Full Text PAR-97-041
 
PILOT GRANTS IN GERIATRICS
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 7, March 7, 1997
 
PA NUMBER:  PAR-97-041
 
P.T. 34

Keywords: 
  Aging/Gerontology 
  Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl 

 
National Institute on Aging
 
Application Receipt Dates:  March 17, July 17, November 17, 1997
 
PURPOSE
 
The Geriatrics Program of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is
seeking small grant (R03) applications to stimulate and facilitate
research in underdeveloped topics in specific areas of aging
research. This Small Grant (R03) Program provides support for pilot
research that is likely to lead to a subsequent individual research
project grant (R01) or a First Independent Research Support  and
Transition (FIRST) (R29) award application and/or a significant
advancement of aging research.  These R03 projects include, but are
not limited to, research which is innovative and/or high risk.
 
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 PA,
Pilot Grants in Geriatrics, is related to the priority area of
chronic disabling conditions.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy
of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-11474-0 or
Summary Report:  Stock No. 017-001-11473-1) through the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-512-1800.
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and non-profit
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and
eligible agencies of the Federal government.  Racial/ethnic minority
individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to
apply as Principal Investigators.  Foreign organizations and
institutions are not eligible.  Participation in the program by
investigators at minority institutions is strongly encouraged.
 
To be eligible for this award, the proposed Principal Investigator
must, at a minimum, be an independent investigator at the beginning
of her/his research career as defined by the eligibility requirements
for a FIRST (R29) award. That is, they should be genuinely
independent of a mentor.  Individuals in the final stages of training
may apply, but individuals can not be in a training status at the
time the award is made.  Established investigators proposing research
unrelated to a currently funded research program are also eligible to
apply for these grants.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
Applicants may request up to $50,000 (direct costs) for one year
through the small grant (R03) mechanism.  However, the grants will be
awarded under Expanded Authorities and are eligible for a single
one-year no cost extension.  These awards are not renewable.  Before
completion of the R03, investigators are encouraged to seek
continuing support for research through a research project grant
(R01) or FIRST (R29) award. Salary support may be requested along
with other costs and is included in the $50,000 (direct costs).
 
Replacement of the Principal Investigator on this award is not
permitted.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
The Small Grant program is designed to support new, junior, and
established investigators interested in conducting research on
underdeveloped topics in geriatrics and aging research.  Collection
of new data or secondary analysis of existing data are allowed.
Topics of interest are limited to those listed below and applications
not on these topics will be returned to the applicant without review.
 
o  Preliminary studies needed for epidemiologic research projects on
genetic factors affecting longevity, active life expectancy, or rate
of progression of age-related pathologies.  Examples of such
preliminary studies include, but are not limited to: analyses of
existing familial, demographic, and/or epidemiologic data for
feasibility and power calculations; pilot testing of
proband-identification and recruitment strategies; identifying,
determining the frequency of, and estimating the relative risk
associated with specific polymorphisms at one or more loci of
interest. (See also related program announcement on "Small Research
Grants (R03) Program: Secondary Analysis in Demography and Economics
of Aging," NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 3, January 31, 1997.)  Direct
inquiries on this topic to Dr. Evan Hadley at the address listed
under INQUIRIES.
 
o  Preliminary clinical studies to explore potential benefits,
feasibility, and/or risks of administering gonadal or adrenal
androgens (e.g., testosterone, DHEA) or their analogs or
secretagogues, to older persons whose levels of these factors are
diminished or dysregulated relative to younger persons (either
chronically or acutely) or to test other potential therapeutic
benefits or risks of administering these agents to older people.
Direct inquiries on this topic to Dr. Sherry Sherman at the address
listed under INQUIRIES.
 
o  Clinically related studies focusing on a systems physiology or
integrative approach in defining age-associated changes in the
cardiovascular system and how these changes  increase the risk of
cardiovascular disease.  Direct inquiries on this topic to Dr. Andre
Premen at the address listed under INQUIRIES.
 
o  Preliminary clinical studies designed to contribute to the
improvement of vaccines for use in elderly populations.  This may
include studies of methods to improve the immune response in older
persons including alternate immunization schedules with existing
vaccines or the use of new vaccines.  Clinical studies designed to
characterize immunosenescence in older human populations are also
appropriate as they may contribute to the identification of
potentially correctable deficiencies.  Direct inquiries on this topic
to Dr. Stanley Slater at the address listed under INQUIRIES.
 
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 are
provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health
of the subjects or the purpose of the research.  This policy results
from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law
103-43).
 
All investigators proposing 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 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and in the NIH
Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
The submission, review, and award schedule for the Small Grant
Program for 1997/1998 is:
 
Application Receipt Dates:     Mar 17     Jul 17     Nov 17
Institute Committee Review:    Jun-Jul    Oct-Nov    Feb-Mar
Earliest Funding:              Sep 97     Jan 98     May 98
 
Only one Small Grant application may be submitted by a Principal
Investigator per receipt date.  Applicants may not submit R01 or R29
applications on the same topic concurrent (to be considered at the
same review cycle) with the submission of a Small Grant application.
 
Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS
398 (rev. 5/95) and prepared according to the directions in the
application packet, with the exceptions noted below.  Application
kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored
research and may be obtained from the Division of Extramural Outreach
and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701
Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone
301/710-0267, e-mail: asknih@odrockm1.od.nih.gov.  On the face page
of the application: Item 2 Type "Pilot Grants (R03) in Geriatrics."
Check the "YES" box.
 
Sections 1-4:  Do not exceed a total of ten pages for the following
sections: specific aims, background and significance, progress
report/preliminary studies, and experimental design and methods.
Tables and figures are included in the ten page limitation.
Applications that exceed the page limitation or PHS requirements for
type size and margins  (Refer to PHS 398 application  for details)
will be returned to the investigator without review.  The ten page
limitation does not include Sections 5-9 (Human Subjects, Consortia,
Literature cited).
 
