EXPIRED
Department of Health and Human Services
Participating
Organizations
National Institutes of Health (NIH), ( http://www.nih.gov/)
Components of Participating Organizations
National Cancer Institute (NCI/NIH), ( http://www.cancer.gov/)
National Eye Institute (NEI/NIH), (http://www.nei.nih.gov/)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI/NIH), (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm)
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI/NIH), (http://www.genome.gov/)
National Institute on Aging (NIA/NIH), (http://www.nia.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA/NIH), (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID/NIH), (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
(NIAMS/NIH), (http://www.niams.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB/NIH), (http://www.nibib.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD/NIH), (http://www.nichd.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD/NIH), (http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR/NIH), (http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK/NIH), (http://www.niddk.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA/NIH), (http://www.nida.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS/NIH), (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS/NIH), (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH), (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH), (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR/NIH), (http://www.ninr.nih.gov/)
National Library of Medicine (NLM/NIH), (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/)
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM/NIH), (http://nccam.nih.gov/)
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD/NIH), (http://ncmhd.nih.gov/)
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR/NIH), (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/)
Title: PHS 2008-02 Omnibus
Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant
Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42])
Announcement Type
New
(See PA-07-280 and PA-07-281 for previous [now expired] SBIR and STTR Parent announcements.)
Program Announcement (PA) Number: PA-08-051Update: 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) SBIR/STTR Application Guide.
APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORMAT.
This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines included with this announcement in Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).
A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV.
Catalog
of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.113, 93.114, 93.115, 93.118, 93.121, 93.135, 93.136, 93.143, 93.161, 93.172,
93.173, 93.184, 93.185, 93.197, 93.206, 93.208, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.268,
93.273, 93.279, 93.283, 93.286, 93.307, 93.361, 93.389, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395,
93.396, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.846, 93.847, 93.848, 93.849, 93.853,
93.855, 93.856, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879, 93.941, 93.942, 93.943,
93.947, 93.978
Key
Dates
Release/Posted Date: January 25, 2008
Opening Date: March 5, 2008 (Earliest date an application may be
submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): Not Applicable
NOTE: On time submission requires that applications be successfully
submitted to Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant
institution/organization).
Application Due Date(s): April 5, 2008;
August 5, 2008; December 5, 2008
AIDS Application Due Date(s): May 1, 2008;
September 1, 2008; January 2, 2009 (New Dates May 7, 2008; September 7, 2008; and January 7, 2009 per NOT-OD-08-050)
Peer Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Council Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Additional Information To Be Available Date (URL
Activation Date): Not Applicable
Expiration Date: January 8, 2009
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 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. Submitting an Application
Electronically 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. Resource Sharing Plan
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
The STTR program, as established by law, is intended
to stimulate a partnership of ideas and technologies between innovative
small business concerns (SBCs) and research institutions through
Federally-funded research or research and development (R/R&D). By providing
awards to SBCs for cooperative R/R&D efforts with research institutions,
the STTR program assists the small business and research communities by commercializing
innovative technologies.
The STTR program is structured in three phases, the first two of which are supported using STTR funds. The objective of Phase I is to establish the technical/scientific merit and feasibility of the proposed R/R&D efforts. The objective of Phase II is to continue the research or R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. An objective of the STTR program is to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R/R&D. The objective of Phase III, where appropriate, is for the SBC to pursue with non-STTR funds (either Federal or non-Federal) the commercialization objectives resulting from the results of the R/R&D funded in Phases I and II. In some Federal agencies, Phase III may involve follow-on, non-STTR funded R&D, or production contracts for products or processes intended for use by the U.S. Government.
The competition for STTR Phase I and Phase II awards satisfies the competition requirement of the Armed Services Procurement Act, the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, and the Competition in Contracting Act. Therefore, an agency that wishes to fund an STTR Phase III project is not required to conduct another competition in order to satisfy those statutory provisions. As a result, in conducting actions relative to a Phase III STTR award, it is sufficient to state for purposes of a Justification and Approval pursuant to FAR 6.302-5 that the project is a STTR Phase III award that is derived from, extends, or logically concludes efforts performed under prior STTR funding agreements and is authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2304(b)(2) or 41 U.S.C. 253(b)(2).
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites eligible United States small business concerns (SBCs) to submit Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, and Phase II Competing Renewal grant applications.
