NINR MENTORED RESEARCH SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT AWARD FOR MINORITY INVESTIGATORS

Release Date:  January 5, 2000

RFA:  NR-00-002

P.T.

National Institute of Nursing Research

Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 31, 2000

Application Receipt Date: April 28, 2000

PURPOSE

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) invites applications to 
support the research career development of doctorally prepared minority nurse 
investigators in tenure-earning positions at Traditionally Minority Based 
Institutions (TMBIs) and at majority academic institutions in the biomedical 
and behavioral scientific mission areas of the NINR.  The purposes of this 
program initiative are to: (1) foster the development of independent 
investigators in nursing research on the faculties of TMBIs and majority 
academic institutions; (2) stimulate nursing research and nursing research 
training at these institutions; and (3) encourage the development of 
qualified minority nurse investigators in academic research settings who can 
become effective role models for minority students.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health 
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-
led national activity for setting priority areas.  This RFA, NINR Mentored 
Research Scientist Development Award for Minority Investigators, is related 
to the priority area of human resource development. Potential applicants may 
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" at 
http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000.


ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

For purposes of this RFA, applications may be submitted on behalf of 
candidates by domestic TMBIs and majority academic institutions, public and 
private. Applications from foreign institutions will not be accepted.

Awards will be limited to citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United 
States or to individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence (i.e., in possession of an Alien Registration Receipt Card) at the 
time of application. Candidates must be from ethnic/racial groups determined 
by the applicant institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or 
behavioral nursing research.  Candidates for this award must be full-time 
nursing faculty members in tenure-earning positions at Traditionally Minority 
Based Institutions or majority academic institutions who:(1) have a research 
or health-professional doctorate (e.g., PhD or DNSc), or its equivalent; (2) 
have demonstrated the capacity or potential for productive independent 
research career; (3) have a Registered Nurse license; and (4) have secured 
the commitment of an appropriate research mentor actively involved in 
research relevant to the mission of NINR.The candidate must identify an 
appropriate mentor or co-mentors with extensive research experience in the 
research area proposed in the application. The candidate must be willing to 
spend a minimum of 75 percent of full-time professional effort conducting 
research and career development activities for the period of the award. The 
remaining 25 percent time should be devoted to other research-related and/or 
teaching or clinical pursuits consistent with the objectives of the 
award.Candidates who have served as principal investigators on PHS research 
grants or have been supported by a research career award in the past, are 
eligible to apply, provided the proposed research career development program 
is in a fundamentally new area of scientific endeavor for the candidate or 
there has been a significant hiatus in his/her research career because of 
family or other personal obligations.  Current principal investigators on PHS 
research grants are not eligible.Applicants are encouraged to call the 
program director listed in the Inquiries section to discuss any aspects of 
this program that need clarification. 

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institute of Nursing (NINR) Mentored Research 
Scientist Development Award (K01) mechanism.  This mechanism is described in 
program announcement PA-00-019 (NIH Guide, December 3, 1999). Although all 
general guidelines of PA-00-019 will apply, this RFA is written as a stand-
alone document and contains provisions that are unique to this initiative.  
Planning, direction, and execution of the proposed career development program 
are the responsibility of the candidate and his/her mentor on behalf of the 
applicant institution.  The total project period for grants awarded under 
this program must be three years.  These grants are not eligible for renewal.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The estimated funds available for the first year of support for the program 
are expected to be $320,000 in Fiscal Year 2000.  NINR anticipates funding up 
to four awards in FY 2000. Salary support for each recipient will be for a 
maximum of $50,000 plus fringe benefits with a minimum of 75% effort 
committed.  Each year up to $20,000 may be requested for research development 
support. 

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

The striking underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minority groups in 
biomedical and behavioral research in the United States has been underscored 
in many studies.  There are existing programs at the NIH designed to improve 
this situation.  These include: the Minority Biomedical Research Support 
Program, the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program, the 
Individual Predoctoral Fellowship for Minority Students Program, and the 
Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities Program.  The NINR has 
been an active participant in these trans-NIH minority research training 
programs.

NINR has had a long-standing interest in increasing the number of minority 
investigators in nursing research.  Based on the recommendations from groups 
of minority health experts, NINR has developed a variety of outreach 
strategies that assist individuals at TMBIs and other majority institutions 
in obtaining support for research training, career development, and research 
funding from NINR. The NINR Mentored Research Scientist Development Award for 
Minority Investigators is one approach that NINR has taken to strengthen the 
participation of TMBIs, where there are few graduate schools of nursing, and 
majority academic institutions by addressing the needs of minority nurse 
investigators for additional research training with financial support.NINR 
also recognizes that the paucity of qualified minority nurse investigators in 
academic research settings has created a shortage of role models for minority 
students.  This RFA seeks to address this problem by enhancing the research 
capabilities of minority nurse faculty members so these individuals may 
establish research laboratories and research programs in nursing at their 
institutions. In this fashion they will serve as role models for minority 
undergraduate and graduate students, stimulating them to consider research 
career opportunities in nursing research.

