Notice Number: NOT-GM-16-113
Key Dates
Release Date: July 22, 2016
PAR-16-109
NOT-GM-16-102
Issued by
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Purpose
The purpose of this Notice is to provide revised application instructions to PAR-16-109 "Bridges to the Doctorate" (R25) FOA. The modifications are as follows:
- Any reference to Associate degree is replaced with Master's degree; Community College and Baccalaureate institutions to Master's-granting and Ph.D.-granting institutions, respectively; and Bridges to the Baccalaureate to Bridges to the Doctorate.
- Reference to NOT-GM-14-140 is replaced with reference to NOT-GM-14-139.
- Other Attachments section has been updated
- Updated Program Faculty and Progress Report (for Renewal Application) section
- The additional information on the student pool of eligible program participants, (using NRSA Table 6A), is no longer required.
- Use of Sample Table Format A is suggested to provide information on currently active student development and research training programs.
- Agency Contacts have been updated
Part 2. Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Current Language:
Programmatic Approach
Bridges applications are intended to reflect the plans and priorities of the participating institutions as well as the collective plans and priorities of the partnerships/consortia. Participating institutions should create a partnership program, or enhance an existing program, that will focus attention and adequate resources on the institution(s) granting associate degrees and so enhance competitiveness of their science graduates and science programs. Collaborative agreements should be designed to fit the needs and situations of the institutions involved.
Revised Language:
Programmatic Approach
Bridges applications are intended to reflect the plans and priorities of the participating institutions as well as the collective plans and priorities of the partnerships/consortia. Participating institutions should create a partnership program, or enhance an existing program, that will focus attention and adequate resources on the institution(s) granting Master's degrees to enhance the competitiveness of their science graduates and science programs. Collaborative agreements should be designed to fit the needs and situations of the institutions involved.
Part 2. Section II. Award Information
Other Award Budget Information
Other Program-Related Expenses
Current Language:
Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses may be included in the proposed budget. These expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the applicant institution.
As per Guide NoticeNOT-GM-14-140 applicants may not request more than $3000 for evaluation costs for the entire project period. This includes salaries for evaluation consultants.
Allowable travel includes the following: costs for faculty research mentors to attend national scientific meetings if the faculty member is accompanying Bridges students who are presenting at the meeting; costs for the participating faculty at the master's institution to attend scientific conferences and workshops that are directly relevant to research development; costs for Bridges student travel to domestic scientific conferences; costs for travel (mileage expenses) of Bridges students to participate in special research development activities (e.g., serve as laboratory assistants) and summer research internships if the distance between the community college and the partner baccalaureate institution is more than 50 miles (round-trip).
Revised Language:
Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses may be included in the proposed budget. These expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the applicant institution.
As per Guide NoticeNOT-GM-14-139 applicants may not request more than $3000 for evaluation costs for the entire project period. This includes salaries for evaluation consultants, if any.
Allowable travel includes the following: costs for faculty research mentors to attend national scientific meetings if the faculty member is accompanying Bridges students who are presenting at the meeting; costs for the participating faculty at the master's institution to attend scientific conferences and workshops that are directly relevant to research development; costs for Bridges student travel to domestic scientific conferences; costs for travel (mileage expenses) of Bridges students to participate in special research development activities (e.g., serve as laboratory assistants) and summer research internships if the distance between the Ph.D.-granting institution and the partner Master's-granting institution is more than 50 miles (round-trip).
Part 2. Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission
SF424 (R&R) Other Project Information Component
Current Language:
Other Attachments. An Advisory Committee is not a required component of a Research Education program. However, if an Advisory Committee is intended, provide a plan for the appointment of an Advisory Committee to monitor progress of the research education program. The composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information should be included. Describe how the Advisory Committee will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program. Proposed Advisory Committee members should be named in the application if they have been invited to participate at the time the application is submitted. Renewal applications with Advisory Committees should include the names of all committee members during the past project period. Please name your file “Advisory_Committee.pdf”
The filename provided for each “Other Attachment” will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.
Revised Language:
Other Attachments. An Advisory Committee is not a required component of a Research Education program. However, if an Advisory Committee is intended, provide a plan for the appointment of an Advisory Committee to monitor progress of the research education program. The composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information should be included. Describe how the Advisory Committee will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program. Proposed Advisory Committee members should be named in the application if they have been invited to participate at the time the application is submitted. Renewal applications with Advisory Committees should include the names of all committee members during the past project period. Please name your file “Advisory_Committee.pdf”
The filename provided for each “Other Attachment” will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.
The following tables are required and must be in the Bridges to Doctorate application:
- Training Table 2. Participating Faculty Members.
- Training Table 8A. Program Outcomes: Predoctoral.
Please name your file "Table 2.pdf" or "Table 8A.pdf", as appropriate.
Part 2. Section IV.2. Content and Form of ApplicationSubmission
PHS 398 Research Plan Component
Research Education Program Plan
Program Faculty
Current Language:
Provide evidence that faculty and staff have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to conduct the proposed student development and research activities. Clearly delineate the roles and expectations of participating faculty and/or program coordinators from each institution. Provide a list of faculty research mentors/preceptors and describe each faculty member's research area and current research funding, using NRSA Table 2, Participating Faculty Members (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/datatables.htm).
Revised Language:
Provide evidence that faculty and staff have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to conduct the proposed student development and research activities. Clearly delineate the roles and expectations of participating faculty and/or program coordinators from each institution. Provide a list of faculty research mentors/preceptors and describe each faculty member's research area and current research funding, using NRSA Predoctoral Tables 2, Participating Faculty Members and Table 4, Research Support of Participating Faculty Members. "(https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/datatables.htm), (as Other Attachments).
