NEUROCOGNITIVE, NEUROIMAGING, AND NEUROPSYCHIATRIC CORRELATES OF HIV INFECTION
Release Date: December 14, 2000
RFA: MH-01-007
National Institute of Mental Health
(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
(http://www.nida.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
(http://www.nichd.nih.gov/)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: February 13, 2001
Application Receipt Date: March 20, 2001
THIS RFA USES "MODULAR GRANT" AND "JUST-IN-TIME" CONCEPTS. THIS RFA INCLUDES
DETAILED MODIFICATIONS TO STANDARD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS THAT MUST BE USED
WHEN PREPARING AN APPLICATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFA.
PURPOSE
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) invite research grant applications through this Request
for Applications (RFA) to support research focused on the neuropsychological,
neurobehavioral, neuroimaging and neuropsychiatric correlates of human
immunodeficiency virus/central nervous system (HIV/CNS) disease. As new and
improved therapeutic interventions are becoming available for controlling HIV
disease progression, the importance of non-invasive monitoring of HIV/CNS
disease using neuropsychological/neurobehavioral approaches is necessary for
treatment monitoring and disease progression. These approaches offer promise
for early diagnosis and can be informative regarding the neural bases
underlying functional alterations. Advanced structural and functional
neuroimaging methods (sometimes in combination with behavioral methods) offer
the opportunity to examine relevant brain circuitry in HIV disease and
identify clinically significant abnormalities. The psychiatric sequelae
frequently found in an immuno-compromised state interact with other chronic
medical conditions and their involvement in HIV disease can also be
understood through the use of neurobehavioral and neuroimaging modalities.
The main objective of this RFA is to foster investigations that will identify
and clarify the critical questions in the assessment and etiology of
neurobehavioral complications of HIV. Multidisciplinary research teams and
collaborative alliances are encouraged but not required.
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 RFA, Neurocognitive,
Neuroimaging, and Neuropsychiatric Correlates of HIV, is related to the
priority area of neurological complications of HIV infection. Potential
applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2010 at:
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign 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 small grants. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons
with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research project
grant (R01) and small research grant (R03) award mechanisms. Collaborative
R01s will also be accepted. The total project period for an application
submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed 5 years. R03 grants are
limited to two years and are not renewable. The R03 is limited to $50,000
direct costs for each of these 2 years. This RFA is a one-time solicitation.
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed
project will be solely that of the applicant. Future unsolicited competing
continuation applications will compete with all investigator-initiated
applications and be reviewed according to the customary peer review
procedures. The anticipated award date is September 30, 2001.
For the purposes of this RFA, the guidelines provided in PAR-98-017
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-98-017.html)are to be
followed for applications using the Collaborative R01 mechanism.
Information and application instructions for the NIMH Small Grant are
available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-99-140.html.
Information and application instructions for the NICHD Small Grant are
available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-99-126.html.
For applications requesting up to $250,000 direct costs per year, specific
application instructions have been modified to reflect MODULAR GRANT and
JUST-IN-TIME streamlining efforts being examined by NIH. Complete and
detailed instructions and information about Modular Grant applications can be
found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm.
Applications that request more than $250,000 in any year must use the
standard PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) application instructions.