The PHS 2008-2 SBIR/STTR Program Descriptions and Research Topics for NIH, CDC, and FDA represent scientific program areas that may be of interest to applicant SBCs in the development of projects that have potential for commercialization. Small business concerns that have the research capabilities and technological expertise to contribute to the R&D mission(s) of the NIH awarding components identified in this FOA are encouraged to submit STTR grant applications in these areas. STTR grant applications will also be accepted and considered in any area within the mission of the Components of Participating Organizations listed for this FOA. In addition to the general research areas described above some NIH awarding components have identified additional, specific STTR funding opportunities of potential interest to SBCs. See the NIH Special Announcements for Small Business Research Opportunities. Applicants are not required to identify a potential awarding component prior to submission of the application. Staff within the NIH’s Center for Scientific Review (CSR) office, the single receiving point for all NIH grant applications, will assign all applications to the most appropriate Institute/Center (IC) based on their mission and the science proposed.
Some of the NIH ICs offer the opportunity to submit Phase II Competing Renewal applications that will provide additional funding for Phase II STTR projects. These renewals are often offered for those projects that require regulatory approval for the product or service being developed. For those ICs that included these opportunities in the PHS 2008-2 SBIR/STTR Program Descriptions and Research Topics for NIH, CDC, and FDA applications will be accepted through this Parent STTR FOA. All others must be submitted in response to the specific FOA released by the IC. See the NIH Special Announcements for Small Business Research Opportunities for a list of these unique STTR and SBIR funding opportunities.
This FOA is issued pursuant to the authority contained in Public Law 107-50 which authorizes the STTR program through September 30, 2009. Government-wide STTR policy is provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through its STTR Program Policy Directive. Federal agencies with extramural R&D budgets over $1 billion annually are required to administer STTR programs using a set-aside of 0.30% for awards to small companies that conduct research in a collaborative relationship with a non-profit research institution.
See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations,
for policies related to this announcement.
Section II. Award Information
1.
Mechanism(s) of Support
This FOA will use the Small Business Technology Transfer
(STTR [R41/R42] grant mechanisms. Applications may be submitted for support as
Phase I, Phase II, or Fast-Track grants as described in the SF424 (R&R)
SBIR/STTR Application Guide. Applications for Phase II Competing Renewal grants
may be submitted for those ICs that included these opportunities in the PHS 2008-2 SBIR/STTR Program Descriptions and Research
Topics for NIH, CDC, and FDA
Small
business concerns that have received a Phase I STTR grant may apply for Phase
II funding of that project. The Phase II must be a logical extension of the
Phase I research but not necessarily as a Phase I project supported in response
to this funding opportunity. Phase II applications will compete with all STTR
applications and will be reviewed according to the customary peer review
procedures
The applicant small business concern (SBC) will be
solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.
This funding opportunity uses Just-in-Time information concepts. The modular budget format is not accepted for STTR grant applications. Applicants must complete and submit budget requests using the SF424 (R&R) Budget component found in the application package attached to this FOA in Grants.gov/Apply.
2.
Funds Available
Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and
the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will
depend upon the quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.
The SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide indicates the statutory guidelines of funding support and project duration periods for Phase I and Phase II STTR awards. Phase I awards normally may not exceed $100,000 total for a period normally not to exceed 12 months. Phase II awards normally may not exceed $750,000 total for a period normally not to exceed 2 years. These award levels and project periods are statutory guidelines, not ceilings. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to propose a budget and project duration period that is reasonable and appropriate for completion of the research project. Phase II competing renewal budgets must be submitted in accordance with participating IC-specific limitations described in the PHS 2008-2 SBIR/STTR Program Descriptions and Research Topics for NIH, CDC, and FDA.
Facilities
and Administrative (F&A) costs requested by consortium participants are not
included in the direct cost limitation. See NOT-OD-05-004.
NIH
grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy
Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to
this FOA.
Section III. Eligibility Information
1.
Eligible Applicants
1.A. Eligible
Institutions
Only United States small business concerns (SBCs) are eligible to submit STTR applications. A small business concern is one that,
at the time of award of Phase I and Phase II, meets all of the following criteria:
1. Organized for profit, with a place of business located in the United States, which operates primarily within the United States or which makes a significant contribution to the United States economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor;
2. In the legal form of an individual proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, association, trust or cooperative, except that where the form is a joint venture, there can be no more than 49 percent participation by business entities in the joint venture;
3. At least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States.
4. Has, including its affiliates, not more than 500 employees and meets the other regulatory requirements found in 13 C.F.R. Part 121. Business concerns, other than investment companies licensed, or state development companies qualifying under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, 15 U.S.C. 661, et seq., are affiliates of one another when either directly or indirectly, (a) one concern controls or has the power to control the other; or (b) a third-party/parties controls or has the power to control both.
