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 on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov)
National Cancer Institute (NCI), (http://www.nci.nih.gov)
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), (http://www.ods.od.nih.gov).
Title: Mechanisms
of Alcohol-Associated Cancers (R21)
Announcement Type
New
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 the SF424 (R&R) 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 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 successfully received by Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on the submission/receipt 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-06-270
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.273, 93.393
Key Dates
Release/Posted Date: March 24, 2006
Opening Date: May 2, 2006 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): Not
Applicable
Application Submission Date(s): Standard dates apply,
please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
for details
Peer Review Date(s): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Council Review Date(s): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Expiration Date: March 2, 2009 (now May 8, 2009 per NOT-OD-07-093)
Due Dates for E.O. 12372
Not Applicable
Additional Overview Content
Executive Summary
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(s) 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. Address to 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. Electronic Transmission of 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
Background
Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for cancers of various organs. The risk of developing cancer varies from low to moderate to high, depending upon the type of the organ affected as well as the amount of alcohol consumed. In a meta-analysis report of 235 epidemiological studies (117,471 cases), statistically significant relative risks (RR) for the development of cancers of various organs from the consumption of 100 g of alcohol per day were reported as under: oral cavity and pharynx, 6.01; esophagus, 4.23; larynx, 3.95; breast, 2.71; liver, 1.86; ovary, 1.53; colon and rectum, 1.38; and stomach, 1.32. Significant increased risks were also found for most cancer sites with 50 g as well as 25 g of alcohol consumption per day. The later dose of alcohol (25 g or about two drinks) is considered equivalent to moderate alcohol consumption for men. Taken together, the fact that about one-third of Americans drink moderately or heavily, the combined risk of developing cancer from alcohol consumption could be a significant health problem in this country. Indeed, it is estimated that alcohol consumption is responsible for 5% of all cancers in the US. Understanding the underlying molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which chronic alcohol consumption promotes carcinogenesis is important for developing appropriate strategies for the prevention and treatment of alcohol-associated cancers.
Research Scope
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage research grant applications that will employ an integrative approach using state-of-the-art technologies to gain insight into the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which chronic alcohol consumption leads to the development of cancers of various organs such as oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, large intestine, liver, and breast. This includes investigating roles of various factors such as acetaldehyde, CYP2E1, VEGF, impaired immune function, and impaired metabolism of SAMe, folate, iron, and vitamin A by alcohol. This announcement addresses an area considered to be a high priority for liver disease research as delineated in the recently published Trans-NIH Action Plan for Liver Disease Research (http://liverplan.niddk.nih.gov), specifically in the areas of fatty liver disease and liver cancer.
a. Acetaldehyde:
Acetaldehyde, a suspected human carcinogen, appears to be a major causal agent responsible for alcohol-associated cancers of upper aero-digestive tract (UADT) and large intestine. It can be formed in the digestive tract from the metabolism of ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) of mucosa and salivary glands, as well as due to increased acetaldehyde production by aerobic bacteria and yeast in the oral cavity and large intestine. Individuals who are heterozygous for inactive ALDH2 encoded by ALDH2*1/2*2 allele are at increased risk for cancers of UADT and large intestine because of the accumulation of acetaldehyde following alcohol consumption. Since most of the acetaldehyde is formed in the liver, it may also contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Acetaldehyde may promote the development of HCC by upregulating Gi-proteins and ERK MAPK signaling. In addition, acetaldehyde may play a role in the development of alcohol-associated cancers of other organs such as pancreas and breast. Acetaldehyde has been shown to have direct mutagenic and carcinogenic effects in in vitro and in vivo animal studies. It has been reported to cause point mutations in lymphocytes, induce sister chromatid exchanges, impair DNA repair, induce metaplasia of tracheal epithelium, and cause nasopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma. Acetaldehyde may cause replication errors and/or mutations in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes by forming adducts with DNA. Acetaldehyde can react with DNA to form adducts such as N2-ethyl-2 -deoxyguanosine (N2-ethyl-dG) and 1,N2-Propano-2 -deoxyguanosine (1,N2-PdG). These adducts may be responsible for the genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects of acetaldehyde.
b. Cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1):
Chronic ethanol is known to induce CYP2E1 in various organs including liver, pancreas, GI tract, and breast. The CYP2E1 induction may contribute to carcinogenesis by metabolizing ethanol to acetaldehyde and by converting various procarcinogens to carcinogens in various organs. In addition, CYP2E1 can release reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion that can be converted to hydrogen peroxide, which in turn can serve as a precursor for the formation of highly reactive hydroxyl and hydroxyethyl radicals. These radicals can cause oxidative DNA damage which has been implicated in the genesis of cancer. Metabolism of ethanol by other members of CYP family enzymes such as CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 may also contribute to the development of cancers of various organs via generation of ROS.
c. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF):
Growth and expansion of tumor mass are dependent upon the sustained angiogenesis which is characterized by formation of new blood vessels. VEGF is an important angiogenic factor, which is significantly up-regulated in a majority of human tumors. Ethanol has been shown to: 1) stimulate angiogenesis in rat gastric mucosa that was mediated through significant increases in VEGF mRNA and protein expression; 2) increase VEGF mRNA in rat skeletal muscle; 3) induce angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which was mediated through VEGF up-regulation; and 4) induce VEGF expression and angiogenesis in both models of cell culture and chick chorioallantoic membrane. These findings suggest that VEGF may be a mechanism whereby ethanol promotes vascular carcinogenesis.
d. Impaired immune function:
Natural Killer cells (NK) are immune surveillance cells which inhibit development and growth of certain tumors. Alcohol administration has been shown to inhibit NK cell activity and number in mice and rats. NK cell activity and number were also found to be decreased in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. Furthermore, NK cell numbers were found to be decreased in actively drinking individuals without alcoholic liver disease. These reports suggest that alcohol may promote tumor development by impairing the functions of NK cells.
e. Impaired S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) metabolism:
SAMe is the principal biological methyl donor, the precursor for polyamines and a precursor of glutathione. SAMe is synthesized from methionine in a reaction catalyzed by methionine adenosyl transferase (MAT). A possible connection between SAMe levels and cancer is based on the following information. In MAT1A knockout mice, SAMe deficiency is associated with hepatic hyperplasia, steatohepatitis, and HCC. In rats, chronic ethanol administration results in decreased SAMe levels, hypomethylation of c-myc, increased c-myc expression, and increased DNA strand breaks, suggesting an association between reduced SAMe levels and malignant degeneration. In patients affected with alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, both MAT activity and SAMe levels are reduced, suggesting that these patients may be susceptible to the development of HCC. Exogenous SAMe inhibits the growth of hepatoma cells in culture and prevents development of HCC in rats treated with hepatocarcinogens. Taken together these studies suggest that chronic ethanol consumption can result in SAMe deficiency that may render liver and other organs susceptible to malignant transformation via inducing global hypomethylation of DNA, which is an early feature of neoplastic transformation of epithelial cells. In addition, SAME may have potential for the treatment of HCC.
f. Impaired folate metabolism:
Folate deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of cancers for several organs such as colorectum, lung, breast, and cervix. In addition, chronic ethanol intake is known to impede the normal bioavailability and metabolism of folate. Thus alcohol intake and folate deficiency may act synergistically in promoting carcinogenesis. Excessive alcohol intake may impair the bioavailability of folate by diminishing its intestinal absorption, increasing its urinary excretion, and inducing cleavage of its molecule. Alcohol can impair folate metabolism in many ways. Both acute and chronic ethanol ingestion are known to inhibit the activity of methionine synthase, which catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from folate to homocysteine leading to methionine reformation. The decreased methionine synthase activity can result in decreased production of SAMe and increased accumulation of homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine. A decreased ratio of SAMe to s-adenosylhomocysteine can inhibit activities of many methyl transferases leading to global hypomethylation of DNA, which is an early feature of neoplastic transformation of epithelial cells. Thus alcohol-induced inhibition of methionine synthase activity may promote neoplastic growth via decreasing SAMe levels.
