CANCER COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA TECHNOLOGY
 
Release Date:  September 21, 2000
 
PA NUMBER:  PAR-00-137
 
National Cancer Institute

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  October 24, 2000
Application Receipt Date:       November 28, 2000

This Program Announcement (PA) replaces PA-99-141, which was published in NIH 
Guide on August 16, 1999.

PURPOSE

Communication is central to effective, high quality cancer care, from primary 
prevention to survivorship. The continuing evolution of media technology 
offers multiple opportunities to inform health professionals and the public 
about cancer prevention and care in better ways. Program Announcement (PA) is 
designed to promote and support collaborations between non-profit 
organizations and for-profit small businesses on research projects that 
address 1) translation of cancer research into interactive applications 
designed for specific population groups, 2) development of organizational 
infrastructures within health care settings or training programs that promote 
the use of media technologies to enhance communication between primary care 
professionals, oncologists and their patients, 3) development of intervention 
strategies, tailoring models and tools to better inform the public about 
cancer prevention and control, or 4) development of traditional or distance-
learning core competencies, training modules, evaluation modules and tools 
needed to develop or expand a master"s degree program in health communication 
and media technology. 

This PA utilizes the R25 and Fast-Track (both the Phase I  SBIR and Phase II 
SBIR included in the Fast-Track applications) grant mechanisms in tandem to 
expedite the transition of successful technology research and development into 
practical applications. 

This PA expires on November 29, 2000, unless reissued. 

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Effective communication and its impact on health have been the focus of 
scientists and communicators for more than 25 years.  In 1971, the National 
Cancer Act charged NCI with the dissemination and interpretation of scientific 
and other information regarding the causes, prevention, detection and 
treatment of cancer for practitioners, other health professionals, scientists, 
and the general public. Within the past decade, NCI has utilized a wide array 
of technologies to expand cancer communications to ensure that all Americans 
have access to the cancer information they need. Despite these efforts, there 
is still a need to expand the use of these technologies by the public, 
patients, high-risk persons, advocates, survivors and health professionals 
regardless of race, ethnicity, health status, education, income, age, gender, 
or geographic region to receive communication about recent cancer research. 

There is evidence that communication technologies are altering health care 
practices, patient-physician relationships and the way consumers and patients 
acquire and use information.  Effective health communications have influenced 
American adults to increase their daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, 
to get screened for breast and cervical cancers, and to stop or limit their 
use of tobacco products.  Today"s technology users are often as informed or 
more informed than their physicians because of new opportunities for acquiring 
health information from the World Wide Web, individually-tailored print, 
multimedia products such as cancer-specific CD-ROMs, interactive computer 
games, interactive kiosks, and wireless communication products, among others. 

The current communications revolution offers health professionals better ways 
to utilize technology to reach people with cancer information, and 
simultaneously improve health outcomes, decrease health care cost, and enhance 
consumer satisfaction.  However, before we can train health professional to 
effectively communicate about cancer or develop effective interactive health 
communication products and interventions, we need to learn more about how 
people seek, process and use health information.

Proactive communication strategies are needed to rapidly accelerate a 
reduction in the cancer burden across the life span.  In order to be 
successful, these strategies would have to cover a broad cross-section of the 
U.S. population and reach the most vulnerable population groups.  
Communications research is needed among diverse population groups (children, 
ethnic minorities, recent immigrants, low income groups, low literacy groups, 
rural populations, older adults and people at high-risk because of previous 
diseases, behaviors, exposures, genetic susceptibility or some other factor, 
patients, survivors, and health providers) to increase access to and 
comprehension of cancer information.