Control can be exercised through common ownership, common management, and contractual relationships. The term "affiliates" is defined in greater detail in 13 C.F.R. 121.3-2(a). The term "number of employees" is defined in 13 C.F.R. 121.3-2(t).
Business concerns include, but are not limited to, any individual (sole proprietorship), partnership, corporation, joint venture, association, or cooperative. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Small Business Administration Size District Office at http://sba.gov/size.
One of the circumstances that would lead to a finding that an organization is controlling or has the power to control another organization involves sharing common office space and/or employees and/or other facilities (e.g., laboratory space). Access to special facilities or equipment in another organization is permitted (as in cases where the awardee organization has entered into a subcontractual agreement with another organization for a specific, limited portion of the research project). However, research space occupied by an STTR awardee organization must be space that is available to and under the control of the STTR awardee for the conduct of its portion of the proposed project.
Title 13 CFR 121.3 also states that control or the power to control exists when key employees of one concern organize a new concern ... and serve as its officers, directors, principal stockholders, and/or key employees, and one concern is furnishing or will furnish the other concern with subcontracts, financial or technical assistance, and/or other facilities, whether for a fee or otherwise. Where there is indication of sharing of common employees, a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis of whether such sharing constitutes control or the power to control.
For purposes of the STTR program, personnel obtained through a Professional Employer Organization or other similar personnel leasing company may be considered employees of the awardee. This is consistent with SBA’s size regulations, 13 CFR 121.106 Small Business Size Regulations.
All STTR grant applications will be examined with the above eligibility considerations in mind. If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the eligibility requirements, NIH will request a size determination by the SBA. If eligibility is unclear, NIH will not make an STTR award until the SBA provides a determination.
Note: An applicant organization that has been determined previously by SBA to be other than small for a size standard of not more than 500 employees or for purposes of the SBIR/STTR program, the organization must be recertified by the SBA prior to any future SBIR/STTR awards.
1.B. Eligible Individuals
Any
individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the
proposed research is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an
application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic
groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply
for NIH support.
More than one PD/PI, or multiple PDs/PIs, may be designated on the application
for projects that require a team science approach that clearly does not fit
the single-PD/PI model. Additional information on the implementation plans and
policies and procedures to formally allow more than one PD/PI on individual
research projects is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi . All PDs/PIs must be registered in the NIH eRA Commons prior to the submission
of the application (see http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm for instructions).
The decision of whether to apply for a single PD/PI or multiple PD/PI grant is the responsibility of the investigators and applicant organizations and should be determined by the scientific goals of the project. Applications for multiple PD/PI grants will require additional information, as outlined in the instructions below. The NIH review criteria for approach, investigators, and environment have been modified to accommodate applications involving either a single PD/PI or multiple PDs/PIs. When considering multiple PDs/PIs, please be aware that the structure and governance of the PD/PI leadership team as well as the knowledge, skills, and experience of the individual PD/PIs will be factored into the assessment of the overall scientific merit of the application. Multiple PDs/PIs on a project share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. Each PD/PI is responsible and accountable to the grantee organization, or as appropriate, to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of required reports. For further information on multiple PDs/PIs, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi.
For a STTR application, the Project Director/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) may be employed with the SBC or the participating non-profit research institution as long as s/he has a formal appointment with or commitment to the applicant SBC, which is characterized by an official relationship between the SBC and that individual.
When the proposed PD/PI clearly does not have sufficient qualifications to provide scientific and technical direction of the project, the application is not likely to receive a favorable evaluation.
Each PD/PI must commit a minimum of 10% effort to the project and each PD/PI must have a formal appointment with or commitment to the applicant small business concern, which is characterized by an official relationship between the small business concern and that individual. Such a relationship does not necessarily involve a salary or other form of remuneration. In all cases, however, the PD/PI’s official relationship with the grantee must entail sufficient opportunity for the PD/PI to carry out his or her responsibilities for the overall scientific and technical direction of the project. Documentation (e.g., consultant, consortium and contractual arrangements) describing the official relationship of the PD/PI with the applicant small business concern should NOT be submitted with the grant application, but a copy must be furnished upon the request of the NIH awarding component.
The following are examples of situations describing the official relationship of the PD/PI with the applicant small business organization:
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
In STTR Phase I and Phase II, at least 40% of the work
must be performed by the small business concern and at least 30% of the work
must be performed by the single, partnering research institution. The basis
for determining the percentage of work to be performed by each of the
cooperative parties will be the total of direct and F&A/indirect costs
attributable to each party, unless otherwise described and justified in Item
15, Consortium/Contractual Arrangements, of the PHS398 Research Plan
component of the SF424 (R&R) application forms.
