NOT-97-227: RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES

Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)

NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health^®

Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files.

RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 37, November 7, 1997 P.T. National Institutes of Health BACKGROUND During 1987 and 1988, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) held a series of regional meetings throughout the United States. At these meetings, testimony was presented by concerned individuals and organizations regarding the underrepresentation of minorities in biomedical and behavioral research. Although the NIH currently provides opportunities for minorities through the traditional research grant programs and through special initiatives supported by various components of the NIH, the testimony indicated that efforts of the NIH should be increased. In addition, the NIH recognizes the need to increase the number of underrepresented minority scientists participating in biomedical and behavioral research. In response to these concerns, the NIH is emphasizing the use of administrative supplements to attract underrepresented minorities into biomedical and behavioral research. The mechanisms described in this announcement have been endorsed by all the awarding components of the NIH and are designed to provide support for research experiences at grantee institutions for minorities throughout the continuum from high school to the faculty level. The NIH hereby notifies all Principal Investigators holding NIH research grants that funds are available for administrative supplements to existing grants for the support and recruitment of underrepresented minority investigators and students. The aim of these supplements is to attract and encourage minority individuals to enter and pursue biomedical and behavioral research careers in areas within the missions of all the awarding components of the NIH by providing supplemental funds to certain ongoing research grants (see the ELIGIBILITY section under GENERAL PROVISIONS). For the purpose of this announcement, underrepresented minority students and investigators 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. 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. In awarding supplements, the NIH will give priority to projects involving African Americans (Black), Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, and Pacific Islanders or other ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research nationally. Before submitting an application for a research supplement, applicants are encouraged to call their program administrator at the NIH to discuss any aspects of this program that need clarification. The NIH anticipates that by providing research opportunities for underrepresented minorities at the career levels listed below, the number of minorities entering and remaining in biomedical research careers will increase. o MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. This program will support minority high school students who have expressed an interest in biomedical or behavioral sciences. o MINORITY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. This program will support minority undergraduate students who have demonstrated an interest in biomedical or behavioral sciences and wish to pursue graduate level training in these areas. o MINORITY GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS. This program will provide support to assist minority predoctoral students who wish to develop research capabilities in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. o MINORITY INDIVIDUALS IN POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING. This program will provide support for minority individuals who wish to participate as postdoctoral researchers in ongoing research projects in preparation for independent careers in biomedical or behavioral research. o MINORITY INVESTIGATORS. This program will provide short- and long-term opportunities for minority staff and faculty who wish to participate in ongoing research projects while further developing their own independent research potential. GENERAL PROVISIONS In all cases, the proposed research experience must be an integral part of the approved ongoing research of the parent grant. As part of this research experience, the minority individual must be given the opportunity to interact with individuals on the parent grant, to contribute intellectually to the research, and to enhance her/his research skills and knowledge regarding the particular area of biomedical science. Furthermore, the Principal Investigator must demonstrate a willingness and understanding that the purpose of the award is to enhance the research capability of the minority student or faculty member and that the research experience is intended to provide opportunities for minority individuals to develop as independent, competitive research investigators. Supplemental awards will be consistent with the goal of strengthening the existing research program and with the overall programmatic balance and priorities of the funding component of the NIH. Awards will be made according to the policies and provisions stated in this announcement or as further specified by the NIH component funding the parent grant. Applicants are encouraged to contact the NIH institute staff listed under INQUIRIES prior to submission to obtain specific information about preparing and submitting an application. It is also recognized that individual circumstances vary, and for unusual situations, NIH program administrators should be consulted for a determination of eligibility. ELIGIBILITY Principal Investigators at domestic institutions who hold an active R01, R10, R18, R22, R24, R35, R37, P01, P20, P30, P40, P41, P50, P51, P60, U01, U10, U19, U41, or U42 grant are generally eligible to submit a request for an administrative supplement to the awarding component of the parent grant for any of the supplemental programs offered here. Principal Investigators holding an active First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) Award (R29), an Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15), an Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) or a Small Grant Award (R03) also may apply for a