Key Dates

Related Announcements

• December 13, 2013 - U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (R01). See NOFO RFA-AI-14-009.
• December 13, 2013 - U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (R21). See NOFO RFA-AI-14-010.
• January 14, 2014 - U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (U01). See NOFO RFA-AI-14-018.
• May 11, 2016 - Revision Applications for U.S-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (R01). See NOFO RFA-AI-16-039.
• May 11, 2016 - Revision Applications for U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (U01). See NOFO RFA-AI-16-040.
• December 8, 2016 - Revision Applications for the U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (R01). See NOFO RFA-AI-16-082.
• December 8, 2016 - Revision Applications for U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research (U01). See NOFO RFA-AI-16-083.
• October 9, 2020 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional). See NOFO PA-20-272.
• May 12, 2023 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) for Administrative Supplements to Fogarty International Center's (FIC) Training Grants to Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). See Notice NOT-TW-23-006.

Issued by

Fogarty International Center (FIC)

Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO)

Purpose

Background

Scientific cooperation between the U.S. and the Republic of South Africa was initiated in 1995 and has grown in recent years. Recognizing that enhanced cooperative biomedical research would be of mutual benefit to the U.S. and South Africa, the NIH Director and the President of the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in January 2013 to develop the U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research. The first phase of this program included awards made in response to RFA-AI-14-009, RFA-AI-14-010, RFA-AI-14-018, RFA-AI-16-039, RFA-AI-16-040, RFA-AI-16-082, and RFA-AI-16-083. A working group, made up of members from both the NIH and MRC, developed strategic plans for continued collaboration. Both the NIH and MRC have allocated resources to support the second phase of this program.

Purpose

Research shows that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogeneous teams. Scientists and trainees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. There are many benefits that flow from a diverse NIH-supported scientific workforce, including: fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of research, advancing the likelihood that underserved or health disparity populations participate in, and benefit from health research, and enhancing public trust. In spite of tremendous advancements in scientific research, information, training, and research opportunities are not equally available to all. FIC encourages institutions to diversify their trainee populations to enhance the participation of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences. such as individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (See NOT-OD-20-031).

Establishing and maintaining scientific environments that are inclusive and can cultivate and benefit from a full range of talents is not only essential for the quality and impact of science, but it is also a matter of good stewardship of federal funds to ensure that the most talented researchers are recruited, supported, and advanced to become competitive research investigators.

This funding opportunity is part of Phase 2 of the U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research. An overarching goal of this bilateral program is to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the biomedical research workforce. For purposes of this NOSI, we encourage applicants to recruit prospective scientists from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and scientists from historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) in South Africa.

Fogarty International Center (FIC) is inviting applications to expand existing FIC D43 and U2R awards in South Africa to provide career enhancement opportunities to build research skills and experience of scientists from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups in biomedical research. These opportunities are intended to target under-resourced institutions and individuals with a demonstrated commitment to biomedical research. The goal is to include scientists from South African HDIs/South African Universities of Technology with limited resources or experience.

Objectives

The objective of this initiative is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in FIC research training programs (D43, U2R). Applicants should propose to provide a foundation in research design, methods, and analytic techniques appropriate for the proposed research area in an inclusive research environment that welcomes contributions from trainees of all backgrounds. Activities can include mentored research, practicums, workshops, short courses, or other activities as appropriate, and may contribute to Masters level training.

South African programs that do not meet the criteria for this NOSI may still apply to the companion funding opportunity (see NOT-TW-23-006). Once we fill all awards from the joint MRC SA-NIH program applying for this opportunity, supplements may still be awarded from the companion NOSI. Duplicate applications to both Notices are not necessary and are not allowed.

