Expired PA-06-013: Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies (SBIR [R43/R44])

Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)

NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health^®

Title: Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies (SBIR [R43/R44])

This is a reissue of PA-04-161 which was previously released September 29, 2004.

NOTICE: Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF424 (R&R) forms and the Grants.gov SBIR/STTR Application Guide. APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORMAT.

This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines included with this announcement in Grants.gov Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).

A registration process is necessary before submission and should be started at least two weeks in advance of the planned submission. See Section IV.

1) The application must be submitted to Grants.gov by the submission date (see Key Dates below)

2) Applicants must complete a verification step in the eRA Commons within two business days of notification from NIH. Note: Since email can be unreliable, it is the responsibility of the applicant to periodically check the Commons.

Program Announcement (PA) Number: PA-06-013

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.394, 93.867, 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.866, 93.273, 93.856, 93.286, 93.287, 93.173, 93.121, 93.849, 93.848, 93.847, 93.279, 93.113, 93.114, 93.115, 93.859, 93.242, 93.853, 93.361, 93.879, 93.103, 93.262

1. Research Objectives
On February 26, 2004, Executive Order 13329 (http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4436.pdf) was signed by President George W. Bush requiring SBIR/STTR agencies, to the extent permitted by law and in a manner consistent with the mission of the Department, to give high priority within the SBIR and STTR programs to manufacturing-related research and development (R&D). In response to this Executive Order, NIH is expanding its focus by encouraging eligible United States small business concerns to submit SBIR Phase I, Phase II, and Fast-Track grant applications whose biomedical research is related to advanced processing, manufacturing processes, equipment and systems, and manufacturing workforce skills and protection.

The NIH encourages research related to advanced processing in the manufacture of biomedical products and the implementation of new technologies in medical care. New methods, procedures, measures, and controls are needed for manufacturing a broad range of technologies and products with unsurpassed quality and to lower manufacturing costs for existing and/or new processes. Research is also encouraged that can contribute to the containment and reduction of health care costs and that can improve the cost effectiveness, quality, and accessibility of the health care system.

Manufacturing innovation is fostered by research and development of technologies that are aimed at increasing the competitive capability of manufacturing concerns. Broadly speaking, manufacturing-related R&D encompasses improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes, machines or systems. Four main areas include:

Unit process level technologies that create or improve manufacturing processes, including (1) fundamental improvements in existing manufacturing processes that deliver substantial productivity, quality, or environmental benefits, and (2) development of new manufacturing processes, including new materials, coatings, methods, and practices associated with these processes.

Machine level technologies that create or improve manufacturing equipment, including (1) improvements in capital equipment that create increased capability (such as accuracy or repeatability), increased capacity (through productivity improvements or cost reduction), or increased environmental efficiency (safety, energy efficiency, environmental impact), and (2) new apparatus and equipment for manufacturing, including additive and subtractive manufacturing, deformation and molding, assembly and test, semiconductor fabrication, and nanotechnology.

Systems level technologies for innovation in the manufacturing enterprise, including (1) advances in controls, sensors, networks, and other information technologies that improve the quality and productivity of manufacturing cells, lines, systems, and facilities; (2) innovation in extended enterprise functions critical to manufacturing, such as quality systems, resource management, supply chain integration, and distribution, scheduling and tracking; and (3) technologies that enable integrated and collaborative product and process development, including computer-aided and expert systems for design, tolerancing, process and materials selection, life-cycle cost estimation, rapid prototyping, and tooling.

Environment or societal level technologies that improve workforce abilities and manufacturing competitiveness, including (1) technologies for improved workforce health and safety, such as human factors and ergonomics; and (2) technologies that aid and improve workforce manufacturing skills and technical excellence, such as educational systems incorporating improved manufacturing knowledge and instructional methods

Because manufacturing-related R&D is extremely broad in scope, the following examples of research topics may be of interest but are not meant to be exhaustive.

Applicants are encouraged to consider additional research topic areas relating to manufacturing listed under each Institute and Center in the NIH SBIR/STTR Omnibus Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Food and Drug Administration (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbirsttr1/2005-2_SBIR-STTR-topics.pdf).

