REANNOUNCEMENT OF NEI ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPLEMENTS TO SUPPORT DNA 
MICROARRAY FACILITIES

Release Date:  September 25, 2000

NOTICE:  EY-01-001

National Eye Institute

On November 30, 1999, the National Eye Institute (NEI) announced a 
program to assist institutions with establishing DNA microarray 
facilities.  At this time, the NEI is reannouncing the availability of 
these administrative supplements to NEI-funded research projects (R01) 
and MERIT Awards (R37).  This announcement provides a second receipt 
date for such applications and adds a fifth review criterion.

This administrative supplement program is issued in response to 
recommendations developed at the recent NEI Functional Genomics 
Workshop.  The goal of the workshop was to provide NEI with a set of 
recommendations for the development of genomic resources needed to 
facilitate understanding of the normal visual system and its related 
disorders and diseases.  More information concerning the workshop can 
be found at http://www.nei.nih.gov.  In addition, information 
regarding NEI programmatic interest in functional genomics is available 
in NEI"s publication Vision Research, A National Plan:  1999-2003, which 
is located at http://www.nei.nih.gov/resources/strategicplans/neiplan/.

Proposed facilities must be designed to support the application of 
state-of-the art microarray technologies to innovative vision research 
and must serve a minimum of five NEI-funded research projects.  Requests 
are limited to the purchase of equipment, supplies, and technical 
personnel critical to the DNA microarray facility.  Appropriate 
equipment for which support may be requested includes, but is not 
limited to, DNA arrayers and readers, robotic equipment for automation, 
and, with strong justification, computers for informatics.  Since these 
administrative supplements are intended to assist institutions, it is 
expected that the applicant institutions will support personnel, 
equipment, and supplies associated with the establishment and operation 
of the facility.

Institutions which have previously received an NEI administrative 
supplement to support DNA microarray facilities may not apply again.  
Revisions of unfunded applications will be accepted.  All requests must 
meet the following criteria: (1) the project period of the grant to be 
supplemented must have at least two years remaining at the time of award 
and (2) the work proposed must be within the scope of the research 
originally recommended by peer-review for the grant to be supplemented.  
Applicants may request up to two years of support, the requested budget 
may not exceed $350,000 total costs over two years.  Because funds are 
limited, NEI will give highest priority to administrative supplement 
requests that meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant provides a description of five NEI-funded R01 and/or 
R37 research projects that will benefit from the presence of a 
microarray facility, including how the array technology will enhance 
ongoing research projects within the scope of the originally proposed 
specific aims.

2. The applicant provides documentation of strong institutional 
commitment to support the microarray facility, including continued 
support for the facility and the technology after the time period of the 
supplement.  Applicants must document the resources and environment 
available at the institution to effectively operate the facility, 
including support for personnel, equipment, supplies, and availability 
of laboratory space.

3. The applicant provides a detailed budget and budget justification for 
the personnel, equipment or supplies requested.

4. The applicant provides a detailed description of the administration 
and management of the DNA microarray facility.  Important consideration 
should be given to setting priorities for the facility and ensuring 
access by the vision researchers.

5.  The applicant provides a detailed description of bioinformatics 
support and strategies for data management and interpretation.

A request for an administrative supplement under this program should 
include a cover letter requesting the administrative supplement and 
identifying this program.  
The application should be developed using the PHS Form 398 (revised 
4/98) Face Page, budget Form Pages 4 and 5, Biosketch of the Principal 
Investigator, and resources Form Page 8.  The Research Plan should 
address points 1 through 5 above and should not exceed five pages.

This is a one-time announcement with requests submitted on or before 
February 15, 2001.  One copy of the request should be sent to:

Ellen S. Liberman, Ph.D.
Director, Lens and Cataract and Glaucoma Programs
National Eye Institute
Executive Plaza South, Suite 350
6120 Executive Blvd, MSC 7164
Bethesda, MD 20892-7164
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)

The request for the administrative supplement will be evaluated by a 
committee composed of NIH intramural and extramural staff.  Awards will 
be determined on the basis of scientific merit, program relevance, and 
the availability of funds.  The expected award date is May 1, 2001.  
Funded applicants will be expected to provide progress reports at the 
end of years one and two.

INQUIRIES

Inquiries concerning this notice are strongly encouraged.  The 
opportunity to clarify any issue or questions from potential applicant 
is welcome.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Ellen S. Liberman, Ph.D.
Director, Lens and Cataract and Glaucoma Programs
National Eye Institute
Executive Plaza South, Suite 350
6120 Executive Blvd, MSC 7164
Bethesda, MD 20892-7164
Telephone: (301) 496-0484
FAX: (301) 402-0528
Email: [email protected]

Direct fiscal inquiries to:

William W. Darby
Grants Management Branch, NEI
National Eye Institute
Executive Plaza South, Suite 350
6120 Executive Blvd, MSC 7164
Bethesda, MD 20892-7164
Telephone: (301) 496-5884
FAX: (301) 496-9997 
Email: [email protected]

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