Full Text PAR-95-018

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT SHARED INSTRUMENTATION GRANT

NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 1, January 13, 1995

PA NUMBER:  PAR-95-018

P.T. 34

Keywords: 
  Instrumentation, Biological 
  Instrumentation, Scientific 


National Center for Research Resources

Application Receipt Date:  March 24, 1995

PURPOSE

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) is continuing its
competitive Biomedical Research Support (BRS) Shared Instrumentation
Grant (SIG) Program initiated in Fiscal Year 1982.  The (1992)
National Report on Academic Research Equipment and Equipment Needs
for Biological Sciences, cosponsored by the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation, identified research
equipment of the type provided through this program as top-priority.
The objective of the program is to make available to institutions
with a high concentration of NIH-supported biomedical investigators
research instruments which can only be justified on a shared-use
basis and for which meritorious research projects are described.
Awards under this Program Announcement (PA) will use the Biomedical
Research Support Shared Instrumentation Grant mechanism (S10).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Under the general research support authority of Section 301 (a)(3) of
the Public Health Service Act, BRS Shared Instrumentation Grant
awards are made to public and non-profit institutions only.  For
purposes of these guidelines, an "institution" is defined as the
organizational component identified in item 14 on page 1 of the Form
PHS 398 (rev. 9/91), for which descriptive information is provided on
page 15 in the PHS 398 kit.  These institutions include health
professional schools, other academic institutions, hospitals, health
departments, and research organizations.  Federal institutions,
foreign institutions, and for-profit institutions are not eligible to
apply.  Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with
disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators.

An eligible institution may submit more than one application for
different instrumentation for the March 24, 1995, deadline.  However,
if several applications are submitted for similar instrumentation
from one or more eligible institutions on the same campus of a
university, documentation from a high administrative official must be
provided, stating that the several applications are part of a campus-
wide institutional plan, not an unintended duplication.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

BRS Shared Instrumentation Grants (S10) provide support for expensive
state-of-the-art instruments utilized in both basic and clinical
research.  Applications are limited to instruments that cost at least
$100,000 per instrument or system.  The maximum award is $400,000.
Because the nature and scope of the instruments that may be requested
will vary, it is anticipated that the size of an award will vary
also.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

This program is designed to meet the special problems of acquisition
and updating of expensive shared-use instruments which are not
generally available through other NIH mechanisms, such as the regular
research project, program project, and center grant programs, or the
Biomedical Research Technology Grant Program.  Proposals for the
development of new instrumentation will not be considered.

Types of instrumentation supported include, but are not limited to,
nuclear magnetic resonance systems, electron microscopes, mass
spectrometers, protein sequencer/amino acid analyzers and cell
sorters.  Support will not be provided for general purpose equipment
or purely instructional equipment, personal computers, personal
workstations, printers, and ethernet interfaces.  Proposals for
"stand alone" computer systems will only be considered if the
instrument is solely dedicated to the research needs of a broad
community of NIH-supported investigators.

Awards will be made for the direct costs of the acquisition of new,
or the updating of existing, research instruments.  The institution
must meet those costs (not covered in the normal purchase price)
required to place the instrumentation in operational order as well as
the maintenance, support personnel, and service costs associated with
maximum utilization of the instrument.  There is no upper limit on
the cost of the instrument, but the maximum award is $400,000.
Grants will be awarded for a period of one year and are not
renewable.  Supplemental applications will not be accepted.  The
program does not provide indirect costs or support for construction
or alterations and renovations.  Cost sharing is not required.  If
the amount of funds requested does not cover the total cost of the
instrument, the application should describe the proposed sources(s)
of funding for the balance of the cost of the instrument.
Documentation of the availability of the remainder of the funding,
signed by an appropriate institutional official, must be presented to
NCRR prior to the issuance of an award.  Requests for a multiple
instrument purchase totalling over $400,000 must specify and justify
which instrument(s) should be supported within the $400,000 ceiling.

Applicants proposing the direct purchase of an instrument that the
institution has secured or is planning to secure via a leasing
agreement are strongly encouraged to consult with their institutional
sponsored projects office regarding applicable PHS policy prior to
executing the leasing agreement.  If the leasing agreement was
executed more than one year prior to submission of the SIG
application, the applicant must provide strong justification for the
requested Federal funds.  Further, the instrument must be considered
state-of-the-art at the time of submission of the SIG application.

