CANCER PREVENTION RESEARCH SMALL GRANT PROGRAM
Release Date: December 13, 1999
PA NUMBER: PAR-00-025
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date: March 20, July 20, November 20
THIS PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT (PA) USES THE MODULAR GRANT AND JUST-IN-TIME
CONCEPTS. IT INCLUDES DETAILED MODIFICATIONS TO STANDARD APPLICATION
INSTRUCTIONS THAT MUST BE USED WHEN PREPARING APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO THIS
PA.
This PA replaces PAR-95-091, which was published in the NIH Guide, Volume
24, Number 33, September 22, 1995.
PURPOSE
The Division of Cancer Prevention of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
invites applications that address developmental research in chemoprevention
agent development, biomarkers, early detection, and nutrition science. The
Small Grants Program is designed to aid and facilitate the growth of a
nationwide cohort of scientists with a high level of research expertise in
cancer prevention research. It is anticipated that these Small Grant Programs
may lead to the submission of subsequent Individual Research Project Grants
(R01).
New, as well as experienced, investigators in relevant fields and disciplines
(e.g., chemoprevention, nutritional science, genetic and infectious agents,
and early detection, including biomarker development and validation) may apply
for small grants to test ideas or do pilot studies.
This PA will expire in two years from the first receipt date. NIH Grants
policies apply to these awards.
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, Cancer Prevention Research Small
Grant Program, is related to the priority area of Cancer. 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, or at
http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications may be submitted by domestic, for-profit and not-for-profit
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals,
laboratories, units of State and local governments, eligible agencies of
Federal government, and small businesses. Racial/ethnic minority individuals,
women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal
investigators.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Support of this program announcement will be through NIH Small Grants Program
(R03). The total budget may not exceed $100,000 in direct costs for the entire
project. The direct costs in any one year must not exceed $50,000. The total
project period for an application submitted in response to this program
announcement may not exceed three years. NIH policy limits the number of
amendments that may be submitted to two. The small grant is not renewable.
Specific application instructions have been modified to reflect MODULAR
GRANT and JUST-IN-TIME streamlining efforts now in effect at the NIH.
Complete and detailed instructions and information on Modular Grant
applications can be found at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm
For this PA, funds must be requested in multiples of $25,000 direct cost
modules. A feature of the modular grant is that no budget escalation is
provided for future years, and all anticipated expenses for all years of the
project must be included within the number of modules being requested. Only
limited budget information is required and any budget adjustments made by the
Initial Review Group will be in modules of $25,000.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
This program is designed to aid and facilitate the growth of a cadre of
scientists with expertise in cancer prevention research. Small grants are
short-term awards which provide support for pilot projects, development and
testing of new methodologies, or innovative projects that provide a basis for
more extended research.
The Division of Cancer Prevention invites applications that address
developmental research in chemoprevention agent development, biomarkers, early
detection, and nutrition science, in addition to clinical studies that focus
on specific target organs. The specific areas of research may include, but are
not limited to:
Early Detection
Identification, development, and evaluation of biological analytic techniques,
methodologies, and clinical technologies relevant to pre-clinical cancer
detection and prevention:
Cellular, molecular, and genetic tumor markers
Molecular epidemiology and genetic risk factors
Imaging technology
Identification of molecular signatures of cancer-associated infectious agents
for earlier cancer detection and risk assessment.
Transfer of basic laboratory findings into applications for early detection
with the goal of extending this research to comparative clinical trials.
Development and evaluation of new high throughput molecular- and proteomic-
based detection techniques and measure sensitivity, specificity, validity, and
safety.
Translational research to facilitate the transfer of new technologies (to the
clinical setting) for earlier detection, prevention, and risk assessment.
Development and evaluation of computer-based data monitoring systems for
analysis and interpretation of laboratory data on multiple markers of and for
the development of modeling systems based on molecular, genetic and other risk
factors to be used in the evaluation of cancer prevention approaches.
Definition and evaluation of prognostic factors of pre-cancerous lesions by
computer models that include neural networks, artificial intelligence, and
other techniques.
