Full Text GM-96-011 SUPPORT OF MORE PROGRAM SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND WORKSHOPS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 18, June 7, 1996 RFA: GM-96-011 P.T. 42, FF Keywords: Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl National Institute of General Medical Sciences Letter of Intent Receipt Date: July 1, 1996 Application Receipt Dates: August 7, 1996 PURPOSE The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) invites cooperative agreement (U13) applications to support meetings, conferences, and/or workshops that are relevant to the mission of the Division of Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE). Applicants may propose more than one activity in the same application such as a conference and a workshop, or recurring activities such as a yearly meeting. In these cases NIGMS would consider funding applications for up to five years. The MORE Division provides research and training opportunities for: (1) students from minority groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, including mathematics; and (2) faculty at institutions with significant enrollment of underrepresented minorities. The MORE Division seeks innovative ways to provide technical assistance to improve the skills and abilities (competitiveness) of program directors, faculty and students supported by their MORE programs. For purposes of this request for applications (RFA), underrepresented minority individuals are defined as persons belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined to be underrepresented in biomedical research. Nationally, individuals who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical research include but are not limited to US citizens who are African American, Hispanic American, Native American, and Pacific Islanders. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by U.S. institutions, including scientific or professional societies, eligible to receive grants from Department of Health and Human Services agencies. In the case of an international conference, the U.S. representative organization of an established international scientific or professional society is the eligible applicant. Applications from foreign organizations will not be accepted. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Awards made under this RFA will use the cooperative agreement (U13) grant mechanism. The rules and regulations that apply to conference cooperative agreements (U13) are the same as those that apply to conference grants (R13) with one important distinction. After award, MORE program staff will be substantially involved in the planning and conduct of the scientific or program related meeting, conference, or workshop, assisting the Principal Investigator according to specific Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions are given below under SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS and will be included in each Notice of Grant Award. Indirect costs will not be allowed on grants in support of scientific or program related meetings except in the most unusual circumstances and then only if an appropriate amount is established between the applicant organization and the NIH awarding unit in advance of the award. The total project period for applications submitted in response to the present RFA may not exceed five years. The anticipated award date is March 1, 1997. Because the nature and scope of the scientific or program related meeting, conference, or workshop proposed in response to this RFA may vary, it is anticipated that the size of each award will vary also. The number of awards will depend upon receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit as determined by peer review. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of NIGMS, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. At this time, NIGMS has not determined whether or how this solicitation will be continued beyond the present RFA. FUNDS AVAILABLE NIGMS will make up to $1,500,000 available to support this solicitation. The NIGMS anticipated making approximately one to four awards in response to this RFA. Administrative costs may be requested as direct costs. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Terms and Conditions of Cooperative Agreement Award. o The Principal Investigator will have the primary authority and responsibility to define objectives and approaches; plan, publicize, and conduct the scientific or program related meeting, conference, or workshop; and publish the results thereof. o The Principal Investigator will retain custody of and have primary rights to information developed under the cooperative agreement, subject to Government rights of access, consistent with current DHHS, PHS, and NIH policies. o The appropriate MORE program staff member will assist, but not direct, the Principal Investigator in the planning and conduct of the scientific or program related meeting, conference, and/or workshop to ensure that the function is relevant and responsive to MORE Division goals. This will include assisting the Principal Investigator in finalizing the format and agenda, selecting topics for discussion, publicizing the scientific or program related meeting, conference, and/or workshop, selecting speakers and other participants, and publishing the proceedings. o Publication and copyright agreements, and the requirements for financial status reports, retention of records, and terminal progress reports will be as stated in the NIH publication, "Support of Scientific Meetings" (August 1992). o An independent, third party individual, acceptable to both the Principal Investigator and the MORE Division will be asked to serve as an arbitrator of any serious differences of opinion on programmatic issues that may arise during the planning and conduct of the scientific or program related meeting, conference and/or workshop. This special arbitration process will in no way affect the rights of the recipient to appeal an adverse action in accordance with PHS regulations of 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart D and DHHS regulations of 45 CFR Part 16. These special terms and conditions of cooperartive agreement award are in addition, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable OMB administrative guidelines, DHHS grant administrative regulations at 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92, and other DHHS, PHS, and NIH grant administration policies. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background The MORE Division administers research and research training grants aimed at increasing the number of underrepresented minority biomedical researchers through three components, the MARC Branch, the MBRS Branch, and Special Initiatives. The MARC Branch: The MARC Branch offers special research training grants to four year colleges, universities, and health professions schools with substantial enrollments of underrepresented minority students. The goals of the branch are to increase the number and capabilities of minorities engaged in biomedical research and to strengthen science curricula and student research opportunities at minority and/or minority serving institutions. The branch also provides individual predoctoral fellowships to former MARC undergraduates. The MBRS Branch: The goal of the MBRS Branch is to increase the number of researchers who are members of minority groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences by awarding research grants to two and four year colleges, universities and health professions schools with substantial enrollments of minorities. These grants: (1) support research by faculty members; (2) strengthen the institution's biomedical research capabilities; and (3) provide