EXTRAMURAL ASSOCIATES RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AWARD (EARDA): SPONSORED RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (SRIP) Release Date: January 17, 2001 RFA: RFA-HD-01-003 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (http://www.nichd.nih.gov) Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 1, 2001 Application Receipt Date: April 13, 2001 PURPOSE The Extramural Associates (EA) Program, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, announces two initiatives directed at scientific faculty and academic administrators of women"s colleges and of institutions with significant underrepresented minority (i.e., Blacks, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, or Native Americans) student populations. The two initiatives target two different types of institutions. The current RFA describes the Sponsored Research Infrastructure Program (SRIP) and is intended for eligible institutions that award the Master’s or the Ph.D. degree in the biomedical and/or behavioral sciences and/or other health-related professional degrees. In addition, it is expected that these institutions already have a modest research base of health-related research. The Faculty Research Enhancement Support Program (FRESP), published in a companion RFA (HD-01-004), is intended for non-research intensive eligible institutions granting the baccalaureate degree as the highest degree in the biomedical and/or behavioral sciences. Such institutions may include selected community colleges that have established collaborative research activities or bridges with institutions that award at least the baccalaureate degree. The goal of these initiatives is to increase the participation of these institutions in biomedical and behavioral research and research training through an integrated residency program and an institutional support program. The objectives of the SRIP program, through its five-month residency experience at the NIH, is to enhance the research capacity of the awardee institution by providing the following resources: (a) administrative support for the development of grant applications and/or contract proposals, (b) updated information about the availability of funds to support biomedical and behavioral research and research training, (c) grantsmanship seminars for faculty, and (d) the resources to develop approaches to encourage faculty and students to participate in biomedical and behavioral research. It is anticipated that the individuals participating in the program will be responsible for establishing or enhancing an office that provides administrative support for research and research training projects receiving external funding, and for implementing pilot studies that encourage faculty and students to engage in research from a broader perspective. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2001," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This Request for Applications (RFA) is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain "Healthy People 2001" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic, private and public women’s colleges and educational institutions with significant underrepresented minority (i.e., Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or Native American) student populations that offer programs in the biomedical or behavioral sciences. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators or Extramural Associates. [The terms Principal Investigator and Extramural Associate (EA) are used interchangeably in this document.] Preference will be given to those institutions that demonstrate the greatest need to establish or strengthen and develop research and research training infrastructure. The SRIP is intended for institutions that offer programs in the biomedical and/or behavioral sciences leading to a Master’s degree or higher, including health-related professional degrees. These institutions are expected to have a modest research base already in place and to be interested in developing or enhancing a research infrastructure. Institutions may nominate only one Principal Investigator per cycle for participation in the program. Eligible women’s colleges and underrepresented minority institutions that have never had a faculty member participate in the EA Program are strongly encouraged to apply. Institutions that have received a Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) award, if successful in applying for this award, may have their budget requests reduced if there is significant overlap in funding for infrastructure components. Institutions that received an Extramural Associates Research Development Award (EARDA) in years 1994 through 2000 resulting from their response to RFAs OD- 94-002, OD-94-003, OD-95-001, OD-96-001, OD-97-002, OD-98-004, OD-99-001 or OD-00-001 are not eligible to apply under this announcement. Institutions that had EAs enrolled in the five-month NIH residency training program prior to 1994 and who have never received an EARDA grant are eligible to apply for this program. However, the proposed Principal Investigators from such institutions must agree to repeat the five-month NIH residency training program. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Extramural Associates Research Development Award (G11) mechanism. The G11 mechanism is used to support institutional resources to improve the research infrastructure (including part-time professional and administrative staff, equipment, etc.) An award made to a successful FRESP applicant or to a successful SRIP applicant is termed an EARDA. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed EARDA will be solely that of the applicant. FUNDS AVAILABLE The NIH intends to commit approximately $189,000 in total costs [direct plus Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs] in FY 2002 to fund from three to five new grants in response to this RFA. Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs for these awards are fixed at eight percent of total direct costs. Applicants may request a project period of five years and a budget for direct costs of up to $35,000 for the first 12-month budget period. In Years 02 through 05, budgets for direct costs of up to $50,000 may be requested for administration of a Research Development Office. In addition, up to $35,000 may be requested in these four years to support faculty pilot research projects, seminars, and student participation in research projects. Should any of these pilot studies propose to include human subjects or animals, appropriate control measures for their inclusion must be reviewed by an IRB prior to initiating the studies. Specific instruction for doing this should be obtained from the appropriate individual listed under INQUIRIES below. Thus, applicants may request up to $85,000 in direct costs per year in Years 02 through 05. Because the nature and scope of the effort proposed may vary, it is anticipated that the size of awards also will vary. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of NICHD, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. TRANSITIONAL AWARDS Since a major goal of the program is to establish an Office of Research Development, applicants successful in receiving a five-year EARDA are expected to compete for a one-time, three-year Transitional EARDA Award which will be based on a cost-sharing arrangement. The purpose of the Transitional Award is to allow the institutions time to assume full financial responsibility for the Office of Research Development after eight years of EARDA grant support. It is expected that during the first year of the Transitional Award (Year 06, overall), NICHD would contribute 75 percent of the total costs. During the second year, NICHD and the institution would each contribute 50 percent, and in the third and final year, the institution would contribute 75 percent and NICHD would contribute 25 percent. Thereafter, the institution would assume full financial responsibility for the Office of Research Development. Applications for the Transitional EARDA will be solicited from eligible institutions at the appropriate time. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Background The EA Program was established in 1978 at the NIH to promote the entry and participation of women and underrepresented minority institutions into biomedical and behavioral research. Overall, the program accomplishes this mission by providing EAs from women’s colleges and underrepresented minority institutions with the opportunity to come to the NIH to gain the necessary understanding of the processes utilized by the NIH as well as other Federal agencies to provide funding to support biomedical and behavioral research and research training. Scope Candidates (Principal Investigators) for the EARDA must be full-time scientific faculty or academic science administrators at the applicant institution. If approved and invited to participate, they will be required to spend five months at the NIH in residency training. The program has the flexibility necessary to allow each EA to participate in activities that are consistent with the institution’s concerns and interests in health-related research. Upon entering the program, EAs are assigned a preceptor and participate in the regular EA Program curriculum. The EA’s preceptor, a senior NIH or PHS official, is available for guidance with respect to working assignments and related activities to assure consistency with the Institutional Plan presented in the EARDA application. EAs attend an initial series of orientation sessions as well as in-depth seminars that prepare them to use their time effectively at the NIH. Working assignments are intended to provide in-depth exposure to the administration of NIH and other Federal extramural research programs. EAs have the opportunity to learn about the Federal legislative and budgetary processes, to study administrative procedures, and to observe staff meetings and scientific review meetings. In the course of the program, they visit other Federal agencies, and a nearby university’s office of sponsored research. Opportunities are also provided to observe NIH site-visits to grantee institutions. Upon completion of the program, the EAs have: (1) a comprehensive working knowledge of the range of Federal support of biomedical and behavioral research, (2) skills in preparation of research grant applications, (3) a plan to establish or expand the institution’s Office of Research Development, (4) an assembled Advisory Committee with membership capable of reviewing, recommending for funding, and monitoring faculty pilot research projects, (5) a network of contacts to the NIH and other Federal agencies, so they can serve as a liaison for faculty and students to access NIH opportunities as well a those of other Federal and private agencies, and (6) the embryonic stage of a meaningful partnership with a research intensive institution. The Residency Program It is anticipated that awards will be made after the NIH residency begins which is the first week of January 2002. However, successful applicants will be notified following the September 2001 meeting of the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council so that the identified EA will have time to arrange for participation in the residency program during 2002. It is anticipated that the five-month residency SRIP Program will begin the first full week of January, 2002, and end the latter part of May. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Post-award Monitoring To insure that the EA, upon returning to his/her home institution is making satisfactory progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the EA Program and is receiving appropriate institutional support, two EARDA assessments will be conducted during the five-year grant period. The first assessment will take place at the institution approximately 18 months after the EARDA is awarded. NIH staff and consultants will be included. The second one, a grantee interview, will take place at the NIH during the latter part of the fourth year or early in the fifth year of the grant and will include the EA and one or two designated institutional officials. Applicants should include in their budget, funds necessary to participate in the grantee interview at NIH. Institutional Commitment In nominating the EA candidate, the sponsoring institution is expected to commit adequate resources to formulate and implement an Institutional Plan which will build upon the EA’s residency training experience. For the five- month residency program, this may include a commitment to provide the EA with support, in the form of designated authority, to develop or enhance an Office of Research Development upon his/her return to the institution. A sign of institutional commitment is a statement in the proposed plan describing how the institution plans to continue the developmental research activity once EARDA support expires. A contribution to the EA"s residency training costs under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) is also considered a demonstration of the institution"s commitment to the goals of the program. The EA and the institution must be fully committed to the EA residency training. Specifically, because of the time and effort expended in scheduling and conducting the training, only in extreme cases will the EA be excused from any part of the training to engage in institutional responsibilities incurred prior to or during the residency training. Allowable Costs Funding for the program may be used to support the activities of the EA upon returning to the home institution such as equipping an office, support of small pilot research studies, student/teacher seminars and workshops to enhance research interest and to establish consortia research arrangements. Funds may also be used for, but not limited to, the following: purchase of office supplies and equipment, administrative assistance, travel expenses for the EA to gain additional experience in carrying out the functions of the office, and membership dues in one professional organization whose function is related to the goals of the EA Program. Salary support for the EA during the five-month residency program will be provided through an IPA agreement mechanism described below, not through or from the EARDA grant itself. Therefore, salary should be requested for only seven months in the first 12-month budget period of the EARDA. The costs for the residency program are entirely separate from the EARDA award. Selected EAs will come to the NIH for the assignment under the IPA. The IPA enables temporary appointments to the Federal government by employees from academic institutions. Cost-sharing is required. The IPA provides partial support for the EA while he/she is at NIH. Under the IPA arrangement, up to 67 percent of the cost of the EA"s salary while at the NIH is reimbursed. Similarly, per diem (food and lodging) costs are reimbursed at 75 percent by NIH and the institution contributes 25 percent. The cost of relocating the EA from the home institution and any other cost incurred that is related to the residency program are reimbursed at 100 percent. Included in related costs are expenses to return to the home institution for a one-week period approximately mid-way through the five-month residency to meet with institution officials to discuss plans for implementing the institutional plan upon the EA’s return. Although institutions with an existing Office of Research Development or similar office, or with funding through programs such as the RCMI may apply, adjustments in the final funding level for budgetary overlap may be made prior to the award. Change of Principal Investigator If a request to change the Principal Investigator is received at any time during the five-year grant, support may be suspended pending approval of a substitute Principal Investigator by the EA Program Director. URLS IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations. Unless otherwise specified in an NIH solicitation, Internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no obligation to view the Internet sites. Reviewers are cautioned that their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an Internet site. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the name, professional status, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the proposed EA, and the number and title of this RFA. 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 NICHD staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Matthew A. Kinnard at the address listed under INQUIRIES, below, by March 1, 2001. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research, on the Internet at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html, and 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: grantsinfo@nih.gov. Application Instructions The instructions accompanying Form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) must be followed, with the exceptions noted below: For section I.C.9., Specific Instructions - Research Plan, use Continuation Pages to provide information on the three parts described below under Special Instructions for Research Plan. The total length for these three parts combined should not exceed 15 pages. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESEARCH PLAN: The Research Plan for a SRIP application consists of three parts. These parts are required and it is imperative that applicants fully address each point described in the outline, below, since these points are reflected in the review criteria. Part I: The Nominee This part pertains to the nominee’s background and potential as an EA. It should be prepared by the nominee and must include: o Evidence of rapport with faculty and students, ability to motivate and advise others, and commitment to serve the institution. o A description of the nominee"s commitment to increasing and strengthening involvement of women and underrepresented minorities in biomedical and behavioral research at the institution. This description also should address his/her interest in and commitment to the objectives of the EA Program, the benefits that will accrue to the institution from his/her participation in the program, and the nominee"s availability to participate in the five-month residency program at the NIH. o The names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of three colleagues who have consented to submit letters of reference to the NIH attesting to the personal qualifications and potential effectiveness of the nominee. The reference letters must be included in the Appendix. One of these letters should be from the President of the applicant institution. Reference letters should accompany the EARDA application upon submission to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and to NICHD (see Submission Instructions, below). The reference letters must be received with the EARDA application. Otherwise, the application will be considered incomplete and returned to the applicant without further consideration. In order to comply with this condition, it is recommended that all reference letters be obtained from the referring individuals as far in advance of the application deadline as possible. Part II: The Institution This part pertains to the institution"s mission and goals related to the EA Program. It should be prepared by institutional officials and must include the following: o Statement of interest in and plans to improve the health-related research capabilities of the institution. o If applicable, a description of a current Office of Research Development or similar institutional unit. o If applicable, a description of a current Sponsored Programs Office or similar institutional unit. A letter from the head of the Sponsored Programs Office or similar office signed and dated should be included in the Appendix. The letter should state explicitly that he or she is committed to working cooperatively with the Office of Research Development once established for the benefit of the entire institution. o Statement of the institution’s demonstrated past and potential contributions to the advancement of minorities and/or women in biomedical and behavioral research and training. o Description of the current academic environment. This should include a history/accreditation, profile of the student population including a detailed categorization of the enrollment of minorities and women. o Description of the research environment. Include a description of the science faculty and the research capability as indicated by: (1) number of faculty members in biomedical and behavioral science disciplines, (2) number of faculty engaged in biomedical and behavioral science research, (3) number of faculty with external research support, (4) number of faculty with full- length publications in peer reviewed journals and number of publications per faculty member, (5) number of faculty with publications in non-peer reviewed journals, (6) presentations at local, regional, and national meetings, (7) number of faculty research collaborations with investigators at other institutions, (8) faculty involved in peer review activities: membership in special or standing review committees, (9) current student population in the sciences and follow-up data (e.g., graduate and post-graduate career profiles), (10) current and planned facilities for scientific research and training, and (11) current and planned Federal and non-Federal research support. o Description of ongoing or planned cooperation and/or collaboration with other institutions or Federal or non-Federal organizations. Part III: Institutional Plan The EA selected to participate in the SRIP will submit a preliminary plan that describes the establishment or enhancement of the institution"s Office of Research Development. This plan should also include a plan for enhancing the research capabilities of the institution using the skills to be gained by the nominee. The plan should also include details for identifying, funding, and monitoring progress of scientifically meritorious pilot research studies as well as the development of seminars and workshops, and plans to involve students in research activities. This section should be developed by both faculty and administrators and should include: o A statement of nominee"s role, authority, and institution-wide accessibility upon return to the institution as well as a description of resources which will be made available to the nominee including a detailed budget. o A description of at least one advisory committee to be established. The purpose and function of the committee should be described, and the nature of the expertise to be included should be outlined, but specific members should not be appointed until after an award is made. It is expected that at least one person external to the applicant institution will be on the Advisory Committee. This committee could play a key role in developing the EA application as well as in serving as advisors to the EA in the establishment of and the ongoing research development activities. The committee will be responsible for the review, recommendation for funding, and monitoring of faculty pilot research studies. All planned committees should be included in this section with a justification for the particular committee structure and function that is proposed and a description of the proposed membership. o A description of plans to initiate or expand local or regional cooperation/collaboration in research activities. Particular emphasis is placed on partnering with foundations and with private companies and businesses. o A preliminary plan, including the source of budgetary resources, for continuation of the program once NIH support expires. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPENDIX: The Appendix to the application should include the following material: o Reference letters from colleagues identified. o A copy of the institution"s course catalogue should be attached to the application. o Letter from Director of Sponsored Programs Office. Submission Instructions The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) application form must be stapled to the bottom of the face page of the application and must display the RFA number HD-01-003 . A sample RFA label is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf. Please note this is in the pdf format. 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. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed photocopies, and the original plus three photocopies of all reference letters, in one package to: CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040, MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application and reference letters should be sent to: L. R. Stanford, Ph.D. Director, Division of Scientific Review National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 5E03F, MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service) Applications must be received by April 13, 2001. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) 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 CSR will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an introduction addressing the previous critique. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by CSR and for responsiveness to the RFA by NICHD. Incomplete and/or nonresponsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate review group convened by the Division of Scientific Review, NICHD, in accordance with the review criteria stated below, and will receive a second level review by the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council. As part of the merit review, all applications will receive a written critique, and also may undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit will be discussed and assigned a priority score. Review Criteria I. Nominee o Strength of personal qualifications as indicated by past training and experience, o Evidence of ability to enhance the institution"s effectiveness in involving women and underrepresented minorities in health-related research, o Demonstrated interest and resourcefulness, and evidence that the nominee has the requisite experience and access to the science faculty and to the administration to accomplish the goals of the program. o Ability to commit himself or herself to function as the EA, preferably for the duration of the EARDA grant but, at a minimum, for three full years. II. Institution In the context of the institution’s history and stage of development: o Quality of science education and potential for research and/or research training in biomedical and behavioral sciences, o Evidence of commitment to preparing women and/or underrepresented minorities for careers in science, o Evidence of potential for developing research and research training infrastructure, o Strength and quality of faculty and students in health-related science departments, and o Potential for conducting collaborative sponsored research and research training projects. III. Institutional Plan o Evidence of a strong institutional commitment to implementing the plan, o Evidence, as reflected in institutional statements and the budget, that the nominee will be provided sufficient resources to carry out the plan, o Evidence that the nominee will have sufficient authority to carry out the plan, o Coherence of the plan and evidence that there is adequate coordination among key faculty and administrators (i.e., composition and functioning of committees) in its development, o Adequacy of the proposed committee membership to review, fund, and monitor pilot research studies, o Appropriateness of the proposed budget for the proposed plan and the adequacy of its justification, o The presence, strength, and viability of the proposed evaluation strategy, and o The justification for establishing or expanding an Office of Research Development. In addition to the above criteria, in accordance with NIH policy, all applications will also be reviewed with respect to the following: o The adequacy of plans to include both genders, minorities and their subgroups, and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. o The adequacy of the proposed protection for humans, animals or the environment, to the extent they may be adversely affected by the project proposed in the application. SCHEDULE Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 1, 2001 Application Receipt Date: April 13, 2001 Peer Review Date: June 2001 Council Review: September 2001 Earliest Anticipated Start Date: February 1, 2002 AWARD CRITERIA Applications will be selected for funding based on their merit as determined by peer review, availability of funds, and program priorities. INQUIRIES Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants concerning the EA Program or concerning the EARDA is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Matthew A. Kinnard, Ph.D. Director, Extramural Associates Program National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institutes of Health 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 6198, MSC 7910 Bethesda, MD 20892-7910 Telephone: (301) 435-2736 Fax: (301) 480-0393 E-mail: KinnardM@mail.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Myrtle Coleman Grants Management Branch National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 8A01, MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 Telephone: (301) 496-5001 FAX: (301) 402-0915 E-mail: colemama@exchange.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS Awards are made under authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and administered under NIH grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. 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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