FUNDS AVAILABLE
The NIMH intends to commit approximately $1,500,000 to fund 6 to 8 new and/or
competitive continuation grants in response to this RFA. The NIDA intends to
commit approximately $1,000,000 to fund 4 to 6 new and/or competitive
continuation grants in response to this RFA. The NICHD intends to commit
approximately $250,000 to fund 1 new and/or competitive continuation grant
responding to this RFA. An applicant may request a project period of up to 5
years for an R01 application. Because the nature and scope of the research
proposed may vary, it is anticipated that the size of each award will also
vary. It is expected that direct costs will be awarded in modules of
$25,000, however, program and grants management adjustments may be necessary
prior to award. Although the financial plans of the Institute provide
support for this program, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the
availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of applications
of outstanding scientific and technical merit. At this time, it is not known
whether competing renewal applications will be accepted and/or if this RFA
will be reissued.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
HIV not only leads to immunodeficiency but also invades the CNS shortly after
infection. HIV-associated dementia complex (ADC) and less severe MCMD
develop in 20 percent of patients with AIDS and are associated with HIV-1
infection of macrophages and microglia in the CNS. Milder forms of
neurocognitive impairment without significant loss of daily function may
precede such syndromes. In general, the clinical manifestations of these
disorders occur in the more advanced stages of disease when ribonucleic acid
(RNA) viral load increases and CD4 counts decrease, these changes are linked
to release of neurotoxic metabolites and cytokines by infected macrophages
and microglia. Ultimately, ADC patients show dramatic loss of brain volume
along with progressive deficits in psychomotor function and cognition.
Although productive infection of the CNS is clearly a prerequisite for the
development of ADC, the role of viral replication within the CNS for the
pathogenesis of this disorder has not yet been demonstrated conclusively.
Previous studies have shown that HIV infection produces structural damage to
the brain, particularly to the cerebral white matter, striatum and limbic
system. Neuropathologic data are generally consistent with the subcortical
nature of the neurologic deficits. A growing body of evidence suggests that
neuronal death and dysfunction result from secondary events, which follow
infection and/or activation of mononuclear phagocytes in the CNS.
Additionally, drugs of abuse have been shown to suppress immunity and
therefore interact with HIV to alter the course of the disease. It is not
known how this interaction of HIV and drug abuse affects brain degenerative
processes and how these changes are reflected in behavioral/neurocognitive
impairment.
The development of precise criteria for the diagnosis of ADC and related
disorders has been difficult, in part because of the lack of objective
measures of functional impairment, since neurocognitive dysfunction in AIDS
manifests as degrees of dysfunction from minor (no significant loss of daily
function) to profound (ADC). Unfortunately, by the time functional
impairment develops in patients, significant brain atrophy may occur,
suggesting that clinical manifestations of cognitive impairment often herald
significant structural brain damage and cellular loss. In addition, the
onset of HIV-related CNS pathology is difficult to predict, and the course is
variable within the HIV positive (HIV+) population. Furthermore, there is
evidence for some dissociation between viral replication in the brain and
systemic viral load levels. This dissociation further complicates the
accurate assessment of CNS damage and hinders the development of more
specific treatments to prevent or ameliorate CNS dysfunction.
For these reasons, there is a need for direct non-invasive, assessments of
brain function that are sensitive to the earliest effects of HIV, appropriate
for monitoring the status of the brain over time and informative with respect
to the neural bases (anatomy) of the underlying functional alterations. The
use of sensitive neuropsychological and neurobehavioral tests are presently
the best available means of detecting the CNS effects of HIV and research
employing these techniques is urgently needed. In addition, functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques, particularly in combination
with structural imaging approaches (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
and fMRI) show promise as early diagnosis methods since they could combine
the advantage of sensitive behavioral assessments with the anatomical
specificity of fMRI and other imaging modalities. Advanced structural and
functional neuroimaging techniques provide opportunities to identify
clinically significant abnormalities that are associated with psychiatric
complications. Most of the initial HIV imaging studies addressed the CNS
complications of AIDS in patients with more advanced disease and
clarification is needed on imaging abnormalities during the asymptomatic
period.
With the exception of a large literature addressing cognitive impairment and
dementia, limited published information is available on other HIV-related
neuropsychiatric complications, such as psychotic disorders and mood
disorders. Because many of the medical illnesses that patients develop when
they become immunocompromised involve the brain and may mimic psychiatric
conditions, research is needed to differentiate the features of true
psychiatric conditions and those secondary to immunocompromise. The
psychiatric sequelae of HIV infection and AIDS are not final end points. At
each step the psychiatric consequences (as well as the sequelae of alcohol
and drug abuse) become part of the system of influences determining
subsequent behavior, and thus, their consequences may become etiologic
factors themselves. Psychiatric disorders, including affective disorders
(both major depression and mania), dementia, addiction, personality
disorders, are common and severely impairing in patients with HIV infection.