Cancer communications research should be science-based, developed in 
collaboration with consumers, industry and academia, and result in high-
quality products that have been evaluated for utilization, efficacy, and 
impact on target audiences.  Anticipated results should include, but are not 
limited to: 1) culturally appropriate interventions, 2) tools to increase 
familiarity, ease of use, appeal and vividness, 3) removal of cost barriers to 
use, 4) comprehensive and relevant messages, 5) a flexible and adaptable menu 
of communication choices to reach the public, patients, under-served 
populations, survivors, and health providers in a variety of settings, 6) 
development of organizational infrastructures, in health care and community 
settings, needed to facilitate rapid advances in knowledge about cancer 
communications, testing of strategies, models and tools, dissemination of 
results to researchers, clinicians, patients, practitioners, advocacy groups 
and other partners and the public, 7) the development or expansion of health 
communication and media technology curricula, training, and evaluation 
components to prepare health professionals to better inform and communicate 
with the public about cancer prevention and control.

Objectives and Scope

Interested applicants are encouraged to develop, implement and evaluate 
systems, interventions, programs and/or products that: 1) improve transmission 
of cancer information, 2) promote cancer-related behavior change, 3) reduce 
cancer risk among youth and adults, 4) improve health outcomes and quality of 
life, 5) improve decision making and adherence to cancer prevention, detection 
and treatment, 6) improve survivorship, or 7) prepare health professionals to 
better inform and communicate with the public about cancer prevention and 
control. Technology tools include, but are not limited to, computer software, 
advanced telephone technologies, videotext, cable or broadcast television, 
radio, virtual reality, palm pilots, smart cards, or the World Wide Web.  

Applications in any of the following research categories are considered to be 
appropriate and applicants may address one or more areas: 1) behaviors 
associated with cancer risks (smoking, poor nutrition, AIDS/HIV), 2) 
counseling models for cancer genetics, 3) communication techniques tailored to 
specific populations including the physically challenged, 4) complementary 
medicine approaches to enhance cancer-related decision making, 5) innovative 
alternative teaching methods, 6) quality of life issues and psychosocial 
interventions for cancer survivors, 7) educational, training, or tracking 
systems for primary care professionals or the public, or 8) traditional or 
distance-learning core competencies, training modules, evaluation modules and 
tools needed to develop or expand a master"s degree program in health 
communication and media technology.
 
Summary

The anticipated increase in scientific knowledge to be achieved through 
research encouraged by the PA is described in the research objectives section 
above.  The following examples are not all inclusive but indicate the type of 
knowledge to be achieved through this PA.  It is important for applicants to 
indicate the ultimate value of their research and how it will increase 
knowledge about cancer communications. 

COMMUNICATION TOOLS

---- Develop evidence-based strategies for involving children and adults in 
vulnerable, high-risk populations in activities to prevent or stop tobacco 
use, improve dietary practices and increase physical activity, participate in 
cancer screening or treatment, prolong survivorship, and other areas noted 
above.	

---- Develop new strategies, products and methods to enhance information 
dissemination and to improve the penetration, efficacy and effectiveness of 
cancer communications based on knowledge of how people search for and use 
cancer information.  Develop optimal formats for communicating cancer risks to 
culturally diverse audiences.

---- Develop guidelines for users to determine the quality of health 
information on the Web or viewed through other interactive health 
communication technologies.

---- Develop strategies for teaching people how to make informed choices.

---- Develop practical decision aids to improve patient-provider communication 
and to help people make better cancer-related decisions. 

---- Develop health communication technology tools to assist physicians in 
maximizing communication about cancer and integrating cancer communications 
into all aspects of care.

---- Develop tailored strategies to enhance cancer communications and address 
barriers that prevent major segments of the population from seeking and/or 
using cancer information. 

---- Develop products that present balanced information about complementary 
cancer therapies. 

SYSTEMS

---- Develop systems for using interactive health communication technologies 
in settings such as hospitals, clinics, HMOs, schools, or worksites that 
resolve barriers to use.

---- Develop long-term cancer communication tracking systems that monitor 
outcome measures.