g. Impaired Betaine Metabolism:
Betaine (trimethylglycine) is an important human nutrient obtained from a variety of foods, and it is available as a dietary supplement. As a methyl donor, betaine provides methyl group to homocysteine to form methionine in a reaction that is catalyzed by betaine homocysteine methyl transferase (BHMT). This maintains an adequate supply of methionine for the synthesis of SAMe. In body, betaine is synthesized from choline in a reaction that is catalyzed by choline oxidase. Chronic ethanol exposure has been shown to deplete hepatic levels of betaine, which is associated with depletion of hepatic SAMe and elevation of hepatic levels of homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). Depletion of SAMe may promote neoplastic growth by inducing global DNA hypomethylation. Dietary betaine supplementation has been shown to increase hepatic levels of SAMe and decrease hepatic levels of SAH in rats exposed to chronic alcohol. SAH is a potent inhibitor of several methyltransferases including DNA methyltransferases which catalyze the transfer of methyl groups from SAMe to DNA. Thus betaine is potentially capable of improving DNA methylation by increasing SAMe levels and by rescuing DNA methyltransferases from the inhibitory effect of SAH.
h. Impaired iron metabolism:
Chronic alcohol intake is associated with increased accumulation of iron in the liver cells, including hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. Hepatic iron overload also develops in many individuals who consume alcohol on a chronic basis. Both alcohol and iron are known pro-oxidants. Alcohol’s metabolism through CYP2E1 can lead to the generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, hydrogen peroxide can react with ferrous iron (Fe+2), through Fenton reaction, and generate hydroxyl radicals which are highly reactive. Hydroxyl radicals can react with lipid molecules, initiating chain reactions leading to lipid peroxidation and generation of products such as acrolein, crotonaldehyde, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydoxynonenal (4-HNE). The 4-HNE is known to cause mutations of p53 gene which may initiate the development of HCC. Thus it is possible that sustained oxidative stress associated with chronic alcohol consumption and hepatic iron overload could play an important role in the initiation and promotion of carcinogenesis. Indeed a synergistic effect of alcohol intake and iron accumulation on HCC has been reported in patients with hemochromatosis. An excess of iron accumulated in hepatic macrophage (Kupffer cells) in response to chronic alcohol intake can activate, via oxidative stress, NF-kappaB which can increase the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF- . Thus in alcoholics, alcohol and iron together may initiate chronic inflammation which is a known risk factor for cancer.
i. Impaired vitamin A metabolism:
Alcohol may promote cancers of various organs by impairing metabolism of vitamin A. Vitamin A (retinol) is oxidized by retinol dehydrogenase to retinal, which is further oxidized to retinoic acid by retinal dehydrogenase. In addition, ADH and ALDH also participate in the metabolism of retinol to retinal and retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is the most active form of vitamin A, and a ligand for both retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). Retinoic acid is known to control cell proliferation, cell growth, cell differentiation, and cell apoptosis. Perturbation (impaired homeostasis) of these activities may render cells susceptible to carcinogenesis. Alcoholics generally have reduced levels of vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters), which is likely to reduce the levels of retinoic acid. Chronic ethanol ingestion may impair retinoid metabolism in three ways: 1) by inhibiting retinol metabolism to retinoic acid via competing for ADH and ALDH; 2) by accelerating catabolism of vitamin A by inducing CYP2E1; and 3) by increasing mobilization of vitamin A from the liver to other tissues. Alcohol-induced impairment of retinoic acid homeostasis may interfere with Vitamin A action and signaling in following ways. For example, alcohol may interfere with retinoic acid signaling, including down-regulating retinoid target gene expression and inhibiting RARs binding activity to retinoic acid responsive element (RARE). In addition, alcohol may interfere with retinoic acid cross talk with MAPK signaling pathway, which is involved in cellular proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and carcinogenesis. Thus chronic alcohol ingestion may promote cancer via perturbing homeostasis of retinoic acid metabolism and by impairing its action and signaling.
j. Other mechanisms:
For breast cancer in particular, alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Breast tissue may metabolize alcohol to acetaldehyde, catalyzed by ADH and CYP2E1. Acetaldehyde can be further metabolized to acetate via ALDH or xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) in the breast tissue. Metabolism of alcohol by CYP2E1 and of acetaldehyde by XOR can result in ROS generation. Both acetaldehyde and ROS have been implicated in the initiation and progression of cancer. Alcohol has been shown to down-regulate the expression of the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 and increase the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor-alpha. Thus alcohol may contribute to breast cancer by inactivation of BRCA1 and increasing estrogen responsiveness. In experimental animals, alcohol has been shown to initiate as well as promote dimethylbenzathracene-initiated mammary tumors. Alcohol appears to render rodent mammary gland susceptible to carcinogen-induced damage by altering mammary gland structural development and stimulating cell proliferation in the terminal end buds of the mammary gland. Alcohol consumption is associated with increased breast mammographic density, which is a risk factor for developing breast cancer.
