NHLBI MENTORED MINORITY FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AWARD (K01)

Release Date:  June 13, 2001

RFA:  RFA-HL-01-020

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
 (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov)

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  July 18, 2001
Application Receipt Date:       August 15, 2001

PURPOSE

This program provides support to underrepresented minority faculty members, 
with varying levels of research experience, to enable them to prepare 
themselves for research careers as independent investigators.  The research 
development programs of the candidate should be based on their scholastic 
background, previous research experience, past achievements, and potential to 
develop into an independent research investigator.  The objective of this one-
time award is to develop highly trained minority investigators whose basic or 
clinical research interests are grounded in the advanced methods and 
experimental approaches needed to solve problems related to cardiovascular, 
pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders.

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 Mentored Minority Faculty Development Award, 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 domestic, for-profit and non-profit 
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, 
laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of 
the Federal government.  Foreign institutions are not eligible for the NHLBI 
Mentored Minority Faculty Development Award (K01) grants.  

The NHLBI Mentored Minority Faculty Development Award (K01) provides research 
development opportunities for underrepresented minority faculty members with 
varying levels of research experience who are committed to developing into 
independent biomedical or behavioral investigators.  The award will enable 
suitable faculty candidates holding doctoral degrees, such as the Ph.D., M.D., 
D.O., D.V.M., or an equivalent, to undertake three to five years of 
specialized study and supervised research under the guidance of a mentor 
competent in the area of proposed research.  The goal is to develop the 
research skills of the minority faculty candidate.  Minority scientists and 
physicians with limited research experience needing guided course work and 
supervised laboratory experiences, as well as minority faculty needing only an 
intensive research experience under the guidance of an established scientist, 
are eligible to apply.  It is envisioned that most candidates for this award 
will hold non-tenured faculty appointments (such as instructor or assistant 
professor), although in some instances other individuals may be eligible to 
apply (such as individuals due to be appointed to a faculty  position or 
individuals with tenured faculty positions).

For the purpose of this program, underrepresented minority faculty members are 
defined as individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that 
has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in 
biomedical or behavioral research.  Nationally, the NHLBI considers Black, 
Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native and Pacific Islanders to be 
underrepreseted. 

At the time of award, it is required that at least two years have elapsed 
since the receipt of the doctoral degree and that the candidate have at least 
one year of documented research experience.  Current or past Principal 
Investigators of an NIH grant or its equivalent, including the Clinical 
Investigator Award, Physician Scientist Award, Clinical Investigator 
Development Award, Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, or Mentored 
Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award are not eligible for the 
NHLBI Mentored Minority Faculty Development Award.  Similarly, individuals 
serving as responsible investigators or project leaders on large grants, such 
as a Program Project Grant, are not eligible for award.  An individual who has 
previously received support from the Minority Access to Research Careers 
(MARC), Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program, Academic Research 
Enhancement Award (AREA), or a minority supplement are eligible to apply.  

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the NHLBI Mentored Minority Faculty Development Award (K01) 
award mechanism of support.  Responsibility for the planning, direction, and 
execution of the proposed training project will be solely that of the 
applicant.  The total project period for an application submitted in response 
to this RFA must be at least three but not more than five years.  The 
anticipated award date is April 1, 2002.

This solicitation has been announced every year for the past several years, 
and the receipt date has typically been in August or September.  If the 
solicitation is announced again next year, the receipt date is expected to be 
in June.
 
For this RFA, no detailed budget is required.  However, total direct costs for 
all years must be provided in addition to the name, role on project, percent 
effort and narrative justification for all key project personnel.  Other 
Support information for the applicant is not required as part of the initial 
application.  Other Support information is required, however, for the mentor. 
If there is a possibility for an award, necessary budget, and Other Support 
information will be requested by NHLBI staff following the initial review.  
The Application Procedures section of this RFA provides specific details of 
modifications to standard PHS 398 application kit instructions.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of support for 
the entire program is expected to be $1.2 million in Fiscal Year 2002 (October 
1, 2001-September 30, 2002).  The actual amount may vary, depending on the 
response to the RFA and availability of funds.  Ten to twelve new awards are 
anticipated.

OBJECTIVES

Background

The proportion of biomedical investigators who are members of underrepresented 
minority groups is strikingly lower than the percentage of minority U.S. 
citizens.  There has been a dramatic increase in the number of 
underrepresented minorities in the basic biomedical workforce going from 1,076 
in 1975 to 3,943 in 1997.  In spite of this increase, minorities remain a 
small percentage of the overall biomedical workforce.  In 1997, 4.2 percent of 
biomedical scientists were underrepresented minorities, compared to 2.6 
percent in 1975. (Addressing the Nation's Changing Needs for Biomedical 
Scientists, National Research Council, 2000).  One method of increasing the 
number of minority faculty members is to improve their research capabilities. 
In so doing, the pool of minority biomedical and biobehavioral investigators 
in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic research, and sleep disorders 
can be increased.  Furthermore, these minority individuals may serve as role 
models for minority undergraduate and graduate students, and stimulate these 
students to become more cognizant of research opportunities in cardiovascular, 
pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders.  

