NHLBI SHORT-TERM TRAINING FOR MINORITY STUDENTS PROGRAM (T35)
Release Date: June 8, 2000
RFA: HL-00-019
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: July 21, 2000
Application Receipt Date: September 12, 2000
PURPOSE
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) invites grant
applications for its Short-Term Training for Minority Students Program. This
program provides short-term research support to underrepresented minority
undergraduate and graduate students and students in health professional
schools to provide them with career opportunities in cardiovascular,
pulmonary, hematologic and sleep disorders research. Underrepresented
minority ethnic groups include but are not limited to Blacks, Hispanics,
American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders. The grant provides
training experiences of two to three consecutive months combined with mentoring
by experienced researchers and exposes talented students to the various
possibilities in pursuing a biomedical or behavioral research career. In
addition to the research experience, institutions provide enrichment activities
such as research forums, guest lectures, student presentations, special courses,
or social activities.
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion
and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national
activity for setting priority areas. This Request for Applications (RFA),
NHLBI Short-Term Training for Minority Students Program, is related to one or
more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of
Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications may be submitted by non-federal, domestic, for-profit and non-
profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges,
medical schools, and units of state and local government. The applicant
institution must have the available research facilities, personnel, and
support for the program in the areas of cardiovascular, pulmonary,
hematologic, or sleep disorders. Minority institutions with adequate staff
and resources in these areas are encouraged to apply. Racial/ethnic minority
individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as
program directors. Applications from foreign institutions will not be
accepted. These grants will support short-term research training experiences
of consecutive two to three months duration for minority undergraduate
students, minority students in health professional schools, and minority
graduate students. The grantee institution will be responsible for the
selection and appointment of trainees.
Trainees must have successfully completed at least one undergraduate year at
an accredited school or university (including baccalaureate schools of
nursing) or have successfully completed one semester at a school of medicine,
optometry, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or public
health, or an institution with an accredited graduate program, prior to
participating in the program. Institutions must adhere strictly to these
requirements when selecting trainees. These grants are intended to introduce
students to research that would not otherwise be available through their
regular course of studies. For graduate students, this may include graduate
students in programs, such as mathematics and computer science, where they
would not normally be exposed to biomedical research or minority graduate
students who may need a specialized research experience to supplement their
normal graduate education.
Trainees appointed to this program must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen
nationals, or legal permanent residents (i.e., in possession of the Alien
Registration Receipt Card, I-155, or other legal verification of such status).
Noncitizen nationals are generally persons born in possessions of the United
States (i.e., American Samoa and Swains Island). Individuals on temporary or
student visas and individuals holding Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M. or equivalent
doctoral degrees in the health sciences are not eligible.
Trainees appointed to the program need not be from the applicant institution,
but may include a number of minority students from other institutions,
schools, colleges, or universities. The applicant’s program can be designed
to include research experiences for minority individuals at the applicant
institution but applicants are strongly encouraged to propose a program that
includes a number of individuals from other institutions, schools, colleges or
universities. The only requirement for student selection is that the trainees
fulfill the above referenced eligibility requirements.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Short-Term Training
Grant (T35). Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the
proposed training program will be solely that of the applicant. The total
project period for an application submitted in response to this RFA may not
exceed five years. Funding beyond the first year of the grant is contingent
upon satisfactory progress during the preceding year and availability of
funds. Facilities and Administrative Costs will be awarded based on eight
percent of total costs exclusive of equipment, tuition and fees. The
anticipated award date is April 1, 2001.
FUNDS AVAILABLE
The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of support for
the entire program is expected to be $250,000 in fiscal year 2001. The actual
amount may vary, depending on the response to the RFA and availability of
funds. Seven new awards are anticipated.