---- Develop integrated systems of cancer information, from prevention through 
treatment to survivorship and end-of-life issues, including palliative care 
and pain management, that are consistent with the current recommendations from 
the Institute of Medicine (http://www.iom.edu/ under reports).

---- Develop integrated systems of cancer care and best practices information 
on how to communicate uncertainty about risks, and reduce disparities in 
demand for, access to, and use of cancer communications for primary care 
professionals. 

---- Develop information systems for the public or health care providers that 
give people the information they want, the way they want it, when and where 
they want it.

TRAINING

---- Develop CME or training modules in cancer prevention and control for 
doctors, nurses or other primary care professionals.

---- Develop training modules for reporters and journalists who cover 
scientific or medical meetings and present the information in writing or 
through different forms of media technology. 

---- Develop or expand traditional or distance-learning core competencies, 
training modules, evaluation modules and tools needed in a master"s degree 
program in health communication and media technology to prepare students to 
integrate technology into communication about cancer and other chronic disease 
prevention and control.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Support for this PA is through the NIH Cancer Education and Career Development 
Grant (R25), and the Fast-Track Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 
Grant). The Fast-Track mechanism is described in the SBIR OMNIBUS SOLICITATION 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbirsttr1/index.htm) and includes both a 
Phase I and Phase II application.

This is a one-time PA, which may be reissued.  

The R25/Fast-Track is a newly established NIH funding mechanism that provides 
a second phase of support for innovative cancer communication and technology 
research initiated under the R25 mechanism. Conversion of the R25 to the Fast-
Track will be based on the successful completion of negotiated milestones that 
will result in expediting research into practical commercial applications.

This alternative funding mechanism: 1) encourages the R25 principal 
investigator (PI) from a non-profit organization to collaborate with a small 
business and allows the R25 PI to personally benefit from the 
commercialization of the product developed in the phase II, 2) receives one 
review for three separate applications (R25, Phase I and Phase II SBIR 
applications in Fast Track), and 3) minimizes the funding gap between the R25 
and the Fast-Track.

Applications for R25 support alone will not be accepted for this PA.  The 
R25/Fast-Track application has three sections which must be submitted at the 
same time each with its own face page: the R25, and Phases I and II of the 
SBIR Fast Track.  

The total project period for this PA may not exceed four years: R25: 12 
months, Fast-Track - Phase I: 6-12 months, Phase II: 2 years.

The total funding for the one-year R25 may not exceed $100,000 total costs, 
which includes direct costs and facilities and administrative costs.  The F&A 
costs for R25 grants is 8%.  The Phase I funding includes up to $100,000 
direct costs.  Applicants requesting in excess of $500,000 dollars direct 
costs in either year of the Phase II must have approval from NCI Program staff 
prior to submission. It is strongly recommended that applicants contact NCI 
staff at an early stage of application development to convey critical 
information, such as potentially large budget requests or to discuss 
programmatic responsiveness of the proposed project. Early contact with NCI 
staff is critical to this PA since it utilizes a new funding mechanism. Refer 
to the LETTER OF INTENT and INQUIRIES sections of this announcement for NCI 
staff contacts. 

The planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project is the sole 
responsibility of the applicant. Awards will be administered under NIH grants 
policy as stated in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, NIH Publication No 99-8, 
October 1998. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

For this PA, R25 applications may be submitted by domestic public or private 
non-profit organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals, 
foundations, or state and local governments. Racial/ethnic minority 
individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as 
principal investigators.  Foreign institutions are not eligible for this 
announcement.

A Fast-Track application must be submitted by a Small Business Concern.  A 
small business concern is one that, at the time of award of Phase I and Phase 
II meets the following criteria:  
o Is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in the field of 
operation in which it is proposing, has its principal place of business 
located in the United States, and is organized for profit,
o Is at least 51% owned, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 
51% of its voting stock is owned by United States citizens or lawfully 
admitted permanent aliens,
o The business can not employ more than 500 employees and meets the other 
regulatory requirements found in 13 CFR Part 121.  (Source: SBIR OMNIBUS 
SOLICITATION:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbirsttr1/index.htm).