Applicants may not simultaneously submit identical/essentially identical applications under both this STTR Parent funding opportunity and any other HHS FOA, including the current SBIR Parent FOA. The NIH will accept as many "different" applications as the applicant organization chooses. However, the NIH will not accept similar grant applications with essentially the same research focus from the same applicant organization. This includes derivative or multiple applications that propose to develop a single product, process or service that, with non-substantive modifications, can be applied to a variety of purposes. Likewise, identical or essentially identical grant applications submitted by different applicant organizations will not be accepted. Applicant organizations should ascertain and assure that the materials they are submitting on behalf of the principal investigator are the original work of the principal investigator and have not been used elsewhere in the preparation and submission of a similar grant application. Applications to the NIH are grouped by scientific discipline for review by individual Scientific Review Groups and not by disease or disease state. The reviewers can thus easily identify multiple grant applications for essentially the same project. In these cases, application processing may be delayed or the application(s) may be returned to the applicant without review.
It is unlawful to enter into contracts or grants requiring essentially equivalent work or effort. Essentially equivalent work or effort occurs when (1) substantially the same research is proposed for funding in more than one contract proposal or grant application submitted to the same Federal agency; (2) substantially the same research is submitted to two or more different Federal agencies for review and funding consideration; or (3) a specific research objective and the research design for accomplishing an objective are the same or closely related in two or more proposals or awards, regardless of the funding source. If there is any question concerning essentially equivalent work or effort, it must be disclosed to the soliciting agency or agencies before award.
Only one Phase II award may be made for a single STTR project.
You may submit a Phase II application either before or after expiration of the Phase I budget period, unless you elect to submit a Phase I and Phase II application concurrently under the Fast-Track procedure. To maintain eligibility to seek Phase II support, a Phase I grantee organization should submit a Phase II application within the first six due dates following the expiration of the Phase I budget period.
Applicants may submit a resubmission application, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous peer review critique (Summary Statement).
NIH Phase II awardees may submit a Phase II competing renewal application for projects that require extraordinary time and effort in the R&D phase and may or may not require FDA approval for the development of such projects. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact IC program staff prior to submitting Phase II Competing Renewal applications.
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
To download a SF424 (R&R) Application Package and SF424 (R&R)
SBIR/STTR Application Guide for completing the SF424 (R&R) forms for this
FOA, use the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or 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:
PDs/PIs should work with their institutions/organizations to make sure they are registered in the NIH eRA Commons.
Several additional separate actions are required before an applicant SBC can submit an electronic application, as follows:
1) Organizational/Institutional Registration in Grants.gov/Get Registered
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.
To affiliate the PD/PI with the applicant small business concern:
1. PD/PI gives Commons user ID and email address to the administrator of the applicant organization/institution. (The email address must be the one that is contained in the Personal Profile for the PD/PI.)
2. Administrator logs into the Commons. (The administrator can be the Signing Official, Administrative Official, or the Accounts Administrator.)
3. Administrator selects "Administration" tab and then "Accounts" tab.
4. Administrator selects "Create Affiliation" tab.
5. Administrator enters the Commons User ID and Email address into the appropriate fields and clicks "Submit."
Both the PD/PI(s) and AOR/SO need separate accounts in the NIH eRA Commons since both are authorized to view the application image.
Note that if a PD/PI is also an NIH peer-reviewer with an Individual DUNS number 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 numbers and CCR registrations 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) SBIR/STTR Application Guide for this FOA
using the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or 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 STTR applications using the SF424 (R&R) application forms and in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply
The SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR 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). Failure to include this data field will cause the application to be rejected.
Agency-specific instructions for such fields are clearly identified in the Application Guide. For additional information, see Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, 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
Research & Related Budget
Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s)
Form
PHS398 Cover Page Supplement
PHS398 Research Plan
PHS398 Checklist
SBIR/STTR Information
Optional
Components:
PHS398 Cover Letter File
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Applications with Multiple PDs/PIs
When multiple PDs/PIs are proposed, NIH requires one PD/PI to be designated as the "Contact PD/PI, who will be responsible for all communication between the PDs/PIs and the NIH, for assembling the application materials outlined below, and for coordinating progress reports for the project. The Contact PD/PI must meet all eligibility requirements for PD/PI status in the same way as other PDs/PIs, but has no other special roles or responsibilities within the project team beyond those mentioned above. The first PD/PI listed must be affiliated with the applicant small business concern and will serve as the Contact PD/PI. For STTR, the Contact PI may be from either the SBC or the single partnering research institution. Note: the Contact PD/PI must have a formal appointment with or commitment to the SBC, which must be in the form of an official relationship between the parties, but need not include a salary or other form of remuneration. All funding for STTR projects goes to the small business awardee, so funding for PD/PIs from other organizations must be requested via a subcontract with the small business using the Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form.