PROVISIONS OF THE AWARD

Applicant Institution

Applications will be accepted from domestic colleges or universities, medical 
schools, or comparable institutions.  The application must include a plan that 
identifies personnel and other resources to be devoted to the candidate.  In 
addition, evidence of institutional commitment to the candidate's research 
development and level of effort should be included in a statement from the 
institution.  The statement should also address the institution's plans for 
the candidate during and following the tenure of the award.  The statement 
should be signed by an institutional official (e.g., a dean) and the 
candidate's department chair.
 
Minority Candidate
 
To receive an award under this program, individuals must have been awarded a 
doctoral degree, such as the Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.V.M., or an equivalent 
degree at least two years prior to the award and have a full-time faculty 
appointment at an accredited college or university at the time of award.  
Candidates for this award must be either citizens or noncitizen nationals of 
the United States or have been admitted lawfully to the United States for 
permanent residence (i.e., in possession of the Alien Registration Receipt 
Card, I-155).  Noncitizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying 
possessions of the United States (i.e., American Samoa and Swains Island).  An 
individual admitted lawfully for permanent residence must submit with the 
application a notarized statement indicating possession of the Alien 
Registration Receipt Card.  Individuals on temporary or student visas are not 
eligible.

The candidate's academic background, previous experience, and career goals 
should determine both the necessary length and the kind of program that is 
appropriate.  The applicant institution should provide a statement in the 
application that the candidate is a member of an underrepresented minority 
group and describe the evidence that this group is underrepresented.

Mentor

Each candidate must identify a mentor(s) who is an accomplished investigator 
in the proposed research area and has experience in developing independent 
investigators.  The mentor is not required to be affiliated with the applicant 
institution.  If the mentor is affiliated with another institution, 
appropriate documentation must be provided concerning the relationship of the 
applicant institution and the mentor's institution, as well as a clear 
delineation of the arrangements proposed for the research development program 
at a location distinct from the applicant institution.  The mentor must submit 
a written plan for the development of the candidate and provide guidance 
during the preparation of the research project.  A secondary mentor may also 
be proposed, but the primary mentor must continue to be involved throughout 
the award period.  In some cases candidates may choose to have both a basic 
research mentor or a research mentor and a career development mentor.  The 
mentor must submit a report each year on the candidate's progress which should 
be included in the annual progress report.  

Research Development Program

All research development programs should be carefully tailored to meet the 
candidates needs and must include a mentor(s) who is competent to provide 
appropriate research guidance.  All candidates must provide a full description 
of the research and career development plan for the period of the award.  The 
proposed plan must include hands-on research experience, with either a 
clinical or a basic science focus, for the entire three to five year period.  
Awardees, in conjunction with their mentor(s), are required to submit a 
detailed annual progress report.

For minority candidates with minimal research experience, the development 
program may be designed to start with a creative and detailed scientific 
learning experience and progress to an intensive research activity under the 
guidance of an appropriate mentor(s).  The first year or two of the program 
may incorporate any needed course work, and seminars and other educational 
experiences necessary to prepare the candidate for the subsequent research 
program, but must include a hands-on research experience.  This initial phase 
of the program may resemble a traditional postdoctoral research training 
program.  The remainder of the development plan could include an intensive, 
fully-described research program and research projects that can be reasonably 
completed within the planned period.  During this latter phase, the program 
should provide for progressive development of the individual into an 
independent investigator.

If the minority candidate has already acquired some research experience, as 
might be obtained through a research fellowship, but needs further development 
under the guidance of an appropriate mentor(s), the candidate may propose a 
three to five year program encompassing an advanced research experience 
focusing on a specific research project.  Such a candidate may take additional 
courses or engage in special instruction in research techniques in other 
laboratories for a reasonable period of time if needed.  During the latter 
phases of the award, the relationship of the mentor and candidate may more 
closely resemble that of collaborators.

Individuals with significant research experience in the proposed field of 
study should not apply for this award but rather should consider applying for 
independent research grant support.

Because the research training environment provides a powerful context in which 
to promote responsible research practices, all competing 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.

Advisory Committee

A committee composed of the candidate's mentor(s) and two or three other 
senior faculty members should be identified.  This advisory committee should 
meet with the candidate to review the research development plan and research 
project, to evaluate the awardee's progress, and to provide guidance for 
scientific career development.  The roles and scheduled meeting times of the 
Advisory Committee should be described in the application.