Part 2. Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission
PHS 398 Research Plan Component
Research Education Program Plan
Program Participants
Current Language:
The following sentence is deleted from the FOA.The additional information on the student pool of eligible program participants is no longer required, (using NRSA Table 6A).
Revised Language:
Applicants should use NRSA Table 6A, Parts I and II (from Predoctoral Training Tables) to provide additional information on the student pool of eligible program participants.
Part 2. Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission
PHS 398 Research Plan Component
Research Education Program Plan
Institutional Environment and Commitment
Current Language:
- Current student development and research-training programs (applicants may use the suggested format provided in the Sample Format Table 1), as well as counseling/mentoring services (funded by the institution and by sponsoring entities) available at the applicant and partner institutions, and their successes in preparing and graduating underrepresented students.
Revised Language:
- Current student development and research-training programs (applicants may use the suggested format provided in the Sample Format Table A, to be included as part of the Program Plan section), as well as counseling/mentoring services (funded by the institution and by sponsoring entities) available at the applicant and partner institutions, and their successes in preparing and graduating underrepresented students.
Part 2. Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission
PHS 398 Research Plan Component
Research Education Program Plan
Progress Report (for Renewal Application).
Current Language:
Applicants are encouraged to use the NIGMS CareerTrac System to provide data on student outcomes for up to 15 years, if applicable. The expected student outcomes include the following:
- Number of Bridges participants currently supported
- Number of Bridges participants who withdrew while at master's institution
- Number of Bridges participants who completed the Bridges program (alumni)
- Number of Bridges alumni who entered into a doctoral (PhD) program
- Number of Bridges alumni who remain in the doctoral program
- Number of Bridges alumni who withdrew from the doctoral program
- Number of Bridges alumni who completed the doctoral program
- Number of Bridges alumni who entered a postdoctoral program
- Number of Bridges alumni who are employed in tenure-track faculty positions
- Number of Bridges alumni who are employed in research-related positions
- Number of Bridges alumni who are employed in non-research related positions
Describe in the progress report what has been learned through the program evaluation and what has been added, modified or deleted as a result of program evaluation. Evaluation reports, if available, can be included in the Appendix. Describe any previously funded Bridges activities that are now continuing (or will continue) on institutional funds.
Revised Language:
Applicants are encouraged to use the NIGMS CareerTrac System to provide data on student outcomes for up to 15 years, if applicable. Additionally, applicants must provide a summary of student outcomes for up to 15 years, if applicable, in the narrative of the project report. The expected student outcomes include the following:
- Number of Bridges participants currently supported
- Number of Bridges participants who withdrew while at master's institution
- Number of Bridges participants who completed the Bridges program (alumni)
- Number of Bridges alumni who entered into a doctoral (PhD) program
- Number of Bridges alumni who remain in the doctoral program
- Number of Bridges alumni who withdrew from the doctoral program
- Number of Bridges alumni who completed the doctoral program
- Number of Bridges alumni who entered a postdoctoral program
- Number of Bridges alumni who are employed in tenure-track faculty positions
- Number of Bridges alumni who are employed in research-related positions
- Number of Bridges alumni who are employed in non-research related positions
Describe in the progress report what has been learned through the program evaluation and what has been added, modified or deleted as a result of program evaluation. Evaluation reports, if available, can be included in the Appendix. Describe any previously funded Bridges activities that are now continuing (or will continue) on institutional funds.
Part 2. Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission
PHS 398 Research Plan Component
Multi PD/PI Leadership Plan
Current Language:
The Bridges program requires a PD/PI from each participating institution, and a multi-PD/PI plan is required. The PDs/PIs assume responsibility for the overall execution of the Bridges to the Baccalaureate program. For general instructions, 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.
Bridges PD/PIs should also address how they will share and discharge those duties and responsibilities specific to a Bridges program including:
- Selection of students;
- The coordination and implementation of developmental research education
- Processes to coordinate efforts to prepare and submit required reports, e.g., annual progress Reports, changes in program activities if any, etc.
Interactions with the program evaluator to monitor and evaluate the progress of individual program elements and the overall functioning of the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program.
Revised Language:
The Bridges program requires a PD/PI from each participating institution, and a multi-PD/PI plan is required. The PDs/PIs assume responsibility for the overall execution of the Bridges to the Doctorate program. For general instructions, 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.
Bridges PD/PIs should also address how they will share and discharge those duties and responsibilities specific to a Bridges program including:
- Selection of students;
- The coordination and implementation of developmental research education;
- Processes to coordinate efforts to prepare and submit required reports, e.g., annual progress Reports, changes in program activities if any, etc.; and
- Interactions with the program evaluator, if any, to monitor and evaluate the progress of individual program elements and the overall functioning of the Bridges to the Doctorate Program.
Part 2. Section VII. Agency Contacts
Current Language:
Scientific/Research Contact(s)
Jessica Faupel-Badger, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone: 301-594-3900
Email: Jessica.FaupelBadger@nih.gov
Peer Review Contact(s)
Helen R. Sunshine, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone: 301-594-2881
Email: sunshinh@nigms.nih.gov
Revised Language:
Scientific/Research Contact(s)
Patrick H. Brown, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone: 301-594-3900
Email: patrick.brown@nih.gov
Peer Review Contact(s)
Brian Pike, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone: 301-594-3907
Email: pikbr@nigms.nih.gov
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
Patrick H. Brown, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone:301-594-3900
Email: patrick.brown@nih.gov
and Human Services (HHS)