OBJECTIVES
Background
Although the number of minority individuals pursuing advanced degrees in the
biomedical and behavioral sciences increased in the last decade, under-
representation of minorities in these fields continues to be a problem. For
example, the number of doctorate degrees in the biomedical and behavioral
sciences awarded to individuals from underrepresented minority populations
(Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders) almost doubled
between 1986 and 1996 (National Research Council, Survey of Earned Doctorates,
1998). In 1996, however, the total number of doctorate degrees awarded to
minorities in these fields only accounted for 7.5 percent of the total degrees
received. Furthermore, according to the Association of American Medical
Colleges (AAMC), U.S. medical schools graduated more underrepresented
minorities than ever that year and the number of minorities applying to
medical school reached a new record. A total of 5,259 minority students
applied to the nation’s medical schools, representing 11 percent of all
applicants (AAMC, 1997). Yet, only 3.5 percent of all U.S. medical school
faculty holding Ph.D.s in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, and only 3.6
percent of those with combined M.D./Ph.D. degrees are members of
underrepresented minority groups. There are existing programs at the NIH that
are designed to address this need. These include the NHLBI Minority
Institutional Research Training Program, the NHLBI Mentored Minority Faculty
Development Award, and the NHLBI Minority Institution Research Scientist
Development Award. Even though these programs appear successful in meeting
their specific objectives and career development goals, minority graduate,
health professional, and postdoctoral students need additional opportunities
to develop biomedical and behavioral research skills to become productive
investigators.
Although there is strong interest in the scientific community in attracting
minority students into research careers, few minority students opt for science
degrees and research careers, and few minority graduates of health
professional schools go on to investigative careers. The shortage of
qualified minority investigators in academic research positions may even
exacerbate the situation due to a lack of visible role models for students.
One method of addressing this problem is by attracting minority students to
research opportunities and by providing them with research training to develop
their research capabilities in cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and
sleep disorders.
This RFA is designed to offer research training opportunities for minority
students in an effort to encourage their participation in cardiovascular,
pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders research.
The NHLBI Short-Term Training for Minority Students Program is intended to:
o Provide minority undergraduate and graduate students and students in health
professional schools exposure to opportunities inherent in research careers in
areas relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders.
o Attract qualified minority students into biomedical and behavioral research
careers.
o Increase the already short supply of qualified minority investigators.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Provisions of the Award
Institutions may request support for at least 4 but not more than 24 trainees
per budget period, based on a full-time three month appointment. A trainee
may be appointed for a minimum of two months and a maximum of three months
during a budget period; however, institutions are encouraged to appoint a
trainee for more than one budget period, i.e., two or more successive summer
research experiences. A student may be appointed, in special circumstances,
to more than one 3-month period during a budget period, provided prior
approval is obtained from the staff of the NHLBI. All research training must
be full-time during the specific training sequence. It is expected that most
programs will be designed to provide a summer research experience but other
innovative program designs and time schedules will be considered. The
requested number of short-term trainees must be justified in the application.
Funds may be requested for:
o Stipends - The current stipend level for trainees is $1,255 per month.
Stipends may be supplemented from non-federal funds.
o Training-related Expenses - Up to $167 per month per trainee may be
requested yearly; and may be used for faculty, laboratory, and secretarial
assistance; supplies and equipment; consultant costs; and tuition and fees.
o Travel Expenses - The institution may request up to $500 per year per
trainee to cover the cost of travel to and from the training institution. The
institution may also request up to $250 per month per trainee to cover the
cost of housing expenses.
A Statement of Appointment form (PHS 2271, rev. 4/98) must be submitted at the
start of each trainee appointment and reappointment. This form is available
at the following URL address: http://grants.nih.gov/training/phs2271.pdf.
Individuals supported under this program are not required to sign an NRSA
Payback Agreement or submit an NRSA Termination Notice.
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 sub-populations 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 was published in
the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513), and in the NIH
Guide for Grants and Contracts Vol. 23, No. 1 1, March 18, 1994, available at
the following URL address:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-100.html
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANT IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS
It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21)
must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by the
NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them.
This policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt
dates after October 1, 1998. All investigators proposing research involving
human subjects should read the NIH Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of
Children as Participants in Research Involving Human Subjects that was
published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is
available at the following URL address:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html
Investigators also may obtain copies of these policies from the program staff
listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant
information concerning the policy.
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, by July 21, 2000, a letter of
intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, 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
NHLBI staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan for the review.
