Full Text PA-96-033 DEVELOPMENTAL GRANTS FOR COLLABORATIVE INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 7, March 8, 1996 PA NUMBER: PA-96-033 P.T. 34 Keywords: Alcohol/Alcoholism Disease Prevention+ Population Studies National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism PURPOSE The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is soliciting applications for exploratory/developmental grants for collaborative international projects. The goal of this program announcement is to establish new or strengthen existing cooperative relationships between U.S. and foreign alcohol research scientists. While awards under this program are intended to enhance and extend the research of the U.S. scientist, it is expected that the projects supported will be mutually beneficial to advancing research on alcohol abuse and alcoholism in the collaborating nation. Exploratory/developmental grants (R21) are intended to develop new research activities that could serve as the foundation for the development of more intensive and larger research studies. Grants supported under this program announcement will be limited to a two-year effort and a maximum of $70,000 in direct costs per year. The issues related to alcohol use, abuse, alcoholism, and the reduction of alcohol-related problems are global. Much has been learned from the international exchange of research findings and observations on the etiology, prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. While much is gained from the exchanges that occur at international meetings and workshops, there is a need to assure that some exciting and potentially seminal findings reported by foreign investigators are more fully explored and developed through mutually beneficial collaborative research. 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 program announcement, Developmental Grants for Collaborative International Projects, is related to the priority areas of alcohol abuse reduction and alcoholism treatment. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone: 202-512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic non-profit and for-profit, public and private, institutions such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. The U.S. scientist must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States, and must apply as principal investigator with a colleague or colleagues from foreign laboratories or research sites. It is recognized that scientific opportunities may arise that warrant a formal collaborative effort between the U.S. investigator and individuals from more than one country. The foreign collaborator(s) must hold a position at a public or private non-profit institution that will allow him or her adequate time and provide appropriate facilities to conduct the proposed research. The linkages for international collaborative efforts may be between institutions in the United States and those in industrialized nations or developing countries. Simultaneous submissions of both an exploratory/developmental and regular research grant application on the same topic will not be accepted. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Research support mechanisms are limited to exploratory/developmental grants (R21) for up to $70,000 in direct costs per year for up to two years. Awards are made to the U.S. applicant institution to support a collaborative research project that will be performed, in part, at the foreign collaborator's research site. Indirect costs will not be allocated to any funds sent for collaborative purposes to another country. Funds may be included to purchase supplies for the foreign collaborator's laboratory and to support travel for both the U.S. and foreign collaborators, as justified by the needs of the research proposed. Annual awards will be made subject to progress achieved and continued availability of funds. FUNDS AVAILABLE Although awards may be up to $70,000 in direct costs per year for two years, the NIAAA estimates that the majority of awards will be much smaller. It is estimated that in Fiscal Year 1997 approximately four awards will be made depending on the quality of applications, program priorities and the availability of funds. Second year budgets should conform to current NIH cost-containment policy of a four percent increase for recurring costs. Support for subsequent years may be requested through the regular research grant programs of NIAAA. Although the financial plans of NIAAA provide for the support of this program, the award of grants pursuant to this program announcement is contingent upon the availability of funds for this program. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The purpose of this program announcement is to encourage exploratory/developmental studies that would complement U.S. alcohol research efforts. The establishment of this program will allow the accumulated knowledge and experience of U.S. alcohol research scientists to enhance collaboration with their colleagues on a global basis to address common issues and problems. While the problems and issues around alcohol use, abuse and alcoholism are universal, cross national comparisons of research findings have been difficult. Differences in terminology and definition, study design, research methodology, and data analysis often yield reports which are inconsistent. Differences in drinking patterns, alcohol policies, the type of alcohol (alcoholic beverage) consumed, or in the social and medical consequences of abuse present obstacles to cross national comparisons. Because the United States is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic nation with variations in the patterns, trends and practices around alcohol use and abuse, much can be gained from international research partnerships in this field where the experience of other cultures and availability of unique research opportunities will be helpful. It is anticipated that this program will provide support to pursue or verify intriguing research observations reported in foreign literature using different technologies or methodologies; to collaboratively pilot-test a hypothesis before a larger more complex project is developed; to develop new technology or to assure the study of appropriate comparison groups. The intent is to advance global understanding, contribute meaningfully to the international literature, and to significantly advance alcohol research efforts in the United States. Although international meetings and workshops have led to an increase in collaborative projects and constructive dialogue, more joint project planning and implementation would be beneficial. It is anticipated that collaborative efforts established through this program will facilitate: a) standardized assessments of epidemiologic, biomedical, behavioral, treatment, prevention, and policy research observations; b) studies to explore more fully intriguing observations and innovations which might be critical to the advancement of the field; c) the development of unique methods or resources; and d) development of the foundation for the coordinated conduct of scientifically sound studies and interventions on an international basis. Applications may be made for support of research in any scientific area relevant to alcohol abuse. While applications may involve a wide variety of biomedical, biobehavioral, or clinical disciplines, relevance to the mission of the Institute must be clear. Applications for studies aimed at problems outside these areas will be returned without review. Areas of interest to NIAAA are described in program announcements, which can be obtained on the Internet (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov) or from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, 11426-28 Rockville Pike, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20852, telephone (301) 468-2600. Potential applicants with questions concerning acceptability of their proposed study may contact NIAAA staff listed under INQUIRIES. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This new policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations), which have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which have been published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and reprinted in the NIH guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) and will be accepted at the standard application deadlines as indicated in the application kit. Applications kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Grants Information Office, Office of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/710-0267, email: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov. The title and number of the program announcement must be typed in section 2 on the face page of the application. Special Instructions for the Preparation of the Application are as Follows: a) Under key personnel: list the U.S. Principal Investigator, foreign collaborator, including complete organizational address, and key research collaborators. b) Travel must be well justified and include economy class airfare on a U.S. carrier and subsistence. Travel expenses may not exceed 15 percent of the total direct costs in each budget period. Travel funds to attend scientific meetings exclusively are not allowed. Per diem costs should be reduced for visits exceeding two weeks. c) The foreign collaborator's biographical sketch and bibliography may not exceed two pages. Relevant positions and all publications from at least the last three years should be listed. Thoroughly describe the current position of the foreign collaborator. d) Foreign collaborators must include evidence of approval to conduct the research from their institution and/or Public Health authority as appropriate. e) Foreign collaborators must include a signed letter describing their commitment to the collaborative effort. f) Human Subjects and Animal Welfare Assurances: If human subjects and/or vertebrate animals will be used as part of the project at the foreign site, then appropriate assurances from both the U.S. and the foreign institution must be filed with and approved by the Office of Protection of Research Risks (OPRR), NIH as a precondition for award. These assurances must comply with U.S. regulations. The assurances from the U.S. institution must have been filed and approved by OPRR (phone:301-496-7041 for human subjects; 301-496-7163 for laboratory animals) at the time of submission. Applicants will receive specific information for obtaining the foreign assurances following the initial review of the application. The completed original application and five legible copies must be sent or delivered to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817-7710 (for express/courier service) REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications that are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of the applications under review will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory council. Review Criteria Criteria to be used in the scientific and technical merit review of exploratory/developmental (R21) applications will include the following: 1. The scientific, technical, health or medical significance, and innovativeness or promise of the proposed research. 2. The degree to which the proposed collaboration presents opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talents, resources, populations, or environmental conditions in other countries which are not readily available in the United States or which provide augmentation of existing United States resources. 3. The potential of the proposed study as a building block in the development of future research, particularly international collaboration. 4. The appropriateness and adequacy of the research design and methodology proposed to implement the research plan. 5. The adequacy of the qualifications (including level of education and training) and relevant research experience of the principal investigator, key personnel, and the ability of the foreign collaborator to undertake and direct the foreign research activities of the project. Extent of past international collaboration, research, research training, scientific exchange, and joint publications and a extent of prior research support from NIH or other Federal, State or private funding organizations. 6. The availability of adequate facilities and general environment for the conduct of the proposed research and other resources, as well as collaborative arrangements. 7. The appropriateness of budget estimates and duration in relation to plans for the research. 8. Adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects and the safety of the research environment. Final assurances will be required as a condition of award. AWARD CRITERIA Applications recommended for approval by the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism will be considered for funding on the basis of the overall scientific and technical merit of the proposal as determined by peer review, NIAAA program needs and balance, geographical considerations, cost effectiveness of the planned research, and the availability of funds. INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding potential research to: Faye J. Calhoun, D.P.A., M.S. Office of Collaborative Research Activities National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 400 - MSC 7003 Bethesda, MD 20892-7003 Telephone: (301) 443-2593 FAX: (301) 443-7043 Email: fcalhoun@willco.niaaa.nih.gov Peggy Murray, M.S.W. Office of Collaborative Research Activities National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 400 - MSC 7003 Bethesda, MD 20892-7003 Telephone: (301) 443-2593 FAX: (301) 443-7043 Email: pmurray@willco.niaaa.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Linda Hilley Grants Management Branch National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 6000 Executive Boulevard MSC 7003 Bethesda, MD 20892-7003 Telephone: (301) 443-0915 FAX: (301) 443-3891 Email: lhilley@willco.niaaa.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, No. 93.273. Awards are made under the authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Sections 301 and 464H, and administered under the PHS policies and Federal Regulations at Title 42 CFR Part 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. The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of 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 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. .
Return to NIH Guide Main Index
Office of Extramural Research (OER) |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
||||||||
Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files. |