1. Mechanism(s) of Support

This funding opportunity will use the SBIR (R43/R44) grant mechanisms. Applications may be submitted for support as Phase I, Phase II, or Fast-Track grants as described in the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide (MS Word or PDF). A parallel funding opportunity announcement of identical scientific scope, Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies (PA-06-012) utilizes the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR [R41/R42]) grant mechanism.

Applicants may not simultaneously submit identical/essentially identical applications under both this funding opportunity and another HHS FOA, including the SBIR or STTR Parent FOAs (see Small Business Funding Opportunities web page).

Phase II applications in response to this funding opportunity will only be accepted as competing continuations of previously funded Phase I SBIR awards. The Phase II must be a logical extension of the Phase I research but not necessarily as a Phase I project supported in response to this funding opportunity.

The applicant SBC will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. Future unsolicited, competing renewal applications based on this project will compete with all SBIR applications and will be reviewed according to the customary peer review procedures. Applications that are not funded in the competition described in this FOA may be submitted as RESUBMISSION applications through Grants.gov Apply using the standard NIH SBIR receipt dates of April 1, August 1, and December 1 (or January 2, May 1, and September 1 for AIDS and AIDS-related SBIR applications).

This funding opportunity uses just-in-time concepts. The modular budget format is no longer accepted for SBIR grant applications. Applicants must complete and submit budget requests using the Research and Related budget component found in the application package attached to this announcement in Grants.gov Apply.

2. Funds Available

The SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide (MS Word or PDF) indicates the statutory guidelines of funding support and project duration periods for SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards.

1. Eligible Applicants

1.A. Eligible Institutions

Only United States small business concerns (SBCs) are eligible to submit SBIR applications. A small business concern is one that, for both Phase I and Phase II awards, meets all of the following criteria:

1. Is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in the field of operation in which it is proposing, has a place of business in the United States and operates primarily within the United States or makes a significant contribution to the US economy, and is organized for profit.

2. Is (a) at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States, or (b) for SBIR only, it must be a for-profit business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by another for-profit business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States.

3. Has, including its affiliates, an average number of employees for the preceding 12 months not exceeding 500, and meets the other regulatory requirements found in 13 C.F.R. Part 121. Business concerns are generally considered to be affiliates of one another when either directly or indirectly, (a) one concern controls or has the power to control the other; or (b) a third-party/parties controls or has the power to control both.

Control can be exercised through common ownership, common management, and contractual relationships. The term "affiliates" is defined in greater detail in 13 C.F.R. 121.103. The term "number of employees" is defined in 13 C.F.R. 121.106.

A business concern may be in the form of an individual proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, association, trust, or cooperative. Further information may be obtained at http://sba.gov/size, or by contacting the Small Business Administration's Government Contracting Area Office or Office of Size Standards.

One of the circumstances that would lead to a finding that an organization is controlling or has the power to control another organization involves sharing common office space and/or employees and/or other facilities (e.g., laboratory space). Access to special facilities or equipment in another organization is permitted (as in cases where the awardee organization has entered into a subcontractual agreement with another organization for a specific, limited portion of the research project). However, research space occupied by an SBIR awardee organization must be space that is available to and under the control of the SBIR awardee for the conduct of its portion of the proposed project.

Title 13 C.F.R. 121.3 also states that control or the power to control exists when key employees of one concern organize a new concern ... and serve as its officers, directors, principal stockholders, and/or key employees, and one concern is furnishing or will furnish the other concern with subcontracts, financial or technical assistance, and/or other facilities, whether for a fee or otherwise. Where there is indication of sharing of common employees, a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis of whether such sharing constitutes control or the power to control.

For purposes of the SBIR program, personnel obtained through a Professional Employer Organization or other similar personnel leasing company may be considered employees of the awardee. This is consistent with SBA’s size regulations, 13C.F.R. 121.106 Small Business Size Regulations.

All SBIR grant applications will be examined with the above eligibility considerations in mind. If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the eligibility requirements, NIH will request a size determination by the SBA. If eligibility is unclear, NIH will not make an SBIR award until the SBA provides a determination.

1.B. Eligible Individuals

Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their organization 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.

