PILOT AND FEASIBILITY PROGRAM IN UROLOGY
RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2004
PA NUMBER: PA-04-146 (see addendum NOT-DK-04-014)
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. A replacement R21 (PA-06-156) funding
opportunity announcement has 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)
(http://www.niddk.nih.gov/)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
(http://www.nih.gov)
CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER(S): 93.849, 93.396
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 Where to Send Inquiries
o Submitting an Application
o Supplementary Instructions
o Peer Review Process
o Review Criteria
o Award Criteria
o Required Federal Citations
PURPOSE OF THIS PA
The Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (DKUHD) of the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and
the Division of Cancer Biology of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) invite exploratory/developmental (R21)
grant applications from investigators with research interests in urology and
that serve the mission of NIH. The primary intent of this initiative is to
foster the development of high-risk pilot and feasibility research by newly
independent or established investigators developing a new line of research.
Information thus obtained would allow subsequent submission of R01
applications focusing on research problems relevant to the study of urologic
diseases and their complications. These grants are not intended to support
or supplement ongoing funded research of an established investigator, or to
serve as an alternative mechanism of support for projects not receiving
funding as competing continuation applications. This Program Announcement (PA)
replaces PA-02-013 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-013.html
that was published in the NIH Guide on October 15, 2001.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Areas in which such scientific opportunities exist include, but are not
limited to:
o Identification of novel signaling molecules and pathways involved in
urologic cellular and tissue development, differentiation, transcription, and
function.
o Identification and characterization of cells capable of repopulating
urologic organs (stem cells).
o Development and characterization of promoters to drive gene expression in
urologic tissues.
o Studies characterizing urologic disease development or progression in
humans.
o Development, characterization and utilization of novel cellular and animal
models of urologic diseases.
o Development of novel vectors and delivery systems for use in gene therapy
of urologic diseases, including both inherited disorders such as hereditary
oxalosis, and disorders thought to be acquired such as prostatitis,
interstitial cystitis, and urologic complications of diabetes, and urologic
malignancies.
o Development of new methods for temporal and spatial control of transgene
expression in urologic tissues.
o Identification and characterization of biologic markers for the development
and/or progression of urologic diseases.
o Identification of tumor stem cells and their role in development or
progression of urologic malignancies.
o Delineation of the role of stromal and inflammatory cells in development or
progression of urologic malignancies.
o Development of novel strategies to target stromal cells in urologic
malignancies at primary and metastatic sites.
o Development and characterization of full-length genetic libraries from
understudied urologic tissues, especially the urinary bladder.
o Use of molecular biologic and proteomic techniques, such as differential
display RT-PCR or amplification to screen for novel urologic tissue-specific
genes, novel disease or regulatory genes, and/or etiologic agents.
o Development and use of array technology and bioinformatics to characterize
profiles of gene expression in urologic tissues in disease and health.
o Use of phage display or other novel approaches to identify cellular
receptors in urologic tissues.
MECHANISM(S) OF SUPPORT
This PA will be use the National Institutes of Health R21 grant mechanism.
The R21 award represents an exploratory/developmental research grant for
support of high-risk pilot and feasibility research designed to develop new
ideas sufficiently to allow future submission of a full R01 application. R21
grants awarded through this PA will provide up to $275,000 for the maximum
two-year period. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.
Budget requests should be tailored to the needs of the project. The NIH
Grants policy statement applies to these awards.
Specific application instructions have been modified to reflect MODULAR
GRANT and JUST-IN-TIME streamlining efforts that have been adopted by the
NIH. Complete and detailed instructions and information on Modular Grant
applications have been incorporated into the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001).
Additional information on Modular Grants can be found at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.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. Furthermore, this mechanism is for the
support of either new investigators [defined as independent investigators who
have not yet held R01, R29, or subprojects of program project (P01) or center
grants (P50) or equivalent] or established investigators entering a new
research field or developing a new line of research.
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 three
areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management
issues:
o Direct your questions regarding scientific/research issues to:
Chris Mullins, Ph.D.
Director, Basic Cell Biology Programs
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Blvd., Room 637
Bethesda, MD. 20892-5458
Telephone: (301) 594-7717
FAX: (301) 480-3510
E-mail: cm419z@nih.gov
Suresh Mohla, Ph.D.
Chief, Tumor Biology and Metastasis Branch
Division of Cancer Biology
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Blvd, Room EPN 5038
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 435-1878
FAX: (301) 480-0864
E-mail: mohlas@mail.nih.gov
o Direct your questions regarding financial or grants management matters
issues to:
Aretina Perry-Jones
Grants Management Specialist
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Blvd, Room 716
Bethesda, MD 29802-5456
Telephone: (301) 594-8862
FAX: (301) 594-9532
Email: ap19s@nih.gov
Bill Wells
National Cancer Institute, GAB
Executive Plaza South, Room 243
6120 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-8796
FAX: (301) 496-8601
E-mail: wellsw@mail.nih.gov
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application
instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001) available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. 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 D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or
through the web site at http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/. The D&B 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: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
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 checked.
SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONS
All application instructions outlined in the PHS 398 application kit are to
be followed, including the following requirements for R21 applications:
1. R21 applications will use the MODULAR GRANT and JUST-IN-TIME
concepts. Direct costs are to be requested in $25,000 modules up to a total
of $275,000 in direct costs over the two-year award period. No more than
$200,000 may be requested in any single year.
2. Although preliminary data are not required for an R21 application, they
may be included.
3. Sections a-d of the Research Plan of the R21 application may not exceed
15 pages, including tables and figures.
4. R21 appendix materials should be limited, as is consistent with the
exploratory nature of the R21 mechanism, and should not be used to circumvent
the page limit for the research plan. Copies of appendix material will only
be provided to the primary reviewers of the application and will not be
reproduced for wider distribution. The following materials may be included in
the appendix:
Up to five publications, including manuscripts accepted for publication,
abstracts, patents, or other printed materials directly relevant to the
project. These may be stapled as sets. Also, surveys, questionnaires, data
collection instruments, and clinical protocols may be included. These may be
stapled as sets.
Original glossy photographs or color images of gels, micrographs, etc. may be
included provided that a photocopy (may be reduced in size) is also included
within the 15 page limit of items a-d of the research plan.
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
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.
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 an 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 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
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
ANIMAL WELFARE PROTECTION: Recipients of PHS support for activities
involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with PHS Policy on Humane Care
and Use of Laboratory Animals
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf), as
mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm), and the USDA
Animal Welfare Regulations
(http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm), as applicable.
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
DATA AND SAFETY MONITORING PLAN: Data and safety monitoring is required for
all types of clinical trials, including physiologic, toxicity, and dose-
finding studies (phase I); efficacy studies (phase II), efficacy,
effectiveness and comparative trials (phase III). The establishment of data
and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) is required for multi-site clinical
trials involving interventions that entail potential risk to the
participants. For NIH Policy for Data and Safety Monitoring, NIH Guide for
Grants and Contracts, June 12, 1998, see:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html.
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 PAR 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
PAR 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.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
|
|
|
|
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
|
|
|
|
NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health®
|