and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
HETEROGENEITY OF FAT DEPOTS: UNDERLYING BASIS AND ASSOCIATION WITH MORBIDITY RELEASE DATE: April 22, 2004 PA NUMBER: PA-04-098 March 2, 2006 (NOT-OD-06-046) Effective with the June 1, 2006 submission date, all R03, R21, R33 and R34 applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using the electronic SF424 (R&R) application. Accordingly, this funding opportunity expires on the date indicated below. Replacement R01 (PA-06-186) and R21 (PA-06-187) funding opportunity announcements have been issued for the submission date of June 1, 2006 and submission dates thereafter. See NOT-OD-06-048 for information on May 1, 2006 Submission Date for AIDS and AIDS-related R03 and R21 Applications. EXPIRATION DATE: March 2, 2006 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATION: National Institutes of Health (NIH) (http://www.nih.gov) COMPONENTS OF PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATION: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK/NIH) (http://www.niddk.nih.gov) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov) National Institute on Aging (NIA) (http://www.nia.nih.gov) CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER(S): 93.847, 93.848, 93.837 and 93.866. THIS PA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION o Purpose of the PA o Research Objectives o Mechanism(s) 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 The National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) invite investigator-initiated Research Projects (R01 and R21) to investigate the life cycle of adipocytes and other cell types present in various fat depots, such as macrophages, neurons, and endothelial cells. The goal of this initiative is to increase our understanding of the interactions among the cell populations in order to identify biomarkers of changes in cellular physiology and metabolism brought on by the obese state, which are truly associated with the development of co- morbidities such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. The long term goal of this initiative is to identify markers of obesity associated with disease risk that could yield new targets for therapeutics to disrupt this link. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background Little is known about the factors that control where fat is deposited; distinguishing features of fat in different locations (visceral versus subcutaneous); regulation of the regenerative capacity of individual depots; and how paracrine and autocrine signals generated by different cell types present in a particular depot regulate its metabolic status. While visceral obesity appears to be associated with increased morbidity, the basis of this association is not clear. Body Mass Index (BMI) has been the primary variable measured and used in studies linking obesity with several of its co-morbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and cancer. However, specific biomarkers of changes in cellular physiology and metabolism brought on by the obese state, which are truly associated with the development of each of these co-morbidities, are clearly needed. There is a need to obtain a more detailed picture of how the many cell types present in different fat depots (e.g. adult adipocytes, pre-adipocytes, stem/progenitor cells, tissue macrophages, neurons, and endothelial cells) interact with each, and sense and respond to the metabolic and inflammatory status of the entire organism. Objectives and Scope This program announcement requests investigator initiated studies designed to examine in detail the life cycle of adult fat cells and other cell types, such as macrophages, neurons, vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, within specific fat depots. The goal is to identify novel biomarkers of changes in cellular physiology and metabolism brought on by the obese state, which are truly associated with the development of co-morbidities such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. The long term goal of this initiative is to identify markers of obesity associated with disease risk that could yield new targets for therapeutics to disrupt this link. The NIDDK, NHLBI and NIA intend to support investigator-initiated projects (R01s) and Exploratory/Developmental Research projects (R21s) that explore the fundamental mechanisms contributing to the heterogeneity of different fat depots and how these differences correlate with obesity and its associated morbidities. Investigators applying to this program announcement are encouraged to use genome-wide studies (genomics, proteomics, lipidomics or metabolomics), advanced lineage tracing techniques, analytic methods, and state-of-the-art cell biology approaches to study the heterogeneity of individual fat depots. Areas of research opportunities include but are not restricted to the following: o Measure and compare the turnover rates of adipocytes and tissue macrophages from various fat depots, and investigate if and how these turnover rates are impacted by the development of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, or aging. o Develop mouse models of visceral obesity to use as tools to study the development of obesity. o Examine the effects of cross transplantation of different fat depot types or transplantation of different depots into fatless mice as a means of learning more about the underlying differences between depots. o Identify growth factors, extracellular matrix components, lipids, and/or other signaling molecules that influence the proliferative or metabolic state of endothelial cells, macrophages and adipocytes located in a particular fat depot. o Identify surrogate markers unique to specific fat depots, such as visceral fat, that may correlate with the progression of obesity and associated morbidities in humans and animal models. o Use proteomic technologies to study differences in the inflammatory response to fat accumulation in various fat depots and the potential role of inflammation in the development and progression of obesity and its associated complications. o Study and compare the production, regulation, secretion and function of hormones, cytokines, growth factors, lipids and/or other signaling molecules made by various cell type(s) in different fat depots, such as abdominal subcutaneous vs. visceral fat or fat tissues surrounding specific organs, such as kidney and heart, that may lead to cardiovascular or metabolic disorders. o Examine interrelationships among cells comprising the vasculature and other cell types within a fat tissue, whether these relationships differ among different fat depots, and how they may lead to vascular disorders. o Investigate the role of adipocytes and other cell types found in fat tissue in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. MECHANISM(S) OF SUPPORT This PA will use the NIH investigator-initiated Research Project Grant (R01) and the Exploratory/Development Research Grant (R21) award mechanisms. As an applicant you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. The total requested project period for an application submitted in response to this PA may not exceed 2 years for the R21 mechanism. R21 grants will not be renewable; continuation of projects developed under this program will be through the R01 grant program. This PA uses just-in-time concepts. It also uses the modular budgeting format. (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm). Specifically, if you are submitting an application with direct costs in each year of $250,000 or less, use the modular budget format. This program does not require cost sharing as defined in the current NIH Grants Policy Statement at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_i_1.htm. ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS You may submit (an) application(s) if your institution 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 o Domestic or foreign institutions/organizations INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research 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. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Sharing Research Data: All investigators responding to this PA should include a description of how final research data will be shared, or explain why data sharing is not possible. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-032.html. Sharing Research Resources: NIH policy requires that grant awardee recipients make unique research resources readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community after publication [NIH Grants Policy Statement (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps; and (http://www.ott.nih.gov/policy/rt_guide_final.html). Investigators responding to this PA should include a plan for sharing research resources that addresses how unique research resources will be shared or explain why sharing is not possible. The adequacy of the data sharing plan and the resource sharing plan will be considered by IC Program Staff when making recommendations about funding applications. IC Program Staff may negotiate modifications of the data and resource sharing plans with the Principal Investigator before recommending funding of an application. The final version of the data sharing plan and the resource sharing plan negotiated by the Principal Investigator and IC Program Staff will become a condition of the award of the grant. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of administrative review of each Non-competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590). WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES We encourage your inquiries concerning this PA and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into two areas: scientific/research and financial or grants management issues: o Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to: Carol Renfrew Haft, Ph.D. Program Director, Adipocyte Biology Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 6707 Democracy Blvd, Room 605 Bethesda, MD 20892-5460 Telephone: (301) 594-7689 FAX: (301) 480-3503 E-mail: [email protected] Winnie Barouch, Ph.D. Vascular Biology Research Program Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 10193 Bethesda, MD 20892-7956 Telephone: (301) 435-0560 FAX: (301) 480-2849 E-mail: [email protected] David B. Finkelstein, Ph.D. Biology of Aging Program National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C231 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-7847 FAX: (301) 402-0010 E-mail: [email protected] o Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to: Denise Payne Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Rm. 733 Bethesda, MD 20892-5456 Telephone: (301) 594-8845 FAX: (301) 480-3504 E-mail: [email protected] SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001). Applications must have a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the Universal Identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The DUNS number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or through the web site at http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/. The DUNS number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form. The PHS 398 is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: [email protected]. The program announcement title and number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box marked. Also indicate if the application is an R01 or R21. 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. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODULAR BUDGET GRANT APPLICATIONS: Applications requesting up to $250,000 per year in direct costs must be submitted in a modular budget grant format. The modular budget grant format simplifies the preparation of the budget in these applications by limiting the level of budgetary detail. Applicants request direct costs in $25,000 modules. Section C of the research grant application instructions for the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html includes step-by-step guidance for preparing modular grants. Additional information on modular grants is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm. INSTRUCTIONS FOR R21 APPLICATIONS: This program announcement allows the submission of R21 (Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant) applications. R21 applications must adhere to the page and budgetary limitations described in the trans-NIH R21 program announcement (PA03-107) available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-107.html. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS REQUESTING $500,000 OR MORE PER YEAR: Applications requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs for any year must include a cover letter identifying the NIH staff member within one of NIH institutes or centers who has agreed to accept assignment of the application. Applicants requesting more than $500,000 must carry out the following steps: 1) Contact the IC program staff at least 6 weeks before submitting the application, i.e., as you are developing plans for the study; 2) Obtain agreement from the IC staff that the IC will accept your application for consideration for award; and, 3) Identify, in a cover letter sent with the application, the staff member and IC who agreed to accept assignment of the application. This policy applies to all investigator-initiated new (type 1), competing continuation (type 2), competing supplement, or any amended or revised version of these grant application types. Additional information on this policy is available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, October 19, 2001 at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-004.html. SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH: Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the 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 (for express/courier service) APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be 