Under the SBIR program, for both Phase I and Phase II, the primary employment of the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) must be with the small business concern at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. Primary employment means that more than one half of the PD/PI’s time is spent in the employ of the small business concern. Primary employment with a small business concern precludes full-time employment at another organization. Occasionally, deviations from this requirement may occur. Such deviations must be approved in writing by the grants management officer after consultation with the NIH SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator.

As defined in 42 C.F.R. 52, the PD/PI is the single individual designated by the grantee in the grant application who is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the project. When the proposed PD/PI clearly does not have sufficient qualifications to assume this role, the application is not likely to receive a favorable evaluation.

If the application has the likelihood for funding, the awarding component will require documentation to verify the eligibility of the PD/PI, if at the time of submission of the application, the PD/PI is a less-than-full-time employee of the small business concern, is concurrently employed by another organization, or gives the appearance of being concurrently employed by another organization, whether for a paid or unpaid position.

If the PD/PI is employed or appears to be employed by an organization other than the applicant organization in a capacity such as Research Fellow, Consultant, Adjunct Professor, Clinical Professor, Clinical Research Professor, or Associate, a letter must be provided by each employing organization confirming that, if an SBIR grant is awarded to the applicant small business concern, the PD/PI is or will become a less-than-half-time employee of such organization and will remain so for the duration of the SBIR project. If the PD/PI is employed by a university, such a letter must be provided by the Dean's office or equivalent; for other organizations, the letter must be signed by a corporate official.

This requirement applies also to those individuals engaged currently as the PD/PI on an active SBIR project. All current employment and all other appointments of the PD/PI must be identified in his or her Biographical Sketch required as part of the application. Be certain that correct beginning and ending dates are indicated for each employment record listed.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

This program does not require cost sharing as defined in the current NIH Grants Policy Statement at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/nihgps_Part2.htm#matching_or_cost_sharing.

3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

The NIH will accept as many "different" applications as the applicant organization chooses. However, the NIH will not accept similar grant applications with essentially the same research focus from the same applicant organization. This includes derivative or multiple applications that propose to develop a single product, process or service that, with non-substantive modifications, can be applied to a variety of purposes. Likewise, identical or essentially identical grant applications submitted by different applicant organizations will not be accepted. . Applicants may not simultaneously submit identical/essentially identical applications under both this funding opportunity and another HHS FOA, including the SBIR or STTR Parent FOAs (see Small Business Funding Opportunities web page) .

To download an Application Package and Instructions for completing the SF424 Research and Related (R&R) Forms for this FOA, link to http://www.grants.gov/Apply/ and follow the directions provided on that site.

A one-time registration is required for institutions at both:

PD/PIs should work with their institutions/organizations to make sure they are registered in the NIH Commons.

Several additional separate actions are required before an applicant SBC can submit an application through Grants.gov. See "Preparing for Electronic Submission" at http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm.

Several of the steps of the registration process could take up to two weeks. Therefore, applicants should immediately check with their business official to determine whether their small business is already registered in both Grants.gov and the Commons.

1. Request Application Information

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and instructions for this FOA through the Grants.gov Apply http://www.grants.gov/Apply Web site.

Note: Only the forms package directly attached to a specific FOA can be used. You will not be able to use any other SF424 (R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA), although some of the "Attachment" files may be useable for more than one FOA.

For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: [email protected].

Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY 301-451-5936.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Prepare all SBIR applications using the using the SF424 (R&R) application forms and SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide (MS Word or PDF) instructions.

The SF424 (R&R) application is comprised of data arranged in separate components. Some components are required, others are optional. The forms package associated with this announcement in Grants.gov APPLY will include all applicable components, required and optional. A completed application in response to this announcement will include the following components:

SF424 (R&R) (Cover component)
Research & Related Project/Performance Site Locations
Research & Related Other Project Information
Research & Related Senior/Key Person
Research & Related Budget

PHS398 Cover Page Supplement
PHS398 Research Plan
PHS398 Checklist
SBIR/STTR Information

3. Submission Dates and Times
See Section IV.3.A for details.

3.A. Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates

Letter of Intent Receipt Date: A letter of intent is not required for this funding opportunity.
Application Submission Date(s): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
Peer Review Date: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
Council Review Date: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm

3.A.1. Letter of Intent
A letter of intent is not required for the funding opportunity.