These disorders have tremendous impact on subjective well-being, self-care,
level of overall function, adherence with medical treatment and continuation
of risk behaviors with implications for further HIV transmission. Research
is essential to understand these psychiatric sequelae and how they interact
with the neural-damaging and neurotoxic effects of HIV and the resulting
neurocognitive dysfunction.
Areas of Interest
Examples of research that would be an appropriate response to this RFA
include, but are not limited to, the following: (Investigators are
particularly encouraged to use existing databases and repositories of
biologic materials in the three research areas below to address critical
hypotheses in applications responding to this RFA.)
Neurocognitive/Neurobehavioral
o Methodological and longitudinal studies of changes in neuropsychological
patterns and neuropsychological deficits in HIV-infected individuals (e.g.,
reliability studies, detection of subtle/early neuropsychological changes in
at-risk populations, identify neurocognitive status over time, normative
neuropsychological data for underserved minority populations)
o Antemortem-postmortem studies of the association between neurocognitive
dysfunction, HIV encephalitis neurodegeneration, neuroprotective effects and
anatomic/functional brain changes
o Studies that assess the direct correlation between brain changes and
neuropsychological/neurocognitive status in drug abusing HIV-positive
individuals
o Correlative studies of neuropsychologic impairment and improvement with
surrogate laboratory markers of the spectrum of injury to the brain in HIV-
infected individuals (e.g., HIV RNA in CSF or plasma compartments, markers of
systemic immune function and HIV replication)
o Studies that assess gender-related differences in drug abusing HIV-
positive individuals in terms of neurocognitive function
o Research specifically focused on neurocognitive and neurobehavioral HIV-
related changes over time in children and youth with particular emphasis on
impact of therapy
o Studies of the ecological validity of neuropsychological impairment/minor
cognitive motor disorder (e.g., translating neuropsychological impairment to
real life activities such as adherence and management of complex drug
regimens, returning to work, quality of life), the adoption of compensatory
strategies to overcome disabilities, and the effects of neurocognitive
impairment on family and social adaptation
o Research on method development for the delay, prevention and treatment of
neurocognitive impairment, for example, through targeted cognitive
rehabilitation techniques
Neuroimaging
o Improved statistical approaches and innovative neuroimaging methods (e.g.,
repeated measures of in vivo morphometry, more sophisticated assessments in
cerebral white matter)
o Novel neuroimaging techniques (PET, MR spectroscopy, fMRI) related to HIV
disease progression, HIV-induced CNS degeneration and dysfunction,
neuropsychiatric symptom status, neuropsychologic performance, cognitive and
memory processes, treatment monitoring and drug treatment interactions with
drugs of abuse
o Structural and/or functional neuroimaging techniques to characterize brain
changes over the course of infection in drug abusing HIV-positive
individuals, as well as over the course of treatment
o Studies in HIV infected individuals to identify non-invasive surrogate
markers for viral load within the CNS, assess drug and alcohol comorbidity
and monitor CNS disease progression and remission
o Research to identify regional metabolic changes reflective of brain injury
or to study metabolic changes with other parameters that are reflective of
HIV-induced brain injury, such as astrocytosis or changes in synaptophysin
levels
o Studies that assess brain activation using neuroimaging techniques and
neurocognitive tasks to determine effects of HIV infection as a function of
disease progression and drug status
o Research to identify early morphologic or metabolic alterations associated
with onset of cognitive impairment and to confirm neuroimaging findings with
postmortem neuropathological findings
Neuropsychiatry
o Studies of Axis I and Axis II psychopathology in HIV disease (e.g.,
differentiating preexisting psychopathology from new onset psychiatric
disorders)
o Studies of the influence of comorbid mental and substance abuse disorders
in HIV- infected individuals (e.g., immunomodulatory properties of drugs of
abuse and reduced adherence related to mental disorders)
o Studies of psychiatric sequelae of HIV infection and AIDS (e.g., grief
response and reactions to disability, exacerbation of psychopathology or
development of new primary psychiatric symptoms)
o Studies on individual difference factors related to HIV disease (e.g.,
personality or temperamental variables such as impulsivity, their interaction
with Axis I and II pathology and HIV neurocognitive deficits)
o Studies of the interaction of psychiatric complications with chronic
medical disorders, opportunistic infections and systemic abnormalities that
impact on neuronal function
o Studies that tailor adherence and prevention strategies to
neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g., address the influence of personality
variables and psychiatric disorders on adherence to psychosocial
interventions and complex drug regimens, coping skills and quality of life)
o Treatment studies in HIV infection and AIDS examining neuropsychiatric
syndromes, neurocognitive/motor dysfunction and neuroimaging correlates,
behavioral effectiveness and functional outcomes and interactions of
psychotropics, drugs of abuse and antiretrovirals
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
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html),
a complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at:
http://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: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html
Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy 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 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 Institute
staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. David M. Stoff at the address
listed under INQUIRIES, by the receipt date listed.
