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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