NOT-HL-06-125: Clarification to RFA-05-018 (Short-Term Training Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research, R25)

Clarification to RFA-05-018 (Short-Term Training Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research, R25)

Notice Number: NOT-HL-06-125

Key Dates
Release Date: May 16, 2006

Issued by
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov)

This Notice is to inform the extramural community of clarifications/additional information for NHLBI’s RFA-05-018, Short-Term Training Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research, R25 originally published on April 22, 2005, (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-05-018.html). Specifically, this Notice:

Clarifies the funds that may be requested
Announces that funds may not be requested for mentors
Announces additional submission requirements
Announces additional review requirements
Announces additional reporting requirements

All other requirements outlined in the RFA remain unchanged.

Clarification regarding funds that may be requested

In Section IV, Application and Submission Information Section 6, Other Submission Requirements, for clarification, the following sections should now read:

Student participation expenses : The expenses of the students should be consistent with the NHLBI Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research guidelines found at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/guid-app.htm. Applicants should refer to Section B - Summary Table. See URS for undergraduates at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/guid-app-tbl.htm#urs and GRS for health professional students at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/guid-app-tbl.htm#grs. Student salary may be supplemented by non-federal funds.
Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities : As a part of this award, funds may be requested to make changes or adjustments in the research setting that will make it possible for an otherwise qualified employee with a disability to perform the essential functions associated with his/her role on the project. The accommodations requested under this program must be directly related to the performance of the proposed role on the research project and must be appropriate to the disabilities of the individual. Some types of accommodations that might be provided under this award include specialized equipment, assistive devices and personnel such as readers, interpreters, or assistants. In all cases, the total funds for accommodations requested must be reasonable and documentation of the disability should be included with the application. These additional funds are in excess of the salary (not the stipend), supplies, travel, and other expenses allowed under Student participation expenses above.

Additional Submission Requirements

Responsible Conduct of Research: Describe plans to provide formal or informal instruction to participants on scientific integrity and ethical principles in research. Although the NIH does not establish specific curricula or formal requirements, all programs are encouraged to consider instruction in the following areas: conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, data management, data sharing, and policies regarding the use of human and animal subjects. Plans must address: the subject matter of the instruction, the format of the instruction, the degree of program faculty participation, participant attendance, and the frequency of instruction. No award will be made if an application lacks this component. Applicants should refer to the NIH web site http://www.nih.gov/sigs/bioethics/researchethics.html for additional guidance.
Evaluation Plan: Include evaluation plans for assessing the success of the program in achieving its goals and objectives. Benchmarks should be specified, and specific plans and procedures must be described to capture, analyze and report outcome measures that would determine the success of the research education and training program in achieving its objectives. The inclusion of evaluation instruments is encouraged. Please note that applications that lack an adequate evaluation plan will be considered non-responsive to this request for application.

Additional Review Considerations

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Peer reviewers will assess the applicant's plans for training in the responsible conduct of research on the basis of the appropriateness of topics, format, amount and nature of faculty participation, and the frequency and duration of instruction. The priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of this element.

Additional Reporting Requirements

The Progress Report should provide information on the development and implementation of the proposed research education and training program (including education in the responsible conduct of research), modifications to the program as originally proposed, the number of applicants and participants (as well as their career level, gender, and racial/ethnic background), updates on the evaluation of the program and dissemination activities, and a list of any publications arising from the program.

Evaluation: In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related programs, the NHLBI may request information essential to an assessment of the effectiveness of this program. Accordingly, award recipients are hereby notified that they may be contacted during and after completion of this award for periodic updates on various aspects of program development, implementation, dissemination, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of this program.

Inquiries
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues of this notice to:

Michael Commarato, Ph.D.
Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases (responding for all NHLBI programmatic Divisions)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7940
Bethesda, MD 20892-7940
Telephone: (301) 435-0527
FAX: (301) 480-1454
Email: commaram@nhlbi.nih.gov

Direct inquires regarding peer review issues of this notice to:

Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Two Rockledge Center, Room 7214
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7924
Bethesda, MD 20892-7924
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express mail)
Telephone: (301) 435-0270
FAX: (301) 480-0730
Email: nhlbichiefreviewbranch@nhlbi.nih.gov

Direct inquires regarding financial or grants management matters of this notice to:

Ms. Beckie Chamberlin
Grants Management Specialist
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7144, MSC 7926
Bethesda, MD 20892-7926
Telephone: (301) 435-0174
FAX: (301) 451-5462
Email: chamberr@nhlbi.nih.gov