The purpose of this Notice is to provide clarification of eligibility and responsiveness for RFA-CA-22-050, NCI Cancer Moonshot Scholars Diversity Program (CMSDP) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)". This clarification is aligned with the purpose stated in the funding opportunity to increase the number of R01 Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) and enhance the diversity of the cancer research workforce, while promoting scientific advancements in cancer.
The following sections of RFA-CA-22-050 have been modified (with changes shown in bold, underlined, italics):
Part 2. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Non-responsive Applications
Currently reads:
Studies that are not responsive to this FOA and will not be reviewed include the following:
- Applications that do not address NCI’s scientific mission.
- Multiple-PD/PI (MPI) applications where the contact PI is NOT an ESI.
- Applications that do not include the Institutional Eligibility Letter describing the PI's contribution to the program goals. See Other Attachment (Institutional Eligibility Letter) In Section IV.2.
- Applications that do not address a Data Sharing Plan.
Corrected to read:
Studies that are not responsive to this FOA and will not be reviewed include the following:
- Applications that do not address NCI’s scientific mission.
- Single PI applications that are not submitted from an ESI.
- Applications that do not include the Institutional Eligibility Letter describing the PI's contribution to the program goals. See Other Attachment (Institutional Eligibility Letter) In Section IV.2.
- Multiple-PD/PI (MPI) applications where the contact PI is NOT an ESI and the contact PI has NOT included an Institutional Eligibility Letter describing their contribution to the program goals.
- Applications that do not address a Data Sharing Plan.
Part 2. Section III. Eligibility Information
Eligible Applicants
Currently reads:
Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)
- Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019.
- For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
- MPI applications are permissible, however, the contact PI must be an ESI. Visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
- The overarching goal of this program is to increase the numbers of ESIs and enhance the diversity of the cancer research workforce, while promoting scientific advancements in cancer research. Fostering diversity by addressing underrepresentation in the scientific research workforce is a key component of the NIH strategy to identify, develop, support, and maintain the quality of our scientific human capital. Despite tremendous advancements in scientific research, information, educational and research opportunities are not equally available to all. NIH encourages institutions to diversify their student, postdoctoral, and faculty populations to enhance the participation of individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. Investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups (e.g., see NOT-OD-20-031, Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity), are encouraged to work with their institutions to apply for support under this program. Investigators from categories A and B are particularly encouraged to work with their institutions to apply.
- By the time of award, the PD/PI (or for a multiple PDs/PIs application, all PDs/PIs) must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).
Corrected to read:
Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)
- Any individual(s) with ESI status at the time of submission and the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. The following link provides more details on ESI polices and definitions. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019.
- For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
- MPI applications are permissible, however, the contact PI must be an ESI with an Institutional Eligibility Letter. Visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
- The overarching goal of this program is to increase the numbers of ESIs and enhance the diversity of the cancer research workforce, while promoting scientific advancements in cancer research. Fostering diversity by addressing underrepresentation in the scientific research workforce is a key component of the NIH strategy to identify, develop, support, and maintain the quality of our scientific human capital. Despite tremendous advancements in scientific research, information, educational and research opportunities are not equally available to all. NIH encourages institutions to diversify their student, postdoctoral, and faculty populations to enhance the participation of individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. Investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups (e.g., see NOT-OD-20-031, Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity), are encouraged to work with their institutions to apply for support under this program. Investigators from categories A and B are particularly encouraged to work with their institutions to apply.
- By the time of award, the PD/PI (or for a multiple PDs/PIs application, all PDs/PIs) must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).
All other aspects of RFA-CA-22-050 remain unchanged.