The purposes of the present RFA are to foster the development of independent 
investigators in nursing research on the faculties of TMBIs and majority 
academic institutions, to stimulate nursing research and nursing research 
training at these institutions, and to encourage the development of qualified 
minority nurse investigators in academic research settings who can become 
effective role models for minority students.

Research Areas

The research career development plan must address a research area consistent 
with the NINR mission. Descriptions of relevant research areas may be found 
on the NINR website at http://www.ninr.nih.gov/research.htm. Minority nurse 
investigators are encouraged to develop their innovative research career 
development plans in areas relevant to underserved minority populations and 
in priority areas of NINR's scientific research mission, particularly 
research on health disparities.

Environment

The applicant TMBI or majority academic institution must demonstrate in the 
application a firm commitment to the development of the candidate as a 
productive, independent investigator in nursing research and to the pursuit 
of the research career development plan described in the application. The 
candidate should describe a career development program that will maximize the 
use of relevant research and educational resources available in the TMBI or 
the majority academic institution and in the mentor's institution.

Program

The award provides three consecutive 12-month appointments to pursue a 
mentored research experience and specialized study in nursing research that 
are tailored to the individual needs of the candidate.  At least 75 percent 
of the recipient's full- time professional effort must be devoted to the 
program, and the remaining 25 percent devoted to other research-related 
and/or teaching or clinical pursuits consistent with the objectives of the 
award.  The program must consist of both a research plan and a research 
career development plan that will develop knowledge and research skills 
relevant to his or her career goals.

Mentor(s)

The candidate must receive appropriate mentoring throughout the three year 
program. Where feasible, women and minority mentors should be involved as 
role models.  If the mentor (and/or a co-mentor, if desired) is 
geographically distant from the candidate, detailed rationale must be 
provided to document the mentor-candidate relationship and level of 
commitment for the successful implementation and completion of the proposed 
research and career development program.

Allowable Costs:

1.  Salary:  The NINR will provide salary for the recipient of this award up 
to a maximum of $50,000 plus fringe benefits per year.  The institution may 
supplement the NINR contribution up to a level that is consistent with the 
institution's salary scale; however, supplementation may not be from Federal 
funds unless specifically authorized by the Federal program from which such 
funds are derived. In no case may PHS funds be used for salary 
supplementation.  Institutional supplementation of salary must not require 
extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose and 
provisions of this research career development award.  Under expanded 
authorities, institutions may rebudget funds within the total costs awarded, 
but may not rebudget funds involving the salary component of the budget. The 
total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff 
appointment.  It must be consistent both with 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.  If 
full-time, 12-month salaries are not currently paid to comparable staff 
members, the salary proposed must be appropriately related to the existing 
salary structure.

2.  Research Development Support: The NINR will provide up to $20,000 per 
year for the following expenses: (a) tuition, fees, and books related to 
career development; (b) research expenses, such as supplies, equipment, and 
technical personnel; ( c) travel to research meetings or training; (d) 
statistical services including personnel, research and computer time. These 
funds must be expended  solely for the support of the candidate's research 
career development plan.

3.  Ancillary Personnel Support:  Salary for mentors, secretarial and 
administrative assistance, etc., is not allowed.

4.  Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs: F&A costs will be reimbursed 
at eight percent of modified total direct costs.

Evaluation

In carrying out its stewardship of human resource related programs, the NINR 
or NIH may request information essential to an assessment of the 
effectiveness of this program.  Accordingly, recipients are hereby notified 
that they may be contacted after the completion of this award for periodic 
updates on various aspects of their employment history, publications, support 
from research grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional 
activities, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the 
program.

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 subpopulations 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).

Investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the NIH 
Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical 
Research which were published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 
59 14508-14513), and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, 
Number 11, March 18, 1994 available on the web at: 
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-100.html.

Investigators may obtain copies from these sources or from the program staff 
or contact person listed under Inquires section.  Program staff may also 
provide additional relevant information concerning the policy.

INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH 
INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS

It is the policy of NIH that children (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.  

All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read 
"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

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 IC staff to 
estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the 
review.

The letter of intent is to be sent by postal mail, e-mail or fax to the 
program staff listed under INQUIRIES by the letter of intent receipt date 
listed in the heading of this RFA.

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 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 and number (NINR Mentored Research Scientist Development Award for 
Minority Investigators, NR-00-002) must be typed on line 2 of the face page 
of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Instructions for 
completing the application are found in the PHS 398 form.

The application must address the following issues:

Candidate

o  The candidate's commitment to a nursing career in biomedical or behavioral 
research.
o  The candidate's potential to develop into a successful independent nursing 
investigator.
o  The candidate's immediate and long-term career objectives, and how the 
award will contribute to their attainment.
o  Letters of recommendation.  Three sealed letters of recommendation 
addressing the candidate's potential for an independent nursing research 
career must be included as part of the application.

Career Development Plan

o  The career development plan, incorporating consideration of the 
candidate's goals and prior experience.  It should describe a systematic plan 
to obtain any necessary basic biomedical or behavioral science background and 
research experience to launch or reinitiate an independent nursing research 
career.

o  The candidate 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 as well as the 
amount and nature of faculty participation.  No award will be made if an 
application lacks this component.