Development of analytic techniques to identify populations that may be at
increased risk as indicated by genetic and metabolic phenotypes
(susceptibility markers).
Chemoprevention
Pilot testing and development of new methods of chemoprevention, dietary, or
nutrition intervention.
Development and evaluation of molecular targets to prevent, reverse, or retard
progression of precancerous lesions (and hence the cancer process) by natural,
synthetic, and/or dietary/nutritional interventions.
Feasibility and efficacy testing of rapid screening methods to identify and
prioritize new chemopreventive agents.
Testing of new strategies to prevent cancer or its progression in persons at
increased genetic risk.
Development of innovative animal models to mimic the human cancer process in
order to expedite research in cancer prevention.
Nutrition
Improvements in methodology development for assessing nutritional status,
metabolic patterns, and dietary modulation of genetic expression.
Identification, development and validation of biochemical or biological
markers for measuring and monitoring dietary compliance and exposure.
Development of reliable methods for analysis of nutrients, other dietary
components and their metabolites in foods, body fluids, and tissues.
Development of mechanistic studies of dietary constituent interactions, gene-
nutrient interactions and dietary environmental factor interactions.
Determination of bioavailability and dose-response of foods, nutrients, and
other naturally-occurring food constituents.
Although the specific study proposed may attempt only to obtain preliminary
data and/or conduct pilot studies in support of a future, more detailed Phase
III through V study, it is important that a long-term human cancer prevention
hypothesis and supporting scientific justification be presented.
Summary
This program is designed to increase the basic and applied scientific
knowledge of cancer prevention research, and enhance community-based clinical
research in cancer prevention.
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 policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of
Public Law 103-43).
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the
"NIH Guidelines on the 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 in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994 available on the web at the following URL
address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-100.html
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS.
It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21)
must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by the
NIH, unless there are clear and compelling reasons not to include them. This
policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt
dates after October 1, 1998.
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" that was published in the NIH Guide for
Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is available at the following URL
address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The modular grant concept establishes specific modules in which direct costs
may be requested as well as a maximum level for requested budgets. Only
limited budgetary information is required under this approach. The just-in-
time concept allows applicants to submit certain information only when there
is a possibility for an award. It is anticipated that these changes will
reduce the administrative burden for the applicants, reviewers and Institute
staff. The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used
in applying for these grants, with the modifications noted below. Application
kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may
be obtained from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information
Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910,
Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/435/0714, email: [email protected].
For those applicants with internet access, the 398 kit may be found at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm
Applicants are strongly encouraged to call the program contacts listed in
INQUIRIES below with any questions regarding the responsiveness of their
proposed project to the goals of this PA.
BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS
Modular Grant applications will request direct costs in $25,000 modules, up to
a total direct cost request of $50,000 per year. The total direct costs must
be requested in accordance with the program guidelines and the modifications
made to the standard PHS 398 application instructions described below:
o FACE PAGE: Items 7a and 7b should be completed, indicating Direct Costs
(in $25,000 increments) and Total Costs [Modular Total Direct plus Facilities
and Administrative (F&A) costs] for the initial budget period. Items 8a and
8b should be completed indicating the Direct and Total Costs for the entire
proposed period of support.
o DETAILED BUDGET FOR THE INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD - Do not complete Form Page 4
of the PHS 398. It is not required and will not be accepted with the
application.
o BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT - Do not complete the
categorical budget table on Form Page 5 of the PHS 398. It is not required
and will not be accepted with the application.
o NARRATIVE BUDGET JUSTIFICATION - Prepare a Modular Grant Budget Narrative
page (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm for sample
pages). At the top of the page, enter the total direct costs requested for
each year. This is not a form page.
o Under Personnel, list key project personnel, including their names, percent
of effort, and roles on the project. No individual salary information should
be provided. However, the applicant should use the NIH appropriation language
salary cap if applicable and the NIH policy for graduate student compensation
in developing the budget request.
For Consortium/Contractual costs, provide an estimate of total costs (direct
plus facilities and administrative) for each year, each rounded to the nearest
$1,000. List the individuals/organizations with whom consortium or contractual
arrangements have been made, the percent effort of key personnel, and the role
on the project. The total cost for a consortium/contractual arrangement is
included in the overall requested modular direct cost amount. Include the
Letter of Intent to establish a consortium.