It is important that the R25 applicant collaborate with a for-profit small 
business prior to submitting an application.  It is extremely important that 
the R25 applicant include the Fast-Track small business applicant in all 
stages of the R25 development to insure a smooth transition to the Fast-Track 
phase.

For this PA, the R25 PI must be retained by the small business as the lead 
consultant to conduct the research necessary for product development.  The 
actual product must be developed by the small business.  It is important to 
note that the R25 PI is paid independently of his/her institution as the 
primary consultant during the two phases of the Fast-Track project. This 
arrangement may need to be negotiated with the R25 PI"s non-profit 
organization.

INQUIRIES
 
Inquiries are encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions 
from potential applicants is welcome.
 
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Connie Dresser, RDPH, LN
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza North, Room 232
Bethesda, MD  20892-7365
Phone: 301/435-2846
Fax: 301/480-2087
Email:  [email protected]

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Ms. Kathleen Shino
Grants Administration Branch
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza South, Room 243
Bethesda, MD 20892-7150
Telephone: (301)  496-8635
FAX: 301/496-8601
Email:  [email protected]

Direct inquiries regarding review issues to:

Ms. Toby Friedberg
Division of Extramural Activities
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 8109, MSC 8329
Bethesda, MD  20892-8329
Rockville, MD  20852 (for express/courier service)
Telephone (301) 496-3428
Fax: (301) 402-0275
Email:   [email protected]

LETTER OF INTENT 

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by October 24, 2000,  a letter of 
intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, the name, 
address, telephone number, and email address of the applicant, the identities 
of other key personnel and participating institutions, and the number and 
title of the PA in response to which the application may be submitted. 
Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not 
enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it 
contains allows NCI staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan 
the review.
 
The letter of intent is to be sent to Connie Dresser at the address listed 
under INQUIRIES by October 24, 2000.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

R25/Fast-Track Contents

The R25/Fast-Track is submitted as one application and consists of three 
sections, each with its own face page: 1) the R25 (form PHS 398-rev. 4/98), 2) 
the Fast-Track Phase I (PHS 6246-1), and 3) the Phase II (PHS 6246-2).  The 
three-part R25/Fast-Track application must be received by November 28, 2000.

The R25/Fast-Track application will be assigned one (1) priority score that 
applies to all three sections. However, the initial review panel has the 
option of  scoring only the R25 or only the R25 and the Phase I.  An unscored 
Phase II will reflect upon the judgement of the applicant.  For these reasons, 
inclusion of clear and complete goals and feasibility milestones for each 
section of the R25/Fast-Track application are critical. 

R25 Application and Preparation

The R25 is to be submitted on form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) and prepared according 
to the instructions provided unless specified otherwise within this section. 
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, E-mail: 
[email protected].  For those applicants with internet access, the 398 kit 
may be found at   http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm  The PA number and 
title must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application and the YES 
box must be marked.
  
Unlike the traditional R25, the R25 part of this application is a "paper 
product" that describes the overall justification and objectives of the entire 
R25/Fast-Track project and a research plan describing who will conduct the 
research and how it will be conducted. Focus groups of experts and end-users 
must be convened to critique and assist with the refinement of the final 
"paper" product that is to be developed, implemented, and evaluated in Phases 
I and II.  For example, if a training module is to be developed, the R25 
application should include the proposed content, course schedule, evaluation 
components, focus group participants and feed-back topics, and an outline of 
proposed work to be conducted in the Phase I and Phase II. 

Following the "Research Plan", a "Milestones" section must describe the 
research aims and measures of feasibility that justify transition to the Phase 
I.  The milestones must be quantifiable and scientifically justified and 
relevant to R25 progress and the successful completion of the Phase I.   
Applications lacking this information, as determined by the NCI program staff, 
will be returned to the applicant without review. 

