Notice Number: NOT-AA-09-003

Key Dates
Release Date:  September 17, 2009

Issued by
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/)

Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to clarify the Content and Form of Application Submission instructions located in Section IV.2 of the funding opportunity announcement (FOA), Collaborative Minority Alcohol Research Center Development (U54). See RFA-AA-10-001.

The first paragraph in Section IV.2 labeled “Number of Components and Organizational Structure” should read:

The CMARCD application must include an introductory overview.  The CMARCD structure must have a minimum of four (4) components (an administrative core and three collaborative research components).  The maximum combined number of components is 10 including core components and collaborative research components.  More than a total of 10 components is not acceptable even if some components are in operation for less than the 5-year period.  At least three collaborative research components must be active at all times.  All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations per component (12 page limit for Introductory Overview; 12 page limit for Administrative Core; 12 page limit for Scientific Core; 25 page limit for each Research Component).  Pages not used for one component may not be used to extend the page limit of other components or cores.  In addition to special budget requirements (see Sections II.2. Funds Available and IV.6. Other Submission Requirements for greater detail), each component requires a separate detailed budget.

In Section IV.2., the part labeled “CMARCD Components” should include:

Introductory Overview (12 pages)

The Introductory Overview describes the purpose of the CMARCD as an integrated whole to build alcohol research capacity of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and contribute to research on alcohol-related health disparities.  The Specific Aims should provide an overview of the proposed CMARCD describing the central theme, purpose, and objectives.  The philosophy and general plans for how the CMARCD will achieve its major objectives, synergy among the research components and across the linked applications, and potential to make a unique contribution should be discussed.  The narrative should clearly articulate the reasons a CMARCD approach is needed.  The Background and Significance section should describe the history of the development of the proposed CMARCD and unique contributions that will accrue; integration of CMARCD scientific collaborations; potential contribution of each component; and significance of the overall research goals and research theme.  The importance and relevance of these to the goals and mission of the CMARCD should be explicated.  A brief description of opportunities for research training for persons from various disciplines and professions to build MSI research capacity should be provided.

Inquiries

Direct inquiries regarding this notice to:

Mariela C. Shirley, Ph.D.
Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2086, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
Telephone: 301-443-9787
Fax: 301-443-8614
Email: shirleym@mail.nih.gov

Lindsey Grandison, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Behavior
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2057
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: 301-443-0606
Fax: 301-594-0673
Email: lgrandis@mail.nih.gov