Information for the Contact PD/PI should be entered in item 15 of the SF424 (R&R) Cover component. All other PDs/PIs should be listed in the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component and assigned the project role of PD/PI. Please remember that all PDs/PIs must be registered in the eRA Commons prior to application submission. The Commons ID of each PD/PI must be included in the Credential field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component. Failure to include this data field will cause the application to be rejected.
All projects proposing Multiple PDs/PIs will be required to include a new section describing the leadership of the project.
Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan: For applications designating multiple PDs/PIs, a new section of the research plan, entitled Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan (Section 14 of the Research Plan component in the SF424 (R&R)), must be included. A rationale for choosing a multiple PD/PI approach should be described. The governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and the research project should be described, including communication plans, process for making decisions on scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, technical, and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PDs/PIs and other collaborators.
If budget allocation is planned, the distribution of resources to specific components of the project or the individual PDs/PIs should be delineated in the Leadership Plan. In the event of an award, the requested allocations may be reflected in a footnote on the Notice of Award.
3. Submission Dates and Times
See Section IV.3.A. for details.
3.A. Submission, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
Opening Date: March 5, 2007 (Earliest
date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Application Due Date(s): April 5, 2008;
August 5, 2008; December 5, 2008
AIDS Application Due Date(s): May 1, 2008;
September 1, 2008; January 2, 2009
Peer Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Council Review Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm#reviewandaward
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.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.
Submitting an Application Electronically to the NIH
To submit an application in response to this FOA, applicants may use the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA
or link to http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp
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 due date(s). (See Section IV.3.A. for all dates.) If an application is not submitted by the due date(s) and time,
the application may be delayed in the review process or not reviewed.
Once an application package has been successfully submitted through Grants.gov, any errors have been addressed, and the assembled application has been created in the eRA Commons, the PD/PI and the Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) have two weekdays (Monday Friday, excluding Federal holidays) to view the application image to determine if any further action is necessary.
Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR). Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
There will be an acknowledgement of receipt of applications from Grants.gov and the Commons. The submitting AOR receives the Grants.gov acknowledgments. The AOR and the PD/PI receive Commons acknowledgments. Information related to the assignment of an application to a Scientific Review Group is also in the Commons.
Note: Since email can be unreliable, it is the responsibility of the applicant to check periodically on their application status 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 (1 page maximum for Phase I and 3 pages maximum for Phase II) addressing the previous critique. Note 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
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 or competing
renewal award if such costs: are necessary to conduct the project, and would be
allowable under the grant, if awarded, without NIH prior approval. If specific
expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the grantee must obtain
NIH approval before incurring the cost. NIH prior approval is required for any
costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning date of the initial
budget period of a new or competing renewal award.
The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a
competing or non-competing award imposes no obligation on NIH either to make
the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made
for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award
costs incurred. NIH expects the grantee to be fully aware that pre-award costs
result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not
impair the grantee's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the
approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project.
See the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
6. Other Submission Requirements
PD/PI Credential (e.g., Agency Login)
The NIH requires each 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.
Organizational DUNS
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 Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.
PHS398 Research Plan Component Sections
While each section of the Research Plan component needs to be uploaded separately as a PDF attachment, applicants are encouraged to construct the Research Plan component 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.
All application instructions outlined in the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide are to be followed, with the following requirements.
STTR Phase I Applications:
STTR Phase II Applications (including Phase II Competing Renewals):
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIH program staff prior to submitting Phase II Competing Renewal applications.
STTR Fast-Track Applications:
Resubmissions:
Warning: Please be sure that you observe the total cost, project period, and page number limitations specified above for this FOA. Application processing may be delayed or the application may be rejected if it does not comply with these requirements.
Appendix Materials
Applicants must follow the specific instructions on Appendix materials as described in the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide (See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm).
Do not use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the Research Plan component. An application that does not observe the required page limitations may be delayed in the review process. Phase I STTR Appendix materials are not permitted unless specifically requested by NIH.
Resource Sharing Plan(s)NIH considers the sharing of unique research resources developed through NIH-sponsored research an important means to enhance the value of, and advance research. When resources have been developed with NIH funds and the associated research findings published or provided to NIH, it is important that they be made readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community. If the final data/resources are not amenable to sharing, this must be explained in the Resource Sharing section of the application. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_faqs.htm.
