate transition to a research career.

Advanced clinical knowledge and skills development in a recognized

clinical specialty or equivalent discipline, will be provided for

Dentist Scientist appointees (DSAs) who have not undergone such

development.  It is anticipated that most graduates will undertake

two or more years of post-Ph.D. research development to complete

their preparation for an independent research career.



Research career development must be relevant to the goals of the NIDR

including: research on the causes, epidemiology, prevention,

diagnosis and treatment of dental caries, periodontal and soft tissue

diseases, oral cancer, oral manifestations of AIDS, and craniofacial

anomalies; orofacial pain; temporomandibular disorders; structure and

function of teeth, jaws, oral mucosa, bone, connective tissue,

salivary glands; behavioral, social, economic and cultural factors

related to oral diseases and disorders; biomaterials; fluoride and

nutrition; and research on older Americans, gender differences,

minorities, those with medical problems and handicaps, and

individuals and groups at high-risk for oral health problems.



HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000



The Public Health Service 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 PA,

Individual Dentist Scientist Award, is related to the priority area

of oral health.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy

People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary:

Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) from the Superintendent of Documents,

Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone

202/783-3238).



ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS



Applications may be submitted on behalf of dentists, by domestic,

public or private dental schools or institutions affiliated with a

dental school.  Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizen nationals, or have

been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien

Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551).  Noncitizen nationals,

although not U.S. citizens, owe permanent allegiance to the U.S.

They are generally born in lands which are not states but are under

U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration.  Dentists on

temporary or student visas are not eligible.



Applicants holding a D.D.S. or equivalent degree are eligible.

Preference will be given to applicants with advanced clinical

knowledge and skills in a recognized dental specialty or who have

received two or more years of formal post-D.D.S. clinical development

in a non-specialty recognized field.  Dentists without advanced

clinical knowledge and skills are eligible but are encouraged to seek

appointment to NIDR sponsored institutional Dentist Scientist Award

(K16) programs.  Dentists with advanced clinical knowledge and

skills, but wishing to develop such competence in another clinical

area, those without or not wishing to pursue clinical knowledge and

skills development, and those with a Ph.D. in another area may

request the NIDR to consider their eligibility.



Former principal investigators on NIH research project (R01), FIRST

(R29), sub-projects of program project (P01) or center grants (P50),

or the equivalent, are  not eligible.



MECHANISM OF SUPPORT



Awards in response to this PA will use the NIH K15.  Planning,

direction, and execution of the program will be the responsibility of

the DSA and mentor on behalf of the applicant institution.  The

project period must be five years.  Awards are not renewable.



RESEARCH OBJECTIVES



A.  Environment:  The institution must have well-established research

and clinical career development programs and qualified faculty in

clinical and basic research to serve as mentors.  The DSA, mentor and

institution must develop innovative multidisciplinary programs to

maximize the available research and educational resources.



B.  Program:  The award provides five consecutive 12 month

appointments.  At least 80 percent of the DSA's effort must be

devoted to the program and the remainder devoted to other clinical

and teaching pursuits consonant with the objectives of the award.



The program must meet the unique needs of the DSA and provide

requisite competencies.  There will be two or three distinct,

integrated components: basic science, supervised research, and, for

some, advanced clinical knowledge and skills development.  No

component can be offered in isolation from the other(s).  The basic

science component must develop knowledge and research skills in

scientific areas relevant to oral health and include didactic and

laboratory experiences consistent with the applicant institution's

Ph.D. requirements and the objectives of the award. The research

experience must use basic or clinical approaches to oral health

problems, comparable to a doctoral program.  The advanced clinical

development must ensure acquisition of clinical knowledge and skills

in either a recognized clinical specialty or equivalent dental

clinical discipline.  These are not limited to the eight dental

specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.  If

specialty certification is possible, the certificate is not to be

conferred until program completion.



C.  Mentor(s):  The DSA must be closely supervised throughout the

five year program by mentors with basic and clinical specialty

research and career development experience.  The primary mentor is

usually the doctoral thesis advisor.  Where feasible, women and

minority mentors should be involved as role models.



