Full Text CA-97-003
 
MENTORED CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 3, January 31, 1997
 
RFA:  CA-97-003
 
P.T. 34, FF

Keywords: 
  Cancer/Carcinogenesis 

 
National Cancer Institute
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 06, 1997
Application Receipt Date: May 08, 1997
 
PURPOSE
 
The Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Program, Division of Extramural
Activities, National Cancer Institute (NCI), invites underrepresented
minority research scientists who have been the recipient of an NIH
Research Supplement for Underrepresented Minority Individuals in
Postdoctoral Training (MIPT) or a Minority Investigator Supplement
(MIS), funded by the NCI, who need an extended period of sponsored
research as a way to gain scientific expertise while bridging the
transition from a mentored research environment to an independent
research/academic career to submit applications. This award offers
opportunities for a mentored peer review experience in cancer
research which will enhance the candidates knowledge and
understanding of the peer review process with the intended purpose of
developing skills with the expectation that the candidate will submit
a grant application for nontargeted mechanisms (R29, R01).  This
award is aimed at fostering the cancer research careers of
outstanding, junior minority scientists who:
 
o  have been the recipient of an NIH Research Supplements for
Underrepresented Minorities award, funded by the NCI;
 
o  are located at a majority institution; and
 
o  are committed to developing and sustaining academic research
programs.
 
This award is a novel mechanism which is intended to support
underrepresented minority scientists and enhance the likelihood of
success for junior underrepesented minority investigators who have
committed to basic and clinical research careers in cancer.
 
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 Request
for Application (RFA), Career Development Award, is related to the
priority area of human resource development in cancer research.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full
Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No.
017-001-00473-1) from the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-512-1800).
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
This award is designed to provide an intensive, supervised research
experience for underrepresented minority investigators.  For the
purpose of this award, underrepresented minorities are defined as
individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has
been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in
biomedical and behavioral research.  In making these awards, NCI will
give priority to projects involving African American (Black), Latinos
(Mexican American, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Central American), Native
Americans, and non-Asian Pacific Islanders or other ethnic or racial
group members who have been found to be underrepresented in
biomedical or behavioral research nationally. All applicants must
submit three letters of recommendation from established investigators
and are encouraged to contact the NCI regarding their eligibility for
this award (see Inquiries Section).  In general, the candidate must
have:
 
o  a research or a health professional doctorate or its equivalent
and must have demonstrated productive research activity;
 
o  been the recipient of a minority supplement award at the
postdoctoral (MIPT) or junior faculty (MIS) level, funded by the NCI;
and
 
o  the potential for establishing an independent research program
highly relevant to the understanding of human biology and human
disease as it relates to the etiology, pathogenesis, prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
 
Applications may be submitted on behalf of candidates by domestic,
non-profit and for profit organizations, public and private, such as
universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State or
local government, and eligible agencies of the Federal government or
comparable institutions.  Awards will be limited to individuals who
are citizens or non-citizen alien nationals, and permanent residents
of the United States.  Individuals on temporary or student visas are
not eligible.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
Support for this program will be through the NIH grant-in-aid
Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01). Planning,
direction, and execution of the program will be the responsibility of
the candidate and her/his mentor on behalf of the applicant
institution.  The project period for an application responding to the
RFA will be for up to five years of support depending upon the number
of years of prior research experience and the need for additional
experiences to achieve independence. Awards are not renewable and are
not transferable from one Principal Investigator to another.  Funding
beyond the first year is contingent upon satisfactory progress during
the preceding year, as documented in the required Progress Report.
 
Except as otherwise stated in this RFA, awards will be administered
under PHS grants policy as stated in the Public Health Service Grants
Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 90-50,000, revised
October 1,1990.
 
FUNDS AVAILABLE
 
Up to $500,000 in direct costs the first year and up to $1,500,000 in
future years will be committed specifically to fund applications
submitted in response to this RFA.  It is anticipated that
approximately 5 awards will be made from the initial competition for
this K01 solicitation at a direct cost level of $100,000 for the
first year and $150,000 per year thereafter.  This funding level is
dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of
high scientific merit.  Although this program is provided for in the
financial plans of the NCI, the award of grants pursuant to this RFA
is also contingent upon the continuing availability of funds for this
purpose.  This RFA will be reissued in FY 1998 and the terms of award
will remain the same.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
Environment:  The majority institution must have well-established
basic biomedical or behavioral and/or clinical cancer research
programs and must have received an NIH Research Supplements for
Underrepresented Minorities award funded by the NCI.  Either the
Principal Investigator of the NIH Research Supplements for
Underrepresented Minorities award or other established investigator
will serve as the mentor to the minority candidate. The candidate,
mentor and institution must be able to describe a cancer
research/career development program that will maximize the use of
relevant cancer research and educational resources.
 