(a) Data Sharing Plan: Investigators seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year are expected to include a brief 1-paragraph description of how final research data will be shared, or explain why data-sharing is not possible (for example human subject concerns, the Small Business Innovation Development Act provisions, etc.) Applicants are encouraged to discuss data-sharing plans with their program contact. See Data-Sharing Policy or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-032.html.
(b) Sharing Model Organisms: Regardless of the amount requested, all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated are expected to include a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organisms and related resources, or state appropriate reasons why such sharing is restricted or not possible. See Sharing Model Organisms Policy, and NIH Guide NOT-OD-04-042.
(c) Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS): Regardless of the amount requested, applicants seeking funding for a genome-wide association study are expected to provide a plan for submission of GWAS data to the NIH-designated GWAS data repository, or provide an appropriate explanation why submission to the repository is not possible. A genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (such as blood pressure or weight) or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. For further information see Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies, NIH Guide NOT-OD-07-088, and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/gwas/.
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 on the basis of
established PHS referral guidelines to the ICs for funding consideration.
Applications that
are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an
appropriate peer review group convened by the Center for Scientific Review and in accordance with the
review criteria stated below.
As part of the scientific peer review, all applications will:
Applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity will compete for available funds with all other recommended STTR 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, and weighted 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 meritorious priority score.
All
STTR Applications
Significance: Does the proposed project have commercial potential to lead to a marketable
product, process or service? Does this study address an important problem? What
may be the anticipated commercial and societal benefits that may be derived
from the proposed research? If the aims of the application are achieved, how
will scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced? What will be the
effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments,
services, or preventative interventions that drive this field? Does the
application lead to enabling technologies (e.g., instrumentation, software) for
further discoveries? Will the technology have a competitive advantage over
existing/alternate technologies that can meet the market needs?
Approach: Are
the conceptual or clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately
developed, well-integrated, well-reasoned, and
appropriate to the aims of the project? Is the proposed plan a sound approach
for establishing technical and commercial feasibility? Are the milestones and
evaluation procedures appropriate? Does the applicant acknowledge potential
problem areas and consider alternative tactics? For applications designating
multiple PDs/PIs, is the leadership approach, including the designated roles
and responsibilities, governance, and organizational structure, consistent with
and justified by the aims of the project and the expertise of each of the
PDs/PIs?
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?
Investigator(s): Are the PD/PI(s) and other key personnel appropriately
trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed
appropriate to the experience level of the PD/PI(s) and other researchers,
including consultants and subcontractors (if any)? Do the PD/PIs and
investigative team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project
(if applicable)? Are the relationships of the key personnel to the small
business and to other institutions appropriate for the work proposed?
Environment: Do(es) the scientific and technological environment in which the work will be
done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed studies benefit
from unique features of the scientific environment, or subject populations, or
employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional
support? Is there sufficient access to resources (e.g., equipment, facilities)?
Phase
II Applications
In addition
to the above review criteria:
1. How well
did the applicant demonstrate progress toward meeting the Phase I objectives,
demonstrating feasibility, and providing a solid foundation for the proposed
Phase II activity?
2.
Did the applicant submit a concise Commercialization Plan that adequately
addresses the specific areas described in the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR
Application Guide and the SBIR/STTR Information component?
3. Does the
project carry a high degree of commercial potential, as described in the
Commercialization Plan?
Phase
I/Phase II Fast-Track Application Review Criteria
For Phase
I/Phase II Fast Track applications, the following criteria also will be
applied:
1. Does the Phase
I application specify clear, appropriate, measurable goals (milestones) that
should be achieved prior to initiating Phase II?
2. Did the applicant
submit a concise Commercialization Plan that adequately addresses the specific
areas described in the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide and the
SBIR/STTR Information component?
3. To what extent
was the applicant able to obtain letters of interest, additional funding
commitments, and/or resources from the private sector or non-SBIR/STTR funding
sources that would enhance the likelihood for commercialization?
4. Does the
project carry a high degree of commercial potential, as described in the Commercialization
Plan?
Phase I and
Phase II Fast-Track applications that satisfy all of the review criteria will
receive a single rating.
For Fast-Track
applications, the Phase II portion may not be funded until a Phase I final
report and other documents necessary for continuation have been received and
assessed by IC program staff that the Phase I milestones have been successfully
achieved. Items 2-5 of the Research Plan may not exceed 25 pages. That is, the
combined Phase I and Phase II plans for a Fast-Track application (for Items
2-5) must be contained within the 25-page limitation.
