Key Dates

Related Announcements

PA-20-272 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)

NOT-OD-20-118 - Guide Notice of Information Highlighting Harmonization and Data Sharing Expectations for Supplement and Revision Projects Addressing Social, Behavioral, Economic and Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Issued by

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Purpose

This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) invites applications for administrative supplements to eligible NIMHD Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) U54 awards to support pilot research projects led by early-stage investigators (ESIs) conducting substance use, addiction, and related neuroscience research as a bridge to independently funded careers. To help achieve this goal, it is expected that pilot project PIs will prepare and submit follow-up research grant or career development applications to NIH based on the research supported by these supplemental funds.

Background

Every facet of the United States scientific research enterprise from basic laboratory research to clinical and translational research to policy formation requires superior intellect, creativity and a wide range of skill sets and viewpoints. NIH’s ability to help ensure that the nation remains a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation is dependent upon a pool of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds who will help to further NIH's mission (see Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity, NOT-OD-20-031). Despite tremendous advancements in scientific research, information, educational and research opportunities are not equally available to all. NIH encourages institutions to diversify their student and faculty populations to enhance the participation of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences (see NOT-OD-20-031). Toward that end, NIMHD in partnership with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) seeks to increase the pool of independent investigators from underrepresented groups in the biomedical research workforce specifically in the areas of substance abuse, addiction and neuroscience research through effective outreach and partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions.

NIMHD's Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program supports specialized research centers in institutions that offer doctoral degrees in the health professions or health-related sciences and have an historical and current commitment to educating underrepresented students. Each RCMI U54 center includes an Investigator Development Core to support the development of postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, and other early-stage investigators in basic biomedical, behavioral, and/or clinical sciences through a Pilot Project Program. Eligible investigators for pilot project support should be at the senior post-doctoral or fellowship level or assistant professor. Centers are expected to conduct outreach and recruitment strategies to ensure that investigators from underrepresented backgrounds are in the pool of applicant PIs, and to provide ongoing advice to pilot PIs as they conduct their research projects, submit publications based on their work, and apply for external funding such as mentored K-award or equivalent and ultimately an R01 grant as appropriate to their career level.

Research Objectives

Supplements awarded through this NOSI are intended to provide support to early career investigators to conduct pilot studies in the areas of substance abuse, addiction and neuroscience research and collect data they can use to prepare for applications for independent funding. The proposed research must be directly relevant to the NIDA mission (see https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/strategic-plan/executive-summary).

Eligibility to be a PI of a pilot project funded through this NOSI is limited to early-stage investigators (ESIs) as defined by NIH (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/index.htm) with their primary appointment at an RCMI U54 recipient institution. ESI PIs should be positioned to submit an NIH grant application within two years of the supplement award date. Individuals from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply as PIs. Recipients will be invited to participate in NIDA-sponsored professional development activities.

For pilot projects examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use and/or addiction, investigators are encouraged to use NIH-supported COVID-19 specific survey item repositories and select existing survey items or protocol modules currently being fielded if consensus based measures (e.g., https://www.phenxtoolkit.org/collections/view/1) are not available. This is particularly important for efforts to rapidly assess the needs and impact of COVID-19 across different population groups, particularly vulnerable populations. See NOT-OD-20-118 for additional information and resources for COVID-19 research data harmonization and data sharing.

Applications not responsive to this NOSI:

• Projects supplementing awards that are not eligible under this NOSI.
• Projects not supporting pilot research projects led by early-stage investigators (ESIs) at the senior post-doctoral or fellowship level or assistant professor conducting substance use, addiction, and related neuroscience research.
• Projects not addressing outreach and recruitment strategies to ensure that investigators from underrepresented backgrounds are in the pool of pilot PI applicants.
• Projects conducting research outside of the U.S. or its territories and possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or requesting foreign components.

Applications nonresponsive to these terms will be withdrawn for this NOSI initiative.

Application and Submission Information

Applications for this initiative must be submitted using the following opportunity or its subsequent reissued equivalent.

• PA-20-272 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)

Administrative supplements proposed through PA-20-272 must be within the scope of the peer reviewed and approved parent RCMI U54 award, including competitive revisions. For the purposes of this NOSI, proposed pilot research projects must be administered by the parent RCMI U54 center's Investigator Development Core.

To be eligible for an Administrative Supplement under this NOSI, the parent RCMI U54 award must:

• be awarded under either RFA-MD-17-003, RFA-MD-17-006, RFA-MD-18-012, or RFA-MD-20-006,
• be an active NIH award at the time of application (i.e., within five years of the start date of the originally reviewed and approved project period of the existing parent RCMI U54’s competitive segment; or if applicable, within the originally reviewed and approved project period of a competitive revision), and
• have sufficient time left to complete the studies proposed within the parent award's current project period.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and PA-20-272 must be followed, with the following additions:

• Budget: An eligible applicant institution may proposeup to two pilot research projects, each witha maximum budget of $50,000 (direct costs) per year and a maximum project period of two years (if two years remain within the parent award's current project period). Administrative supplement requests cannot exceed$100,000 in direct costs per year.
• Project Period: The pilot project and budget periods must be within the currently approved project period for the parent U54 award.
• Institutional Commitment: The applicant institution should convincingly demonstrate that adequate resources, appropriate and dedicated mentoring support, and other research support are in place for ESI pilot project PIs.
• Applications must include a full NIH Biosketch of the identified ESI (include past/current/pending funding support), a PHS 398-format Research Plan, and plans for the ESI's career development using the research proposed along with other plans for mentoring and training in research methods as needed based on the ESI’s experience and background.
• Application Due Date: June 15, 2021, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.
• All applications to PA-20-272 must be submitted electronically using a single-project application form package with the Competition ID of FORMS-F-ADMINSUPP-RESEARCH". The process for Streamlined Submissions using the eRA Commons cannot be used for PA-20-272.
• For funding consideration, applicants must include NOT-MD-21-022 (without quotation marks) in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF424 R&R form. Applications without this information in box 4B will not be considered for this initiative.
• The Research Strategy section of the application is limited to 6 pages.
• Only eligible active awardees of the NIMHD RCMI U54 program may apply.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify the program contact at the Institute supporting the parent award under which a request has been submitted in response to this NOSI in order to facilitate efficient processing of the request.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Scientific/Research Contact

Nadra Tyus, DrPH, MPH
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Telephone: 301-594-8065
Email: nadra.tyus@nih.gov

Angela Holmes, PhD
Office of Diversity and Health Disparities, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Telephone: 301-827-2487
Email: angela.holmes2@nih.gov

Fiscal/Grants Management Contact

Priscilla Grant, JD
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Email: pg38h@nih.gov