"Just-in-time" (JIT) is an initiative of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) Extramural Reinvention Laboratory under the auspices of
the National Performance Review and government-wide efforts to create
a government that works better and costs less.  JIT postpones the
collection of certain information that currently must be included in
all competing applications when submitted.  The information for the
applications with a likelihood of funding is submitted "just-in-time"
for awards to be made.  This program announcement is incorporating
JIT procedures as described below.  Some sections are modified and
others in the application do not need to be completed for the
submission of the application, but WILL be requested if your
application receives a priority score in the fundable range.
 
Form DD - Page 4 - DETAILED BUDGET PLAN FOR INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD
 
Do not complete this form on page 4 of the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95).  It
is not required nor will it be accepted at the time of the
application.
 
Form EE - Page 5 - BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE PROPOSED PROJECT
 
Do not complete the categorical budget table form on page 5 in the
PHS 398 (rev. 5/95).  Only the requested total direct costs for each
year and total direct costs for the entire proposed period of support
should be shown.  Begin the budget justification in the space
provided, using continuation pages as needed.
 
Budget Justification
 
o  List the name, role on project, and percent effort for all project
personnel (salaried or unsalaried) and provide a narrative
justification for each person based on his/her role on the project
and proposed level of effort.
 
o  Identify all consultants by name and organizational affiliation
and describe the services to be performed.
 
o  Provide a narrative justification for any major budget items,
other than personnel, that are requested for the conduct of the
project that would be considered unusual for the scope of the
research.  No specific costs for items or categories should be shown.
 
o  Indirect costs will be calculated at the time of the award using
the institution's actual indirect cost rate.  Applicants will be
asked to identify the indirect cost exclusions prior to award.
 
o  If consortium/contractual costs are requested, provide the
percentage of the subcontract total costs (direct and indirect)
relative to the total direct costs of the overall project.  The
subcontract budget justification should be prepared following the
instructions provided above.
 
Biographical Sketch - A biographical sketch is required for all key
personnel, following the modified instructions below.  Do not exceed
the two-page limit for each person.
 
o  Complete the education block at the top of the form page;
 
o  List current position(s) and those previous positions directly
relevant to the application;
 
o  List selected peer-reviewed publications directly relevant to the
proposed project, with full citation;
 
o  Provide information on research projects completed and/or research
grants participated in during the last five years that are relevant
to the proposed project.  Title, principal investigator, funding
source, and role on project must be provided.
 
Other Support - Do not complete the other support page (format page 7
of the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95)).  Information on active support for key
personnel will be requested prior to award.
 
Checklist - Do not submit the checklist page.  For amended
applications, applicants must complete the block in the upper right
corner of the face page to indicate the previous grant number.  A
completed checklist will be required prior to award.
 
Submit a signed original of the application, including the checklist,
and three exact photocopies in one package to:
 
DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 -MSC-7710
BETHESDA, MD  20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD  20817 (for courier/overnight service)
 
In addition, to expedite the review of the application, submit two
additional exact photocopies of the application directly to:
 
Chief, Scientific Review Office
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building Suite 2C212, MSC 9205
7201 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
 
In order not to delay review, it is important that applicants comply
with this request.
 
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
 
Small grant applications will be assigned on the basis of established
Public Health Service referral guidelines.  Applications will be
reviewed for scientific and technical merit by a review committee of
the National Institute on Aging, in accordance with the standard NIH
peer review procedures.  Applications will be evaluated with respect
to the following criteria:
 
o  Importance of the area to aging research
 
o  Feasibility of the proposed exploratory research
 
o  Likelihood of the proposed pilot project leading to the
development of an R01/R29 grant application, or significant
advancement of aging research.
 
o  Adequacy of approach and scientific originality and significance
 
o  Appropriateness of the proposed budget and timetable in relation
to the scope of the proposed research
 
o  Qualifications and research experience of the principal
investigator.
 
o  Availability of resources necessary for the research, including
any needed to supplement the budget.
 
o  The adequacy of the proposed means for protecting against or
minimizing potential adverse effects upon humans, animals, or the
environment.
 
o  Adequacy of adherence to guidelines for including gender and
minority representation in any study population.
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
Applications will compete for available funds with all other scored
applications.  The following will be considered in making funding
decisions:
 
o  quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review;
o  availability of funds;
o  program priority.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Inquiries are encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify any issues or
questions from potential applicants is welcome.
 
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
 
Evan Hadley, M.D.
Geriatrics Program
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 3E327
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (303) 435-3044
FAX:  (301) 402-1784
Email:  hadleye@gw.nia.nih.gov
 
Sherry Sherman, Ph.D.
Endocrinology and Musculoskeletal Branch
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 3E327
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-3048
FAX:  (301) 402-1784
Email:  shermans@gw.nia.nih.gov
 
Andre Premen, Ph.D.
Cardiovascular Research Program
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 3E327
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-6761
FAX:  (301) 402-1784
Email:  premena@gw.nia.nih.gov
 
Stanley L. Slater, M.D.
Geriatrics Program
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 3E327
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-6761
FAX:  (301) 402-1784
Email:  slaters@gw.nia.nih.gov
 
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Mr. David Reiter
Grants and Contracts Management Office
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Suite 2N212
7201 Wisconsin Avenue MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-1472
FAX:  (301) 402-3672
Email:  David_Reiter@nih.gov
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.866.  Awards are made under authorization of the
Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410), as
amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered
under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 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 PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to
provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco
products.  In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of
1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any
portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education,
library, day care, health care or early childhood development
services are provided to children.  This is consistent with the PHS
mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the
American people.
 
.

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