RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES

NIH GUIDE, Volume 22, Number 43, November 26, 1993



P.T. 34, 44, FF



Keywords:

  Biomedical Research Training 

  Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl 



National Institutes of Health



BACKGROUND



During 1987 and 1988, the Director of the National Institutes of

Health (NIH) and the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) held a

series of regional meetings throughout the United States.  At these

meetings, testimony was presented by concerned individuals and

organizations regarding the underrepresentation of minorities in

biomedical and behavioral research.  Although the NIH currently

provides opportunities for minorities through the traditional

research grant programs and through special initiatives supported by

various components of the NIH (see APPENDIX for listing), the

testimony indicated that efforts of the NIH should be increased.  In

addition, the NIH recognizes the need to increase the number of

underrepresented minority scientists participating in biomedical and

behavioral research as a means of addressing a potential research

labor shortage in the twenty-first century.



In response to these concerns, the NIH is emphasizing the use of

administrative supplements to attract underrepresented minorities

into biomedical and behavioral research.  The mechanisms described in

this announcement have been endorsed by all the awarding components

of the NIH and are designed to provide support for research

experiences at grantee institutions for minorities throughout the

continuum from high school to the faculty level. The funding of these

programs will be in addition to existing programs for minority

individuals and institutions described in the APPENDIX.



The NIH hereby notifies all Principal Investigators holding NIH

research grants that funds are available for administrative

supplements to existing grants for the support and recruitment of

underrepresented minority scientists and students.  The aim of these

supplements is to attract and encourage minority individuals to enter

and pursue biomedical and behavioral research careers in areas within

the missions of all the awarding components of the NIH by providing

supplemental funds to certain ongoing research grants (see the

Eligibility section under GENERAL PROVISIONS).



For the purpose of this announcement, underrepresented minority

students and investigators are defined as individuals belonging to a

particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the

grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or

behavioral research.  Awards will be limited to citizens or non-

citizen nationals of the United States or to individuals who have

been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession

of an Alien Registration Receipt Card) at the time of application.

In awarding supplements, the NIH will give priority to projects

involving Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander or

other ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be

underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research nationally.

Before submitting an application for a research supplement,

applicants are encouraged to call their program administrator at the

NIH to discuss any aspects of this program that need clarification.



The NIH anticipates that by providing scientific opportunities, such

as those listed below, the number of minorities entering and

remaining in biomedical research careers will increase.



o  Research Supplements for Minority High School Students will

support minority high school students who have expressed an interest

in biomedical or behavioral sciences.



o  Research Supplements for Minority Undergraduate Students will

support minority undergraduate students who have demonstrated an

interest in biomedical or behavioral sciences and wish to pursue

graduate level training in these areas.



o  Research Supplements for Minority Graduate Research Assistants

will provide support to assist minority predoctoral students who wish

to develop research capabilities in the biomedical and behavioral

sciences.



o  Research Supplements for Minority Individuals in Postdoctoral

Training will provide support for minority individuals who wish to

participate as postdoctoral researchers in ongoing research projects

in preparation for independent careers in biomedical or behavioral

research.



o  Research Supplements for Minority Investigators will provide

short- and long-term opportunities for minority staff and faculty who

wish to participate in ongoing research projects while further

developing their own independent research potential.



GENERAL PROVISIONS



In all cases, the proposed research experience must be an integral

part of the approved ongoing research of the parent grant.  As part

of this research experience, the minority individual must be given

the opportunity to interact with individuals on the parent grant, to

contribute intellectually to the research, and to enhance his/her

research skills and knowledge regarding the particular area of

biomedical science.  Furthermore, the Principal Investigator must

demonstrate a willingness and understanding that the purpose of the

award is to enhance the research capability of the minority student

or faculty member and that the research experience is intended to

provide opportunities for minority individuals to develop as

independent, competitive research investigators.  Supplemental awards

will be consistent with the goal of strengthening the existing

research program and with the overall programmatic balance and

priorities of the funding component of the NIH.  Awards will be made

according to the policies and provisions stated in this announcement.



Applicants are encouraged to contact the NIH institute staff listed

under INQUIRIES prior to submission to obtain specific information

about preparing and submitting an application.  It is also recognized

that individual circumstances vary, and for unusual situations, NIH

program administrators should be consulted for a determination of

eligibility.