A major user group of three or more investigators should be
identified.  A minimum of three major users must be Principal
Investigators on NIH peer reviewed research grants at the time of the
application and award.  For purposes of this program research grants
are defined as those grants awarded with the following activity
codes: P01, R01, U01, R29, R35, and R37.  The application must show a
clear need for the instrumentation by projects supported by multiple
NIH research awards and demonstrate that these projects will require
at least 75 percent of the total usage of the instrument.  Major
users can be individual researchers, or a group of investigators
within the same department or from several departments at the
applicant institution.  NIH extramural awardees from other nearby
institutions may also be included.

If the major user group does not require total usage of the
instrument, access to the instrument should be made available to
other users upon the advice of the internal advisory committee.
These users need not be NIH awardees, but priority should be given to
NIH-supported scientists engaged in biomedical/behavioral research.

To encourage optimal sharing among individual investigators, research
groups, and departments, and to foster a collaborative
multidisciplinary environment, instruments should be integrated into
central core facilities, whenever possible.

Each applicant institution must propose a Principal Investigator who
can assume administrative/scientific oversight responsibility for the
instrumentation requested.  An internal advisory committee to assist
in this responsibility should also be utilized.  The Principal
Investigator and the advisory group are responsible for the
development of guidelines for shared use of the instrument, for
preparation of all reports required by the NIH, for relocation of the
instrument within the grantee institution if the major user group is
significantly altered, and for continued support for the maximum
utilization and maintenance of the instrument in the post-award
period.

A plan should be proposed for the day-to-day management of the
instrument including designation of a qualified individual to
supervise the operation of the instrument and to provide technical
expertise to the users.  Specific plans for sharing arrangements and
for monitoring the use of the instrument should be described.

If a grant award is made, a final progress report will be required
that describes the use of the instrument, listing all users and
indicating the value of the instrumentation to the research of the
major users and to the institution as a whole.  This report is due
within 90 days following the end of the project period.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS
398 (rev. 9/91).  Application kits are available at most
institutional offices of sponsored research and may be requested from
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.  The title and number
of the program announcement must be typed in Section 2a on the face
page of the application.

1. Form page 1 (Face page of the application) -

Item 1.  Name the type of instrument requested.  (Note at the bottom
of the face page if a duplicate application has been sent to another
agency.)

Item 4.  If human subjects are involved in the research, follow the
instructions for completing Item 4 on the Face Page of Form PHS 398,
certifying that an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved by PHS
has reviewed and approved the protocols involving human subjects.  If
the protocols are ongoing and have already received prior IRB review
and approval within one year of the submission date of this
application, then additional IRB review is not necessary.  However,
this fact must be noted in Item 4 on the Face Page, and, if space is
insufficient, the date(s) of prior IRB review and approval of each
protocol involving human subjects should be listed in the "Research
Plans."

Item 5.  If live vertebrate animals are involved in the research,
follow the instructions for completing Item 5 on the Face Page of
Form PHS 398, verifying that an Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee (IACUC) approved by PHS (OPRR) has reviewed and approved
the protocols involving animals.  If the protocols are ongoing and
have already received prior IACUC review and approval within three
years of the submission date of this application, then additional
IACUC review is not necessary.  However, this fact must be noted in
Item 5 on the Face Page and, if space is insufficient, the date(s) of
prior IACUC review and approval of each protocol involving animals
should be listed in the "Research Plan."

Item 6.  Write in April 1, 1996 - March 31, 1997.

Item 8A.  Use this block to give the total amount requested from NCRR
for this instrument or system.

Item 14.  Insert the appropriate code identification.

2.  Form page 2.  Complete the abstract as directed.  Under
"Personnel engaged on project", give data on the Principal
Investigator and the major user group as required.

3.  Form page 4.  Describe the instrument requested including
manufacturer and model number.  The model chosen should be justified
by comparing its performance with other available instruments.
Provide a detailed budget breakdown of the main equipment and
accessories requested including tax and import duties, if applicable.
An itemized quote from a vendor should be included.  If a project
involves a potential biohazard, funds for accessory containment
equipment for the instrument or instrument system may be included in
the requested budget.

4.  Form page 5.  Budget Estimates for All Years.  Not applicable; do
not complete.

5. Form page 6 - Biographical Sketch.  In addition to the personnel
listed on page 2, include a biographical sketch of the person(s) who
will be in charge of maintenance and operation of the instrument and
a brief statement of the qualifications of the individual(s).
Biographical sketches should not exceed 2 pages for each individual.

6. Form page 7 - Other Support.  Provide the requested information
for each major user.

7. Section 2 of the application.  (If this is a revised application,
note the special instructions in the PHS 398 kit regarding completion
of Section 2 of the application.)