Duration and Effort

The award is granted for three to five years depending on the needs of the 
candidate and the evaluation of the initial review group and the National 
Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council.  It is not renewable and all funds 
must be used on behalf of the original candidate.  Substitution of another 
mentor and/or a change of institution may be permitted with the prior approval 
of the NHLBI.  A minimum of 75% effort must be devoted to the research 
program.  The remainder may be devoted to other clinical and teaching pursuits 
that are consistent with the program goals; i.e., the candidate's development 
into an independent biomedical scientist or the maintenance of the teaching 
and/or clinical skills needed for an academic research career.

The candidate must have a "full-time" appointment at the applicant 
institution.  In general, candidates who have Veteran's Administration (VA) 
appointments may not consider part of the VA effort toward satisfying the 
"full-time" requirement at the applicant institution.  However, it is 
permissible for part or all of the research program to be conducted in a VA 
laboratory, for example if the mentor has a VA appointment, so long as the 
above conditions are satisfied as they apply to the NHLBI Mentored Minority 
Faculty Development Award.

Allowable Costs

Salary - Individual compensation is based on the institution's salary scale 
for individuals at an equivalent experience level.  The maximum salary for 
recipients of K01 Career Awards is $75,000 per year plus commensurate fringe 
benefits for full-time professional effort (i.e., 75% to 100%).  The salary 
must be consistent with both the established salary structure at the 
institution and with salaries actually provided by the institution from its 
own funds to other staff members of equivalent qualifications, rank, and 
responsibilities in the department concerned.  The NHLBI Research Career 
Development Award Programs require the recipients to devote a minimum of 75% 
effort to the research plan being supported by the career development award; 
the remaining 25% effort should be devoted to research and research-related 
activities such as teaching, patient care, or other research-related 
activities.  If 100% effort is to be devoted to the research program during 
the "summer months," the percent effort for the remainder of the year may be 
reduced provided that the effort over the course of the year is at least 75%. 
 NIH policy permits supplementation of salary from non-Federal sources.  
Supplementation from other Federal funds is not allowed unless explicitly 
authorized by the program from which the funds are derived and the NHLBI.  
Under certain circumstances and with prior NHLBI approval, other NIH funds may 
be used for supplementary salary support if derived from a grant for which the 
awardee applied after receipt of the K01 award.

Mentor's Salary - Salary support may be requested for the primary mentor up to 
a level commensurate with 5% effort.  If the mentor is at a different 
institution than the applicant institution, arrangements for the transfer of 
funds for the mentor's salary and, if necessary, for research expenses should 
be formalized in a contract or written agreement with the mentor's institution 
and included as part of the application.  The mentor's salary support is 
considered as separate and distinct from funds requested for the candidate's 
salary or research and development support.  The percent effort may exceed 5% 
for selected periods of time, provided the total effort for the budget period 
(12 months) does not exceed 5%.  If the mentor's salary is requested as a 
consortium cost, the subcontracting grantee is only allowed to request 
Facilities and Administrative Costs based on 8% of total allowable direct 
costs.  The mentor's salary should not be included in the research and 
development costs.

Research and Development Costs - A maximum of $30,000 per year may be 
requested for research project requirements and related support, (e.g., 
technical personnel costs, supplies, equipment, candidate travel, telephone 
charges, publication costs, and tuition for necessary courses).

Facilities and Administrative Costs - Funds will be provided for the 
reimbursement of facilities and administrative costs at a rate of 8% of the 
total direct costs of each award, exclusive of tuition, fees, and expenditures 
for equipment.

Concurrent Applications

NHLBI Mentored Minority Faculty Development Award applications may not be 
submitted or awarded concurrently with other NIH applications, such as the 
Independent Scientist Award, Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, 
Academic Award, Research Project Grant, or Mentored Patient-Oriented Research 
Career Development Award.

Subsequent Applications for NIH Research Support

During the later years of the NHLBI Mentored Minority Faculty Development 
Award (K01), incumbents are encouraged to apply for independent research 
support (e.g., R01, etc.).  K01 recipients who are successful in obtaining NIH 
research grant support may not receive salary support from the research grant 
for the duration of the award except under certain circumstances and with 
prior NHLBI approval.  After the conclusion or termination of the award, 
salary support should transfer to the research grant.  K01 recipients who 
apply for research grant support are encouraged to include salary and all 
other research needs in the research grant application for the period 
following completion of the K01.  Alternatively, recipients of research grant 
awards may terminate the K01 prior to the start of the research grant.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research:  Candidates must describe 
plans to receive instruction in the responsible conduct of research.   These 
plans must detail the proposed subject matter, format, frequency and duration 
of instruction.  No award will be made if an application lacks this component. 
 In addition, before funds are awarded for competing applications involving 
human subjects, applicants must provide a description of education completed 
in the protection of human subjects for each individual identified as "key 
personnel" in the proposed research.  Key personnel include all individuals 
responsible for the design and conduct of the study. Further information on 
this requirement is available in the June 5, 2000 NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts, available at:
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html