ELIGIBILITY



Principal Investigators at domestic institutions who hold an active

G12, R01, R10, R18, R22, R24, R35, R37, P01, P20, P30, P40, P41, P50,

P60, U01, or U10 grant are eligible to submit a request for an

administrative supplement to the awarding component of the parent

grant for any of the supplemental programs offered here.  Principal

Investigators holding an active First Independent Research Support

and Transition (FIRST) Award (R29) or an Academic Research

Enhancement Award (R15) also may apply for a supplement under this

program.  An R29 award is eligible only when the minority candidate

is a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student.  An R15 award

is eligible only when the minority candidate is a high school or

undergraduate student.  Exceptions to these rules may be made.

Applicants should check with their awarding component.  Minority

supplements to R29 and R15 awards may provide support above the

established dollar limits.  The P20 and P30 award mechanisms are

eligible to be supplemented only when it has research components.



In all cases, the parent grant must have support remaining for a

reasonable period at the time of a supplemental award.  Principal

Investigators are encouraged to submit an application no later than

three months before the anniversary date of the last two years

remaining on the parent grant.



The purpose of the request will be to support an underrepresented

minority high school student, undergraduate student, graduate

research assistant, individual in postdoctoral training, or a staff

or faculty member to participate in an ongoing research project.

Specific eligibility requirements relative to each type of award are

set forth in the description of the individual supplement programs

(below).



Usually, each parent grant may support only one minority supplement.

Appointment of more than one individual to a single grant will be

considered depending on the nature of the parent grant, the

circumstances of the request, and the program balance of the NIH

awarding component.  Minority individuals may receive support from

only one of these supplement programs at a time, but may be supported

by more than one minority supplement during the development of their

research careers.  Support under the supplement programs is not

transferable to another individual or transportable to another

institution.



The minority supplement programs have been designed to attract

underrepresented minority individuals into research careers and are

not intended to provide an alternative means of supporting minority

individuals who already receive support from a research grant or a

research training grant or any other PHS funding mechanism.

Individuals may not be transferred to a minority supplement to

increase the availability of funds of the parent grant for other uses

such as supplies and travel.  Minority graduate students or

individuals in postdoctoral training who are supported by a National

Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional research training grant

may not be transferred to supplemental support prior to the

completion of their appointed period of training.



APPLICATION PROCEDURES



A request for a supplement may be submitted at any time. In making

requests, the grantee institution, on behalf of the Principal

Investigator of the parent grant and in cooperation with the minority

individual, must submit the request for supplemental funds directly

to the awarding component that supports the parent grant.  The

request is not to be submitted to the NIH Division of Research

Grants.  Principal Investigators are encouraged to obtain the address

for submission from the NIH program administrator on the parent

grant.



The request for a supplemental award must include the following:



1.  A completed face page (with appropriate signatures) from grant

application form PHS 398.  Include the title and grant number of the

parent grant and the type of supplement being requested on line 1.



2.  A brief three to four page description, prepared by the Principal

Investigator of the parent grant, that includes:



a.  a summary or abstract of the funded grant or project.



b.  a description of the research experience proposed for the

minority individual.



c.  a description of how the research experience will expand and

foster the independent research capabilities of the minority

individual, and how the proposed experience relates to the specific

research goals and objectives of the parent grant.



3.  A signed statement from the minority individual outlining his/her

research objectives and career goals.



4.  The social security number and biographical sketch of the

minority individual that includes evidence of scientific achievement

or interest.



5.  A signed statement from the Principal Investigator establishing

the eligibility of the minority individual for support under this

program including information on ethnicity, citizenship, and a

description of any previous PHS research grant support the minority

individual has received.



6.  A proposed budget entered on budget pages from grant application

form PHS 398, related to the percent effort (where appropriate) for

the research experience of the minority individual during the first

and future years.  If the initial budget period requested is less

than 12 months, the budget must be prorated accordingly.



7.  Documentation, if applicable, that the proposed research

experience was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use

Committee (IACUC) or human subjects Institutional Review Board (IRB)

of the grantee institution must be provided.



8.  A copy of the most recent official transcript, if the minority

candidate is a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student.