3.B. Sending an Application to the NIH

Applications in response to this FOA may only be submitted to Grants.gov through Grants.gov Apply.
PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

3.C. Application Processing

Applications may be submitted to Grants.gov on or after November 7, 2005 (i.e., the Open Date on Grants.gov) and must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on the application submission date described above (Section IV.3.A.). If an application is not submitted by that date, the application may be delayed in the review process or not reviewed.

Upon receipt, applications will be transferred from Grants.gov to the NIH Electronic Research Administration process for validation. Both the PD/PI and the Signing Official for the organization must verify the submission via Commons within 2 business days of notification of the NIH validation.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR), NIH. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The NIH will not accept any application in response to this FOA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial merit review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of an application already reviewed with substantial changes, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous critique. Note such an application is considered a "resubmission" for the SF424 (R&R).

There will be an acknowledgement of receipt of applications from Grants.gov and the Commons. Information related to the assignment of an application to a Scientific Review Group is also in the Commons.

4. Intergovernmental Review
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

5. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm).

Pre-Award Costs are allowable. A grantee may, at its own risk and without NIH prior approval, incur obligations and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new or competing continuation award if such costs: are necessary to conduct the project, and would be allowable under the grant, if awarded, without NIH prior approval. If specific expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the grantee must obtain NIH approval before incurring the cost. NIH prior approval is required for any costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new or competing renewal award.

The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a competing or non-competing award imposes no obligation on NIH either to make the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award costs incurred. NIH expects the grantee to be fully aware that pre-award costs result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not impair the grantee's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project. See NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part6.htm.

6. Other Submission Requirements

All application instructions outlined in the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide (MS Word or PDF) are to be followed, with the following requirements.

Note: While each section of the Research Plan needs to eventually be uploaded separately as a PDF attachment, applicants are encouraged to construct the Research Plan as a single document, separating sections into distinct PDF attachments just before uploading the files. This approach will enable applicants to better monitor formatting requirements such as page limits.

Plan for Sharing Research Data

Applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year should include a brief one paragraph description of how final research data will be shared, or explain why data-sharing is not possible. The specific nature of the data to be collected will determine whether or not the final dataset may be shared. If the final data are not amenable to sharing, for example, if they are proprietary, this must be explained in the application. The Small Business Act requires NIH to protect from disclosure and nongovernmental use all SBIR and STTR data developed from work performed under an SBIR and STTR funding agreement for a period of 4 years after the closeout of either a Phase I or Phase II grant unless NIH obtains permission from the awardee to disclose these data. The data rights protection period lapses only upon expiration of the protection period applicable to the SBIR and STTR award, or by agreement between the small business concern and NIH. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their data-sharing plan with the Institute/Center staff likely to accept assignment of their application.

The reasonableness of the data sharing plan or the rationale for not sharing research data may be assessed by the reviewers. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed data sharing plan into the determination of scientific merit or the priority score. For more information on data sharing see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/ and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_faqs.htm. (See FAQ #13.)

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_2003/index.htm and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part7.htm#_Toc54600131). Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a plan for sharing research resources addressing how unique research resources will be shared or explain why sharing is not possible.

The adequacy of the resources sharing plan and any related data sharing plans will be considered by Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding applications. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each non-competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm). See Section VI.3. Reporting.

1. Criteria (Update: Enhanced review criteria have been issued for the evaluation of research applications received for potential FY2010 funding and thereafter - see NOT-OD-09-025).
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications submitted for this funding opportunity will be assigned to the Institutes/Centers (ICs) 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:

Applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity will compete for available funds with all other recommended SBIR applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

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 discuss the following aspects of the 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 these criteria in assigning the application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application.

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.

All SBIR Applications

Significance: Does the proposed project have commercial potential to lead to a marketable product, process or service? Does this study address an important problem? What may be the anticipated commercial and societal benefits that may be derived from the proposed research? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field? Does the application lead to enabling technologies (e.g., instrumentation, software) for further discoveries? Will the technology have a competitive advantage over existing/alternate technologies that can meet the market needs?

Approach: Are the conceptual or clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Is the proposed plan a sound approach for establishing technical and commercial feasibility? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative strategies? Are the milestones and evaluation procedures appropriate?