opportunities for students to participate as part of a research team. Special Initiatives: The MORE Division develops and supports new research and research training programs for underrepresented minority students and scientists via special initiatives. The Division is also responsible for organizing meetings and other activities that build networks among individuals and educational institutions and promote underrepresented minority participation in sponsored research. Additional Information Examples of scientific or program related meetings, conferences, or workshops that could support the overall goals of the MORE Division are listed below. This list is not intended to be comprehensive or directive. o conferences/workshops to facilitate dialog among MARC, MBRS, Bridges to the Future and other training grant program directors; o meetings or conferences to facilitate communication between program directors and NIGMS staff; o workshops to provide technical assistance in areas identified as critical by program directors and NIGMS program staff; o conferences/workshops on graduate school survival skills that target minority predoctoral fellows at either of two critical stages in their graduate careers -- first year fellows and those nearing completion of their graduate studies; o summer workshops or workshops in conjunction with annual meetings of scientific societies on research techniques (faculty or students) or teaching techniques (faculty); and or o summer workshops or workshops in conjunction with annual meetings of scientific societies for program directors on strategies and methods to evaluate their program. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by July 1, 1996, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed meeting, conference, and/or workshop, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating institutions, and the number and title of the RFA in response to which the 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 the NIGMS staff to estimate the potential workload and avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Clifton Poodry at the address listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MORE Division staff prior to the preparation and submission of an application to ascertain whether the NIGMS has an interest in supporting a particular scientific or program related meeting, conference, or workshop. Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95). Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, Office of Extramural Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone (301) 710-0267; email: asknih@odrockm1.od.nih.gov. The NIH publication, "Support of Scientific Meetings" (August 1992) provides important information and supplemental instructions for completing the application. In addition, this publication states NIH policy regarding the application, receipt, assignment, review, award, administration, and reporting requirements when funds are requested and awarded for the support of scientific meetings. The NIH publication, "Support of Scientific Meetings" (August 1992) is available from the Office of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources. Applications must address the inclusion of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in both the planning and conduct of meetings, conferences, or workshops. Plans must be specified to seek appropriate representation in the selection of organizing committees, speakers, session chairs, and panel discussants. NIH guidelines on this issue are published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 24, No. 15, April 28, 1995. 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. In the research plan section of the application, describe the relevance of the proposed meeting, conference, or workshop to the MORE program goals. This section should also be used to provide a detailed description of the objectives, plans, and logistics of the meeting, conference, and/workshop. In addition, the applicant should provide a statement acknowledging and agreeing to NIGMS staff post-award involvement in planning and conducting the meeting, conference, or workshop, and should describe plans to accommodate this involvement. Allowable expenditures and the applicable policies are listed in the publication, "Support of Scientific Meetings" (August 1992). Budget requests should be submitted on pages 4 and 5 of form PHS 398. Clear justification is needed for all activities, particularly those proposed for future years. The complete and signed original application and three exact copies, in one package with any appendices, must be mailed or delivered to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the same time, an additional two copies must be sent under separate cover to: Chief, Office of Scientific Review National Institute of General Medical Sciences Building 45, Room 1AS.19 - MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be administratively reviewed by NIH staff. Incomplete and/or unresponsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications will be reviewed for scientific merit by an appropriate peer review groups convened by NIGMS. Applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council. Review Criteria o the importance or benefits of the proposed scientific or program related meeting, conference, or workshop to the targeted community o the timeliness and need for the proposed activity o the adequacy of the scope and content of the proposed activity o the qualifications of the proposed director/organizer and other activity coordinators o the qualifications of the proposed participants o the appropriateness of the proposed format for achieving the stated goals o the adequacy of plans to disseminate the information generated by the activity o the adequacy of the resources and environment o the validity and adequacy of the instruments to be used for evaluation of the activity o the appropriateness of the budget o the plans for the inclusion of women, minorities and persons with disabilities in the selection of organizing committees, speakers, session chairs, and panel discussants. Due to the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement award, some details of the planning and conduct of the scientific or program related meeting, conference, or workshop will not be known until after the award, when MORE staff assists the Principal Investigator in key areas. This important distinction between the R13 and T36 mechanisms, and the U13 mechanism must be considered in the peer review of U13 grant applications. AWARD CRITERIA The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o merit of the proposed scientific or program related meeting, conference or workshop as determined by peer review; o relevance to MORE program goals and objectives; and o availability of funds. The anticipated award date is March 1, 1997. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcomed. Direct inquires regarding programmatic issues to: Clifton Poodry, Ph.D. Minority Opportunities in Research Division National Institutes of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AS.37, MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-3900 FAX: (301) 480-2573 Email: PoodryC@gm1.nigms.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Antoinette Holland Grants Management Office National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AN.50B, MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 495-5132 FAX: (301) 480-3423 Email: HollandA@gm1.nigms.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS Awards 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. Applications are 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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