Phase II
Competing Renewal Applications
In addition
to the above review criteria described under All STTR Applications, the
following items will be applied to ALL Phase II competing renewal applications
in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score.
1. Did the
applicant submit a concise Commercialization Plan that adequately addresses the
specific areas described in the SF424 (R&R) SBIR/STTR Application Guide and
the SBIR/STTR Information component?
2.
Does the project carry a high degree of commercial potential as described in
the Commercialization Plan?
2.A.
Additional Review Criteria:
In addition
to the above criteria, the following items will continue to be considered in
the determination of scientific merit and the priority score:
Resubmission Applications: Are the
responses to comments from the previous scientific review group adequate? Are
the improvements in the resubmission application appropriate?
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 the Human Subjects Sections of the PHS398 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 the Human Subjects Sections of the PHS398 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 adequacy of the plans for their care and use will be assessed. See the Other Research Plan Sections of the PHS398 Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R).
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 and Period of Support: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and
the appropriateness of the requested period of support in relation to the
proposed research may be assessed by the reviewers. The
priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget.
When relevant, reviewers will be instructed to comment on the reasonableness of the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed resource sharing plan(s) into the determination of scientific merit or priority score, unless noted otherwise in the FOA. Program staff within the IC will be responsible for monitoring the resource sharing.
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/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.
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 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
NIH requires that STTR grantees submit the
following reports within 90 days of the end of the grant budget period unless the grantee is under an extension.
Financial Status Report (OMB 269, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html)
Final Progress Report
Final Invention Statement and Certification (HHS 568)
Annual Invention Utilization Reports
Final Cash Transaction Report (PSC 272, http://www.dpm.psc.gov/Reports.aspx)
Phase II Data Collection Requirement for Government Tech-Net Database (http://technet.sba.gov/)
Failure to submit timely final reports may affect future funding to the organization or awards with the same PD/PI.
The SBIR/STTR program solicitation is available on the NIH Small Business Funding Opportunities web site (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm). Small business concerns are encouraged to check the SBIR/STTR site for program updates. Any updates or corrections to the solicitation will be posted there. If the small business concern has difficulty accessing the solicitation, contact the PHS SBIR/STTR Solicitation Office below.
Questions of a general nature about the NIH SBIR/STTR program should be directed to:
Ms. Jo Anne Goodnight
NIH SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator
6705 Rockledge Drive
Rockledge I, Room 3538
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-435-2688, Fax: 301-480-0146
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Ms. Kay Etzler
NIH SBIR/STTR Program Analyst
6705 Rockledge Drive
Rockledge I, Room 3536
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-435-2713, Fax: 301-480-0146
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Kathleen J. Shino, M.B.A.
NIH SBIR/STTR Program
Phone: 301-435-2689, Fax: 301-480-0146
Email: [email protected]
PHS SBIR/STTR Solicitation
Office
Email: [email protected]
Grants Information
Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources
Office of Extramural Research
National Institutes of Health
Phone: (301) 710-0267, Fax: (301) 480-0525
Email: [email protected]
The PHS agencies encourage applicants to communicate with staff (see table below) throughout the entire application, review, and award process. Web site addresses and staff phone numbers of relevant NIH awarding components and other PHS awarding components are listed in the table below.
All inquiries regarding the
assignment, review, or recommendation on funding of applications are to be made
only to PHS officials.
1.
Scientific/Research and Financial/Grants Management Contacts:
Scientific/Research and Financial/Grants Management contacts for this funding
opportunity announcement are listed below.
Awarding Component |
Scientific/Research Contact |
Financial/Grants Mgmt. Contact |
National Institute on
Aging |
Dr. Michael-David A.R.R.
Kerns |
Ms. Linda Whipp |
National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism |
Dr. Max Q. Guo |
Ms. Judy Fox |
National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
Dr. Gregory Milman |
Mr. Michael Wright |
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases http://www.niams.nih.gov/ |
Mr. Elijah Weisberg |
Ms. Sheila Simmons Mr. Erik (Timothy)
Edgerton |
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering |
Mr. Todd Merchak |
Ms. Florence Turska |
National Cancer Institute |
Mr. Michael Weingarten |
Mr. Ted Williams |
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development |
Dr. Louis A. Quatrano |
Mr. Bryan S. Clark,
M.B.A. |
National Institute on Drug
Abuse |
Dr. Cathrine Sasek |
Ms. Diana Haikalis |
National Institute on
Deafness and Other Communication Disorders |
Dr. Roger Miller |
Mr. Christopher P. Myers |
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research |
Dr. R. Dwayne Lunsford |
Ms. Mary Daley |
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases |
Dr. Sanford A. Garfield |
Ms. Helen Y. Ling |
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences |
Dr. Jerrold J. Heindel |
Mr. Dwight Dolby |
National Eye Institute |
Dr. Jerome R. Wujek |
Mr. William Darby |
National Institute of General Medical Sciences |
Dr. Matthew E.