Innovation: Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or clinical practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area?

Investigator: Is the PD/PI appropriately trained and capable of coordinating and managing the proposed SBIR? Are the investigators and well suited to carry out this work? Does the investigative team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project (if applicable)? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the PD/PI and other researchers, including consultants and subcontractors (if any)? Are the relationships of the key personnel to the small business and to other institutions appropriate for the work proposed?

Environment: Is there sufficient access to resources (e.g., equipment, facilities)? Does the scientific and technological environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed studies benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, or subject populations, or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support?

1. How well did the applicant demonstrate progress toward meeting the Phase I objectives, demonstrating feasibility, and providing a solid foundation for the proposed Phase II activity?

2. Did the applicant submit a concise Commercialization Plan that adequately addresses the specific areas described in the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide (MS Word or PDF) and the SBIR/STTR Information Component?

3. Does the project carry a high degree of commercial potential, as described in the Commercialization Plan?

In addition to the above criteria, the following criteria will be applied to resubmission applications.

For Phase I/Phase II Fast Track applications, the following criteria also will be applied:

1. Does the Phase I application specify clear, appropriate, measurable goals (milestones) that should be achieved prior to initiating Phase II?

3. To what extent was the applicant able to obtain letters of interest, additional funding commitments, and/or resources from the private sector or non-SBIR/STTR funding sources that would enhance the likelihood for commercialization?

4. Does the project carry a high degree of commercial potential, as described in the Commercialization Plan?

Phase I and Phase II Fast-Track applications that satisfy all of the review criteria will receive a single rating.

For Fast-Track applications, the Phase II portion may not be funded until a Phase I final report and other documents necessary for continuation have been received and assessed by program staff that the Phase I milestones have been successfully achieved. Items 2-5 of the Research Plan may not exceed 25 pages. That is, the combined Phase I and Phase II plans for a Fast-track application (for items 2-5) must be contained within the 25-page limit.

Type 2 (Renewal) Phase II Competing Continuation Applications

In addition to the above review criteria described under ALL SBIR applications, the following items will be applied to ALL Type 2 Competing Continuation (Renewal) Phase II applications in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score.

1. Does the activity as proposed address issues related to Federal regulatory approval processes?

3. Does the project carry a high degree of commercial potential as described in the Commercialization Plan?

2.A. Additional Review Criteria:

In addition to the above criteria, the following items will continue to 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 item 6 of the Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R).

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 item 7 of the Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R).

Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, the five items described under item 11 of the Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R) will be assessed.

Biohazards: If materials or procedures are proposed that are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, determine if the proposed protection is adequate.

2.B. Additional Review Considerations

Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research may be assessed by the reviewers. Is the percent effort listed for the PD/PI appropriate for the work proposed? Is each budget category realistic and justified in terms of the aims and methods?

Period of Support: The appropriateness of the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research.

2.C. Sharing Research Data

The reasonableness of the data sharing plan or the rationale for not sharing research data may be assessed by the reviewers. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed data sharing plan into the determination of scientific merit or the priority score. The funding organization will be responsible for monitoring the data sharing policy. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_faqs.htm. (See FAQ #13.)

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 (See the NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/part_ii_5.htm#availofrr and http://www.ott.nih.gov/policy/rt_guide_final.html). Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a sharing research resources plan addressing how unique research resources will be shared or explain why sharing is not possible.

Program staff will be responsible for the administrative review of the plan for sharing research resources.

The adequacy of the resources sharing plan will be considered by Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding applications. Program staff may negotiate modifications of the data and resource sharing plans with the awardee before recommending funding of an application. The final version of the data and resource sharing plans negotiated by both will become a condition of the award of the grant. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each Non-Competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590). See Section VI.3. Reporting.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Not applicable

1. Award Notices

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant. For details, applicants may refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part4.htm).

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Grant Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document. Once all administrative and programmatic issues have been resolved, the NoA will be generated via email notification from the awarding component to the grantee business official.

Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs. See also Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part4.htm) and Part II Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part9.htm).

3. Reporting

Awardees will be required to submit the PHS Non-Competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590) annually (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm) and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

We encourage your inquiries concerning this funding opportunity 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:

1. Scientific/Research and Financial/Grants Management Contacts:

Scientific/Research and Financial/Grants Management contacts for this program announcement are listed below.

