Related Announcements

NOT-MD-23-001 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplements to Support Addiction Science and Related Neuroscience Pilot Research Projects at NIMHD-Funded Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI)

NOT-MD-22-003 - Notice to Change Eligibility in NOT-MD-22-001, "Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplements to Support Addiction Science and Related Neuroscience Pilot Research Projects at NIMHD-Funded Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI)"

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 NIMHD Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) U54 awards to support pilot research projects led by early-stage investigators (ESIs) and new investigators (NIs) focused on research on substance use, addiction, and/or neuroscience, 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 enhance the diversity ofthe pool of independent investigators, including those 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 enhance the diversity of the pool of applicant PIs,including investigators from underrepresented backgrounds, 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 ESIs and NIs 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 can range from basic, to clinical, translation, epidemiology, services, and prevention, but must be 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 ESIs as defined by NIH (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/index.htm) with their primary appointment at an RCMI U54 recipient institution. NIs are defined by NIH as individuals who have not previously competed successfully for substantial, independent funding from NIH. Investigators maintain NI status if they have received any of the smaller research grants, training, infrastructure, and career awards that appear on this list: https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/list-smaller-grants.htm. ESI and NI 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 ESIs or NIs at the senior post-doctoral or fellowship level or assistant professor conducting substance use, addiction, and related neuroscience research with their primary appointment at an RCMI U54 recipient institution.
• 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 propose up to two pilot research projects, each with a 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 five years of the start date of the originally reviewed and approved project period of the existing parent U54 award’s competitive segment; or if applicable, within the originally reviewed and approved project period of a funded competitive revision.
• Institutional Commitment: The applicant institution should convincingly demonstrate that adequate resources, appropriate and dedicated mentoring support, commitment to the success of the ESI including actions taken to ensure the ESI applies for an NIH grant within two years of the supplement's award date, and other research support are in place for ESI pilot project PIs.
• Research Strategy: This section of the application is limited to 6 pages per pilot project and at minimum should include a summary of the funded parent award, significance of supplement project, innovation, approach, a mentoring plan and a career development plan to transition to independent research. The mentoring plan should explain in detail the responsibilities and roles of the mentor(s), frequency of meetings with the ESI and what these meetings will entail. It should also include how the mentor(s) will in fact ensure that the ESI will submit an NIH grant application within two years of the supplement's award date.
• 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.
• NIH Biosketches of mentors and other senior and key persons should provide evidence of past mentoring experience, as well as their role in mentoring and collaborating with the ESI scholar.
• Application Due Date: February 1, 2022, 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-G-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-22-001 (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.
• 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.
• Principal Investigators considering this award are highly encouraged to reach out to the NIDA Scientific/Research contact prior to submitting a supplement application.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Scientific/Research Contact

Nathan Stinson, Jr., PhD, MD, MPH
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Telephone: 301-594-8704
Email: [email protected]

Angela Holmes, PhD
Office of Diversity and Health Disparities, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Telephone: 301-827-2487
Email: [email protected]

Fiscal/Grants Management Contact

Priscilla Grant, JD
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Email: [email protected]