Areas of Research
Listed below are examples of areas of interest. Research relevant to this FOA is not limited to these examples.
See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.
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 AvailableBecause 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.
For the R21 mechanism, applicants may request a project
period of up to 2 years with a combined budget for direct costs of up to $275,000
for the 2 year period (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-05-004.html).
For example, an applicant may request $100,000 in the first year and $175,000
in the second year. The request should be tailored to the needs of the project.
Normally, no more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.
Facilities and administrative 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 as the PD/PI 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.
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
Not applicable
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 U.S.
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)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): Not Applicable
Application Submission Date(s): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
Peer Review Date(s): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Council Review Date(s): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
3.A.1. Letter of Intent
A letter of intent is not required for the funding opportunity.
3.B. Electronic Transmission of 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 on or after the opening date and must
be successfully received by Grants.gov
no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant
institution/organization) on the application
submission/receipt date(s). (See Section IV.3.A. for all dates.) If an application
is not submitted by the receipt 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 SO 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.
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.
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).
4. Intergovernmental Review
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental
review.
5. Funding Restrictions
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.
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 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). 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.
Application Characteristics
Do not use the Appendix to circumvent
the page limitations of the Research Plan. An application that does not observe
these limitations may be delayed in the review process.
Plan for Sharing Research Data
Not applicable
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
the 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.
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). See Section VI.3.,
Reporting.
Section V. Application Review Information
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
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:
The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
The NIH R21 exploratory/developmental grant is a mechanism for supporting novel scientific ideas or new model systems, tools, or technologies that have the potential to significantly advance our knowledge or the status of health-related research. Because the Research Plan is limited to 15 pages, an exploratory/developmental grant application need not have extensive background material or preliminary information as one might normally expect in an R01 application. Accordingly, reviewers will focus their evaluation on the conceptual framework, the level of innovation, and the potential to significantly advance our knowledge or understanding. Reviewers will place less emphasis on methodological details and certain indicators traditionally used in evaluating the scientific merit of R01 applications, including supportive preliminary data. Appropriate justification for the proposed work can be provided through literature citations, data from other sources, or, when available, from investigator-generated data. Preliminary data are not required; however, they may be included if available.
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 PD/PI 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
Not applicable
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
the 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 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
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 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 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part4.htm).
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 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,
Form 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 Contacts:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Vishnudutt Purohit, Ph.D.
Program Director
Division of Metabolism and Health Effects
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institutes of Health
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2035, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
Phone: 301-443-2689
Fax: 301-594-0673
Email: [email protected]
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Sharon Ross, Ph.D., MPH
Division of Cancer Prevention
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 3157, MSC 7328
Bethesda, MD 20892-7328
Phone: 301-594-7547
Fax: 301-480-3925
Email: [email protected]
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
Christine A. Swanson, Ph.D.
Office of Dietary Supplements
National Institutes of Health
Room 3B01 MSC 7517
6100 Executive Blvd.
Bethesda MD 20892-7517
Phone: (301) 435-2920
Fax: (301) 480-1845
Email [email protected]
2. Peer Review Contacts:
Not applicable
3. Financial or Grants Management
Contacts:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Judy Fox
Chief, Grants Management Branch
Chief Grants Management Officer
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 3023, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
FOR EXPRESS MAIL: Rockville, MD 20852-1705
Phone: (301)443-4704
FAX: (301)443-3891
Email: [email protected]
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Barbara Liesenfeld
Office of Grants Administration
Executive Plaza South, Suite 243
6120 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892 (regular mail)
Rockville, MD 10852 (express mail)
Phone: 301-496-3265
Fax: 301-496-8601
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 the 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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