Awarding Component	Scientific/Research Contact	Financial/Grants Mgmt. Contact
National Institute on Aging http://www.nia.nih.gov	Dr. Michael-David A.R.R. Kerns National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Suite 2C218 7201 Wisconsin Ave., MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Phone: 301-496-9322, Fax: 301-402-2945 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Linda Whipp Grants Management Officer National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Room 2N212 7201 Wisconsin Ave., MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-496-1472, Fax: 301-402-3672 Email: [email protected]
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism http://www.niaaa.nih.gov	Dr. Karen P. Peterson Acting Chief, Research Policy and Special Projects Branch Office of Scientific Affairs National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Room 2017 5635 Fishers Lane Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-451-3883 Fax: 301-443-6077 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Judy Fox Chief, Grants Management Branch Office of Scientific Affairs National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Room 3023 5635 Fishers Lane Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-443-4704 Fax: 301-443-3891 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases http://www.niaid.nih.gov	Dr. Gregory Milman Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH Room 2153 6700-B Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892-7610 Phone: 301-496-8666 Fax: 301-402-0369 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Mary Kirker Grants Management Officer National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH Building 6700B - 6700B Rockledge Dr, Room 2115 6700B Rockledge Dr Bethesda, MD 20892-7610 Phone: 301-496-7075 Fax: 301-480-3780 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering http://www.nibib.nih.gov/	Mr. Todd Merchak Program Director National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, NIH Two Democracy Plz 6707 Democracy Blvd Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20892-5477 Phone: 301-496-8592 Fax: 301-480-1614 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Florence Turska Grants Management Specialist National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, NIH 6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 900 Bethesda, MD 20892-5469 Phone: 301-496-9314 Fax: 301-480-4974 Email: [email protected]
National Cancer Institute http://www.nci.nih.gov or http://www.cancer.gov	Dr. Greg Downing National Cancer Institute Office of Technology and Industrial Relations 31 Center Drive; Room 10A52, MSC 2580 Bethesda, MD 20852 Telephone: (301) 496-1550 FAX: 496-7807 Email: [email protected]	Mr. Ted Williams Grants Management Specialist National Cancer Institute, NIH 6120 Executive Blvd Room. 243 Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-496-8785 Fax: 301-496-8601 Email: [email protected]
National Institute on Drug Abuse http://www.nida.nih.gov	Dr. Cathrine Sasek National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH 6001 Executive Boulevard Room 5230, MSC 9591 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9591 Phone: 301-443-6071 Fax: 301-443-6277 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Diana Haikalis Grants Management Specialist National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3119, MSC 9591 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9591 Phone: 301-443-6710 Fax: 301-594-6849 Email: [email protected]
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders http://www.nidcd.nih.gov	Dr. Lynn E. Luethke Program Director, Hearing Program National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH 6120 Executive Blvd., 400-C Rockville, MD 20852 Phone: 301-402-3458 Fax: 301-402-6251 Email: [email protected]	Mr. Christopher P. Myers Lead Grants Management Specialist National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH 45 Center Drive, MSC 6402 Bldg 45 Room 4AN44 Bethesda MD 20895-6402 Phone: 301-402-0909 Fax: 301-402-1758 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research http://www.nidcr.nih.gov	Dr. Rosemarie Hunziker Director,Technology Development and Industrial Relations Center for Biotechnology and Innovation National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH Building 45, Room 4AN 24K Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Phone: 301-451-3888 Fax: 301-480-8318 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Mary Daley Chief Grants Management Officer National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH Building 45, Room 4AN-44B 45 Center Drive Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Phone: 301-594-4808 Fax: 301-480-3562 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases http://www.niddk.nih.gov	Dr. Sanford A. Garfield Program Director National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH 6707 Democracy Blvd.Rm. 685 Bethesda, MD 20892-5460 Phone: 301-594-8803 Fax: 301-402-6271 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Helen Y. Ling Senior Grants Management Specialist National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH 2 Democracy Plaza 6707 Democracy Blvd, Room 732 Bethesda, MD 20892-5456 Phone: 301-594-8857 Fax: 301-480-3504 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences http://www.niehs.nih.gov	Dr. Jerrold J. Heindel Program Director National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH POB 121233 (EC-23) Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Phone: 919-541-0781 Fax: 919-541-5064 Email: [email protected]	Mr. Dwight Dolby Grants Management Specialist National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Phone: 919-541-7824 Fax: 919-541-2860 Email: [email protected]