9.  If the minority individual is a student at another institution,

the application also must include an appropriately signed letter from

a responsible official at the institution of matriculation indicating

that participation at the stated level of effort is approved and will

not detract from or interfere with the students course of studies.



10.  If any of the research is to be conducted at a site other than

the grantee institution, an appropriately signed letter from the

institution where the research is to be conducted also must be

submitted.



The request must be signed by the minority individual, the Principal

Investigator, and the appropriate institutional business official.



REVIEW CRITERIA



The staff of the particular awarding component will review requests

for supplements using the following general criteria:



1.  The qualifications of the minority individual including career

goals, prior research training, research potential, and any relevant

experience.



2.  Evidence of educational achievement and interest in science, if

the minority candidate is a student.



3.  The plan for the proposed research experience in the supplemental

request and its relationship to the parent grant.



4.  Evidence from the Principal Investigator that the experience will

enhance the research potential, knowledge, and/or skills of the

minority individual.



5.  Evidence from the Principal Investigator that the activities of

the minority individual are an integral part of the project.



FUNDING



The decision to fund a supplement may take approximately eight weeks

from the time all the necessary information is received.  Applicants

for summer-only research appointments must submit early enough to

ensure that funding is in place by the time the summer experience is

scheduled to begin.  In most cases during the first budget period,

funds will be provided as an administrative supplement to the parent

grant.  In subsequent years, continued funding for the supplement is

contingent on funding of the parent grant and cannot extend beyond

the current competitive segment of the parent grant and the

availability of funds.



The continuation of support for the minority individual in the

remaining years of the competitive segment of the grant will depend

upon satisfactory review by the NIH awarding component of progress

for both the parent grant and the supplemental project, the research

proposed for the next budget period, and the appropriateness of the

proposed budget to the proposed effort.



In non-competing continuation applications, the progress report and

budget for the minority supplement must be clearly delineated from

the progress report and budget for the parent grant.  The progress

report must include information about the research activities

supported by the supplement, even if support for future years is not

requested.



In future competing applications, funds for continuation of support

of the minority individual will depend on the successful renewal of

the parent grant and will be handled as follows:



For minority students who have not yet completed their research

experience, funds for the continuation of support must be requested

as a research supplement to ensure continued tracking of the

individual supported.  The request for continued support should not

be included in the competing renewal, but instead, should be prepared

as a letter with information on research progress and

accomplishments.  The request must be addressed to the program

administrator of the parent grant and must be submitted promptly in

anticipation of a renewal award to avoid an interruption of support.

Support to individual students by this mechanism will be limited to

five years.  Additional time may be considered, but must be well

justified.



Funds for the continuation of support for a minority postdoctoral

fellow or a minority investigator must be requested by name in the

parent grant application at the time of renewal and may not be

requested as a research supplement.  Minority postdoctoral fellows

and investigators are expected to be fully integrated in the research

laboratory when considered for continuation of support.



A Statement of Appointment form (PHS 2271, rev. 9/91), which will be

provided by the NIH awarding component, must be completed and sent to

the awarding component whenever an individual is appointed to a

Research Supplement for Underrepresented Minorities.  In addition,

the Statement of Appointment Form must be completed and submitted

each time an individual is reappointed in a new budget period and

whenever the name or permanent mailing address of the appointed

individual changes.  The form must be signed by both the appointed

individual and the Principal Investigator of the supplemental

research grant.



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT PROGRAMS



1.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENTS



DESCRIPTION



The purpose of this program is to provide minority high school

students an opportunity to obtain a meaningful experience in various

aspects of health-related research to stimulate their interest in

careers in biomedical or behavioral science.



At institutions with a Minority High School Student Research

Apprentice Program (MHSSRAP) grant, the Principal Investigator is

encouraged to coordinate the selection of high school students for

this program with the program director for the MHSSRAP.  (See

appendix for a description of MHSSRAP.)



ELIGIBILITY



Any minority high school student who is currently enrolled and in

good standing at his or her high school and is interested in

biomedical or behavioral research is encouraged to participate in

this program.



PROVISIONS



This supplement is not to exceed $2,000 per student, including

supplies, for a summer experience.  A part-time experience during the

regular school year would be reimbursed at the same rate.  This is

the same level of support provided under the MHSSRAP program.

