Full Text CA-97-023 MENTORED CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 26, August 8, 1997 RFA: CA-97-023 P.T. Keywords: National Cancer Institute Letter of Intent Receipt Date: November 6, 1997 Application Receipt Date: December 11, 1997 PURPOSE The Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Program CMBP), 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 applicant institution to be underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research. 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 the potential for productive research activity; o been the recipient of an underrepresented 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. Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators. 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) 94-50,000 (Rev.), revised April 1, 1994. The earliest possible start date will be July 1, 1998. 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 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. It is anticipated that this RFA will be reissued as a program announcment in FY 1999 and the terms of award will remain the same. RESEARCH TRAINING 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 underrepresented 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 and will occur in two phases. In Phase I (years 1-3), the candidate will participate in research activities at the mentored institution. Along with focusing on writing and submitting manuscripts for publication and presenting at scientific meetings, the applicant will begin peer review activities. The candidate will attend review meetings as either an observer or temporary member (depending on prior research experience) and participate in NCI- sponsored workshops on grantsmanship. In Phase II (years 3-5), the applicant will participate in activities leading towards an independent research career. Peer review activities will include serving as either full members of F- or K-type reviews, temporary members on other review committees and/or attending site visit reviews as observers. Other activities will include preparing for and securing an independent research position as well as writing and submitting grant applications for traditional research support (R29, R01). The underrepresented minority candidate must devote at least 75 % of the professional effort to cancer-related research 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. Beginning the second year of funding, the candidate must plan to participate in NCI-approved peer review activities, such as NCI-sponsored peer review workshops, and/or NIH review committees as determined by CMBP staff. 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. These activities must be reflected in the career development plan. 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 underrepresented 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 institution's 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 new 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 Contract, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. Investigators may obtain copies of the policy from these sources or from the program staff or the contact person listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by November 6, l997, 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 National Institutes of Health 6130 Executive Boulevard, Suite 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 Applications are to be submitted on form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) and will be accepted on or before December 11, 1997. Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research; 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; and from the program administrator listed under INQUIRIES. 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 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 December 11, 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. Mentor o Appropriateness of the research qualifications in the area of the proposed research. o Quality and time commitment to supervising and guiding the candidate during the entire phase of the award. o Previous experience in fostering and developing underrepesented minority cancer researchers. o History of research productivity and support. Institutional Environment and Commitment o Commitment to the scientific development of the investigator according to the terms of this award. o 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. The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects and the safety of the research environment and conformance with the NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research. Following scientific review, the application will receive a second- level review by the National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB). 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 NCAB action. INQUIRIES Written, telephone, FAX, and E-Mail 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. Division of Extramural Activities National Cancer Institute 6130 Executive Boulevard, Suite 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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