Clarification to RFA-MH-06-007: Development of Recombinase-Expressing ( Driver ) Mouse Lines for Studying the Nervous System (U01)

Notice Number: NOT-MH-05-024

Key Dates
Release Date: December 29, 2005

Issued by
NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research (http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov)
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), (http://www.nccam.nih.gov/)
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/)
National Eye Institute (NEI), (http://www.nei.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Aging (NIA), (http://www.nia.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), (http://www.nibib.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), (http://www.nichd.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), (http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), (http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), (http://www.nida.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), (http://www.ninr.nih.gov/)

This Notice is to inform the scientific community of clarifications/additional information for RFA-MH-06-007, Development of Recombinase-Expressing ( Driver ) Mouse Lines for Studying the Nervous System originally published on November 18, 2005 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-06-007.html). Specifically, this Notice:

  • Clarifies the requested format for all applications
  • Announces the posting of Frequently Asked Questions from the Technical Assistance Workshop (teleconference) at http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov.

All other requirements outlined in the RFA remain unchanged.

Clarification regarding the requested format for all applications.

In Section IV, Application and Submission Information section 6, Other Submission Requirements , 2. Instructions for Preparing the Research Project Components: Instructions for preparing Research Project Components A, B, and C remain the same. For clarification, following the details for part C should now read::

If methods other than the generation of ES cells (such as highly efficient transposon or gene trap vector systems) are used to create C57BL/6 mice, the applicant must present a clear plan for achieving production of the expected number of driver lines.  All phases of the production process should be addressed in sufficient detail, including vector design (component A), construction of mutant mice (component B), validation steps, generation of probes, histology etc (component C) to demonstrate that an appropriate and validated line has been made. All appropriate bulleted points for Research Components A, B, and C indicated above should be addressed. Also, as specified above in detail, following the General Description, each component (the Research Projects) should be presented individually. Each project should have the following: a cover page stating the Project number, the Project title, and Project PI; a form page 2 which includes the description, performance site, and key personnel; individual project budget pages (for the initial budget period and for the entire budget period), followed by the budget justification; biographical sketches; resources; and research plan.  For each Research Project component (A, B, and C) (i.e. A) Vector design/construction, B) Generation of driver mice, and C) verification/characterization of driver mice), there is a 15-page limit for the research plan (i.e. sections a-d detailing specific aims, background and significance, preliminary studies/progress report, and research design and methods), as indicated in the form PHS 398; there is no page limit for sections e-I, in which Human and Animal Subjects are described. Appendix material limits apply to each component separately, and appendices are limited to the contents specified in the form PHS 398. They should be bundled separately, component by component. Although applicants are allowed 15 pages for each Research project component, it is recognized that sufficient detail might be achieved in less than 15 pages and brevity is appreciated.

In addition to clear detailed descriptions of the technology proposed, the applicant should include a General Description (maximum length 10 pages) as described above and specifically address projected milestones, potential bottlenecks or other problems that may be anticipated, budget details, and all other relevant materials.  

Announcement of the posting o f Frequently Asked Questions from the Technical Assistance Workshop (teleconference)

Following the "Technical Assistance Workshop" held December 15 th by teleconference, the NIH has provided access to a summary of the questions, responses, and other items discussed with prospective applicants. This can be found at http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov.

Inquiries

For further information, contact:

Andrea Beckel-Mitchener, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard , Room 7187, MSC 9641
Bethesda , MD 20892-9641
Telephone: (301) 443-5288
FAX: (301) 402-4740
Email: amitchen@mail.nih.gov