Equipment may not be purchased using these funds. Students are

expected to devote sufficient effort to the research project and

related activities during the period of support to gain insight into

the process of scientific discovery.  Support for at least three

months is encouraged during any one year, which may include a mixture

of full-time summer experience and part-time experience during the

school year.  Principal Investigators are encouraged to seek minority

high school students who will devote at least two years to this

program (i.e., equivalent to two three-month, full-time, periods).

Exceptions to the latter will be considered, depending on the

circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant, and the specific

request.



See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section for information about application

procedures, review criteria, and funding.



2.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY UNDERGRADUATE

STUDENTS



DESCRIPTION



This supplemental program provides an opportunity for minority

undergraduate students interested in biomedical or behavioral

research to participate in a research project at a research

institution during the summer months or during the school year.  This

experience will be separate from any requirement of the regular

academic program.



The success of this program is dependent on the ability of the

Principal Investigator to identify appropriate students.  A number of

procedures may be used to match investigators holding research grants

to appropriate minority college students:



o  the Principal Investigator may identify a student and initiate the

request for the supplement;



o  the institution may make the pairing and request the supplement;



o  the student may contact a grantee institution or a Principal

Investigator and request a summer research experience;



o  finally, the NIH can provide a list of directors of NIH programs

that provide support for minority undergraduate students (such as the

Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and the Minority

Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program) to help the Principal

Investigator identify suitable candidates.



ELIGIBILITY



The student may be affiliated with either the applicant institution

or another academic institution.  Any undergraduate minority student

interested in biomedical or behavioral research is encouraged to

participate in this program.



PROVISIONS



This supplement is not to exceed $6.00 per hour for salary plus $125

per month for supplies and travel.  Equipment may not be purchased

from these funds.  Students are expected to devote the equivalent of

at least three months full-time effort to the research project and

related activities in any one year and, in most cases, the period of

support for any individual should last at least two years.

Exceptions to these requirements will be considered, depending on the

circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant, and the specific

request.



See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section for information about application

procedures, review criteria, and funding.



3.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY GRADUATE

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS



DESCRIPTION



The objective of this program is to reach out to minority graduate

students already in biomedical and behavioral sciences and provide an

opportunity to further develop their research capabilities.



ELIGIBILITY



Any minority graduate student who is enrolled in a masters or a

doctoral degree program in biomedical or behavioral sciences is

eligible for consideration.  Students enrolled in a masters degree

program in nursing sciences or social work may also be eligible.

Minority students in medical school are encouraged to use this

program to gain research experience during the summer months.



PROVISIONS



The NIH will provide salary support in addition to other necessary

expenses, such as supplies and travel, to enable the individual to

participate as a graduate research assistant in funded research

projects.  The requested salary must be in accordance with the salary

structure of the grantee institution and consistent with the level of

effort.  Tuition remission is allowable as a form of compensation

paid in lieu of wages.  Additional funds up to $3000 per year may be

requested for supplies and travel.  Funds may not be used to purchase

equipment.



See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section for information about application

procedures, review criteria, and funding.



4.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY INDIVIDUALS IN

POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING



DESCRIPTION



These supplements provide research support to permit minority

individuals in the postdoctoral phase of their training to

participate in ongoing research projects as a means of assisting them

in their development into independent biomedical or behavioral

researchers.  Toward the end of the supplement award, candidates

should be encouraged to apply for fellowships, FIRST awards, and

other sources of independent support.



ELIGIBILITY



The minority individual in postdoctoral training may be affiliated

with either the applicant institution or any other institution.  Only

under extraordinary circumstances, which must be well justified in

the application, would it be acceptable for the postdoctoral

candidate to work with his or her former predoctoral mentor.



PROVISIONS



The NIH will provide support for a salary in addition to other

necessary expenses, such as travel and supplies, to enable the

minority individual to participate as a postdoctoral research

assistant or associate on the funded research project.  The requested

salary must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee

institution and consistent with the level of effort.  Additional

funds, up to $6000 may be requested for supplies and travel.  Support

may not be used to purchase equipment.



See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section for application procedures, review

criteria and funding.



5.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY INVESTIGATORS



DESCRIPTION



These supplements provide either short- or long-term research support

for minority staff or faculty members to enhance their research

skills leading to an independent research career.