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) 710-0267, Email:
GrantsInfo@nih.gov. The application is also available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the program contacts listed
under INQUIRIES with any questions regarding the responsiveness of their
proposed project to the goals of this RFA.
SPECIFIC APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODULAR GRANTS
The modular grant concept establishes specific modules in which direct costs
may be requested as well as a maximum level for requested budgets. Only
limited budgetary information is required under this approach. The
just-in-time concept allows applicants to submit certain information only
when there is a possibility for an award. It is anticipated that these
changes will reduce the administrative burden for the applicants, reviewers
and Institute staff. The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98)
is to be used in applying for these grants, with the modifications noted
below.
BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS
Modular Grant applications will request direct costs in $25,000 modules, up
to a total direct cost request of $250,000 per year. (Applications that
request more than $250,000 direct costs in any year must follow the
traditional PHS 398 application instructions.) The total direct costs must
be requested in accordance with the program guidelines and the modifications
made to the standard PHS 398 application instructions described below:
PHS 398
o FACE PAGE: Items 7a and 7b should be completed, indicating Direct Costs
(in $25,000 increments up to a maximum of $250,00) and Total Costs [Modular
Total Direct plus Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs] for the initial
budget period. Items 8a and 8b should be completed indicating the Direct and
Total Costs for the entire proposed period of support.
o DETAILED BUDGET FOR THE INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD: Do not complete Form Page
4 of the PHS 398. It is not required and will not be accepted with the
application.
o BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT: Do not complete the
categorical budget tables on page 5 of the PHS 398. It is not required and
will not be accepted with the application.
o NARRATIVE BUDGET JUSTIFICATION: Prepare a Modular Grant Budget Narrative
page. (See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm for
sample pages.) At the top of the page, enter the total direct costs requested
for each year. This is not a Form page.
Under Personnel, list all project personnel, including their names, percent
of effort, and roles on the project. No individual salary information should
be provided. However, the applicant should use the NIH appropriation
language salary cap and the NIH policy for graduate student compensation in
developing the budget request.
For Consortium/Contractual costs, provide an estimate of total costs (direct
plus facilities and administrative) for each year, each rounded to the
nearest $1,000. List the individuals/organizations with whom consortium or
contractual arrangements have been made, the percent effort of all personnel,
and the role on the project. Indicate whether the collaborating institution
is foreign or domestic. The total cost for a consortium/contractual
arrangement is included in the overall requested modular direct cost amount.
Include the Letter of Intent to establish a consortium.