Program:  The award provides up to five consecutive 12 month
appointments.  The minority candidate must devote at least 75 % of
the professional effort to cancer research-related and/or peer review
pursuits consistent with the objectives of this award.  The candidate
must develop knowledge in the basic biomedical, clinical or
population-based sciences and research skills relevant to his/her
cancer research fields.  Where appropriate, research areas in cancer
which disproportionately affect minority populations should be
incorporated.  During the second year if funding, the candidate must
plan to attend NCI-approved peer review activities, such as
NCI-sponsored peer review workshops, and/or NIH review committees as
an observer or a temporary member.  This activities must be reflected
in the career development plan.  The candidate must agree to report
annually on the status of the program and to meet annually to
exchange information with NCI staff and other awardees.  It is
expected that the candidate will prepare and submit a research grant
application for traditional research support during Phase II of the
award (year 4/5).
 
Mentor:  The recipient must receive appropriate mentoring during both
phases of the award.  These activities are crucial during the
mentoring peer review phase as well as during the development and
preparation of the traditional investigator initiated grant
application (R29, R01).  The mentor must be a senior or mid-level
faculty member with research competence and a major interest in the
training of underrepresented minority investigators in cancer
research.  Where feasible, women and minority mentors should be
involved as role models.
 
ALLOWABLE COSTS
 
Salary: This award will provide salary up to $75,000 plus related
fringe benefits.  The institution may supplement the NCI contribution
up to a level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale;
however, supplementation may not be from Federal funds unless
specifically authorized by the Federal program from which such funds
are derived.  In no case, may PHS funds be used for salary
supplementation.  Institutional supplementation of salary may not
require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with
the purpose of this award.  Under expanded authorities, however,
institutions may rebudget funds within the total costs awarded to
cover salaries consistent with the institutions salary scale.  The
total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12 month staff
appointment.
 
Research Development Support:  During Phase I of the award, $25,000
per year will be provided for the following types of expenses: a)
research expenses; b) statistical services including personnel and
computer time; c) tuition, fees, and books related to career
development; d) travel to research meetings, and e) travel to an
annual two-day NCI awardee meeting and for peer review related and
training expenses.  The amount of this support will increase to
$75,000 in Phase II when the Principal Investigator moves to a new
research environment, as opposed to the environment provided by a
mentor, which includes an independent research position either at the
same institution or at a different institution.  During Phase II of
the award funds may be requested for the purchase of equipment.
 
Ancillary Personnel Support:  Salary support for technicians is
allowed in Phase II.  Support for mentors, secretarial and
administrative assistance, etc., is not allowed.
 
Indirect Costs:  Indirect costs will be reimbursed at eight percent
of modified total direct costs.
 
Categorical amounts cited above, notwithstanding, the total award may
not exceed $100,000 in direct costs for the first year and $150,000
for subsequent years.
 
TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF INSTITUTION
 
When a grantee institution plans to terminate an award, the NCI must
be notified in writing at the earliest possible time so that
appropriate instructions can be given for termination (see INQUIRIES
section for contacts).  If the individual is moving to another
eligible institution, career award support may be continued provided:
 
o  A formal request for transfer of award is submitted by the new
organization.
 
o  The period of support requested is no more than the time remaining
within the existing award period.
 
o  A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status
Report are submitted upon either termination of an award or
relinquishment of an award in a change of institutional situation.
 
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 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 reprinted
in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contract, Volume 23, Number 11, March
18, 1994.
 
LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by March 6, 1997, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
career plan, the name, address, telephone, FAX, and E-mail numbers of
the Principal Investigator and mentor, the identities of other key
personnel and participating institutions, and the number and title of
the RFA in response to which this application may be submitted.
Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does
not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the
information that it contains allows NCI staff to estimate the
potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the
review.
 