It is highly recommended that R25 applicant 1) specify how the project will 
reduce health disparity or alter behavior of the public or health 
professionals, 2) chose a small business with the appropriate experience to 
develop, implement, and evaluate the R25 concept in the Fast-Track Phases, 3) 
address privacy issues for the entire project, 4) conduct a literature search 
prior to submission, and 6) include appropriate hypotheses and study 
demographics. 

In the R25 budget justification section, a time line and a dollar level for 
all three phases (R25, Fast-Track Phase I and Phase II) must be included. This 
should be in chart format and include direct costs, F&A and fee, if 
applicable, for each of the three phases separately and as an aggregate.  The 
release of funds for the Phases I and II will be based on topics discussed in 
the REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS section.

Fast-Track Application and Preparation

The Fast-Track section of this applicant consists of the Phase I (PHS 6246-1) 
and Phase II (PHS 6246-2) of the SBIR.  Electronic application forms and 
instructions for their preparation may be accessed at the Web site:  
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbirsttr1/index.htm  (Source: SBIR 
OMNIBUS SOLICITATION)

As described in OMNIBUS SOLICITATION, both Phases I and II must be completed, 
each with its own face page and all other required components, including 
Research Plan.  All of the instructions within the OMNIBUS SOLICITATION apply 
with the following exceptions:

----  Special receipt date
----  Initial review convened by the NCI Division of Extramural Activities
----  More flexible time and budget specifications
----  Inclusion of a Product Development Plan Appendix in the Phase II

In the Phase I, the applicant is responsible for testing the feasibility of 
translating the "paper" product, developed in the R25, into a form of media 
technology with a focus group of experts and end-users. In the Phase II, the 
applicant is expected to develop the technology transfer medium, and implement 
and test the efficacy and effectiveness of the product with a specific 
population. A detailed product development plan and a business plan for 
distribution must be included in the Phase II.

Phase I must include a "Research Plan" citing specific aims and a section 
labeled "Feasibility Milestones," that would justify transition from the Phase 
I to the Phase II.   The milestones should be well described, quantifiable, 
scientifically justified and relevant to the progress of the Phase I for the 
successful completion of the Phase II.  Applications lacking this information, 
as determined by the NCI program staff, will be returned to the applicant 
without review.  

It is highly recommended that Fast-Track applicants: 1) collaborate with the 
R25 investigator from the beginning of the R25, 2) provide a cohesive follow 
through from the R25 concept to the development, implement, and evaluation 
stages of the Fast-Track, 3) provide the necessary Human Subjects information 
or the justification for excluding information about gender, minority groups, 
or children, 4) include precise milestones in both phases of the Fast-Track,  
5) address privacy issues in both Phases of the Fast-Track, 6) include a 
detailed evaluation plan in Phase II, 7) provide examples of the intended 
interactive media, if appropriate, 8) compare how the proposed end-product is 
better than what already exists, and 9) locate potential backers for the 
commercialization of the final product prior to submitting the R25/Fast-Track.

The release of Phase I funds is contingent upon the successful completion of 
the milestones described in the R25.  Likewise, the release of Phase II funds 
is contingent upon the successful completion of the milestones described in 
the Phase I.  The funding of both Phase I and II are also subject to the 
availability of funds.

If your Phase II includes clinical trails, please adhere to the following:  
All clinical trials supported or performed by NCI require some form of 
monitoring. The method and degree of monitoring should be commensurate with 
the degree of risk involved in participation and the size and complexity of 
the clinical trial.  Monitoring exists on a continuum from monitoring by the 
principal investigator/project manager to a data and safety monitoring board 
(DSMB). These monitoring activities are distinct from the requirement for 
study review and approval by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). For NCI 
Policy details about Data Safety Monitoring of Clinical Trials see:   
http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/grantspolicies/datasafety.htm