Provide an additional narrative budget justification for any variation in the
number of modules requested.
o BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: The Biographical Sketch provides information used by
reviewers in the assessment of each individual"s qualifications for a
specific role in the proposed project, as well as to evaluate the overall
qualifications of the research team. A biographical sketch is required for
all key personnel, following the instructions below. No more than three
pages may be used for each person. A sample biographical sketch may be
viewed at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm
- Complete the educational block at the top of the form page,
- List position(s) and any honors,
- Provide information, including overall goals and responsibilities, on
research projects ongoing or completed during the last three years,
- List selected peer-reviewed publications, with full citations.
o CHECKLIST: This page should be completed and submitted with the
application. If the F&A rate agreement has been established, indicate the
type of agreement and the date. All appropriate exclusions must be applied
in the calculation of the F&A costs for the initial budget period and all
future budget years.
The applicant should provide the name and phone number of the individual to
contact concerning fiscal and administrative issues if additional information
is necessary following the initial review.
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 (MH-01-007) 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 and number,
Neurocognitive, Neuroimaging, and Neuropsychiatric Correlates of HIV
Infection, MH-01-007, must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the
application form and the YES box must be marked.
A sample modified mailing label is available at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf. 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, 2 additional copies of the application must be
sent to:
David M. Stoff, Ph.D.
Center for Mental Health Research on AIDS
Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research and AIDS
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6210, MSC 9619
Bethesda, MD 20892-9619
Applications must be received by March 20, 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 NIMH staff. 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 an appropriate peer review group
convened by NIMH in accordance with the review criteria stated below. As
part of the initial merit review, a process will be used by the initial
review group in which applications 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 NIMH, NIDA, or NICHD National Advisory Council.
Review Criteria
The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of
biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health. In
the written comments reviewers will be asked to discuss the following aspects
of the application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed
research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each
of these criteria will be addressed and considered in assigning the overall
score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. Note that the
application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely
to have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority score. For
example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work that by its
nature is not innovative but is essential to move a field forward.
(1) Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims
of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced?
What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that
drive this field?
(2) Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses
adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the
project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider
alternative tactics?
(3) Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or
methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge
existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?
(4) Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited
to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience
level of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)?
(5) Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be
done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments
take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ
useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional
support?
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 reasonableness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the
proposed research
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: February 13, 2001
Application Receipt Date: March 20, 2001
Peer Review Date: April 2001
Council Review: May/June 2001
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 30, 2001
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 questions from potential applicants is welcome.
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
David M. Stoff, Ph.D.
Center for Mental Health Research on AIDS
Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research and AIDS
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6210, MSC 9619
Bethesda, MD 20892-9619
Telephone: (301) 443-4625
FAX: (301)443-9719
Email: dstoff@nih.gov
Ro Nemeth-Coslett, Ph.D.
Clinical Neurobiology Branch
Division of Treatment Research and Development
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Blvd, Room 4238, MSC 9669
Bethesda, MD 20892-9669
Telephone: (301) 443-2805
FAX: (301) 443-6885
Email: rn29e@nih.gov
Anne Willoughby, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief, Pediatric, Adolescent and Maternal AIDS Branch
Center for Research for Mothers and Children
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Blvd Room 4B113, MSC7510
Bethesda, MD 20892-7510
Telephone: (301) 402-0699
FAX: (301) 496-8678
Email: aw55g@nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Diana S. Trunnell
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6115, MSC 9605
Bethesda, MD 20892-9605
Telephone: (301) 443-2805
FAX: (301) 443-6885
Email: Diana_Trunnell@nih.gov
Daisey Parker
Grants Management Branch
Office of Planning and Resource Management
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Blvd, Room 3126, MSC 9541
Bethesda, MD 20892-9541
Telephone: (301) 443-6710
FAX: (301) 594-6849
Email: dp64@nih.gov
Christopher Myers
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 8A17F, MSC 7510
Bethesda Maryland 20892-7510
Telephone: (301) 435- 6996
FAX: (301) 402-0915
Email: cm143g@nih.gov
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No. 93.242. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service
Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42
USC 241 and 285) and administered under NIH grants policies and Federal
Regulations 42 CFR and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health
Systems Agency review.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free
workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition,
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in
certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which
regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early
childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent
with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of
the American people.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health®
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