1.  Short-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement.  This

supplement provides short-term support for minority staff or faculty

members to conduct full-time research for three to five months each

year during the summer or another portion of the academic year, over

a maximum period of four years.



2.  Long-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement.  This

supplement provides long-term research support for minority staff or

faculty members to conduct research in the biomedical or behavioral

sciences.  Support is provided for up to four years at a minimum of

30 percent effort during each 12-month period.



ELIGIBILITY



The minority investigator may be affiliated with the applicant

institution or any other institution.  The investigator must have a

doctoral degree, be beyond the level of a research trainee and be a

member of the staff or faculty with at least one year of postdoctoral

experience.  A minority individual who has previously received

support from the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program (MBRS),

the Minority Access to Research Career Program (MARC), small grants

(R03), National Research Service Award (NRSA) predoctoral (F31) and

postdoctoral (F32) fellowships, or the Academic Research Enhancement

Award (AREA) Program (R15) is eligible for these supplements.  On the

other hand, an individual who has received previous funding from NIH

as an independent Principal Investigator on a regular research grant

(e.g., R01, R29), or as the project leader on a component of a

program project or center grant (e.g., P01, P50), or as Principal

Investigator on an individual research career award (e.g., K02, K04,

K07, K08, K11, K14, K15, K20, and K21) is not eligible.



PROVISIONS



The minority investigator supplemental award is for a maximum of

$50,000 in direct costs per year.  A maximum of $40,000 may be

requested for salary and fringe benefits; additional funds up to

$10,000 may be requested for supplies and travel.  Equipment may not

be purchased except in unusual circumstances and not without prior

approval of the NIH awarding component.  The maximum period of

support for any investigator is four years.



The amount of salary requested must be consistent with the policies

of the parent grantee institution (and, if applicable, the minority

investigator's employing institution) and must be related to the

percent effort of the minority investigator.



See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section for application procedures, review

criteria, and funding.



INQUIRIES



Principal Investigators interested in participating in these programs

are encouraged to contact NIH staff administering the parent grant.

For general information about the Research Supplements for

Underrepresented Minorities, contact the following staff person in

the appropriate awarding component:



NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

Deputy Associate Director, Office of Extramural Affairs

Gateway Building, Suite 2C218

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-9322



NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

Associate Director, Division of Basic Research

Parklawn Building, Room 16C06

5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, MD  20857

Telephone:  (301) 443-2530



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Director, Office of Science Training and Manpower Development

Division of Extramural Activities

Solar Building, Room 4C10

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7291



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES

Director, Extramural Program

Building 31, Room 4C32

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-0802



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Special Assistant to the Deputy Director

Building 31, Room 2A03

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-0104



NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

Director, Division of Extramural Activities

6120 Executive Boulevard

Executive Plaza South, Room 400B

Rockville, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-8693



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL RESEARCH

Director, Oral, Soft Tissue Diseases and AIDs Program

Westwood Building, Room 509

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7641



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES

Assistant Director for Grants and Contracts

Division of Extramural Activities

Westwood Building, Room 657

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7569



NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

Associate Director of Special Population Research

Parklawn Building, Room 10A43

5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, MD  20857

Telephone:  (301) 443-0441



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

Director, Division of Extramural Research and Training

Building 3, Room 301A

P.O. Box 12233

Research Triangle Park, NC  27709

Telephone:  (919) 541-7723



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

Assistant Director, Referral and Liaison

Westwood Building, Room 9A11

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7706



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

Deputy Associate Director for Special Populations

Parklawn Building, Room 17C16

5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, MD  20857

Telephone:  (301) 443-3724



NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Activities

Federal Building, Room 1016

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-4188



NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

Director, Division of Extramural Activities,

Executive Plaza North, Suite 600

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-5147



NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

Research Resources Officer

Executive Plaza South, Suite 350

6126 Executive Boulevard

Rockville, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-5983



NATIONAL HEART, LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE

Director, Division of Extramural Affairs

Westwood Building, Room 7A17B

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7454



NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR NURSING RESEARCH

Director, Extramural Programs

Westwood Building, Room 754

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7590



NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE

Acting Associate Director, Division of Extramural Programs

Building 38A, 5N505

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-4621



NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES

Acting Deputy Director for Extramural Research Resources

Building 12A, Room 4011

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-6023



NATIONAL CENTER FOR HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH

Chief Research Grants Branch

Building 38A, Room 612

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7531



AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS



The statutory authorities for these grant awards are sections 301,

510, 515, and 504 of the Public Health Service Act.  Federal

regulations at 42 CFR Part 52, "Grants for Research Projects" and 45

CFR Part 74, "Administration of Grants," are applicable to these

awards.  Grants must be administered in accordance with the Public

Health Grants Policy Statement.