Applicants should submit a signed, typewritten original of the three-part 
R25/Fast-Track application (R25, SBIR Phase I and Phase II), including the 
checklist, and one signed, exact, single-sided legible photocopy, in one 
package to: 

Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Room 1040 - MSC 7710
Bethesda, MD 20892-7710
(20817 for express service) 

To expedite the review process, at the time of submission, send one additional 
copy of the application package must be sent to: 

Ms. Toby Friedberg
Division of Extramural Activities
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 8109, MSC 8329
Bethesda, MD  20892-8329
Rockville, MD  20852 (for express/courier service)

Applications must be received by November 28, 2000.  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 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 to the guidelines of this PA by the NCI.  Incomplete 
applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. 
 

Applications that are complete and adhere to the guidelines of this PA will be 
evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review 
group convened by the Division of Extramural Activities of the National Cancer 
Institute in accordance with the review criteria stated below and the 
documented ability of the investigators to meet the RESEARCH OBJECTIVES of 
this PA. 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 National Cancer Advisory Board. Reviewers 
reserve the right to score the entire R25/Fast-Track application, only the 
R25, or the R25 and the Phase I.

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.

The reviewers will use the following criteria to evaluate each of the three 
sections (R25, Fast-Track Phase I and Phase II) in this PA.  Following the 
review,  a single score will be assigned to the entire R25/Fast-Track 
application.

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?  To what degree does the technology support the needs of the 
targeted research community?  

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? Is the time frame appropriate for completing the 
description of the content, design, and operation of the proposed health 
communication application? How easy will it be to use the proposed health 
communication application?

3. Innovation.  Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods? 
Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing 
paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?

4.  Milestones.  How appropriate are the proposed R25 and Phase I milestones 
against which to evaluate the demonstration of feasibility for transition to 
the phases? It is critical that the R25 and the Phase I clearly specify 
measurable goals (milestones) that should be achieved prior to initiating the 
Phase II.  A MILESTONES section must be included in both the R25 and the Phase 
I.

5.  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)?

6.  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 following SBIR criteria (Source: OMNIBUS SOLICITATIONS) complement the 
criteria cited above: 
1.  The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach.
2.  The qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting 
staff, and consultants.
3.  The scientific and technological innovation of the proposed research.
4.  The potential of the proposed research for commercial application.
5.  The appropriateness of the budget requested.
6.  The adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment.
7.  Adequate assurances detailing the proposed means for safeguarding human 
subjects
8.  Innovative aspects of the approaches used in delivering cancer 
communication.

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 recommended 
applications.  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.

SCHEDULE

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:          October 24, 2000
Application Receipt Date:               November 28, 2000
National Cancer Advisory Board Review:  May 2001
Earliest Anticipated Award Date:        July 2001

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 sub- populations must be included in all NIH-supported biomedical and 
behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and 
compelling rationale and justification are 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 research involving human subjects should read the 
UPDATED "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in 
Clinical Research," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on 
August 2, 2000  
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html), 
a complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm: The 
revisions relate to NIH defined Phase III clinical trials and require: a) all 
applications or proposals and/or protocols to 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) all 
investigators to report accrual, and to conduct and report analyses, as 
appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group differences.

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 scientific and ethical 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

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.

As part of the scientific and technical merit evaluation of the research plan, 
reviewers will be instructed to address the adequacy of plans for including 
children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research, or 
justification for exclusion. 

URLS IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES

All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within 
specified page limitations.  Unless otherwise specified in an NIH 
solicitation, internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide 
information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no obligation 
to view the Internet sites.  Reviewers are cautioned that their anonymity may 
be compromised when they directly access an Internet site.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion 
and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS led national 
activity for setting priority areas. This Program Announcement (PA), Cancer 
Communication and Interactive Media Technology, is related to cancer and 
health communication 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 No. 
93.399.  Awards are made under authorization of 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 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
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices

			Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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