supplement under this program. Grantees with support from these mechanisms MUST check with the appropriate awarding component before an application for a supplement is submitted. An R29 awardee may apply only when the minority candidate is a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student. Awardees of the R03, R15, and R21 grants may apply only when the minority candidate is a high school or an undergraduate student. However, exceptions to these rules may be made. Applicants should check with their awarding component. Minority supplements to the grant mechanisms such as the R29, R15, or the R03 may provide support above the established dollar limits. The P20, P30, and P60 award mechanisms are eligible for supplements only when they contain research components. In all cases, the parent grant must have support remaining for a reasonable period at the time of a supplemental award (usually two years or more). The purpose of the application is to request support for an underrepresented minority high school student, undergraduate student, graduate research assistant, individual in postdoctoral training, or a staff or faculty member to participate in an ongoing research project. Specific eligibility requirements relative to each type of award are set forth in the description of the individual supplement programs (below). Usually, each parent grant may support only one minority supplement. Appointment of more than one individual to a single grant depends on the nature of the parent grant, the circumstances of the request, and the program balance of the NIH awarding component. Minority individuals may receive support from only one of these supplement programs at a time, but may be supported by more than one minority supplement during the development of their research careers. Support under the supplement programs is not transferable to another individual or transportable to another institution. The minority supplement programs have been designed to attract underrepresented minority individuals into research careers and are not intended to provide an alternative or additional means of supporting minority individuals who already receive support from a research grant or a research training grant or any other DHHS funding mechanism. Minority graduate students or individuals in postdoctoral training who are supported by a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional research training grant may not be transferred to supplemental support prior to the completion of their appointed period of training. Individuals may not be transferred to a minority supplement to increase the availability of funds to the parent grant for any other uses. APPLICATION PROCEDURES A request for a supplement may be submitted at any time. In making requests, the grantee institution, on behalf of the Principal Investigator of the parent grant and in cooperation with the minority individual, must submit the request for supplemental funds directly to the awarding component that supports the parent grant. The request should not be submitted to the NIH Center for Scientific Review. Principal Investigators are encouraged to obtain the address for submission from the NIH program administrator on the parent grant. The request for a supplemental award must include the following: 1. A completed face page (with appropriate signatures) from Grant Application Form PHS 398. Include the title and grant number of the parent grant on line 1 and the type of supplement being requested on line 2. 2. A brief three to four page description, prepared by the Principal Investigator of the parent grant, that includes: a. A summary or abstract of the funded grant or project. b. A description of the research experience proposed for the minority individual. c. A description of how the research experience will expand and foster the independent research capabilities of the minority individual, and how the proposed experience relates to the specific research goals and objectives of the parent grant. 3. A signed statement from the minority individual outlining her/his research objectives and career goals. 4. A biographical sketch of the minority individual that includes evidence of scientific achievement or interest. 5. Social Security Number of the minority individual. (The PHS uses the Social Security Number for the purpose of accurate identification, referral, and review of applications and for efficient management of PHS grant programs. Although provision of the Social Security Number is voluntary, it will facilitate the processing of applications for supplements.) 6. A signed statement from the Principal Investigator establishing the eligibility of the minority individual for support under this program including information on ethnicity, citizenship, and a description of any previous PHS research grant support the minority individual has received. 7. A proposed budget entered on budget pages from Grant Application Form PHS 398, related to the percent effort (where appropriate) for the research experience of the minority individual during the first and future years. If the initial budget period requested is less than 12 months, the budget must be prorated accordingly. 8. Documentation, if applicable, that the proposed research experience was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or human subjects Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the grantee institution must be provided. Adherence to the NIH policy for including women and minorities in clinical studies must also be insured if additional human subjects" involvement is planned for the supplement component. 9. A copy of the most recent official transcript if the minority candidate is a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student. 10. If the minority individual is a student at another institution, the application must include an appropriately signed letter from a responsible official at the institution of matriculation indicating that participation at the stated level of effort is approved and will not detract from or interfere with the students course of studies. 