APPENDIX



ADDITIONAL NIH SUPPORT FOR MINORITY INVESTIGATORS



In addition to the Research Supplements for Underrepresented

Minorities in Biomedical and Behavioral Research, the NIH supports

minority investigators through a variety of other mechanisms.  Below

is a list of these programs.  For additional information about

individual programs, contact the appropriate NIH staff person listed

above.



Research Related Grant Programs



The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program provides

research grants to colleges, universities, health professional

schools with substantial minority enrollments, and to tribally

controlled institutions on Indian reservations.  These grants support

research by faculty members, strengthen the institution's biomedical

research capabilities, and provide opportunities for students to work

as part of a research team.  The MBRS Program is administered by the

National Institute of General Medical Sciences.



The MBRS Program provides support through two major grant mechanisms.

The Traditional MBRS Program, primarily supports faculty research

projects but also places emphasis on promoting the involvement of

undergraduate and graduate students.  The MBRS Program for

Undergraduate Colleges supports enrichment activities as well as

pilot and regular research projects at undergraduate institutions.

Enrichment activities, which are a required component of this type of

grant, include workshops, attendance at scientific meetings, and

summer research experiences for faculty and students at off-campus

laboratories.



The Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program (RCMI) provides

grant support to predominantly minority institutions that offer

doctoral degrees in the health sciences.  RCMI funds are used to hire

additional research faculty in biomedical and behavioral sciences,

support training in specialized analytical methods, upgrade

facilities, and purchase advanced scientific instrumentation.  This

program is administered by the National Center for Research

Resources.



The National Cancer Institute Cancer Education Programs supports

networks consisting of Black churches and historically Black colleges

and universities as part of its overall program.  This initiative is

targeted toward traditionally underserved populations that are at

high risk for certain malignancies.



The Minority Travel Award Program of the National Institute of

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National

Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provides

travel funds for minority students and faculty members from minority

institutions for attendance at national scientific meetings.



The Minority Institution Travel Award Program of the National Center

for Human Genome Research provides funds to support attendance at

meetings, courses, and workshops relevant to the Human Genome

Program.



Travel Fellowships for Underrepresented Minority Students are

supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other

Communication Disorders (NIDCD) to encourage participation of

minority students in scientific meetings and research forums related

to communication sciences and disorders.  Organizations planning to

submit conference grant applications (R13) to NIDCD may include

requests to support travel by minority students to those meetings.

In addition, conference grant applications limited to support for

minority student travel are encouraged from the sponsoring organizers

of scientific meetings and conferences.



The Resource Grant Program supports the development of health science

libraries at minority institutions.  In addition, minority

institutions benefit from the Regional Medical Library Program which

provides services and conducts activities relative to the retrieval

and utilization of health information.  These programs are supported

by the National Library of Medicine.



Career Development Programs



The Junior Research Investigator Enhancement Award supports minority

scientists from member institutions of the Association of Minority

Health Professions Schools who are pursuing or plan to pursue careers

in research related to heart, lung, or blood diseases.  This program

is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

(NHLBI).



The Minority Clinical Associate Physicians Program (MCAP) provides up

to three years of support to minority physicians and dentists to

promote career development as independent clinical investigators,

under the direction of senior clinical scientists who act as

sponsors.  A request for MCAP support is made through a supplemental

grant application from a funded General Clinical Research Center

supported by of the National Center for Research Resources.



The Minority Investigator Research Enhancement Award is administered

by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin

Diseases (NIAMS) and the National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive

and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and provides support to faculty members

from minority institutions for collaboration with Principal

Investigators on currently funded NIAMS or NIDDK research grants.