Research Plan

The candidate must describe the research plan and the use of a basic or 
clinical approach to a biomedical or behavioral problem.  The candidate must 
describe the research plan as outlined in form PHS 398, including sections on 
the Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Progress Report/Preliminary 
Studies, Research Design and Methods.

Mentor's Statement

The application must include a biographical sketch and information on the 
mentor(s) including research qualifications and previous experience as a 
research supervisor.  The application must also include information that 
describes the nature and extent of supervision that will occur during the 
award period.  A letter of support from the mentor (and co-mentor, if 
appropriate) must be included in the application delineating the match with 
the candidate's research and development plan and willingness to provide the 
necessary assistance.

Environment and Institutional Commitment

The sponsoring TMBI or majority academic institution must provide a statement 
of commitment to the candidate's development into a productive, independent 
investigator in nursing research.  This statement must indicate that the 
candidate will be provided with sufficient release time from other duties to 
accomplish the research and career development goals stated in the 
application.

Budget

Individuals applying for the K01 award must comply with the JUST-IN-TIME 
procedures announced in the NIH Guide on March 29, 1996 and May 17, 1996.

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 courier service)

At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be 
sent to:

Mary Stephens-Frazier, PhD
Office of Review
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12 - MSC 6300
Bethesda, MD  20892-6300
ATTN:  Minority Investigator MRSDA
Telephone:  (301) 594-5971
FAX:  (301) 480-8260

Applications must be received by April 28, 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 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

If the application is not responsive to the RFA, CSR staff may contact the 
applicant to determine whether to return the application to the applicant or 
submit it for review in competition with unsolicited applications at the next 
review cycle.

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  NINR 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 National Advisory Council for Nursing Research.

Review Criteria

The following criteria will be applied:

Candidate

o  Commitment to an independent research career in nursing research;
o  Potential to develop (or evidence of the capacity to develop) as an 
independent nurse investigator; and 
o  Quality and breadth of prior scientific training and experience, 
including, where appropriate, the record of previous research support and 
publications.

Career Development Plan

o  Likelihood that the plan will contribute substantially to the scientific 
development of the candidate and the achievement of research 
independence;
o  Appropriateness of the research plan to the career goals of the candidate; 
o  Appropriateness of the research plan to develop new nursing knowledge;
o  Consistency of the career development plan with the candidate's prior 
research and academic experience and stated career goals;
o  Clarity of the goals and scope of the plan and the need for the proposed 
research experience; and
o  Quality of the proposed training in the responsible conduct of research.

Research Plan

A sound research plan that is consistent with the career development plan and 
the candidate's level of research development must be provided:
o  Usefulness of the research plan as a vehicle for enhancing existing 
research skills as described in the career development plan;
o  Scientific and technical merit of the research question, design and 
methodology, judged in the context of the candidate's previous training and 
experience;
o  Relevance of the proposed research to the candidate's career objectives; 
and 
o  When human subjects are involved, adequacy of plans to include both 
genders and minorities and children and their subgroups as appropriate for 
the scientific goals of the research.  Plans for the recruitment and 
retention of subjects will also be evaluated.

Mentor

o  Appropriateness of mentor's(s') research qualifications in the specific 
areas of the application;
o  Quality and commitment of the mentor(s) to supervising and guiding the 
candidate throughout the award period;
o  Previous experience in fostering the development of independent nurse 
investigators; and
o  History of research productivity and support.

Institutional Environment and Commitment

o  Applicant institution's commitment to the scientific development of the 
candidate and assurances that the institution intends the candidate to be an 
integral part of its research program;
o  Adequacy of research facilities and training opportunities at the 
sponsoring institution;
o  Quality of environment for scientific and professional development; and
o  Applicant institution's willingness to develop an appropriate balance  of 
research, teaching and administrative responsibilities for the candidate.

Budget

Justification of budget requests in relation to career development goals and 
research aims and plans.

AWARD CRITERIA

The NINR anticipates awarding up to four K01 grants in response to this RFA. 
The anticipated date of award is September 29, 2000.  The following criteria 
will be considered in making funding decisions:

o  Responsiveness to the purpose of this request;
o  Quality of the proposed research career development program, as determined 
by peer review; and
o  Availability of funds.

INQUIRIES

Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify any 
issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Consultation with 
NINR staff is strongly encouraged, especially during the planning phase of 
the application process, in order to ensure that the application is 
responsive to the scientific mission and the research training and career 
development goals of the NINR.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Janice Phillips, PhD, RN
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12 - MSC 6300
Bethesda, MD  20892-6300
Telephone:  (301) 594-6152
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  janice_phillips@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Jeff Carow
Grants Management Office
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of  Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12 - MSC 6301
Bethesda, MD  20892-6301
Telephone:  (301) 594-6869
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  jeff_carow@nih.gov

AUTHORITY AND REGULATION

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 
93.361 Nursing Research.  Awards will be made under the authority of Title 
III, Section 301 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended (Public Law 78-
410, as amended by 42 USC 241) and administered under NIH grants policies and 
Federal regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. This program 
is not subject to intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 
12372 or Health Systems Agency review. 

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