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 unfunded version of an application already reviewed, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous critique. Although there is no immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of an application, applicants are generally notified of the review and funding assignment within 8 weeks. PEER REVIEW PROCESS Applications submitted for this PA will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines. Appropriate scientific review groups convened 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 Undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score o Receive a written critique o Receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory council or board. REVIEW CRITERIA The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health. In the written comments, reviewers will be asked to evaluate each application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. The scientific review group will address and consider each of the following criteria in assigning the application’s overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. o Significance o Approach o Innovation o Investigator o Environment The application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority score. For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to move a field forward. SIGNIFICANCE: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field? APPROACH: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? INNOVATION: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies? INVESTIGATOR: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)? ENVIRONMENT: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA: In addition to the above criteria, the following items will be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score: PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS FROM RESEARCH RISK: The involvement of human subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in the proposed research will be assessed. (See criteria included in the section on Federal Citations, below). http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm INCLUSION OF WOMEN, MINORITIES AND CHILDREN IN RESEARCH: The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both genders, all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research will be assessed. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. (See Inclusion Criteria in the sections on Federal Citations, below). CARE AND USE OF VERTEBRATE ANIMALS IN RESEARCH: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, the five items described under Section f of the PHS 398 research grant application instructions (rev. 5/2001) will be assessed. ADDITIONAL REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Sharing Research Data All applicants are expected to include a data sharing plan in their application regardless of the amount of direct costs. The reasonableness of the data sharing plan or the rationale for not sharing research data will be assessed by the reviewers. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed data sharing plan into the determination of scientific merit or priority score. BUDGET: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research. AWARD CRITERIA Applications submitted in response to a PA will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review o Availability of funds o Relevance to program priorities REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS HUMAN SUBJECTS PROTECTION: Federal regulations (45CFR46) require that applications and proposals involving human subjects must be evaluated with reference to the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained. http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm SHARING RESEARCH DATA: Investigators submitting an NIH application seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year are expected to include a plan for data sharing or state why this is not possible. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing Investigators should seek guidance from their institutions, on issues related to institutional policies, local IRB rules, as well as local, state and Federal laws and regulations, including the Privacy Rule. Reviewers will consider the data sharing plan but will not factor the plan into the determination of the scientific merit or the priority score. 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 "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: The NIH maintains a policy 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. 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 is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm. REQUIRED EDUCATION ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECT PARTICIPANTS: NIH policy requires education on the protection of human subject participants for all investigators submitting NIH proposals for research involving human subjects. You will find this policy announcement in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts Announcement, dated June 5, 2000, at 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://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp 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, in the project description and elsewhere in the application as appropriate, 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. 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. STANDARDS FOR PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued final modification to the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information , the Privacy Rule, on August 14, 2002. The Privacy Rule is a federal regulation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 that governs the protection of individually identifiable health information, and is administered and enforced by the DHHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Decisions about applicability and implementation of the Privacy Rule reside with the researcher and his/her institution. The OCR website (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/) provides information on the Privacy Rule, including a complete Regulation Text and a set of decision tools on Am I a covered entity? Information on the impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on NIH processes involving the review, funding, and progress monitoring of grants, cooperative agreements, and research contracts can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-025.html. 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. 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.healthypeople.gov/. AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS: This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The NIH Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm 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.
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NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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