The Minority Satellite Supplement supports minority clinical faculty

to contribute to the research effort of the National Cancer Institute

clinical trials research groups.



The Minority School Faculty Development Award supports faculty

investigators at minority schools in areas relevant to

cardiovascular, pulmonary and blood disease research.  This program

is supported by the NHLBI.



The Research Development Award for Minority Faculty supports the

development of minority faculty at any academic institution, whose

basic or clinical research interests are grounded in the advanced

methods and experimental approaches needed to solve problems related

to cardiovascular, pulmonary, blood diseases, and transfusion

medicine.



Research Training and Fellowship Programs



The Intramural Summer Student Employment Program supports high

school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as college

faculty members who wish to conduct research in the biomedical and

behavioral sciences at the NIH.  This program is supported by various

institutes at the NIH.



The Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program awards

research training grants and fellowships (see next four items) that

help increase the number and capabilities of minority biomedical and

behavioral research scientists and strengthen science curricula and

research opportunities at institutions with substantial minority

enrollments.  These programs are administered by the National

Institute of General Medical Sciences.



The MARC Honors Undergraduate Research Training Grant assists

minority institutions to develop strong undergraduate science

curricula, stimulate an interest in biomedical research among

undergraduate students, and increase the number of well-prepared

minority students who can compete successfully for entry into

graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. degree in the biomedical

sciences.  Under this program, minority institutions receive support

to provide honors students with science courses, research training,

and summer research experience outside the home institution.



The MARC Predoctoral Fellowship provides a further incentive to

graduates of the MARC Honors Undergraduate Program to obtain research

training in the Nation's very best graduate programs.



The MARC Faculty Fellowship offers an opportunity for advanced

biomedical and behavioral research training to selected full-time

faculty members of minority institutions.  This training may lead to

a Ph.D. degree or may involve postdoctoral research, and may be

pursued at any nonprofit, public or private institution in the United

States with suitable facilities.  When the training period is over,

fellows are expected to return to their sponsoring schools to teach

and conduct research.



The MARC Visiting Scientist Program provides support for periods of 3

to 12 months to outstanding scientist-teachers who serve as visiting

scientists at eligible minority institutions.



The Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program

(MHSSRAP) provides minority high school students with a meaningful

experience in various aspects of health-related research in order to

stimulate their interest in careers in science.  The program has

recently been expanded to include in-service elementary, middle,

junior, and senior high school teachers, and potential K-12 science

teachers in pre-service education programs.  Eligible teachers are

members of a minority group or who teach a significant number of

minority students.  Eligible students are those who are enrolled in

high school.  This program is supported by the National Center for

Research Resources.



The Career Opportunities in Research Education and Training (COR)

Program is intended to assist institutions with substantial

enrollment of racial/ethnic minority students in the training of

greater numbers of scientists and teachers in disciplines related to

research in alcohol, drug abuse, and/or mental health.  The

objectives of the program are (1) to increase the number of well-

prepared racial/ethnic minority students who can compete successfully

for entry into graduate programs leading to the doctoral degree; (2)

to aid in the development of a strong behavioral and/or biological

sciences curriculum; and (3) to strengthen research training programs

in the behavioral and/or biomedical sciences.  This program is

administered by the National Institute of Mental Health.



The COR Faculty Fellowships are awarded to individual, full-time

faculty members from colleges and universities having a substantial

enrollment of racial/ethnic minority students.  These grants support

advanced training in research areas of interest to alcohol, drug

abuse, and mental health.  Applicants must have been accepted into a

doctoral program or for postdoctoral training at an accredited

institution.  Applicants must also agree to return to their home

institution after completion of the training program.  In most cases,

stipends are commensurate with the salary provided by the home

institution.  Additional expenses are also provided for related

expenses such as research supplies and travel to scientific meetings.

This program is administered by the National Institute of Mental

Health.



The Minority Institutions Research Development Program (MIRDP)

provides grants to institutions with a substantial enrollment of

racial/ethnic minority students for support of research projects,

enhancement of existing research infrastructure, and for advanced

training of faculty.  These grants also provide support for graduate

and undergraduate students to serve as research assistants on MIRDP

research projects.  Appointments of research assistants are made by

the principal investigator on the MIRDP grants.  This program is

administered by the National Institute of Mental Health.



