and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
MENTORED QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2002
PA NUMBER: PA-02-127 (This PA has been reissued, see PA-06-087)
(Expiration date extended, see NOT-OD-05-047)
(See update, NOT-MH-05-008 and NOT-DA-05-005)
(supercedes PA-99-087)
(see update NOT-DA-05-001)
EXPIRATION DATE: December 2, 2005
National Human Genome Research Institute
(http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/)
National Cancer Institute
(http://www.nci.nih.gov/)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm)
National Institute on Aging
(http://www.nia.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(http://www.niaid.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
(http://www.niams.nih.gov)
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
(http://www.nibib.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
(http://www.nichd.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
(http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
(http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(http://www.niddk.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
(http://www.nida.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
(http://www.nigms.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Mental Health
(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)
THIS PA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
o Purpose of the PA
o Research Objectives
o Mechanism of Support
o Eligible Institutions
o Individuals Eligible to Become Principal Investigators
o Special Requirements
o Where to Send Inquiries
o Submitting an Application
o Peer Review Process
o Review Criteria
o Award Criteria
o Required Federal Citations
PURPOSE OF THIS PA
A particular area of research is often invigorated by novel perspectives. In an
effort to advance research relevant to the mission of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH; which includes basic biomedical, clinical biomedical,
bioengineering, bioimaging, and behavioral research), the participating
Institutes and Centers solicit applications for the Mentored Quantitative
Research Career Development Award (K25). The K25 mechanism is meant to attract
to NIH-relevant research those investigators whose quantitative science and
engineering research has thus far not been focused primarily on questions of
health and disease. Examples of quantitative scientific and technical
backgrounds considered appropriate for this award include, but are not limited
to: mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, imaging science,
informatics, physics, chemistry, and engineering.
The K25 Award will support the career development of such investigators who make
a commitment to basic or clinical biomedicine, bioengineering, bioimaging or
behavioral research. This award provides support for a period of supervised
study and research for productive professionals with quantitative backgrounds
who have the potential to integrate their expertise with NIH-relevant research
and develop into productive investigators. It is intended for research-oriented
investigators from the postdoctoral level to the level of senior faculty.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
The NIH is especially interested in increasing the number of scientists trained
to conduct high-quality research that combines insights derived from, and cuts
across, different scientific, technical, and biomedical areas. Accordingly,
this award forms an important part of an initiative to attract talented
individuals with highly-developed quantitative skills to the challenges of
research relevant to the mission of NIH. The Mentored Quantitative Research
Career Development Award is intended to increase the availability of
high-quality, multi-disciplinary, didactic training and research project
guidance, in the context of a mentored research career transition, so that
candidates interested in cross-disciplinary research will be well grounded in
behavioral, biomedical, bioimaging, or bioengineering research. At the
completion of the award, candidates should have both the knowledge and the
skills necessary to compete for independent research support from NIH, or to
participate as leading members of multi-disciplinary research teams. This
initiative is consistent with the recommendations of the Bioengineering
Education and Training Panel which was convened as part of the 1998
Bioengineering Consortium (BECON) Symposium (the symposium report is available
at http://www.becon.nih.gov/becon_symposia.htm).
Objectives and Scope
The objectives of the Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award
(K25) are to:
o Encourage research-oriented quantitative scientists and engineers with little
or no experience in biomedicine, bioengineering, bioimaging, or behavioral
research to gain fundamental knowledge in these areas and develop relevant
research skills, and to gain experience in current concepts, advanced methods,
and experimental approaches that will allow them to conduct basic or clinical
biomedical, behavioral, bioimaging, or bioengineering research, and to become
independent investigators or play leading roles in multi-disciplinary research
teams.
o Increase the pool of quantitative researchers who can conduct biomedical,
behavioral, or bioengineering studies, capitalizing on the quantitative
backgrounds of the investigators to inform new directions in biomedical,
behavioral and bioengineering research.
o Provide a unique opportunity for candidates holding degrees in quantitative
science or engineering to embark on three to five years of special study,
including course work, seminars, meetings, and mentored research, to achieve the
career enhancement goals outlined above.