11. If any of the research is to be conducted at a site other than the grantee institution, an appropriately signed letter from the institution where the research is to be conducted must be submitted. The request must be signed by the minority individual, the Principal Investigator, and the appropriate institutional business official. REVIEW CRITERIA The staff of the particular awarding component will review requests for supplements using the following general criteria: 1. The qualifications of the minority individual including career goals, prior research training, research potential, and any relevant experience. 2. Evidence of educational achievement and interest in science, if the minority candidate is a student. 3. The plan for the proposed research experience in the supplemental request and its relationship to the parent grant. 4. Evidence from the Principal Investigator that the experience will enhance the research potential, knowledge, and/or skills of the minority individual, and that adequate mentorship will be provided. 5. Evidence from the Principal Investigator that the activities of the minority individual are an integral part of the project. FUNDING The decision to fund a supplement will take approximately eight weeks from receipt of a complete application. Applicants for summer-only research appointments must submit early enough to ensure that funding is in place by the time the summer experience is scheduled to begin. In most cases, during the first budget period, funds will be provided as an administrative supplement to the parent grant. In subsequent years, continued funding for the supplement is contingent on continued funding of the parent grant and cannot extend beyond the current competitive segment of the parent grant and the availability of funds. Continuation of support for the minority individual in the remaining years of the competitive segment of the grant will depend upon satisfactory review by the NIH awarding component of progress for both the parent grant and the supplemental project, the research proposed for the next budget period, and the appropriateness of the proposed budget for the proposed effort. In non-competing continuation applications, the progress report and budget for the minority supplement must be clearly delineated from the progress report and budget for the parent grant. The progress report must include information about the research activities supported by the supplement even if support for future years is not requested. In future competing applications, funds for continuation of support of the minority individual will depend on the successful renewal of the parent grant and will be handled as follows: o For minority students who have not yet completed their research experience, funds for the continuation of support must be requested as a research supplement to ensure continued tracking of the individual supported. The request for continued support should not be included in the competing renewal, but instead, should be prepared as a letter with information on research progress and accomplishments of the minority individual. The request must be addressed to the program administrator of the parent grant and must be submitted promptly in anticipation of a renewal award to avoid an interruption of support. Support to individual students by this mechanism will be limited to five years. Additional time may be considered, but must be well justified. o Funds for the continuation of support for a minority postdoctoral fellow or a minority investigator must be requested by name in the parent grant application at the time of renewal and may not be requested as a research supplement. Minority postdoctoral fellows and investigators are expected to be fully integrated in the research laboratory when considered for continuation of support. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT PROGRAMS 1. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS The purpose of this program is to provide minority high school students an opportunity to obtain a meaningful experience in various aspects of health-related research to stimulate their interest in careers in biomedical or behavioral science. ELIGIBILITY Any minority high school student who is currently enrolled and in good standing at her or his high school and is interested in biomedical or behavioral research is encouraged to participate in this program. PROVISIONS This supplement is not to exceed $2,000 per student in direct costs, including supplies, for a summer experience. A part-time experience during the regular school year would be reimbursed at the same hourly rate. Equipment may not be purchased using these funds. Students are expected to devote sufficient effort to the research project and related activities during the period of support to gain insight into the process of scientific discovery. Support for at least three months is encouraged during any one year, which may include a mixture of full-time summer experience and part-time experience during the school year. Principal Investigators are encouraged to seek minority high school students who will devote at least two years to this program (i.e., equivalent to two three-month, full-time periods). Exceptions to the latter will be considered, depending on the circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant, and the specific request. See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section above for information about application procedures, review criteria, and funding. 2. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS This supplemental program provides an opportunity for minority undergraduate students interested in biomedical or behavioral research to participate in a research project at a research institution during the summer months and/or during the school year. This experience will be separate from any requirement of the regular academic program. ELIGIBILITY The student may be affiliated with either the applicant institution or another academic institution. Any undergraduate minority student interested in biomedical or behavioral research is encouraged to participate in this program. PROVISIONS The salary for an undergraduate student should be consistent with the institutional salary policies. Institutional rates for undergraduate salary which exceed $6 per hour must be justified. An additional amount of $125 per month for supplies and travel may also be requested. Equipment may not be purchased from these funds. Students are expected to devote the equivalent of at least three months full-time effort to the research project and related activities in any one year and, in most cases, the period of support for any individual should last at least two years. Exceptions to these requirements will be considered, depending on the circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant, and the specific request. See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section above for information about application procedures, review criteria, and funding. 3. GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS The objective of this program is to reach out to minority graduate students already in biomedical and behavioral sciences and provide an opportunity to further develop their research capabilities. However, students who are supported on research or training grants may not be supported on research supplements. ELIGIBILITY Any minority graduate student who is enrolled in a masters or a doctoral degree program in biomedical or behavioral sciences is eligible for consideration. Students enrolled in a masters degree program in nursing sciences or social work may also be eligible. Minority students in medical school or other professional schools are encouraged to use this program to gain research experience. PROVISIONS The NIH will provide salary support in addition to other necessary expenses, such as supplies and travel, to enable the individual to participate as a graduate research assistant in funded research projects. As in the past, the NIH will continue to consider the compensation for the personal services of graduate students and other employees rendered to an NIH research project to be allowable as long as the compensation is reasonable and (1) conforms to the established, consistently applied salary and wage policies of the institution and (2) reflects the percentage of time actually devoted to the PHS-funded project. For graduate students this compensation may include tuition remission paid as, or in lieu of, wages provided that the student is in a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the institution for the work performed, and payment is conditioned explicitly on the performance of necessary work. Reasonable compensation for graduate students must not exceed the amount allowable for a first year postdoctoral level staff member at the same institution performing comparable work (see NIH Guide announcement, Vol 25, No.8, March 15, 1996). Additional funds up to $3,000 per year may be requested for supplies and travel. Funds may not be used to purchase equipment. See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section above for information about application procedures, review criteria, and funding. 4. INDIVIDUALS IN POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING These supplements provide research support to permit minority individuals in the postdoctoral phase of their training to participate in ongoing research projects as a means of assisting them in their development into independent biomedical or behavioral researchers. Postdoctoral fellows who are supported on research or training grants may not be supported on research supplements. Toward the end of the supplement award, candidates should be encouraged to apply for fellowships, FIRST awards, and other sources of independent support. ELIGIBILITY The minority individual in postdoctoral training may be affiliated with either the applicant institution or some other institution. Only under extraordinary circumstances, which must be well justified in the application, would it be acceptable for the postdoctoral candidate to work with his or her former predoctoral mentor. PROVISIONS The NIH will provide support for salary in addition to other necessary expenses, such as travel and supplies, to enable the minority individual to participate as a postdoctoral research assistant or associate on the funded research project. The requested salary and fringe benefits must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution, consistent with the level of effort, and may not exceed $40,000 per year. Amounts requested above current NRSA stipend levels must be justified. Additional funds up to $6,000 may be requested for supplies and travel. Support may not be used to purchase equipment. See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section above for application procedures, review criteria, and funding. 5. INVESTIGATORS DEVELOPING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH CAREERS These supplements provide either short-or long-term research support for minority staff or faculty members to enhance their research skills leading to an independent research career. o Short-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement. This supplement provides short-term support for minority staff or faculty members to conduct full-time research for three to five months each year during the summer or another portion of the academic year, over a maximum period of four years. o Long-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement. This supplement provides long-term research support for minority staff or faculty members to conduct research in the biomedical or behavioral sciences. Support is provided for up to four years at a minimum of 30 percent effort during each 12-month period. ELIGIBILITY The minority investigator may be affiliated with the applicant institution or some other institution. The investigator must have a doctoral degree, be beyond the level of a research trainee, and be a member of the staff or faculty with at least one year of postdoctoral experience. The minority individuals are still eligible if they have previously received support from these programs: the Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program, Minority-Research Infrastructure Support Program (M-RISP), the Minority Access to Research Career (MARC) Program, Career Opportunities in Research Education and Training (COR), Small Grants (R03), National Research Service Award (NRSA) predoctoral (F31) and postdoctoral (F32) fellowships, or the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Program (R15) is also eligible for these supplements. On the other hand, an individual who has received previous funding from NIH as an independent Principal Investigator on a regular research grant (e.g., R01, R29), or as the project leader on a component of a