D.  Duration, Effort, and Allowable Costs:



1.  Salary:  The NIDR will provide salary up to the amounts listed

below, starting at $26,500 for 0 years relevant experience, with four

percent annual increases thereafter, up to a maximum of $39,226.  The

salary must not exceed institutional salaries provided from its own

funds to other staff or faculty with equivalent qualifications, rank,

and responsibility in the department concerned.  Fringe benefits will

be provided.  The scale extends up to 10 years to give credit for

relevant postdoctoral experience including:  research, including

industrial; teaching; residency; clinical practice; or time spent in

a health-related field beyond the doctoral degree.



Number of Years Experience                    Salary (maximum

provided by the NIDR)

         0                                    $26,500

         1                                    $27,560

         2                                    $28,662

         3                                    $29,808

         4                                    $31,000

         5                                    $32,240

         6                                    $33,530

         7                                    $34,871

         8                                    $36,266

         9                                    $37,717

        10 or more                            $39,226



Salaries may be supplemented from non-Federal funds. Other NIH funds

may not provide additional salary.  Non-NIH Federal funds may not

supplement salary unless authorized under terms of the program.  An

individual may use Federal educational loan funds or Department of

Veterans' Affairs benefits when permitted by those programs.  Under

no circumstance may the condition of salary supplementation detract

from or prolong the program.



2.  Provisions must be made for support of a DSA choosing clinical

specialties that require more than two years of clinical knowledge

and skills development.



3.  Research Development Support (RDS): $15,000 per year will be

allowed for the following expenses: (a) tuition, fees, and books

related to career development; (b) research expenses, such as

supplies, equipment and technical personnel; (c) DSA travel to

research meetings or training; (d) statistical services including

personnel and computer time.  Authorization to use RDS funds for

other purposes may be requested from the NIDR.



4.  Authorization may be requested from the NIDR to carry over

unobligated funds from one budget period to the next; for example,

for support of a DSA's salary and RDS for up to 12 months beyond the

standard five years to permit completion of the program.



5.  Ancillary Personnel Support: Salary for mentors, secretarial and

administrative assistance, etc., is not allowed.



6.  Indirect costs - reimbursement of actual indirect costs at a rate

up to, but not exceeding, eight percent of the total direct costs,

exclusive of tuition, fees and equipment, is allowed.



E.  Concurrent Awards:  DSAs are encouraged to seek support for a

post-Ph.D. experience after completion of the K15 program, ideally at

another institution.  During the final one to two years of their

program, they may apply for a post-Ph.D., National Research Service

Award (NRSA) individual fellowship (F32), apply for appointment to a

NIDR sponsored NRSA institutional postdoctoral training program

(T32), or arrange for other support from the NIH or from

nongovernmental sources sufficient to ensure two or more years of

post-Ph.D. training and career development.  If such support becomes

effective prior to completion of the K15 program, it may be used

without reduction in the annual RDS from the award.



F.  Evaluation: For ten years after leaving the program, the DSA and

mentor must update the NIDR annually of the DSA's employment history,

publications, participation in research grants or contracts, honors

and awards, professional activities, and other information helpful in

evaluating the impact of the program.



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.



Investigators may obtain copies from these sources or from the

program staff or contact person listed below.  Program staff may also

provide additional relevant information concerning the policy.



APPLICATION PROCEDURES



It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact Dr.

Valega at the address listed under INQUIRIES early in the planning

phase of application preparation.  Such contact may help ensure that

applications are responsive to this PA.



Applications are to be submitted on form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) and will

be accepted on or before the receipt deadlines indicated in the

application kit (February 1, June 1, and October 1).  Forms are

available at most institutional offices of sponsored research; the

Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National

Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD

20892, telephone (301) 710-0267, and from Dr. Valega.



Provide information establishing a serious commitment to oral health

research and a high potential to develop into an independent

investigator.  Summarize immediate and long-term career objectives,

explaining how the award would contribute to their attainment.

Include three sealed letters of recommendation addressing the

applicant's potential for a research career.



Describe the basic science component, including didactic and

laboratory experiences, and arrangements for acceptance in the

graduate school doctoral program.  The research experience may use a

basic or clinical science approach to oral health problems.



When appropriate, describe the advanced clinical component to acquire

knowledge and skills in either a recognized clinical specialty or

other equivalent dental clinical discipline. Indicate clinical

disciplines and degree certifications to be pursued.  Selections may

not be changed without NIDR approval.



The applicant and mentor together must describe the research plan as

outlined on pages 19-24 of form PHS 398, Specific Aims, Background

and Significance, Progress Report/Preliminary Studies, Research

Design and Methods.  Typically, it is what is required for a doctoral

degree.  The plan should be as detailed as possible, especially for

applicants who will not be pursuing the advanced clinical component.

Applicants who will be pursuing the clinical component, where it may

be premature to provide detailed plans, must discuss the area,

feasibility, relevance, and significance of the anticipated research.

In this case, the DSA will be required to submit, for NIDR approval,

a detailed description of the proposed research as soon as feasible

after appointment but no later than the midpoint of the program.



Applications must include plans for instruction in the responsible

conduct of research, including the rationale, subject matter,

appropriateness, format, frequency and duration of instruction; and

the amount and nature of faculty participation.  No award will be

made if an application lacks this component.



Budget requests must be provided according to the instructions in

form PHS 398.  The RDS requested for tuition and fees, books, travel,

etc., must be specified by category.



To identify the application as a response to this PA, check "YES" on

item 2a of page 1 of the application and enter "PA-94-065, Individual

Dentist Scientist Award."



Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application with

Checklist, and three signed photocopies, in one package to:



Division of Research Grants

National Institutes of Health

Westwood Building, Room 240

Bethesda, MD  20892-4500**



At the time of submission, two additional copies, together with three

sealed letters of reference, must be sent to:



H.  George Hausch, Ph.D.

Extramural Program

National Institute of Dental Research

Westwood Building, Room 519

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7632



REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS



Applications will be reviewed for completeness, and responsiveness to

the PA, by NIDR staff.  Incomplete or nonresponsive applications will

be returned to the applicant without further consideration.

Remaining applications may be subjected to triage by the NIDR Special

Grants Review Committee to determine their merit, relative to others

received in response to the PA.  The NIDR may withdraw applications

judged to be noncompetitive and notify the applicant.  Applications

judged to be competitive will be evaluated for scientific and

technical merit by the review committee.  The following review

criteria will be applied:



o  Applicant: Clinical and scientific knowledge and experience;

potential and commitment to a career as an independent researcher.



o  Environment:  Institutional commitment and ability to provide

research development opportunities; collaboration between basic and

clinical departments; availability of facilities, equipment, clinical

resources and research support.



o  The Basic Science, Clinical and Research Career Development

Program:  Its structure and the quality of each component;

integration of the components; relationships among clinical and basic

science departments and the graduate school in the design and conduct

of the program; degree requirements; types of specialty development;

availability of prescribed and optional courses or seminars;

procedures for selecting research activities and monitoring progress;

and the unique and innovative aspects of the program.



o  Mentors:  Experience in graduate research and clinical career

development; accomplishments in research; and current and pending

research grant holdings; time commitment for the duration of the

program.



o  Responsible Conduct of Research: The quality of instruction.



Secondary review will be by the National Advisory Research Council.



AWARD CRITERIA



The NIDR will notify the applicant of the Council's action shortly

after its meeting.  Funding decisions will be made based on the

Special Grants Review Committee's and Council's recommendations, the

need for research personnel in specific program areas, and the

availability of funds.  Preference will be given to otherwise equally

qualified applicants with advanced clinical certification.  The NIDR

appreciates the value of complementary funding from other public,

foundation and industry sources, for activities that will complement

and expand those supported by the NIDR.



INQUIRIES



Written and telephone inquiries concerning this PA are encouraged.

The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential

applicants is welcome.



Direct inquiries on programmatic issues to:



Thomas M.  Valega, Ph.D.

Extramural Program

National Institute of Dental Research

Westwood Building, Room 503

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7617

FAX:  (301) 594-7616



Direct inquiries on fiscal matters to:



Ms. Theresa Ringler

Extramural Program

National Institute of Dental Research

Westwood Building, Room 510

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7629



AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS



Individual Dentist Scientist Awards are made under the authority of

Title III, Section 301 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act as

amended (Public Law 78-410, as amended, 42 USC 241).  The Code of

Federal Regulations, Title 42 Part 52, and Title 45 part 74, are

applicable to this program.  This program is described in the Catalog

of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.121.  This program is not

subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive

Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.



.


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