National Eye Institute http://www.nei.nih.gov	Dr. Ralph Helmsen Research Resources Officer National Eye Institute, NIH 5635 Fishers Lane, Suite 1300 Bethesda, MD 20892-9300 Phone: 301-451-2020 Fax: 301-402-0528 Email: [email protected]	Mr. William Darby Chief, Grants Management Branch National Eye Institute, NIH 5635 Fishers Lane Suite 1300 Bethesda, MD 20892-9300 Phone: 301-451-2020 Fax: 301-496-9997 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of General Medical Sciences http://www.nigms.nih.gov/	Dr. Peter Preusch Program Director Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry Division National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH 45 Center Drive Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-6200 Phone: 301-594-5938 Fax: 301-480-2802 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Patrice Molnar Grants Management Specialist National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH Natcher Building, Rm. 2AN-38C 45 Center Drive MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Phone: 301-534-5136 Fax: 301-480-2554 Email:[email protected]
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov	Dr. Bishow Adhikari National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Dr, Room 9161; MSC 7940 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 435-0513 FAX: 301-480-1335 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Suzanne White Grants Management Officer National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7160 Bethesda, MD 20892-7926 Phone: 301-435-0144 Fax: 301-480-3310 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of Mental Health http://www.nimh.nih.gov	Dr. Margaret Grabb National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 7204, MSC 9645 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 443-3563 FAX: (301) 443-1731 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Rebecca Claycamp Chief Grants Management Officer National Institute of Mental Health, NIH 6001 Executive Boulevard Room 6122 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9605 Phone: 301-443-2811 Fax: 301-443-6885 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov	Dr. Randall Stewart Technology Development National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 2135 Bethesda, MD 20892-9523 Phone: 301-496-1917 Fax: 301-402-1501 Email: [email protected]	Mr. Mike Loewe Grants Management Officer National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3266 Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-496-5707 Fax: 301-402-0219 Email: [email protected]
National Institute of Nursing Research http://www.ninr.nih.gov	Dr. Yvonne Bryan Program Director Office of Extramural Programs National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH 6701 Democracy Blvd, Room 710 One Democracy Plaza Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-594-6908 Fax: 301-480-8260 Email: [email protected]	Mr. Brian Albertini Chief, Grants and Contracts Management National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH 6701 Democracy Boulevard Room 710 One Democracy Plaza Bethesda, MD 20892-4870 Phone: 301-594-2177 Fax: 301-402-4502 Email: [email protected]
National Center for Research Resources http://www.ncrr.nih.gov	Dr. Amy L. Swain Program Officer National Center for Research Resources 6701 Democracy Blvd., MSC 4874 Bethesda, MD 20879-4874 Telephone: (301) 435-0752 FAX: 301-402-3659 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Holly Atherton Grants Management Specialist National Center for Research Resources, NIH 6701 Democracy Blvd Room 1040 Bethesda, MD 20892-4874 Phone: 301-435-0840 Fax: 301-480-3777 Email: [email protected]
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http://www.nccam.nih.gov/	Dr. Carol Pontzer Program Officer National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NIH 6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 401, MSC 5475 Bethesda, MD 20892-5475 Phone: 301-496-7498 Fax: 301-480-3621 Email: [email protected]	Mr. George Tucker, M.B.A. Grants Management Officer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NIH 6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 401, MSC 5475 Bethesda, MD 20892-5475 Phone: 301-594-8853 Fax: 301-480-1552 Email: [email protected]
National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov	Dr. Charles Friedman National Library of Medicine, NIH RKL1 - One Rockledge Ctr Room 301 6705 Rockledge Dr Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-496-4882 Fax: 301-402-2952 Email: [email protected]	Mr. Dwight Mowery Grants Management Officer National Library of Medicine, NIH RKL1 - One Rockledge Ctr Room 301 6705 Rockledge Dr Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-496-4221 Fax: 301-402-0421 Email: [email protected]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov	Mr. Curtis Bryant Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Procurement and Grants Office Mail Stop E14 2920 Brandywine Road Atlanta, Georgia 30341 Phone: 770-488-2806, Fax: 770-488-2828 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Sharron Orum Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Procurement and Grants Office Mail Stop K70 2920 Brandywine Road Atlanta, Georgia 30341 Phone: 770-488-2716, Fax: 770-488-2777 Email: [email protected]
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) http://www.fda.gov	Mr. Phillip Osborne Director, Division of Contracts and Grants Management Food and Drug Administration 5600 Fishers Lane, HFA-500 Rockville, MD 20857 Phone: 301-827-2476 Fax: 301-827-7106 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Tya Marks Grants Management Specialist Division of Contracts and Grants Management Food and Drug Administration 5600 Fishers Lane RM2139, FHSL Rockville MD 20857 Phone: 301-827-7179 Fax: 301-827-7106 Email: [email protected]