program project or center grant (e.g., P01, P50, G12), or as Principal Investigator on an individual research career award (e.g., KO1, K02, K07, K08, and K12) is not eligible. PROVISIONS The salary limit of $50,000 per year in direct cost for the minority investigator supplemental award has been removed. The requested salary and fringe benefits for an investigator must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution, consistent with the level of effort. Additional funds of up to $10,000 may be requested for supplies and travel. Equipment may not be purchased except in unusual circumstances and not without prior approval of the NIH awarding component. The maximum period of support for any investigator is four years. See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section above for application procedures, review criteria, and funding. INQUIRIES Principal Investigators interested in participating in these programs are encouraged to contact NIH staff administering the parent grant. For general information about the Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities, contact the following staff person in the appropriate awarding component: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM Director, Alcohol Research Centers Program 6000 Executive Boulevard, Room 402, MSC 7003 Bethesda, MD 20892-7003 Telephone: (301) 443-2531 FAX: (301) 594-0673 Email: tv9f@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING Deputy Associate Director, Office of Extramural Activities Gateway Building, Suite 2C218 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-9322 FAX: (301) 402-2945 Email: rb42h@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES Director, Office of Science Training and Manpower Development Solar Building, Room 3C21 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-3775 FAX: (301) 402-0369 Email: mh35c@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES Director, Centers Program Natcher Building, Room 5AS-19F Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-5052 FAX: (301) 480-4543 Email: jf43z@nih.gov NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Chief, Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Section 6130 Executive Boulevard, Suite 620 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7344 FAX: (301) 402-4551 Email: ssl6i@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Special Assistant to the Deputy Director Building 31, Room 2A03 MSC 2425 Bethesda, MD 20892-2425 Telephone: (301) 496-0104 FAX: (301) 402-1104 Email: ht18w@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS Deputy Director, Division of Human Communication 6120 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7180, Room 400C Bethesda, MD 20892-7180 Telephone: (301) 496-5061 FAX: (301) 402-6251 Email: jc148m@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL RESEARCH Assistant Director for Program Development Natcher Building, Room 4AN-24B, MSC 6402 Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Telephone: (301) 594-2089 FAX: (301) 480-8318 Email: nb10u@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES Special Assistant for Grants 45 Center Drive, Room 6AS-49E, MSC 6600 Bethesda, MD 20892-6600 Telephone: (301) 594-8842 FAX: (301) 480-3504 Email: jg60d@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE Chief, Special Populations Office 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10A-10 Rockville, MD 20857 Telephone: (301) 443-0441 FAX: (301) 443-9127 Email: lb75x@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES Director, Division of Extramural Research and Training Building 3, Room 301A P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-7723 FAX: (919) 541-2843 Email: as56j@nih.gov NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE Research Resources Officer 6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite 350, MSC 7164 Rockville, MD 20892-7164 Telephone: (301) 496-5301 FAX: (301) 402-0528 Email: rh27v@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES Assistant Director, Referral and Liaison 45 Center Drive, Room 2AN-18F, MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-3833 FAX: (301) 402-0156 Email: ra50h@nih.gov NATIONAL HEART, LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE Director, Division of Extramural Affairs 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 7100, MSC 7924 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 435-0260 FAX: (301) 480-3460 Email: rg33k@nih.gov NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE Program Director, Division of Extramural Research Building 38A, Room 610 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7531 FAX: (301) 480-2770 Email: bg30t@nih.gov NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Acting Associate Director, Division of Extramural Programs Building 38A, Room 5N505 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-4621 FAX: (301) 402-0421 Email: mc105x@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH Deputy Associate Director for Special Populations 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 17C-14 Rockville, MD 20857 Telephone: (301) 443-2847 FAX: (301) 443-8552 Email: sr14j@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE Programs Officer, Special Initiatives and Development Federal Building, Room 1016 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-4188 FAX: (301) 402-4370 Email: ag38x@nih.gov NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH Director, Division of Extramural Activities 45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12, MSC 6300 Bethesda, MD 20892-6300 Telephone: (301) 594- 5968 FAX: (301) 480-8260 Email: la18g@nih.gov NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES Comparative Medicine 6705 Rockledge Drive, Room 6166 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 435-0744 FAX: (301) 480-3819 Email: nw20a@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS The statutory authorities for these grant awards are sections 301, 510, 515, and 504 of the Public Health Service Act. Federal regulations at 42 CFR Part 52, Grants for Research Projects and 45 CFR part 74, Administration of Grants, are applicable to these awards. Grants must be administered in accordance with the Public Health Grants Policy Statement.

Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices