and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
Department of Health and Human Services
Participating
Organizations
National
Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov)
Components
of Participating Organizations
National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), (http://www.ninds.nih.gov)
National
Institute on Aging (NIA), (http://www.nia.nih.gov)
Title: Collaborative Awards in Epilepsy Research for Junior Investigators (R21)
Announcement Type
This is a reissue of PA-05-095,
which was previously
released April 25, 2005.
Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:
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 Research and Related (R&R) forms and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORMAT.
This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines provided with this announcement in Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).
A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV.
Two steps are required for on time submission:
1) The application must be submitted to Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on 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 on their application status in the Commons.
Program Announcement (PA) Number: PA-06-190
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.853, 93.866
Key Dates
Release
Date: March 2, 2006
Release/Posted Date: March 2, 2006
Opening
Date: May 2,
2006 (Earliest
date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letter of
Intent Receipt Date(s): Not applicable
Application
Submission Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
AIDS Application Submission Date(s): http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#AIDS
Peer Review Date(s): http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward.
Council
Review Date(s): http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward.
Additional Information
To Be Available Date (URL Activation Date): Not Applicable
Expiration Date: July 2, 2008, unless reissued (now September 8, 2008 per NOT-OD-07-093)
Due Dates for E.O. 12372
Not Applicable
Additional Overview
Content
Executive Summary
The goal of this program announcement is to
stimulate basic, translational and clinical research in the field of epilepsy
by promoting collaborations among junior investigators.
Table of Contents
Part I Overview Information
Part
II Full Text of Announcement
Section
I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research
Objectives
Section
II. Award Information
1. Mechanism of
Support
2. Funds Available
Section
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible
Applicants
A.
Eligible Institutions
B.
Eligible Individuals
2. Cost Sharing or
Matching
3. Other - Special
Eligibility Criteria
Section
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Request
Application Information
2. Content and Form
of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates
and Times
A.
Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
1. Letter of Intent
B.
Sending an Application to the NIH
C.
Application Processing
4. Intergovernmental
Review
5. Funding
Restrictions
6. Other Submission
Requirements
Section
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and
Selection Process
A.
Additional Review Criteria
B.
Additional Review Considerations
C.
Sharing Research Data
D.
Sharing Research Resources
3. Anticipated
Announcement and Award Dates
Section
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative
and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting
Section
VII. Agency Contact(s)
1.
Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2. Peer Review
Contact(s)
3. Financial/ Grants
Management Contact(s)
Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal
Citations
Part II
- Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
Purpose
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) are interested in promoting collaborations among junior investigators (Postdoctoral trained researchers with institutional appointments through Assistant Professors, or equivalent) to stimulate research in the field of epilepsy. To this end the NINDS and the NIA invite both research project grants (R01) and exploratory/developmental research grant applications (R21) in patient-oriented research, developmental neurobiology, genetics, advanced technology, imaging, pharmacotherapeutics, or other research areas, which are likely to lead to the cure of epilepsy (defined as "the prevention of epilepsy before it occurs in people at risk, and the cessation of seizures without therapy-associated side effects in those who develop the disease"). Emphasis will be placed on cross-disciplinary collaborations, novel hypotheses, and unique approaches in applying fundamental neurobiological concepts to epilepsy research. Special consideration will be given to proposals that enhance the application of scientific knowledge to the understanding and treatment of the disorder. This initiative requires collaborations of two or more junior investigators at different institutions, or in different laboratories within the same institution. Investigators already working together in the same department are not eligible.
Research Objectives
The purpose of this initiative is to 1) focus attention of junior investigators on research in epilepsy; 2) promote the interaction of basic researchers and clinical scientists; and 3) provide information leading to the prevention and cure of epilepsy. The ultimate goal is to bring about meaningful advances in understanding the factors that contribute to epileptogenesis, and to develop interventions and effective treatments that improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy.
Background
Epilepsy, characterized by the repeated occurrence of uncontrolled seizures, is one of the most common neurological disorders in our country. It currently afflicts approximately 15 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds. Epilepsy exacts an enormous toll on patients and their families, and has a huge impact on society related to loss of employment potential and the cost of medical care. Despite many decades of research, new anticonvulsant drugs, and advances in surgical therapy, a large number of people with epilepsy suffer from incompletely controlled seizures or the side effects of drugs or surgical treatment. For these patients, current approaches to treatment will, at best, lessen but not prevent the occurrence of seizures. At worst, current therapies cause debilitating side effects and have little or no effect on seizures. In addition, the medical establishment has been content to accept partial control of seizures, or therapy-associated side effects, as a reasonable, long-term outcome for patients with epilepsy.
Research in neuroscience has escalated rapidly in the past decade, especially in the areas of molecular biology, genetics, neuroimaging, and clinical diagnosis. The purpose of this initiative is to apply this knowledge to curing epilepsy. The initiative requires collaborations among two or more junior investigators at different institutions or at different laboratories within the same institution. The intent is to develop innovative proposals in translational epilepsy research. Potential topic areas for proposals may include, but are not limited to: mechanisms for interrupting or modifying the process of epileptogenesis (i.e., approaches aimed at preventing the formation of a seizure focus in patients at risk for epilepsy); identification and characterization of genetic mutations that are the basis of inherited forms of epilepsy and which can provide a means of understanding the causes of seizures and determining treatment strategies; studies of the basic biology of neural development and aging that might contribute to identification of the molecular basis for abnormalities observed in some patients; visualization of structural and functional changes in the brains of patients using advanced imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography; development of new classes of pharmacological agents and other effective therapeutic strategies such as focal brain stimulation and brain irradiation; and, innovative clinical trial methodologies to quickly identify effective antiepileptogenic interventions. A brief description of the areas of emphasis follows:
Interrupting epileptogenesis -- Epilepsy may develop after common brain "insults" including stroke, trauma, prolonged febrile convulsions, meningitis and encephalitis, or in the course of chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Being able to identify whether the epilepsy develops when the lesion first occurs, or later when the first seizure appears, will have a major impact on the ability to prevent, or "cure", epilepsy. Animal models of brain injury have shown the progression of anatomic, physiologic and molecular changes that occur; however, there has been little success in preventing the development of epilepsy after injury in these models. Treatment with antiepileptic drugs has failed to prevent epilepsy in patients after head trauma in controlled clinical trials. Grant applications are encouraged that address topics such as brain development, aging, cell loss, neurogenesis, cell migration, axonal or dendritic reorganization, seizure- or injury-induced changes in gene expression, modulation of receptor functions, and other mechanisms that may contribute to altered network function in the CNS. The applications should address how this knowledge can be applied to the formation of better hypotheses about mechanisms of epileptogenesis and better models to test new approaches to prevention.
Monitoring epileptogenesis -- Structural brain imaging has been used to identify epileptogenic lesions in patients with seizures and has revolutionized our understanding of the basic mechanisms of epilepsy. The ability to monitor the process of epileptogenesis is an essential component of any approach aimed at preventing epilepsy or treating individuals known to be at high risk for developing epilepsy. Studies are encouraged that address the monitoring of changes in lesions (e.g., tumor growth), anatomy (mesial temporal sclerosis), and electrical activity. Studies that characterize receptors and explain biochemical changes may be able to provide insights into focal and regional pathology that lead to predicting responsiveness to antiepileptic medications. An emerging area of research involves the concept of network synchrony. Neuronal network synchrony increases prior to a seizure and remains elevated for hours following the event. The ability to assess these dynamic changes and apply measurements of neuronal network synchrony to interictal periods and ictal events may help predict, and prevent, seizure occurrence.
Genetic strategies -- The epilepsies are a heterogeneous group of disorders with many underlying causes. Recent advances in molecular biology have provided insight into the genetic basis of inherited epilepsies in humans and in model organisms such as the mouse. Epilepsy genes have been found to fall into several distinct categories. Mutations have been identified in genes that encode voltage-gated or ligand-gated ion channels associated with human idiopathic epilepsies. They are predicted to directly or indirectly increase neuronal excitability, which leads to seizures. Mouse mutants, including phenotypes with generalized spike-wave discharges, also provide evidence of epilepsy as an ion channel disease. Mutations in a gene encoding an actin-binding protein that initiates neuronal migration, and two genes that encode possible cell signaling proteins that direct neuronal migration, have been identified in neuronal migration disorders. Other genes involve progressive neurodegeneration and disturbances of cerebral energy metabolism. The exact function of these various genes, and the pathways of which they are a part, remain to be discovered. However, it is expected that further discoveries of genes associated with epilepsy, as well as studies of the mechanisms by which genes cause epilepsy, will substantially advance our understanding of the biological basis of many forms of seizure disorders. This will, in turn, lead to progress in the treatment and cure of patients with epilepsy.
Therapeutic strategies -- The goal of curing epilepsy is to identify individuals who are at risk for developing the disorder and to provide effective treatment without therapeutic side effects to those who have the disease. Topics to address may include, but are not limited to: the effectiveness of early pharmacologic interventions in patients presenting with seizures; whether medications may exacerbate long-term problems such as seizure severity and associated cognitive problems; studies to better analyze changes in the CNS of high-risk individuals; evaluation of surgical approaches, including early intervention; alternative therapies such as gene therapy or cell therapy; biological markers that can be used to monitor new therapies; and, new designs for intervention studies. Exploratory research studies in this area will hopefully provide the necessary information for determining effective preventative strategies and rational therapeutic designs.
Scope and Objectives
Applications submitted in response to this PA may address any of the above areas of emphasis. Examples of approaches responsive to this PA include but are not limited to:
See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal
Citations, for policies related to this announcement.
Section
II. Award Information
1. Mechanism of Support
This funding opportunity
will use the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) Exploratory/Developmental (R21) award mechanism.
As an applicant, you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.
The NINDS and NIA participate in the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21) (PA-03-107, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-107.html). Applicants must follow instructions in the parent program announcement when preparing an application. In addition, applicants should follow institute specific instructions at the bottom of this webpage (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r21.htm).
This funding opportunity uses just-in-time concepts. It also uses the modular budget formats (see the Modular Applications and Awards section of the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Specifically, if you are submitting an application with direct costs in each year of $250,000 or less (excluding consortium Facilities and Administrative [F&A] costs), use the PHS398 Modular Budget component provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Package and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (see specifically Section 5.4, Modular Budget Component, of the Application Guide).
Exploratory/developmental grant support is for new projects only; competing renewal (formerly competing continuation ) applications will not be accepted. Up to two resubmissions (formerly revisions/amendments") of a previously reviewed exploratory/developmental grant application may be submitted. See NOT-OD-03-041, May 7, 2003.
2. Funds Available
There is no special set aside of funds for applications submitted in response to this announcement. The total amount to be awarded and the anticipated number of awards will depend upon the quality of the applications received.
The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed 2 years. Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over the two years of the R21 award, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year. Applicants may request direct costs in $25,000 modules, up to the total direct costs limitation of $275,000 for the combined two-year award period. NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this Program Announcement funding opportunity.
Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from
application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of
each award will also vary. Although the financial plans of the IC(s) provide
support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are
contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient
number of meritorious applications.
Facilities
and administrative (F&A) costs requested by consortium participants are not included
in the direct cost limitation. See NOT-OD-05-004.
Section
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
1.A. Eligible Institutions
You may submit (an)
application(s) if your organization has any of the following characteristics:
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 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. Eligible principal investigators
include: Postdoctoral trained individuals with institutional appointments
through Assistant Professor, or equivalent, position.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
This program does not require
cost sharing as defined in the current NIH
Grants Policy Statement.
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria
This
initiative requires collaborations of two or more junior investigators at
different institutions, or in different laboratories within the same
institution. Investigators already working together at the same department are
not eligible. There is no limit on the number of scientifically distinct
applications that may be submitted.
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Registration and Instructions for Submission via Grants.gov
To download a SF424 (R&R) Application Package and
SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for completing the SF424 (R&R) forms for
this FOA, link to http://www.grants.gov/Apply/
and follow the directions provided on that Web site.
A one-time registration is required for institutions/organizations 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 institution/organization can submit an electronic application, as follows:
1) Organizational/Institutional Registration in Grants.gov/Get Started
2) Organizational/Institutional Registration in the eRA Commons
3) Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Registration in the NIH eRA Commons: Refer to the NIH eRA Commons System (COM) Users Guide.
Note that if a PD/PI is also an NIH peer-reviewer with an Individual DUNS and CCR registration, that particular DUNS number and CCR registration are for the individual reviewer only. These are different than any DUNS number and CCR registration used by an applicant organization. Individual DUNS and CCR registration should be used only for the purposes of personal reimbursement and should not be used on any grant applications submitted to the Federal Government.
Several of the steps of the registration process could take four weeks or more. Therefore, applicants should immediately check with their business official to determine whether their institution is already registered in both Grants.gov and the Commons. The NIH will accept electronic applications only from organizations that have completed all necessary registrations.
1.
Request Application Information
Applicants
must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and SF424 (R&R)
Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply.
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 applications using the SF424
(R&R) application forms and in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (MS Word
or PDF).
The SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is critical to submitting a complete and accurate application to NIH. There are fields within the SF424 (R&R) application components that, although not marked as mandatory, are required by NIH (e.g., the Credential log-in field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile component must contain the PD/PI’s assigned eRA Commons User ID). Agency-specific instructions for such fields are clearly identified in the Application Guide. For additional information, see Tips and Tools for Navigating Electronic Submission on the front page of Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.
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 FOA in Grants.gov/ APPLY will include all applicable components, required and optional. A completed application in response to this FOA will include the following components:
Required Components:
SF424
(R&R) (Cover component)
Research & Related Project/Performance Site Locations
Research
& Related Other Project Information
Research
& Related Senior/Key Person
PHS398
Cover Page Supplement
PHS398
Research Plan
PHS398
Checklist
PHS398 Modular Budget
Optional Components:
PHS398
Cover Letter File
R&R
Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form
Note: While both budget components are included in the SF424 (R&R) forms package, the NIH R21 uses ONLY the PHS 398 Modular Budget. (Do not use the detailed Research & Related Budget.)
Foreign
Organizations
Several
special provisions apply to applications submitted by foreign organizations:
Proposed research should provide a unique research opportunity not available in the United States.
3. Submission Dates and Times
See
Section IV.3.A for details.
3.A.
Submission, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
Opening Date: May 2, 2006 (Earliest
date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date(s): Not applicable
Application
Submission Date(s): Standard dates apply. See http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
for
details.
Peer Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
for
details.
Council Review Date(s) : Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
for
details.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
for
details.
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
To submit an application
in response to this FOA, applicants should access this FOA via http://www.grants.gov/Apply and follow
steps 1-4. Note: Applications must only be submitted electronically
PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
3.C.
Application Processing
Applications
may be submitted to Grants.gov on or
after the opening date and must be
submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on the application submission
date(s). (See Section IV.3.A. for all dates.) If an application is not submitted
by the submission date(s) and time, 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, 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 that 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.
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 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 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 the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
6. Other Submission Requirements
The NIH requires the PD/PI to fill in his/her Commons User ID in the PROFILE Project Director/Principal Investigator section, Credential log-in field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile component. The applicant organization must include its DUNS number in its Organization Profile in the eRA Commons. This DUNS number must match the DUNS number provided at CCR registration with Grants.gov. For additional information, see Tips and Tools for Navigating Electronic Submission on the front page of Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.
Renewal (formerly competing continuation or Type 2 ) applications are not permitted.
Application Characteristics
Note: While each section of the Research Plan needs to 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. All attachments must be provided to NIH in PDF format, filenames must be included with no spaces or special characters, and a .pdf extension must be used.
Additional Submission Requirements
The research plan should include a section entitled, Role of Collaborators that discusses the contribution of each of the investigators to the overall effort and how the different parts of the project interact to achieve the proposed goals. Applicants should describe how the proposed research takes advantage of the scientific environment of the collaborative arrangement. If the project is not innovative but essential to move the field forward, the applicant should discuss this aspect in the proposal.
Annual Meeting: Investigators who participate in this PA are encouraged to collaborate with other investigators in the field. In order to facilitate such interactions, the NINDS will coordinate an annual meeting. The cost of attendance at the annual meeting should be built into the proposed budget.
Specific Instructions for Modular Grant applications.
Applications
requesting direct costs in each year of $250,000 or less (excluding consortium
F&A costs), must be submitted in a modular budget format using the Modular
Budget Component provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Package and
Instructions Guide (see specifically Section 5.4). The modular budget 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.
Plan for Sharing
Research Data
The precise content
of the data-sharing plan will vary, depending on the data being collected and
how the investigator is planning to share the data. Applicants who are planning
to share data may wish to describe briefly the expected schedule for data
sharing, the format of the final dataset, the documentation to be provided,
whether or not any analytic tools also will be provided, whether or not a
data-sharing agreement will be required and, if so, a brief description of such
an agreement (including the criteria for deciding who can receive the data and
whether or not any conditions will be placed on their use), and the mode of
data sharing (e.g., under their own auspices by mailing a disk or posting data
on their institutional or personal website, through a data archive or enclave).
Investigators choosing to share under their own auspices may wish to enter into
a data-sharing agreement. References to data sharing may also be appropriate in
other sections of the application.
All applicants must
include a plan for sharing research data in their application. The data sharing
policy is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing.
All investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a description
of how final research data will be shared, or explain why data sharing is not
possible.
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 the priority score.
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.
Section
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
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 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 applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
The
goals of NIH supported research are to advance our understanding of biological
systems, to improve the control of disease, and to enhance health. In their
written critiques, reviewers will be asked to comment on each of the following
criteria in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have
a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will
be addressed and considered in assigning the overall score, weighting them as
appropriate for each application. Note that an 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 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?
Approach: Are the conceptual or
clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well
integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the
applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?
Innovation: Is the project original and
innovative? For example: 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?
Investigators: Are the investigators
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? Does the investigative team bring complementary and
integrated expertise to the project (if applicable)?
Environment: Does the scientific
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?
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
Data Sharing Plan:
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 the priority score. The presence of a data sharing plan will be part
of the terms and conditions of the award. The funding organization will be
responsible for monitoring the data sharing policy.
Program staff will be responsible for the
administrative review of the plan for sharing research data.
2.D. 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 (See NIH Grants Policy Statement 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.
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. 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
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the NIH eRA Commons.
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.
A formal
notification in the form of a Notice of 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 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 and Part
II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions
for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities.
3. Reporting
Awardees
will be required to submit the Non-Competing Grant
Progress Report (PHS 2590) annually 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
Contacts:
Margaret
P. Jacobs
Program
Director, Epilepsy Research
National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH
Neuroscience Center, Room 2138
6001
Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-9523
Telephone:
(301) 496-1917
FAX:
(301) 402-1501
Email: [email protected]
Bradley
C. Wise
Program
Director, Fundamental Neuroscience
National
Institute on Aging, NIH
Gateway
Bldg, Suite 350
7201
Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone:
(301) 496-9350
FAX:
(301) 496-1494
Email: [email protected]
2. Peer Review Contacts:
Not applicable
3. Financial or Grants Management
Contacts:
Aricia Ajose
Grants
Management Branch
National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001
Executive Boulevard, Room 3264
Bethesda , MD 20892-9537
Telephone:
(301) 496-8072
FAX (301)
402-0219
Email: [email protected]
Linda
Whipp
Grants
and Contracts Management Office
National
Institute on Aging
7201
Wisconsin Ave, Suite 2N212
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone:
(301) 496-1472
FAX (301)
402-3672
Email: [email protected]
Section VIII. Other Information
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); 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://PublicAccess.nih.gov/ and
view the Policy or other Resources and Tools including the Authors' Manual (http://publicaccess.nih.gov/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 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.
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.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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