Because of the focus on a progression toward independence as a quantitative
biomedical, behavioral, bioimaging, or bioengineering researcher, the
prospective candidate for the Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development
Award will require enhanced skills in the experimental, theoretical and
conceptual approaches used in biomedicine, behavioral science, bioimaging or
bioengineering. To satisfy this requirement, the candidate should propose a
period of study and career development that is complementary to her or his
previous research and experience. For example, a candidate with no or very
limited experience in a given field of biomedical research may find a phased
developmental program lasting for five years that includes a designated period
of didactic training together with a closely supervised research experience the
most efficient means of attaining independence. A candidate with, for example,
more research experience in biomedicine may benefit from a program with greater
emphasis on appropriate laboratory research with lower levels of supervision and
direction. All programs should be carefully tailored to meet the individual
needs of the candidate and must include (an) active mentor(s) who is (are)
competent and willing to provide the appropriate research guidance. Candidates
should strongly consider incorporating into their training plan, formal courses
in relevant areas of biomedicine, behavioral science, bioimaging, or
bioengineering; this program offers a unique opportunity to devote protected
time to this activity.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Awards in response to this program announcement will use the K25 mechanism. As
an applicant, you and your mentor will be solely responsible for planning,
directing, and executing the proposed project. The applicant institution must
demonstrate its commitment to you and your goals for career development. The
project period may be for up to five years with a minimum of three years.
Awards are not renewable. K25 application instructions include "JUST IN TIME"
streamlining efforts that postpone the collection of certain information until
shortly before funding recommendations are made.
Allowable Costs
A. Salary: The NIH will provide salary for up to 100% of the Principal
Investigator's institutional base annual salary in any given year. Salary
limits on career awards are not uniform throughout the NIH and are determined
independently by each component of the NIH. Therefore, prospective candidates
should contact the NIH component to which the application is targeted to
ascertain the maximum contribution to the candidate's salary. None of the funds
in this award shall be used to pay the salary of an individual at a rate in
excess of Executive Level I of the Federal Executive Pay Scale (for FY 2002,
$166,700/year; see
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-030.html). The total
salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment and
must be consistent both with the established salary structure at your
institution and with salaries actually provided by the institution from its own
or other non-federal funds to other staff members of equivalent qualifications,
rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned. If full-time, 12-month
salaries are not currently paid to comparable staff members, the salary proposed
must be appropriately related to the existing salary structure.
Your institution may supplement the NIH contribution up to a level consistent
with the institution's salary scale. Supplementation may not be from Federal
funds unless specifically authorized by the Federal program from which such
funds are derived. Because the salary amount provided by this award is based on
the full-time institutional salary, no other NIH funds may be used for salary
supplementation. Institutional supplementation of salary must not require extra
duties or responsibilities that would interfere with or detract from the purpose
of the award.
Candidates must make a commitment of at least 75% effort to research and
research career development activities of this award, and the remainder of the
effort must be committed to other career development activities consistent with
the overall purpose of the award.
B. Research Development Support: The NIH will generally provide up to $40,000
per year for the following expenses: (a) tuition, fees, and books related to
career development; (b) research expenses, such as supplies, equipment, and
technical personnel; c) travel to research meetings or training; and (d)
research support services including personnel and computer time.
C. Ancillary Personnel Support: Salary for mentors, secretarial and
administrative assistance, etc., is not allowed.
D. Facilities and Administrative costs: These costs will be reimbursed at 8
percent of modified total direct costs.
E. Other Income: Awardees may retain royalties and fees for activities such as
scholarly writing, service on advisory groups, honoraria from other institutions
for lectures or seminars, fees resulting from clinical practice, professional
consultation or other comparable activities, provided these activities remain
incidental, are not required by the research and research-related activities of
this award, and provided that the retention of such pay is consistent with the
policies and practices of the grantee institution.
All other income and fees, not included in the preceding paragraph as retainable,
may not be retained by the career award recipient. Such fees must be assigned
to the grantee institution for disposition by any of the following methods:
o The funds may be expended by the grantee institution in accordance with the
NIH policy on supplementation of career award salaries and to provide fringe
benefits in proportion to such supplementation. Such salary supplementation and
fringe benefit payments must be within the established policies of the grantee
institution.
o The funds may be used for health-related research purposes.
o The funds may be paid to miscellaneous receipts of the U.S. Treasury. Checks
should be made payable to the Department of Health and Human Services, NIH and
forwarded to the Director, Office of Financial Management, NIH, Bethesda,
Maryland 20892. Checks must identify the relevant award account and reason for
the payment.
F. Special Leave: Leave to another institution, including a foreign laboratory,
may be permitted if directly related to the purpose of the award. Only local,
institutional approval is required if such leave does not exceed 3 months. For
longer periods, prior written approval of the NIH funding component is required.
To obtain prior approval, you must submit a letter to the NIH describing the
plan, countersigned by your department head and the appropriate institutional
official. A copy of a letter or other evidence from the institution where the
leave is to be taken must be submitted to assure that satisfactory arrangements
have been made. Support from the career award will continue during such leave.
Leave without award support may not exceed 12 months. Such leave requires the
prior written approval of the NIH funding component and will be granted only in
unusual situations. Support from other sources is permissible during the period
of leave. Such leave does not reduce the total number of months of program
support for which an individual is eligible. Parental leave will be granted
consistent with the policies of the NIH and the grantee institution.
Under unusual and pressing personal circumstances, you may submit a written
request to the awarding component requesting a reduction in professional effort
below 75 percent. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis
during the award period. In no case will it be permissible to work at a rate of
less than 50 percent effort. The nature of the circumstances requiring reduced
effort might include medical conditions, disability, or pressing personal or
family situations such as child or elder care. Permission to reduce the level
of effort will not be approved to accommodate other sources of funding, job
opportunities, clinical practice, or clinical training. In each situation, your
institution must submit documentation supporting the need for reduced effort
along with assurance of a continuing commitment to your scientific development.
Further, you must submit assurance of your intention to return to full-time
professional effort (at least 75 percent) as soon as possible. During the
period of reduced effort, the salary and other costs supported by the award will
be reduced accordingly.
G. Termination or Change of Institution: When a grantee institution plans to
terminate an award, the NIH funding component must be notified in writing at the
earliest possible time so that appropriate instructions can be given for
termination.
If you plan to relocate, you must submit to the NIH funding component, in
advance of the move, a written request for transfer, countersigned by the
appropriate institutional business official, describing the reasons for the
change and including the new sponsor's name and biosketch. You must establish
in this request that the specific aims of the research program to be conducted
at the new institution are within the scope of the original peer reviewed
research program. Additionally, your new sponsor must have the appropriate
research expertise to supervise your program and sufficient research support to
ensure continuation of the research program to the end of the award. Staff
within the NIH funding component will review this request and may require a
review by an initial review group and/or the appropriate National Advisory
Council or Board. Upon approval of the request, the new institution, on your
behalf, must submit a new career award application far enough in advance of the
requested effective date to permit review. The period of support requested in
the new application must be no more than the time remaining within the existing
award period.
When you plan to replace a mentor, the institution must submit a letter from the
proposed mentor and awardee documenting the need for substitution, the new
mentor's qualifications for supervising the program, and the level of support
for your continued career development. The letter must also document that the
specific aims of the research program will remain within the scope of the
original peer reviewed research program. Staff within the NIH funding component
will review the request and will notify your institution of the results of the
evaluation.
A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status Report are
required upon either termination of an award or relinquishment of an award in a
change of institution situation.
If you have questions about any of these issues, please contact the appropriate
NIH program staff person listed under "INQUIRIES."
Awards Available
The actual number of awards to be made by each Institute will vary yearly and
will depend upon the number and quality of applications submitted and funds
available.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
You may submit an application if your institution is a domestic institution and
has any of the following characteristics:
o For-profit or non-profit organizations
o Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and
laboratories
o Units of State and local governments
o Eligible agencies of the Federal government
INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out
the proposed career development program is invited to work with their
institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from
underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with
disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.
Candidates must have an advanced degree in a quantitative area of science or
engineering: M.S.E.E., Ph.D., D.Sc., etc. and have demonstrated research
interests in their primary quantitative discipline. They must identify a mentor
with extensive behavioral, biomedical, bioengineering, or bioimaging research
experience. Candidates must make a commitment of at least 75% effort to
research and research career development and the remainder of the effort must be
committed to other career development activities consistent with the overall
purpose of the award.
Only U.S. citizens or noncitizen nationals, or an individual lawfully admitted
for permanent residence who possesses an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151
or I-551), or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent
resident, are eligible for this award. Noncitizen nationals, although not U.S.
citizens, owe permanent allegiance to the U.S. They are usually born in lands
that are not states but are under U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction, or
administration. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
Former principal investigators on NIH research project (R01), program project
(P01), center grants, FIRST Awards (R29), sub-projects of program project (P01)
or center grants, K01, K08 or K23 awards, or the equivalent are not eligible.
Former principal investigators of an NIH Small Grant (R03),
Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21), or SBIR/STTR (R41, R42, R43, R44) remain
eligible. A candidate for the Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development
Award may not concurrently apply for any other PHS award that duplicates the
provisions of this award nor have another application pending award. Mentored
Quantitative Research Career Development Award recipients are strongly
encouraged to apply for independent research grant support, either Federal or
private, during the latter period of this K25 award. However, since the K25 is
a full professional effort award, time conducting additional research directly
related to this award is subsumed under the salary support already provided by
this award.
The award is intended for investigators at any level of experience, from the
postdoctoral level to senior faculty level, who have shown clear evidence of
productivity and research excellence in the field of their training, and would
like to expand their research capability, with the goal of making significant
contributions to behavioral, biomedical (basic or clinical), bioimaging or
bioengineering research.
NIGMS support for post-doctoral students using the K25 mechanism will be limited
to certain areas of the basic biological sciences that fall within its mission.
These include, but are not limited to bioinformatics, gene expression, signal
transduction, pattern formation in embryogenesis, assembly and dynamics of
macromolecular assemblies, cell division, metabolism, tissue- and organ-level
homeostatic mechanisms, complex genetic traits, cell motility and mechanics,
pharmacogenetics, and systemic host responses to trauma, burn, or other injury.
Specifically excluded are areas such as population biology, biophysics,
biophysical chemistry, drug design, and structural biology, where theoretical
and quantitative approaches are well established.
NIMH support for mentored career development awards is intended to assist new
investigators at stages beyond postdoctoral training to gain additional
supervised experience in order to become an independent scientist. Potential
NIMH applicants are encouraged to review the NIMH K-award policy statement found
at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-mh-02-001.html and to contact
appropriate program staff prior to preparing an application.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
While each application is expected to be customized to the needs of the
particular applicant, there are several elements which form the foundation for
this career development award. The elements may take different forms for
different candidates, but there are common aspects that will be considered
carefully. These are described below:
A. Candidate: The candidate should have demonstrated professional
accomplishments consonant with his or her career status, and should have
demonstrated experience or interest in pursuing research (including research
outside of biomedicine, behavior, bioimaging, or bioengineering).
B. Mentor(s): The recipient must receive appropriate mentoring throughout the
duration of the program. Where feasible, women, minority individuals and
individuals with disabilities should be involved as mentors and serve as role
models. Candidates must name a primary mentor, who together with the applicant
is responsible for planning, direction, and execution of the program.
Candidates may also nominate additional secondary mentors as appropriate to the
goals of the program.
C. Program: The program provides up to five consecutive 12-month awards. At
least 75 percent of the recipient's full-time professional effort must be
devoted to research and research career development. The remainder must be
devoted to clinical, teaching, or other research pursuits consistent with the
career development objectives of the award.
Both the didactic and the research phases of an award period must be designed to
develop the necessary knowledge and research skills in scientific areas relevant
to the career goals of the candidate.
D. Environment: The institution must have a well-established research and
biomedical, behavioral, or bioengineering career development program, or have
demonstrable ties to such programs. For example, if the mentor is based in
industry and the career development program requires didactic activities at a
nearby university, access to such activities must be described. The institution
must also have individuals qualified in research to serve as mentors.
The institution must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the development of
the candidate as a productive, independent investigator. The candidate, mentor,
and institution must be able to describe an in-depth, multi disciplinary career
development program (courses and research) that will utilize the relevant
research and educational resources (whether at the institution or at a site with
which there are demonstrable ties).
E. Evaluation: In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related
programs, the NIH may request information essential to an assessment of the
effectiveness of this program. Accordingly, recipients are hereby notified that
they may be contacted after the completion of this award for periodic updates on
various aspects of their employment history, publications, support from research
grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities, and other
information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.
WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES
We strongly encourage your inquiries concerning this program announcement,
especially during the planning phase of the application, and welcome the
opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.
o DIRECT YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT SCIENTIFIC/RESEARCH ISSUES TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
INDIVIDUALS, BASED ON YOUR AREA OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST:
Maria Agelli, M.D., M.S.
Cancer Training Branch
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Boulevard, MSC 8346
Bethesda, MD 20892-8346
Telephone: (301) 496-8580
FAX: (301) 402-4472
Email: [email protected]
Michael Commarato, Ph.D.
Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7940
Bethesda, MD 20892-7940
Telephone: (301) 435-0535
FAX: (301) 480-1454
Email: [email protected]
Bettie Graham, Ph.D.
National Human Genome Research Institute
Building 31, Room B2-B07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2033
Telephone: (301) 496-7531
FAX: (301) 480-2770
Email: [email protected]
Robin Barr, Ph.D.
Office of Extramural Affairs
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 2C218
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 496-9322
FAX: (301) 402-2945
Email: [email protected]
Antonio Noronha, Ph.D.
Division of Basic Research
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
6000 Executive Boulevard
Willco Bldg., Suite 402
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 443-7722
FAX: (301) 594-0673
Email: [email protected]
Milton J. Hernandez, Ph.D.
Office of Special Populations and Research Training
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4B04
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-8697
FAX: (301) 496-8729
Email: [email protected]
Richard W. Lymn, Ph.D.
Extramural Program
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
One Democracy Plaza
6701 Democracy Blvd. Suite 801
Bethesda, MD 20892-4872
Telephone: (301) 594-5128
FAX: (301) 480-4543
Email: [email protected]
Richard E. Swaja, Ph.D.
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
6707 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-5469
Telephone: (301) 451-4779
Fax: (301) 480-4973
Email: [email protected]
Louis A. Quatrano, Ph. D.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 2A03, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD 20892-7510
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 402-4221
FAX: (301) 402-0832
Email: [email protected]
Daniel A. Sklare, Ph.D.
Division of Human Communication
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400-C - MSC 7180
Bethesda, MD 20892-7180
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 496-1804
FAX: (301) 402-6251
Email: [email protected]
James A. Lipton, D.D.S., Ph.D.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Natcher Building, Rm 4AS-37J
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Telephone: (301) 594-2618
Email: [email protected]
Terry Rogers Bishop, Ph.D.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Blvd., Room 619, MSC 5458
Bethesda, MD 20892-5458
Telephone: (301) 594-7717
Email: [email protected]
Thomas G. Aigner, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Room 4282, MSC 9555
6001 Executive Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 435-1314
FAX: (301) 594-6043
Email: [email protected]
Carol Shreffler, Ph.D.
Training and Career Development Programs
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O. Box 12233, EC-23
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Telephone: (919) 541-1445
FAX: (919) 541-2503
Email: [email protected]
James Cassatt, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Natcher Building, Room 2AS.19C
45 Center Drive, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: (301) 594-0828
FAX: (301) 480-2004
Email: [email protected]
Walter Goldschmidts, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science
National Institute of Mental Health
Room 7200, MSC 9645
6001 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
(Rockville, MD 20852 for express or courier service)
Telephone: (301) 443-3563
Fax: (301) 443-1731
E-mail: [email protected]
NINDS Training and Career Development Officer
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2154, MSC 9531
Bethesda, MD 20892 (for courier: Rockville, MD 20852)
Phone: (301) 496-4188
FAX: (301) 594-5929
Email: [email protected]
o DIRECT YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCIAL OR GRANTS MANAGEMENT MATTERS TO:
Catherine Blount
National Cancer Institute
Grant Administration Branch
6120 Executive Boulevard (EPS), Room 243
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: 301-496-3179
FAX: 301-496-8601
Email: [email protected]
Ms. Dawn E. Walker
Sr. Grants Management Specialist
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, RK2
RM 7146, MSC 7926
Bethesda, MD 20892-7926
FED EXP ZIP 20817
Telephone: (301) 435-0151
FAX: (301) 480-3310
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Jean Cahill
Grants Management Officer
National Human Genome Research Institute
Building 31, Room B2B34
31 Center Drive, MSC 2031
Bethesda, MD 20892-2031
Telephone: (301) 435-7858
FAX: (301) 402-1951
Email: [email protected]
Linda Whipp
Grants and Contracts Management Office
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 2N212
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 496-1472
FAX: (301) 402-3672
Email: [email protected]
Linda Hilley
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Willco Building, Room 504
6000 Executive Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: (301) 443-4704
FAX: (301) 443-3891
E-mail: [email protected]
Barbara Huffman
Office of Special Populations and Research Training, DEA
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 3C25
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-3821
FAX: (301) 402-0369
Email: [email protected]
Melinda Nelson
Grants Management Officer
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
One Democracy Plaza
6701 Democracy Blvd. Suite 801
Bethesda, MD 20892-4872
Telephone: (301) 594-3535
FAX: (301) 480-5450
Email: [email protected]
Ms. Annette Hanopole
Grants Management Officer
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
6707 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-5469
Telephone: 301-451-4789
Fax: 301-480-4973
Email: [email protected]
Diane Watson
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Blvd., Room 8A01A
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 435-6975
FAX: (301) 402-0915
Email: [email protected]
Sharon Hunt
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400-B - MSC 7180
Bethesda, MD 20892-7180
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 402-0909
FAX: (301) 402-1758
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Kevin Crist
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44F
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Telephone: (301) 594-4800
Fax: (301) 402-1517
Email: [email protected]
Donna Huggins
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Grants Management Branch
6707 Democracy Blvd., Room 711, MSC 5456
Bethesda, MD 20892-5456
(For Express Mail Use Zip Code 20817)
Telephone: (301) 594-8848
FAX: (301) 480-3504
Email: [email protected]
Gary Fleming
Grants Management Office
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Blvd., Room 3131, MSC 9541
Bethesda, MD 20892-9541
Telephone: (301) 443-6710
FAX: (301) 594-6847
Email: [email protected]
Jackie Russell
Grants Management Branch EC-22
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P. O. Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Telephone: (919) 541-0751
FAX: (919) 541-2860
Email: [email protected]
Ann Hagan
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Natcher Building, Room 2An.32k
45 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 594-3910
FAX: (301) 480-1852
Email: [email protected]
Diana S. Trunnell
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6115 MSC 9605
Bethesda, MD 20892-9605
Telephone: (301) 443-2805
FAX: (301) 443-6885
Email: [email protected]
Ken Bond
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Blvd., Room 3290
Bethesda, MD 20892-9537
Telephone: (301) 496-9231
FAX: (301) 402-0219
Email: [email protected]
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the staff person in the
relevant institute or center listed under INQUIRIES. Such contact should occur
early in the planning phase of application preparation. Contacting a staff
person will help ensure that applications are responsive to the goals and
policies of the individual institute or center.
Applicants who will be using a General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) are
requested to include a letter of agreement from either the GCRC program director
or the principal investigator with the application.
Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application
instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001). The PHS 398 is available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format.
You must follow the additional instructions for Research Career Awards within
the 398 instructions and forms. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo,
Telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: [email protected].
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATES: Applications submitted in response to this program
announcement will be accepted at the standard application deadlines, which are
available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/dates.htm. Application deadlines are
also indicated in the PHS 398 application kit. At the time this PA was issued,
these deadlines were February 1, June 1 and October 1.
To identify the application as a response to this program announcement, check
"YES" on item 2 of page 1 of the application and enter "PA-02-127 MENTORED
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD."
SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH: Submit a signed, typewritten original of the
application with Checklist, and five signed photocopies, in one package to:
CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD 20817-7710 (for express/courier service)
The title and number of this program announcement must be typed on line 2 of the
face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked.
APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be received by, or mailed on or before,
the receipt dates described at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm. The CSR will not
accept any application in response to this PA that is essentially the same as
one currently pending initial review unless the applicant withdraws the pending
application. The CSR will not accept any application that is essentially the
same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of a
substantial revision of an application already reviewed, but such an application
must include an Introduction addressing the previous critique.
The application must contain the following information:
Candidate
o A description of the candidate's commitment to a career in quantitative
biomedical, bioimaging, behavioral, or bioengineering research.
o Evidence of the candidate's interest in conducting research.
o Evidence of the candidate's potential to develop into a successful
independent investigator. Usually this is evident from publications, prior
research interests and experience, and letters of recommendation.
o A description of the candidate's immediate and long-term career objectives,
explaining how the award will contribute to their attainment.
o A commitment of at least 75 percent effort to this research program. The
mentor or department chair must agree that this amount of the candidate's time
will be protected.
o Letters of recommendation: Three sealed letters of recommendation addressing
the candidate's potential for a research career in quantitative biomedicine or
bioengineering must be included as part of the application. The mentor's
statement (see below) should not be included as one of the letters of
recommendation, although the mentor(s) may submit a separate letter(s) of
recommendation.
Career Development Plan
o A description of the career development plan, incorporating consideration of
the candidate's goals and prior experience. A systematic plan to obtain the
necessary theoretical and conceptual background and research experience to
launch an independent research career in quantitative biomedicine,
bioengineering, bioimaging or behavioral research must be proposed.
o A list of the specific course of study in which the candidate will engage,
including specific coursework which is essential to gaining the required
theoretical and conceptual understanding of biomedicine, behavioral science,
bioimaging, or bioengineering, important to the candidate's short- and long-term
research interests and the manner of integration of these studies into the
career development plan.
o The career development plan must be tailored to the needs of the individual
candidate and the ultimate goal of achieving independence as a researcher in
quantitative biomedicine, behavioral science, bioimaging, or bioengineering.
Less experienced candidates may require a phased developmental period in which
the first one to two year(s) of the award are largely of a didactic nature
followed by a period of intense, supervised research. Candidates with more
experience at the time of application may need a shorter developmental period
and may already have an adequate theoretical background.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
o Candidates must describe plans to receive instruction in the responsible
conduct of research. These plans must detail the proposed subject matter, format,
frequency, and duration of instruction. No award will be made if an application
lacks this component.
Research Plan
o Describe the quantitative biomedical, behavioral, or bioengineering research
plan. The research plan must be described as outlined in form PHS 398,
including sections on the Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Progress
Report/Preliminary Studies, and Research Design and Methods. The candidate
should confer closely with the mentor(s) regarding the development of these
sections.
Mentor's Statement
o The application must include a statement from the mentor(s), including
information on his or her basic or clinical biomedical research qualifications
in the research area proposed by the candidate and previous experience as a
research supervisor. The application must also include information to describe
the mentor's research support relevant to the candidate's research plan and the
nature and extent of supervision that he/she will provide during the period of
the award. The primary mentor must agree to provide annual evaluations of the
trainee's progress for the duration of the award. Mentors may be employed in
any sector of the biomedical research community (e.g., academia, industry,
non-profit research institutions).
o Similar information must be provided by each co-mentor. When more than one
mentor is proposed, the respective areas of expertise and responsibility of each
should be described.
Environment and Institutional Commitment
o The institution must have a strong, well-established research program related
to the candidate's area of interest, including a high-quality research
environment with staff capable of productive collaboration. The institution
also must provide a statement to document the level of commitment to the
candidate's development into a productive, independent investigator during the
period of the award. This must include an indication of support for the
proposed level of effort (at least 75 percent), commitment to the necessary
release time from other duties (e.g. teaching), as well as the availability of
support and supervision during the award period.
Budget Instructions
o Budget information must be provided according to the instructions in the PHS
398, including information on the mentor(s)' pending and current research
support as stipulated. The total direct costs requested must be consistent with
this K25 program announcement and the award limits of the NIH funding component.
Applicants seeking information on award limits should contact the likely funding
component listed in the INQUIRIES section.
PEER REVIEW PROCESS
Applications submitted for this PA will be assigned on the basis of established
PHS referral guidelines. An appropriate scientific review group convened by the
individual Institute in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures
(http://www.csr.nih.gov/refrev.htm) will evaluate applications for scientific and
technical merit.
As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:
o Receive a written critique
o Receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory council or
board
REVIEW CRITERIA
The following review criteria will be applied:
Candidate
o Quality of the research and academic record;
o Potential to develop as an independent quantitative biomedical or
bioengineering researcher or to play a significant role in multi-disciplinary
research teams; and
o Commitment to a career in quantitative biomedical or bioengineering research.
Career Development Plan
o Likelihood that the career development plan will contribute substantially to
the candidate's scientific development;
o Appropriateness of the content and duration of the proposed didactic and
research phases of the award; and
o Consistency of the career development plan with the candidate's career goals
and prior research experience.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
o Quality of the proposed training in responsible conduct of research.
Research Plan
Reviewers recognize that an individual with limited research experience is less
likely to be able to prepare a research plan with the breadth and depth of that
submitted by a more experienced investigator. Although it is understood that
K25 applications do not require the level of detail necessary in regular
research grant applications, a fundamentally sound research plan must be
provided. In general, less detail is expected with regard to research planned
for the later years of the award, but the application should outline the general
goals for these years.
o Appropriateness of the research plan to the candidate's stage of research
development and as a vehicle for developing the research skills as described in
the career development plan;
o Scientific and technical merit of the research question, design and
methodology;
o Relevance of the proposed research to the candidate's career objectives; and
o Adequacy of the plans to include both genders, minorities, and children and
their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research when
human subjects are used. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects
will also be evaluated, when applicable.
Mentor
o History of research productivity and support in the area of basic or clinical
biomedical, bioengineering, bioimaging or behavioral research;
o Appropriateness of the mentor's research qualifications in the area of this
application;
o Quality and extent of the mentor's proposed role in providing guidance and
advice; and
o Previous experience in fostering the development of researchers.