Portnoy |
Ms. Patrice Molnar |
National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute |
Ms. Susan Pucie |
Mr. Robert Vinson NHLBI, DERA, Office of Grants Management Rockledge Centre Two, Suite 7044 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7926 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7926 Telephone: (301) 435-0169 Fax: (301) 451-5462 Email: [email protected] |
National Human Genome
Research Institute |
Dr. Bettie J. Graham |
Ms. Cheryl Chick |
National Institute of
Mental Health |
Dr. Michael F. Huerta |
Ms. Rebecca Claycamp |
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke |
Dr. Randall Stewart |
Ms. Kimberly Campbell |
National Institute of Nursing Research |
Dr. Paul Cotton |
Mr. Brian Albertini |
National Center for
Research Resources |
Dr. Amy L. Swain |
Ms. Leslie Le |
National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
Dr. Carol Pontzer |
Mr. George Tucker,
M.B.A. |
National Center on
Minority Health and Health Disparities |
Mr. Vincent A. Thomas,
Jr., MSW, MPA |
Ms.
Priscilla Grant, J.D., C.R.A. |
National Library of
Medicine |
Dr. Jane Ye |
Mr. Dwight Mowery |
2. Peer Review Contacts:
Not Applicable
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 (45 CFR 46) 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.
Policy
for Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS):
NIH is interested in advancing
genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify common genetic factors that
influence health and disease through a centralized GWAS data repository. For
the purposes of this policy, a genome-wide association study is defined as any
study of genetic variation across the entire human genome that is designed to
identify genetic associations with observable traits (such as blood pressure or
weight), or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. All
applications, regardless of the amount requested, proposing a genome-wide
association study are expected to provide a plan for submission of GWAS data to
the NIH-designated GWAS data repository, or provide an appropriate explanation
why submission to the repository is not possible. Data repository management
(submission and access) is governed by the Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained
in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies, NIH
Guide NOT-OD-07-088. For additional information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/gwas/.
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). Beginning
October 1, 2004, all investigators submitting an NIH application or contract
proposal 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.
Access to Research Data through the Freedom of
Information Act:
The 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 the 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.
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 Requirement:
In accordance with the NIH Public Access Policy, investigators funded by the NIH
must submit or have submitted for them to the National Library of Medicine s
PubMed Central (see http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/), an
electronic version of their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts upon acceptance
for publication, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after
the official date of publication. The NIH Public Access Policy is
available at (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-033.html). For more
information, see the Public Access webpage at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/.
Standards
for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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 HHS 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. For publications listed in the appendix and/or
Progress report, Internet addresses (URLs) or PubMed Central (PMC) submission
identification numbers must be used for publicly accessible on-line journal
articles. Publicly accessible on-line journal articles or PMC
articles/manuscripts accepted for publication that are directly relevant to the
project may be included only as URLs or PMC submission
identification numbers accompanying the full reference in either the
Bibliography & References Cited section, the Progress Report Publication
List section, or the Biographical Sketch section of the NIH grant application.
A URL or PMC submission identification number citation may be repeated in each
of these sections as appropriate. There is no limit to the number of URLs or
PMC submission identification numbers that can be cited.
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 FOA 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 Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. All awards
are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other
considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to
provide a smoke-free workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products.
In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits
smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in
which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early
childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent
with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of
the American people.
Loan Repayment Programs:
NIH encourages applications for educational loan
repayment from qualified health professionals who have made a commitment to
pursue a research career involving clinical, pediatric, contraception,
infertility, and health disparities related areas. The LRP is an important
component of NIH's efforts to recruit and retain the next generation of
researchers by providing the means for developing a research career unfettered
by the burden of student loan debt. Note that an NIH grant is not required for
eligibility and concurrent career award and LRP applications are encouraged. The
periods of career award and LRP award may overlap providing the LRP recipient
with the required commitment of time and effort, as LRP awardees must commit at
least 50% of their time (at least 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour week)
for two years to the research. For further information, please see: http://www.lrp.nih.gov/.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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