Provide information relative to the points identified under criteria
for review including:

a.  Inventory similar instruments existing at the institution or
otherwise accessible; describe (with supporting documentation) why
they are unavailable or inappropriate for the proposed research and
provide a clear justification why new or updated equipment is needed,
including accessories.

b.  The major users should describe their research projects and
indicate how the requested instrumentation and/or accessories would
enhance the progress of their research projects.  While most projects
are included in currently funded applications, some represent new
directions.  In the case of funded projects, the description should
not exceed four pages per user but should point out the benefit of
the proposed instrument to the research objectives of each major
user.  New directions and their requirements for the proposed
instrumentation should be described in sufficient detail to allow
adequate review (including preliminary data or supplemental
materials).  Use a table to list the names of the users, brief titles
of the projects, the NIH grant numbers and the estimated percentage
of use.  List the page number of this table under "Table of Contents"
(Form page 3) after "Resources and Environment."  Make a separate
table to indicate the major users' needs for requested accessories.
If possible, each user should highlight those publications that
demonstrate the user's expertise in using the requested
instrumentation.

c.  Describe the organizational plan including the internal advisory
committee for administration of the grant.

d.  Submit a specific plan for long-term operation and maintenance of
the instrument.  Provide documentation (e.g., separate letters signed
by appropriate institutional officials) describing the required
institutional commitment in support of the proposed plan.

Applications must be received by March 24, 1995.  Applications
received after this date will not be accepted for review in this
competition and will be returned to the applicant.  The original and
four copies of the application and any appendix material, must be
sent to:

Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**

One copy of the application and appendix material must be addressed
to:

Biomedical Research Support Program
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 848
Bethesda, MD  20892

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Applications are reviewed by specially convened initial review groups
of the Division of Research Grants (DRG) for scientific and technical
merit and for program considerations by the National Advisory
Research Resources Council (NARRC) of the NCRR.  Approximately half
of the applications will be reviewed at the September 1995 NARRC
meeting and the remainder at the NARRC meeting in February 1996.
Funding decisions on all applications received for the March 24,
1995, deadline will not be made until the program receives an
appropriation for FY 1996.  The Council date will not affect funding
decisions.

Applications that request a single instrument with a total purchase
cost of more than $500,000, and that would normally be eligible for
submission to both NIH and NSF, may be submitted to NIH for joint
funding with NSF by including necessary NSF documentation.  The
Agencies will review such proposals in a special review group that
will be convened by NIH as a special NIH study section with NSF
participation.  Under this arrangement, the agencies may offer joint
funding in excess of the current award limit of $400,000.  Contact
the NSF Division of Biological Instrumentation and Resources for
additional information on the NSF documentation (cover sheet and cost
sharing agreement).

As part of the initial merit review, a process (triage) may be used
by the initial review group in which applications will be determined
to be competitive or non-competitive based on their scientific merit
relative to other applications received in response to this program
announcement.  Applications judged to be competitive will be
discussed and be assigned a priority score.  Applications determined
to be non-competitive will be withdrawn from further consideration
and the Principal Investigator and the official signing for the
applicant organization will be notified.

Review Criteria

o  The extent to which an award for the specific instrument would
meet the scientific needs and enhance the planned research endeavors
of the major users by providing an instrument that is unavailable or
to which availability is highly limited.

o  The availability and commitment of the appropriate technical
expertise within the major user group or the institution for use of
the instrumentation.

o  The adequacy of the organizational plan and the internal advisory
committee for administration of the grant including sharing
arrangements for use of the instrument.

o  The institution's commitment for continued support of the
utilization and maintenance of the instrument.

o  The benefit of the proposed instrument to the overall research
community it will serve.

AWARD CRITERIA

In making funding decisions, the NCRR will give consideration to
ensure program balance among various types of instruments supported
and/or geographic distribution of awards.

INQUIRIES

Inquiries are encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify any issues or
questions from potential applicants is welcome.  Direct inquiries
regarding programmatic or scientific issues to:

Marjorie A. Tingle, Ph. D.
Director, Biomedical Research Support Program
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 848
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 594-7947
Email:  brspsig@ep.ncrr.nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Mary V. Niemiec
Office of Grants and Contracts Management
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 849
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 594-7955
Email:  maryn@ep.ncrr.nih.gov

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance number 93.337, Biomedical Research Support.  Awards will
be made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Titles
III and IV, (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42
USC 241 and 287) and administered under PHS grants policies and
Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program
is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of
Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.

The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant
recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use
of all tobacco products.  This is consistent with the PHS mission to
protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American
people.

.

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