SMALL GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE NIDCD Release Date: November 25, 1998 PA NUMBER: PAR-99-018 P.T. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Application Receipt Date: December 22, 1998; April 20, and August 24, 1999 December 22, 1999; April 20, and August 24, 2000 December 22, 2000; April 20, and August 24, 2001 PURPOSE This Program Announcement (PA) supersedes all previous announcements of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Small Grant (R03) Program for support of pilot research that is likely to lead to a subsequent Individual Research Project Grant (R01) application. The research must be focused on one or more of the areas within the biomedical and behavioral scientific mission of the NIDCD: hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. The Small Grant Program is designed to support basic and clinical research of scientists who are in the early stages of establishing an independent research career. 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, Small Grant Program for the NIDCD, is related to the priority area of clinical prevention services. 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. Foreign institutions and United States organizations located in foreign countries are not eligible to apply for this program. Individuals who have served as Principal Investigators (including subprojects of program projects and centers) on any NIH research grant or other Federally funded research grants are not eligible for the R03 mechanism. Former recipients of Federally funded Training or Career Development awards are eligible for this Small Grant Program. Examples include: Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards (K01); Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Awards (K08); Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Awards (K23); Individual (F32) or Institutional (T32) National Research Service Awards. However, individuals may not hold an R03 award concurrent with Training or Career Development support. Other questions about eligibility may be directed to one of the program officials listed under INQUIRIES. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Applicants may request up to $35,000 (direct costs) per year through the R03 mechanism. Any consortium/contractual cost that may be requested must not exceed the direct cost limits. The grant may not exceed three years and is not renewable. The Small Grant funds may not be used to supplement projects currently supported by Federal or non-Federal funds, or to support thesis or dissertation research. 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 protocols 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 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, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. For the purpose of this policy, clinical research is defined as human biomedical and behavioral studies of etiology, epidemiology, prevention (and prevention strategies), diagnosis, or treatment of diseases, disorders or conditions, including, but not limited to, clinical trails. INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after October 1, 1998. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of Children as Participants in Research Involving Human Subjects" that was published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is available at the following URL address: http://www.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used in applying for these grants. 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, email GrantsInfo@nih.gov. The specific R03 guidelines listed below (e.g., page limitations, number of copies, application dates) supersede the PHS 398 instructions. FACE PAGE: Item 2, type "Small Grant Program NIDCD" in "Title" box, and check the "YES" box, indicating response to Program Announcement. Do not exceed a total of five pages inclusive of the following sections: Specific Aims; Background and Significance; Preliminary Studies/Progress Report (or other evidence of feasibility); and Research Design and Methods. Pertinent subject selection and recruitment information (e.g., inclusion of woman, minorities, children), as it impacts on study design, should also be included. Tables, figures and photographs are included in the five page limitation. For revised applications, an additional introduction (not to exceed one-half page) is permitted. This introduction should respond to the comments and concerns of the Initial Review Group delineated in the summary statement. Applications that exceed the page limit or requirements for type size and margins will be returned to the investigator. (Refer to PHS 398 application for details.) The five page limit does not include information regarding safety and ethical issues related to subjects in research (Human Subjects, Inclusion of Children as Participants in Research, Vertebrate Animals) or Consortia and Literature Cited (Section E-I). Appendix materials may not be used to circumvent the page limit. However, letters of support may be used to establish the Principal Investigator's research as separate and distinct from those of a former mentor or to denote collaborative or consultant relationships. Up to three publications, submitted manuscripts or abstracts may also be included. Five copies of appendix materials should be submitted. (Refer to PHS 398 application for additional Appendix guidelines.) Use the mailing label in the application kit to mail the original and three copies of the application to: CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, SUITE 1040 - MSC-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) To ensure that the application is received in sufficient time for the review, send an additional two copies of the application to: Chief, Scientific Review Branch National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400-C, MSC 7180 Bethesda, MD 20892-7180 Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service) Schedule Application Receipt Dates: Dec 22 Apr 20 Aug 24 NIDCD Committee Review: Feb/Mar Jun/Jul Oct/Nov Council Review: May Oct Jan Earliest Funding: Aug Jan May If the receipt date falls on a weekend, it will be extended to the following Monday; if the date falls on a holiday, it will be extended to the following business day. Only one Small Grant application may be submitted by a Principal Investigator per receipt date. Applicants may not submit an R01 application on the same topic concurrently (to be considered at the same National Advisory Council meeting) with the submission of a Small Grant application. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit in accordance with the standard NIH procedures by an initial review group (IRG) convened by the NIDCD. As part of the initial review, all applications will receive a written critique. Those applications deemed to have the highest merit, generally the top- half of applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level of review by the NIDCD Advisory Council. Review Criteria The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance the understanding of biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health. In the written review, comments on the following aspects of the application will be made in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will be addressed and considered in the assignment of the overall score. (1) Significance. Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field? (2) Approach. Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? (3) Innovation. Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or method? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies? (4) Investigator. Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)? (5) Environment. Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects, the safety of the research environment, and conformity with the NIH Guidelines for the Inclusion of Women and Children as Subjects in Clinical Research. Applications will be subsequently reviewed by the National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Council. AWARD CRITERIA The awarding of grant funds is contingent on: (1) the receipt of applications of high scientific merit; (2) responsiveness to this Program Announcement, including the eligibility of investigators; (3) relevance to the mission of the NIDCD; and (4) the availability of funds. INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Hearing Dr. Chyren Hunter Telephone: (301) 402-3461 Email: Chyren_Hunter@NIH.GOV Balance/Vestibular Dr. Daniel Sklare Telephone: (301) 496-1804 Email: Daniel_Sklare@NIH.GOV Smell/Taste Dr. Rochelle Small Telephone: (301) 402-3464 Email: Rochelle_Small@NIH.GOV Voice/Speech Dr. Beth Ansel Telephone: (301) 402-3461 Email: Beth_Ansel@NIH.GOV Language Dr. Judith Cooper Telephone: (301) 496-5061 Email: Judith_Cooper@NIH.GOV The address and FAX number for the above named persons are: Division of Human Communication National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400-C, MSC-7180 Bethesda, MD 20892-7180 FAX: (301) 402-6251 Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Sharon Hunt Grants Management Office National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400-B, MSC-7180 Bethesda, MD 20892-7180 Telephone: (301) 402-0909 FAX: (301) 402-1758 Email: SH79F@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.93.173. 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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