The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. C. James Scheirer at the address
listed under APPLICATION PROCEDURES by the letter of intent receipt date
listed.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The PHS grant application Form PHS-398 (Rev. 4/98) and its Additional
Instructions for Preparing Institutional National Research Service Award
Applications (Pages V-1 - V-8; Substitution Pages NN - PP) is to be used in
applying for these grants. This form is available at most institutional
offices of sponsored research, and from the:
Division of Extramural Outreach
and Information Resources
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910
Bethesda, MD 20892-7910
Telephone 301-435-0174
E-mail: grantsinfo@nih.gov
Internet address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html
The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) 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 (NHLBI SHORT-TERM TRAINING FOR MINORITY STUDENTS PROGRAM) and number
(HL-00-019) must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form,
and the YES box must be marked.
The sample RFA label available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf has been modified to
allow for this change. Please note this label is in pdf format.
Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application and three signed
photocopies 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, send an additional two copies of the application
to:
C. James Scheirer, Ph.D.
Director, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Affairs, NHLBI
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7216, MSC 7924
Bethesda, MD 20892-7924
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
Telephone (301) 435-0266
FAX: (301) 480-3541
Internet Address: js110j@nih.gov
It is important to send these two copies at the same time as the original and
three copies are sent to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR). These copies
are used to identify conflicts and help ensure the appropriate and timely
review of the application.
Applications must be received by September 12, 2000. 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 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.
The application should provide a summary of the training program including its
objectives, the types of research activities available, the faculty who will
participate, the geographical area to be included in the recruitment, a
mentoring plan, and any special activities or experiences to be provided to
the trainees. It should also describe the administrative structure of the
program and the distribution of responsibilities within it, plans for
recruiting, selecting, and assigning trainees to research activities, duration
of training and months in which it will occur, description of a typical
student program including percent time to be spent in various activities, and
additional support or services to be provided by the applicant institution.
All applications must include a description of formal or informal activities
or instruction related to the responsible conduct of research that will be
incorporated into the proposed research training program.
During the past decade, the number of minority men participating in and
pursuing careers in the biomedical, behavioral, mathematical, and computer
sciences has not increased significantly. To address this problem, applicants
are encouraged to develop and/or enhance their procedures for recruiting
minority men.
Applicants for competitive renewal applications will be required to provide
information concerning past trainees in the program, the accomplishments of
the program, trainee publications, and whether students supported by the
program have pursued research careers. This information should also be
included in the noncompeting renewal application. Therefore, it is important
that the applicant includes plans for tracking students who participated in
the program.
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR and
responsiveness by the NHLBI. Incomplete and/or non-responsive applications
will be returned to the applicant without further consideration.
Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for
scientific and technical merit by a Special Emphasis Panel in the Division of
Extramural Affairs, NHLBI, in accordance with the review criteria stated
below. 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 the
applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and
receive a second level review by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory
Council.
Review Criteria
The following criteria will be considered when assessing the merits of the
proposed NHLBI NRSA Short-Term Training for Minority Students Program.
o Design of the proposed training program;
o Qualifications, dedication, and previous training record of the program
director and participating faculty, particularly with regard to prior
experience with similar programs;
o Adequacy of facilities, environment, and resources for the proposed research
training;
o Recruitment and selection plans for trainees, and the availability of high
quality candidates;
o Methods for retaining promising students in the program and methods for
tracking students;
o Commitment of the institution and participating faculty to the goals of the
training program; and
o Procedures for evaluation of the effectiveness of the program and the impact
of the program on the students involved.
AWARD CRITERIA
The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
o Scientific, technical, and research training merit of the application as
determined by peer review;
o Program balance among the research areas of the announcement; and
o Availability of funds.
INQUIRIES
Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The
opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is
welcome.
Direct inquiries regarding program guidelines, supplemental instructions, or
programmatic issues to:
Michael Commarato, Ph.D.
Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases (responding for all NHLBI programmatic
Divisions)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7940
Bethesda, MD 20892-7940
Telephone: (301) 435-0530
FAX: (301) 480-1454
Email: michael_commarato@nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Rebecca Chamberlin
Grants Management Specialist
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7926
Bethesda, MD 20892-7927
Telephone: (301) 435-0166
FAX: (301) 480-3310
Email: chamberlinr@nih.gov
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance,
numbers 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, and 93.839. 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 a 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.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
|
|
|
|
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
|
|
|
|
NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health®
|