Institutional Environment and Commitment
o Evidence that the institution is committed to the candidate's scientific
development and assurance that the institution intends for the candidate to be
an integral part of its research program;
o Adequacy of research facilities and training opportunities (including access
to such facilities or opportunities in other institutions);
o Quality and relevance of the environment for the candidate's scientific and
professional development; and
o Institution's commitment to an appropriate balance of research and other
responsibilities.
Budget
o The requested budget must be appropriate in relation to the candidate's
career development goals and research aims and plans.
AWARD CRITERIA
Applications will be assigned to an Institute based on referral guidelines. The
Institute will notify the applicant of the Advisory Board or Council's action
shortly after its meeting. Funding decisions will be made based on the
recommendations of the initial review group and Advisory Council/Board, the need
for research personnel in specific program areas, and the availability of funds.
REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH: It is the policy of the
NIH that women and members of minority groups and their sub-populations must be
included in all NIH-supported clinical research projects unless a clear and
compelling justification is provided indicating that inclusion is inappropriate
with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This
policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public
Law 103-43).
All investigators proposing clinical research should read the AMENDMENT "NIH
Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical
Research - Amended, October, 2001," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and
Contracts on October 9, 2001
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html); a complete
copy of the updated Guidelines are available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm.
The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition of clinical
research; updated racial and ethnic categories in compliance with the new OMB
standards; clarification of language governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical
trials consistent with the new PHS Form 398; and updated roles and
responsibilities of NIH staff and the extramural community. The policy
continues to require for all NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) all
applications or proposals and/or protocols must provide a description of plans
to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by sex/gender and/or
racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable; and b) investigators
must report annual accrual and progress in conducting analyses, as appropriate,
by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group differences.
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS
It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21)
must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by the
NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This
policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates
after October 1, 1998.
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the
"NIH Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of Children as Participants in
Research Involving Human Subjects" that was published in the NIH Guide for
Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is available at the following URL
address:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html.
Investigators also may obtain copies of these policies from the program staff
listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant
information concerning the policy.
REQUIRED EDUCATION IN THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the
policy that was published in the NIH Guide for Grants an Contracts, June 5, 2000
(Revised August 25, 2000), and is available at the following URL address
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.
HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS (hESC): Criteria for federal funding of research on
hESCs can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/stem_cells.htm and at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-005.html. Only research
using hESC lines that are registered in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell
Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (see http://escr.nih.gov/). It is the
responsibility of the applicant to provide the official NIH identifier(s)for the
hESC line(s)to be used in the proposed research. Applications that do not
provide this information will be returned without review.
URLs IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES: All applications and proposals for
NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations. Unless
otherwise specified in an NIH solicitation, Internet addresses (URLs) should not
be used to provide information necessary to the review because reviewers are
under no obligation to view the Internet sites. Furthermore, we caution
reviewers that their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an
Internet site.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to
provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in a project
that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) cited publicly
and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has the force
and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. It is
important for applicants to understand the basic scope of this amendment. NIH
has provided guidance at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm.
Applicants may wish to place data collected under this PA in a public archive,
which can provide protections for the data and manage the distribution for an
indefinite period of time. If so, the application should include a description
of the archiving plan in the study design and include
information about this in the budget justification section of the application.
In addition, applicants should think about how to structure informed consent
statements and other human subjects procedures given the potential for wider use
of data collected under this award.
EVALUATION: In carrying out its stewardship of human resource related programs,
the NIH may begin requesting information essential to an assessment of the
effectiveness of this program. Accordingly, recipients are hereby notified that
they may be contacted after the completion of this award for periodic updates on
various aspects of their employment history, publications, support from research
grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities, and other
information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010: The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving
the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This PA is related to
one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of
"Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS: This program is described in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance Nos. 93.394 (NCI); 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839
(NHLBI); 93.172 (NHGRI); 93.866 (NIA); 93.271 (NIAAA); 93.846 (NIAMS); 93.286,
93.287 (NIBIB); 93.929 (NICHD); 93.173 (NIDCD); 93.121 (NIDCR); 93.849, 93.848
and 93.847 (NIDDK); 93.277 (NIDA); 93.114 (NIEHS); 93.821, 93.859, 93.862
(NIGMS); 93.281 (NIMH); 93.853 (NINDS); and is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems
Agency review. Awards are made under authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of
the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284 and administered
under NIH grants policies described at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm and under Federal
Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free
workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public
Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain
facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or
routine education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood
development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS
mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American
people.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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