MINORITY INVESTIGATORS IN ASTHMA AND ALLERGY

NIH GUIDE, Volume 22, Number 3, January 22, 1993



PA:  PA-93-41



P.T.





Keywords:



National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

American Academy of Allergy and Immunology



PURPOSE



The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID),

the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and the

American Academy of Allergy and Immunology (AAAI) recognize that

asthma and allergy, as well as immunologic lung diseases,

disproportionately afflict minority populations.  The resultant high

morbidity and mortality in these groups clearly require greater

attention.  The AAAI, NIAID and NHLBI share the concern regarding the

importance of heightened efforts in basic and clinical research in

asthma, allergy, and immunologic lung diseases.



Also critical to solving this growing public health problem is the

need to increase the numbers of basic and clinical minority

researchers.  Thus, NIAID, NHLBI and AAAI have agreed to join

together in a program that will address this area of need.



This supplement program is designed to reach minority scientists and

students working with Principal Investigators funded by NIAID and

NHLBI, as well as those supported by other, non-NIH, mechanisms.



HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000



The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health

promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"

a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This PA,

Minority Investigators in Asthma and Allergy, is related to the

priority areas of asthma and allergy.  Potential applicants may

obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.

017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report:  Stock No.

017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government

Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238).



ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS



This program is comprised of two funding components, one from NIAID

or NHLBI and the other from AAAI.  The eligibility requirements set

forth in the guidelines for the Research Supplements for

Underrepresented Minorities (as announced in the NIH Guide for Grants

and Contracts, January 24, 1992, Vol. 21, No. 3), will be used for

the NIAID and NHLBI component.



For the NIAID, applications may be submitted by Principal

Investigators working in the fields of asthma, allergy, and

immunologic diseases who have ongoing qualifying NIAID research

support.  For the NHLBI, applications may be submitted by Principal

Investigators working in the field of asthma and immunologic lung

diseases who have ongoing, qualifying NHLBI research support.  For

both NIAID and NHLBI, supplemental applications may be submitted on

behalf of postdoctoral scientists who are members of underrepresented

minority groups (Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Pacific

Islanders, or other ethnic or racial group members who have been

found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research

nationally).  In addition, qualifying Principal Investigators may

apply for funds to support two high school and two undergraduate or

medical students.  This part of the program is designed to stimulate

young, promising individuals to pursue a career in clinical or basic

research in the fields of asthma and allergy.  Principal

Investigators may apply for support for either or both postdoctoral

scientists and/or high school and undergraduate/medical students.



Candidates for this program must be U.S. citizens lawfully-admitted

aliens, or non-citizen nationals.



For the AAAI component of this program, minority postdoctoral

scientists may be candidates to work with non- NIH supported

Principal Investigators in the fields of asthma and allergy.  This is

in recognition of the fact that a sizable portion of the target

population (i.e., minority investigators with the M.D. degree) may be

in programs funded through non-NIH mechanisms.  For these

applications, the Principal Investigator must serve as the minority

individual's mentor.



MECHANISM OF SUPPORT



For the NIAID-sponsored part of this program, Principal Investigators

supported by NIAID at domestic institutions working in the field of

asthma and allergy may apply for a minority supplement.  PIs must be

supported by a qualifying NIH research support mechanism including

R01, R18, R37, P01, P30, P50, and U01.



For the NHLBI-sponsored part of this program, Principal Investigators

at domestic institutions who conduct research in the field of asthma

and immunologic lung diseases and are supported by NHLBI through R01,

R18, R37, P01, or U01 grants with a minimum of two years of research

support remaining may apply for a minority supplement.  The NHLBI

will not accept supplemental applications from P50 supported

investigators.



RESEARCH OBJECTIVES



All NIAID-funded Principal Investigators working in broad-based basic

or clinical research in asthma and allergic diseases are encouraged

to apply.  Projects ranging from molecular biology studies to

intervention protocols will be considered.  The objectives of this

Program Announcement are to:



o  Increase understanding of basic research in asthma and allergy,

including, but not limited to such areas as cytokines and adhesion

molecules, and the relationship of the environment to asthma and

allergic processes.



o  Foster understanding of prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of

asthma and allergy leading to better outcome measurements.



NHLBI-supported Principal Investigators who conduct basic, clinical

or health education research in asthma or immunologic lung diseases

are encouraged to apply.  Projects may range from molecular biology

and genetics to clinical interventions and population-based

investigations. Development and evaluation of demonstration and

health education research projects are also of interest.



SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF NIH

POLICIES CONCERNING INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL

RESEARCH STUDY POPULATIONS



NIH policy is that applicants for NIH clinical research grants and

cooperative agreements are required to include minorities and women

in study populations so that research findings can be of benefit to

all persons at risk of the disease, disorder or condition under

study; special emphasis must be placed on the need for inclusion of

minorities an women in studies of diseases, disorders and conditions

which disproportionately affect them.  This policy is intended to

apply to males and females of all ages.  If women or minorities are

excluded or inadequately represented in clinical research,

particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear compelling

rationale must be provided.