Provide an additional narrative budget justification for any variation in the
number of modules requested.
o BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH - The Biographical Sketch provides information used by
reviewers in the assessment of each individual"s qualifications for a specific
role in the proposed project, as well as to evaluate the overall
qualifications of the research team. A biographical sketch is required for
all key personnel, following the instructions below. No more than three pages
may be used for each person. A sample biographical sketch may be viewed at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm
- Complete the educational block at the top of the form page,
- List position(s) and any honors,
- Provide information, including overall goals and responsibilities, on
research projects ongoing or completed during the last three years,
- List selected peer-reviewed publications, with full citations.
o CHECKLIST - This page should be completed and submitted with the
application. If the F&A rate agreement has been established, indicate the type
of agreement and the date. All appropriate exclusions must be applied in the
calculation of the F&A costs for the initial budget period and all future
budget years.
The applicant should provide the name and phone number of the individual to
contact concerning fiscal and administrative issues if additional information
is necessary following the initial review.
Applications not conforming to these guidelines will be considered
unresponsive to this PA and will be returned without further review.
In addition, the PA title and number must be typed on line 2 of the face page
of the application form and the YES box must be marked.
Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the
checklist, and three signed, exact, single-sided photocopies, in one package
to:
Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040 - MSC-7710
Bethesda, MD 20892-7710
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be
sent to:
Ms. Toby Friedberg
Division of Extramural Activities
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd., Room 8062, MSC 8329
Bethesda MD 20892-8329
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)
Applications must be received by March 20, July 20, or November 20. If an
application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant
without review. The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will not accept any
application in response to this PA that is essentially the same as one
currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending
application. The CSR will not accept any application that is essentially the
same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of
substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications
must include an introduction addressing the previous critique.
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by CSR and
responsiveness by the National Cancer Institute. Incomplete and/or non-
responsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further
consideration.
Applications that are complete and responsive to the program announcement will
be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review
group convened by the Division of Extramural Activities of the NCI,. in
accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. As part of the
initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and may
undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest
scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be
discussed and assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by
the National Cancer Advisory Board.
Review Criteria
The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of
biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health. The
reviewers will comment on the following aspects of the application in their
written critiques 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 by the reviewers in assigning the
overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. Note that
the application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged
likely to have a major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority
score. For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work
that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to move a field forward.
1. Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of
the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What
will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this
field?
2. Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses
adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the
project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider
alternative tactics?
3. Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or method?
Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing
paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?
4. Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to
carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level
of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)?
5. Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be
done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments
take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ
useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support?
The initial review group will also examine: the appropriateness of proposed
project budget and duration, the adequacy of plans to include both genders and
minorities and their subgroups, and children as appropriate for the scientific
goals of the research and plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects,
the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects, and the safety
of the research environment.
AWARD CRITERIA
Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved
applications assigned to the NCI. The following will be considered in making
funding decisions: Quality of the proposed project as determined by peer
review, availability of funds, and program priority.
INQUIRIES
Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions
from potential applicants is welcome.
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
Barry Portnoy, Ph.D.
Division of Cancer Prevention
National Cancer Institute
Building 31, Room 10A49
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-9568
FAX: 301-496-9931
Email: [email protected]
Direct inquiries regarding review issues to:
Ms. Toby Friedberg
Referral Officer
Division of Extramural Activities
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd., Room 8062, MSC 8329
Rockville, MD 20852 (express courier)
Bethesda MD 20892-8329
Telephone (301) 496-3428
Fax: (301) 402-0275
Email: [email protected]
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Bill Wells
Grants Administration Branch
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza South, Room 243
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-8796
FAX: (301) 496-8601
Email: [email protected]
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.
93.393. Cancer Cause and Prevention Research. Awards are made under
authorization of the Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as
amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and administered under NIH grants policies and
Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. This program is not
subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372
or Health Systems Agency Review.
The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant recipients to
provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non- 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.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
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