Required Federal Citations

Use of Animals in Research:
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). Monitoring should be commensurate with risk. The establishment of data and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) is required for multi-site clinical trials involving interventions that entail potential risks to the participants (NIH Policy for Data and Safety Monitoring, NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).

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 and 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 scientific merit or the priority score.

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 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 funding opportunity 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.

Sharing of Model Organisms:
NIH is committed to support efforts that encourage sharing of important research resources including the sharing of model organisms for biomedical research (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/model_organism/index.htm). At the same time the NIH recognizes the rights of grantees and contractors to elect and retain title to subject inventions developed with Federal funding pursuant to the Bayh Dole Act (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/index.htm). All investigators submitting an NIH application or contract proposal, beginning with the October 1, 2004 receipt date, are expected to include in the application/proposal a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organism research resources generated using NIH funding or state why such sharing is restricted or not possible. This will permit other researchers to benefit from the resources developed with public funding. The inclusion of a model organism sharing plan is not subject to a cost threshold in any year and is expected to be included in all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated.

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 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html); a complete copy of the updated Guidelines is 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 SF424 (R&R) application; 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 Clinical Research:
The NIH maintains a policy that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all clinical 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 (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 applications for research involving human subjects and individuals designated as key personnel. The policy is available 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 (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.

NIH Public Access Policy:
NIH-funded investigators are requested to submit to the NIH manuscript submission (NIHMS) system (http://www.nihms.nih.gov) at PubMed Central (PMC) an electronic version of the author's final manuscript upon acceptance for publication, resulting from research supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH. The author's final manuscript is defined as the final version accepted for journal publication, and includes all modifications from the publishing peer review process.

NIH is requesting that authors submit manuscripts resulting from 1) currently funded NIH research projects or 2) previously supported NIH research projects if they are accepted for publication on or after May 2, 2005. The NIH Public Access Policy applies to all research grant and career development award mechanisms, cooperative agreements, contracts, Institutional and Individual Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards, as well as NIH intramural research studies. The Policy applies to peer-reviewed, original research publications that have been supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH, but it does not apply to book chapters, editorials, reviews, or conference proceedings. Publications resulting from non-NIH-supported research projects should not be submitted.

For more information about the Policy or the submission process, please visit the NIH Public Access Policy Web site at http://www.nih.gov/about/publicaccess/ and view the Policy or other Resources and Tools including the Authors' Manual (http://www.nih.gov/about/publicaccess/publicaccess_Manual.htm).

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.health.gov/healthypeople.

Authority and Regulations:
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 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 Part 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 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.

Loan Repayment Programs:
NIH encourages applications for educational loan repayment from qualified health professionals who have made a commitment to pursue a research career involving clinical, pediatric, contraception, infertility, and health disparities related areas. The LRP is an important component of NIH's efforts to recruit and retain the next generation of researchers by providing the means for developing a research career unfettered by the burden of student loan debt. Note that an NIH grant is not required for eligibility and concurrent career award and LRP applications are encouraged. The periods of career award and LRP award may overlap providing the LRP recipient with the required commitment of time and effort, as LRP awardees must commit at least 50% of their time (at least 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour week) for two years to the research. For further information, please see: http://www.lrp.nih.gov.