The population of the proposed study population must be described in

terms of gender and racial/ethnic group.  In addition, gender and

racial/ethnic issues should be addressed in developing a research

design and sample size appropriate for the scientific objectives of

the study.  This information must be included in the form PHS 398

(rev. 9/91) in Sections 1-4 of the Research Plan AND summarized in

Section 5, Human Subjects.  Applicants are urged to assess carefully

the feasibility of including the broadest possible representation of

minority groups.  However, NIH recognizes that it may not be feasible

nor appropriate in all research projects to include representation of

the full array United States racial/ethnic minority populations

(i.e., Native Americans (including American Indians or Alaska

Natives), Asian/Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics).  The rationale

for studies on single minority population groups must be provided.



For the purpose of this policy, clinical research is defined as human

biomedical and behavioral studies of etiology, epidemiology,

prevention (and preventive strategies), diagnosis, or treatment of

diseases, disorders or conditions, including but not limited to

clinical trials.



The usual NIH policies concerning research on human subjects also

apply.  Basic research or clinical studies in which human tissues

cannot be identified or linked to individuals are excluded.  However,

every effort should be made to include human tissues from women and

racial/ethnic minorities when it is important to apply the results of

the study broadly, and this should be addressed by applicants.



If the required information is not contained within the application,

the review will be deferred until the information is provided.



Peer reviewers will address specifically whether the research plan in

the application conforms to these policies. If the representation of

women and minorities in a study design is inadequate to answer the

scientific question(s) addressed AND the justification for the

selected study population is inadequate, it will be considered a

scientific weakness or deficiency in the study design and will be

reflected in assigning the priority score to the application.



All applications for clinical research submitted to NIH are required

to address these policies.  NIH funding components will not award

grants or cooperative agreements that do not comply with these

policies.



APPLICATION PROCEDURES



For the NIAID, a request for a supplement must be submitted by the

Principal Investigator on behalf of a minority candidate, by March

29, 1993.  For the NHLBI, a request for a supplement may be submitted

by the Principal Investigator on behalf of a minority candidate at

any time.  The format of the applications should follow the

guidelines of the "Research Supplements for Underrepresented

Minorities," (NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, January 24, 1992,

Vol. 21., No. 3).  The format set forth in those guidelines is

recommended for the applicants submitting applications for the AAAI

component of the program.  Non-NIH funded applicants should provide

all information requested of NIH-supported Principal Investigators.

It is expected that the applicants for the non-NIH portion of this

program will provide (and adequately describe) a scientific setting

similar to that of their counterparts applying for the NIAID or NHLBI

portion.  Funding decisions for the NIAID supplements will be

finalized by April 16, 1993.  Funding decisions for NHLBI supplements

will be made within four to six weeks after receipt of an

application.



The completed original application (for either the NIAID or the AAAI

component) and five copies must be sent to Dr. Milton J. Hernandez at

the address listed under INQUIRIES.



The completed original application (for either the NHLBI or AAAI

component) and five copies must be sent to Dr. Sri Ram at the address

listed under INQUIRIES.



REVIEW PROCEDURES



Review of the applications for this supplement program will follow

the guidelines for Research Supplements for Underrepresented

Minorities.  Applications will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee

formed by NIAID staff and AAAI representatives.  Applications

submitted to the NHLBI will be reviewed by NHLBI staff and AAAI

representatives.



Review criteria will include:



1.  Qualifications of the minority individual including career goals,

prior research training, research potential, and any relevant

experience.



2.  Adequacy of plan for the proposed research in the supplemental

request, and its relationship to the parent grant.



3.  Evidence from the Principal Investigator that the experience will

enhance the research potential, knowledge and/or skills of the

minority individual.



4.  Evidence from the Principal Investigator that the activities of

the minority individual are an integral part of the project.



5.  Evidence of educational achievement of the minority individual

and interest in a career in biomedical science.



AWARD CRITERIA



For FY 1993, it is expected that two minority supplement applications

from NIAID-supported Principal Investigators will be funded by NIAID

for a duration of two years.



No limit has been placed on the number of awards to be supported by

the NHLBI; as many as possible will be funded based on the quality of

the applications and the funds available for minority supplement

awards.  It is expected that two applications from non-NIH supported

investigators will be funded by AAAI.



NIAID and NHLBI supplements will be made according to the prevailing

guidelines, providing an award of up to $50,000 (salary plus supplies

and travel) per year.  In addition the prevailing indirect costs will

also be awarded to the applicant institution.  AAAI awards will be

for $30,000 and will provide no indirect costs to the applicant

institution.



INQUIRIES



Direct inquiries regarding programmatic aspects of the NIAID

component of this program to:



Milton J. Hernandez, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Science Training and Manpower Development

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Solar Building, Room 4C10

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7291



Inquiries on fiscal matters for NIAID be addressed to:



Ms. Barbara A. Huffman

Special Assistant for Operations

Grants Management Branch

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Solar Building, Room 4C26

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7075



Direct inquiries regarding programmatic aspects of the NHLBI

component of this program to:



Sri Ram, Ph.D.

Office of the Director

Division of Lung Diseases

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Westwood Building, Room 6A16

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7208

FAX:  (301) 496-9886



Inquiries on fiscal matters for NHLBI may be addressed to:



Raymond Zimmerman

Grants Management Branch

Division of Extramural Affairs

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Westwood Building, Room 6A16

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-4970



AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS



This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance No. 93.855.  Awards are made under authorization of the

Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as

amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered

under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45

CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the intergovernmental

review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency

review.



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