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 are provided indicating 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 UPDATED "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion 
of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," published in the 
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on August 2, 2000 
(https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html); a 
complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at 
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm:  The 
revisions relate to NIH defined Phase III clinical trials and require:  a) all 
applications or proposals and/or protocols to provide a description of plans 
to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by sex/gender 
and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable: and b) all 
investigators to report accrual, and to conduct and report analyses, as 
appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group differences.

INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS 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: https://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.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to 
provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in a project 
that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) cited 
publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has 
the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. 
It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope of this 
amendment. NIH has provided guidance at:                    
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm 

Applicants may wish to place data collected under this RFA in a public 
archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the 
distribution for an indefinite period of time. If so, the application should 
include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include 
information about this in the budget justification section of the application. 
In addition, applicants should think about how to structure informed consent 
statements and other human subjects procedures given the potential for wider 
use of data collected under this award.

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 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. Deborah Beebe at the address listed 
under INQUIRIES by July 18, 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 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, email: 
GrantsInfo@nih.gov

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.  Type the RFA 
number on the label.  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 MENTORED MINORITY 
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AWARD) and number (HL-01-020) 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 
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf has been modified to 
allow for this change.  Please note this is in pdf format.

Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the 
Checklist, 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, two additional copies of the application and all 
six copies of the appendix material must be sent to Dr. Deborah Beebe at the 
address listed under INQUIRIES.                     

Applications must be received by August 15, 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 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 Mentored Minority Faculty Development Award Program:

o Candidate -- The candidate's overall competence as demonstrated by previous 
training and research performance, potential for a career as an independent 
researcher, and commitment toward pursuit of an academic research career.

o Career Development Plan -- The quality of the research career development 
plan, based on the candidate's past research experience, training, and career 
goals as demonstrated by such things as research experience, attendance at 
scientific meetings, and participation in journal clubs and research seminars.

o Research Project -- Scientific merit of the proposed research project and 
its appropriateness as a vehicle for developing the candidate's research 
skills.

o Mentor(s) -- The mentor's accomplishments in the scientific research area(s) 
proposed, experience and record in training investigators, and commitment for 
the duration of a candidate's research development.  A curriculum vitae with 
relevant publications and a list of current and pending research support must 
be included for all mentors.  Mentors should also include a list of current 
and past research trainees (not more than the last 10 years) with information 
on their current positions.  This information should be provided for the co-
mentor, if relevant and for the members of the Advisory Committee.

o Environment -- The applicant institution's ability to provide adequate 
facilities, resources, and opportunities necessary for the candidate's 
training, and the institutional commitment to the candidate.  If the mentor's 
institution is different from the applicant institution, the quality and 
extent of interaction of the faculty in the basic and clinical sciences, and 
the quality of the research and research training programs.

o Institutional commitment -- The institution's commitment to the development 
of the candidate.

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 research subjects as appropriate for the scientific 
goals of the research.  Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects 
will also be evaluated.

o The reasonableness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the 
proposed research.  The personnel category will be reviewed for appropriate 
staffing based on the requested percent effort and justification provided.

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:    July 18, 2001
Application Receipt Date:         August 15, 2001
Peer Review Date:                 October/November 2001
Council Review:                   February 2002
Earliest Anticipated Start Date:  April 1, 2002

AWARD CRITERIA

Award criteria that will be used to make award decisions include:

o scientific merit (as determined by peer review)

o availability of funds

o programmatic priorities.

INQUIRIES

Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify any 
issues or answer questions from potential applicants is welcome.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Lorraine M. Silsbee, M.H.S.
Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications (responding for all NHLBI 
programmatic Divisions)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7934
Bethesda, MD  20892-7934
Telephone:  (301) 435-0709
FAX:  (301) 480-1667
Email:  silsbeeL@nhlbi.nih.gov 

Direct inquiries regarding review issues to:

Deborah Beebe, Ph.D.
Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Two Rockledge Center, Room 7178
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7924
Bethesda, MD  20892-7924
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express mail)
Telephone:  (301) 435-0270
FAX:  (301) 480-3541
Email:  BeebeD@nhlbi.nih.gov 

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Tanya McCoy
Grants Operations Branch
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7926
Bethesda, MD  20892-7926
Telephone:  (301) 435-0171
FAX:  (301) 480-3310
Email:  mccoyt@nhlbi.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 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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