Eligibility

Individuals and institutions eligible to apply:

• An institution along with its contact Principal Investigator (PI) of a currently active FIC D43 or U2R research training award in South Africa. The parent grant must have at least one year remaining as of the supplement application receipt date, exclusive of a no-cost extension, and the proposed project period cannot exceed that of the parent award.
• Supplement proposals must be within scope of the parent grant, that is proposed activities must be consistent with the specific aims of the parent award and must propose to train scientists from South African HDIs/South African Universities of Technology with limited resources or experience.

The following universities have been designated by the MRC as HDIs:

• North-West University
• Sefako Makgatho Health Science University
• University of Fort Hare
• University of Limpopo
• University of the Free State
• University of the Western Cape
• University of Venda
• University of Zululand
• Walter Sisulu University

South African Universities of Technology:

• Mangosuthu University of Technology
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Central University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Sol Plaatje University
• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of Mpumalanga
• Vaal University of Technology

Proposal Considerations:

The research strategy section of the proposal may be no more than six pages (exclusive of the Specific Aims page and biosketches) and should include the following parts:

• Research Training Activities:
  • A description of the proposed training activities, including the titles and descriptions of the workshops or course sessions, research projects, and networking activities. While there may be a distance or online component, a portion of the activities in this program should be face to face. If distance learning is proposed, applicants should describe their experience with online learning and the facilities and infrastructure available for both trainees and instructors at their respective institutions to carry this out successfully.
• Faculty:
  • A list of experienced faculty who will lead the training activities and supervise the work of the trainee(s), including biosketches with a statement of their role in the project.
• Trainees:
  • A description of the recruitment and selection process of the trainee(s) and their biosketch(es). Where appropriate, a letter of support from their home institution should be included, committing relief time for the trainee to participate in training. If not yet identified, please describe the pool of available candidates and the timeline required for selection and commencement of training activities.

Review Process

Administrative review will be conducted by the FIC consistent with applicable law.

Review criteria

Training:

• Is the proposed training within the scope of the parent award?
• Is it likely that the proposed activities will improve the research skills of the participant(s) and encourage them to pursue further training and careers in biomedical and/or social/behavioral research?
• Is the breadth and type of proposed training suitable for the skillset of the trainee(s)?
• Will the proposed training contribute to offering opportunities to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from groups underrepresented in biomedical research in South Africa, in an inclusive environment in which trainees from all backgrounds can contribute; and to building research capacity at HDIs?

Faculty:

• Do the proposed faculty have demonstrated expertise in the field of training, commitment, and a track-record in training and mentoring? Letters of support from faculty newly identified for this supplement should be included.

Trainees

• Is the recruitment process likely to lead to a diverse pool of potential candidates?

Number, duration, and budget of awards:

Budgets up to $150,000 total costs (direct plus F&A of 8%) for one year are allowed, with budget justification.

Funds should be used consistent with the restrictions on the parent award and may include, among other costs: stipend support for trainees, salary support for key personnel contributing to the program, consultants, participant(s) costs, costs for materials and internet connectivity, facility costs to hold meetings, and travel for faculty and for participant(s).

Timeline

• June 23, 2023 - Application receipt date
• July 2023 - Supplements awarded

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)

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

• Application Due Date(s) June 23 , 2023 by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.
• For funding consideration, applicants must include NOT-TW-23-005 (without quotation marks) in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF424 R&R form.
• Requests may be for one year of support only.
• The Research Strategy section of the application is limited to 6 pages.
• Only existing awardees of FIC (TW) D43 and U2R programs are eligible to apply.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify the program contact at FIC supporting the parent award that a request has been submitted in response to this NOFO in order to facilitate efficient processing of the request.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Stacy Wallick
National Institutes of Health
Fogarty International Center
Email: stacy.wallick@nih.gov
Telephone: 301-496-2091

Arlene Smith
South African Medical Research Council
Email: Arlene.Smith@mrc.ac.za
Telephone: +27 21 9380653

Christopher Barnhart, PhD
Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO)
Telephone: 301-594-8983
Email: christopher.barnhart@nih.gov