The letter of intent is to be sent to:
 
Sanya A. Springfield, Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Activities
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 620
Bethesda, MD  20892-7405
Rockville, MD  20852 (express/courier service)
Telephone:  (301) 496-7344
FAX:  (301) 402-4551
Email: springfs@dea.nci.nih.gov
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used
in applying for this grants.  Applications 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:
ASKNIH@odrockm1.od.nih.gov.
 
The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) application form
must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application.
Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the
application such that it may not reach the review committee in time
for review.  In addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on
line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must
be marked.
 
Three sealed letters of recommendation addressing the candidate's
potential for the research career must be included as part of the
application.
 
Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, reference
letters, current curriculum vitae with complete bibliography,
including the Checklist, and the three signed 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 (express/courier service)
 
At time of submission, two additional copies of the application must
be sent to:
 
Ms.  Toby Friedberg
Division of Extramural Activities
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 636
Bethesda, MD  20892-7405
Rockville, MD  20852 (express/courier service)
 
Applications must be received by May 08, 1997.  If an application is
received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant
without review.  The Division of Research Grants (DRG) will not
accept any application in response to this RFA that is essentially
the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the
applicant withdraws the pending application.  The DRG will not accept
any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed.
This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of an
application already reviewed, but such applications must include an
introduction addressing the previous critique.
 
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
 
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness and
responsiveness.  Incomplete or unresponsive applications will be
returned without further consideration.  Applications that are
complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific
and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by
the NCI in accordance with the review criteria stated below.
 
Review Criteria
 
Candidate (Principal Investigator)
 
o  Evidence of Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities
award funded by the NCI.
 
o  Commitment to an independent cancer research career in terms of
effort and future plans.
 
o  Quality and breadth of prior scientific training and experience.
 
o  Recommendations of three well-established scientists attesting to
the special potential of the individual to pursue an independent
career in cancer research.
 
Career Development Plan
 
o  Likelihood that the plan will contribute substantially to the
scientific development of the candidate and the achievement of
scientific independence.
 
o  Appropriateness of the career development plan in terms of the
candidate's prior research and academic experience; and the stated
career goals.
 
o  Clarity of the goals and scope of the plan and the need for the
proposed research experience.
 
o  Quality of the proposed training in the peer review process.
 
o  Likelihood of successful planning, writing and submitting of
traditional grant applications.
 
Research Plan
 
All applicants for this award will have had previous postdoctoral
research experience and have been the recipient of an NIH Research
Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities award funded by the NCI.
A sound research project that is consistent with the development plan
for an independent career in cancer research and the candidate's
level of research development must be provided.
 
o  Usefulness of the research plan as a vehicle for enhancing
existing research skills as described in the career development plan.
 
o  The originality and quality of the research hypothesis/question,
design and methodology, judged in the context of the candidate's
previous training and experience.
 
o  Appropriateness of the mentor's research qualifications in the
area of the proposed research.
 
o  Quality and time commitment of the mentor to supervising and
guiding the candidate during the entire phase of the award.
 
o  Previous experience of the mentor in fostering and developing
minority cancer researchers.
 
o  History of research productivity.
 
o  Applicant institution's commitment to the scientific development
of the investigator according to the terms of this award.
 
o  Applicant institution's assurance that the investigator will spend
a minimum of 75 percent effort on the career development project.
 
o  Adequacy of research facilities and training opportunities.
 
Budget
 
The appropriateness of the budget in relation to career development
goals and research aims and plans.
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
Applications will compete for available funds with all other scored
applications submitted in response to this RFA.  The following will
be considered in making decisions: quality of the proposed project as
determined by peer review, availability of funds and program
priority.  The NCI will notify the applicant of the National Cancer
Advisory Board's (NCAB) action.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged, especially during the
planning phase of the application.  The opportunity to clarify any
issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.
 
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
 
Sanya A. Springfield, Ph.D.
Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Program
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 620
Bethesda, MD  20892-7405
Rockville, MD  20852 (express/courier service)
Telephone:  (301) 496-7344
FAX:  (301) 402-4551
Email:  springfs@dea.nci.nih.gov
 
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Ms. Joan Metcalfe
Grants Administration Branch
National Cancer Institute
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 243
Bethesda, MD  20892-7150
Rockville, MD  20852 (express/courier service)
Telephone:  (301) 496-7800 ext 228
FAX:  (301) 496-8601
Email:  metcalfj@gab.nci.nih.gov
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATION
 
This program is described in the catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.398.  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 52,45 CFR
92, 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 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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