Initiative for Minority Students:  Bridges to the Doctoral Degree

Program, sponsored by the Office of Research on Minority Health,

provides funds to institutions with a substantial enrollment of

underrepresented minorities.  These awards are designed to facilitate

the development of a partnership between an institution that offers

the M.S. degree as the only postgraduate degree and a research

university that provides Ph.D. degree programs in biomedical

sciences.  The initiative seeks to encourage the development of new

and innovative programs and the expansion of existing programs to

improve the academic competitiveness of underrepresented minority

students and facilitate their transition into the next stage toward

careers in biomedical research.  This program is supported by the

Office of Research on Minority Health and administered by the

National Institute of General Medical Sciences.



Initiative for Minority Students:  Bridges to the Baccalaureate

Degree Program, sponsored by the Office of Research on Minority

Health, provides funds to institutions with a substantial enrollment

of underrepresented minorities to facilitate the development of a

partnership between two-year institutions that offer the Associate's

degree as the only undergraduate degree and a college or university

offering the Baccalaureate degree in areas relevant to the biomedical

sciences.  This program is supported by the Office of Research on

Minority Health and administered by the National Institute of General

Medical Sciences.



The Minority International Training Grant (MIRT) program sponsored by

the Fogarty International Center (FIC) and the Office for Research on

Minority Health (ORMH), provides institutional training grant awards

to U.S. colleges and universities for the support of biomedical and

behavioral research training abroad.  The participants are supported

only while at the foreign training sites and while traveling.  The

training period at the foreign training site may be from 8 to 12

weeks for undergraduate students, or from 3 to 12 months for graduate

student and faculty.  The program is designed to provide unique

research opportunities and linkages with scientists abroad and to

prepare the next generation of scientists to work effectively in a

global environment.



The Minority Institutional Research Training Program supports

full-time research training for investigative careers at minority

schools in areas related to cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic

diseases.  This program is supported by the NHLBI.



The goal of the Minority Supplement Program for Research Training

Grants, administered by the NIDDK, is to facilitate the recruitment

of underrepresented minority graduate students into existing research

training grants.  The National Institute on Aging and the National

Center for Nursing Research have similar programs that support

minority postdoctorates and minority graduate students on existing

research training grants.



The National Research Service Award (NRSA) Programs provide support

for research training at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels in

all areas of biomedical and behavioral research.  A special

initiative requires that each new or renewal application include a

plan to recruit and a report on activities related to the recruitment

of individuals from underrepresented minority groups.



The NIH Visiting Professors Program encourages NIH intramural

scientists to visit historically Black colleges and universities

(HBCUs) for a period from a week to several months to collaborate

with HBCU faculty and stimulate their students to seek research

careers.  This program is supported by the National Institute of

Child Health and Human Development.



The Predoctoral Fellowship Awards for Minority Students provides NRSA

Individual Fellowship support for minority graduate students from all

institutions to pursue careers in biomedical and behavioral research.

Information may be obtained from the National Institute of General

Medical Sciences.



The Science Enrichment Program is a six week residential program for

underrepresented minorities and underserved youth that is designed to

encourage 10th graders to pursue professional research careers in the

fields of science and/or mathematics.  This program is administered

by the National Cancer Institute.



A Short-term (summer) Training Program supports minority dental

students to conduct research in the dental sciences.  This program is

supported by the National Institute of Dental Research.



The Short-term Training for Minority Students Program supports

short-term (i.e., two to three months) research experiences related

to cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic diseases. The

opportunities are available for minority undergraduate students,

minority students in health professions schools, and minority

graduate students.  This program is offered by the NHLBI.



The Summer Research Training Program for Undergraduate Minority

Students is a 10-week research experience for undergraduate students

who have completed the junior year and who have career goals in the

health sciences.  The program is supported by the NIDDK.



Other Fellowship Programs



The Extramural Associates Program sponsors individuals from minority

institutions and women's colleges who come to the NIH to learn

first-hand about the NIH programs, peer review, and grant

administration.  Scientist administrators from eligible institutions,

including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),

participate in this program.  Support is arranged through an

Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreement.  Since the program's

inception in 1978, more than 80 minority institutions and women's

colleges have participated in the Extramural Associates Program.



.

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