NCI TRANSITION CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES

Release Date:  March 27, 2001 (see replacement PAR-03-101)

PA NUMBER:  PAR-01-074

National Cancer Institute

PURPOSE

The Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Branch (CMBB), Office of Centers, 
Training and Resources (OCTR), Office of the Deputy Director for Extramural 
Sciences (ODDES), National Cancer Institute (NCI), invites transition career 
development award applications from recipients of the NCI Mentored Career 
Development Award for Underrepresented Minorities or from underrepresented 
minority individuals who are advanced postdoctoral and/or newly independent 
research scientists who have been in an independent position for less than 
two years at the time of the application.  The purpose of the NCI Transition 
Career Development Award for Underrepresented Minorities (K22) is to provide 
"protected time" to develop and receive support for their initial cancer 
research program.  This award is intended to facilitate the transition of a 
minority postdoctoral research scientist from the mentored to the independent 
stage of their careers in cancer research.  The unique feature of this award 
is that the individuals may apply without a sponsoring institution while they 
are still in a mentored position.  Successful candidates will be provided 
with special opportunities to enhance their knowledge and understanding of 
the NIH/NCI peer review system and to develop the skills required for 
preparing competitive research project grants.

This award is a novel program that is intended to support and enhance the 
likelihood of success for underrepresented minority postdoctoral and newly 
independent investigators who have committed to basic, clinical, and 
prevention and population-based research careers in cancer.  Awardees must 
apply for an R01 research grant or equivalent prior to the end of the second 
year of the award.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Environment:  The sponsoring institution, once identified, must have well-
established basic, clinical, and/or prevention and population-based cancer 
research programs.  The candidate's proposed cancer research program should 
benefit from the relevant cancer research and educational resources that are 
available.  The sponsoring institution must also demonstrate a commitment to 
the development of junior faculty as productive, independent investigators.

Program:  The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) for 
Underrepresented Minorities can be used by more advanced postdoctoral and 
newly independent minority candidates who need protected time to establish 
their initial cancer research program.  Accordingly, the award provides up to 
three consecutive 12-month appointments to recipients who must devote a 
minimum of 75 percent effort to the proposed basic, clinical or population 
science research program.  The remaining 25 percent can be divided among 
other activities only if they are consistent with the program goals, i.e. the 
candidate's development into an independent investigator.

Candidate:  Candidates must devote at least 75 percent of their professional 
effort to cancer-related research and peer review activities consistent with 
the objectives of this award.  The candidate must develop advanced knowledge 
in the basic, clinical, prevention or population-based sciences and the 
advanced research skills relevant to her/his cancer research field(s). 

Allowable Costs:

Salary:  The NCI Transition Career Development Award for Underrepresented 
Minorities (K22) will provide salary up to $75,000 annually plus fringe 
benefits.  The total salary requested must be based annually on a full-time, 
12 month staff appointment requiring the candidate to spend a minimum of 75 
percent effort conducting cancer research with the remaining effort being 
devoted to activities related to the development of a successful research 
career.  The salary must be consistent both with the established salary 
structure at the institution and with salaries actually provided by the 
institution from its own funds to other staff members of equivalent 
qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned.  If 
full-time, 12-month salaries are not currently paid to comparable staff 
members, the salary proposed must be appropriately related to the existing 
salary structure.

The institution may supplement the NCI salary contribution up to a level that 
is consistent with the institution's salary scale; however, supplementation 
may not be from Federal funds unless specifically authorized by the Federal 
program from which such funds are derived.  Because the salary amount 
provided by this award is based on the full-time institutional salary, no 
other PHS funds may be used for salary supplementation.  Institutional 
supplementation of salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities 
that would interfere with the purpose of the K22.  Under expanded 
authorities, however, institutions may rebudget funds within the total costs 
awarded to cover salaries consistent with the institution's salary scale.

Research Development Support: Up to $50,000 per year will be provided for the 
following types of expenses: (a) research expenses, such as supplies, 
equipment, and technical personnel; (b) statistical services including 
personnel and computer time; (c) tuition, fees, and books related to career 
development; and (d) travel to research meetings or for training.  The level 
of research development support may be negotiated downward with the 
acquisition of any independent grant support from any source.

Ancillary Personnel Support: Salary for mentors, secretarial and 
administrative assistance, etc., is not allowed.

Facilities and Administrative Costs: These costs, which were formerly called 
indirect costs, will be reimbursed at 8 percent of modified total direct 
costs.

Evaluation: In carrying out its stewardship of human resource related 
programs, the NCI may begin requesting information essential to an assessment 
of the effectiveness of this program.  Accordingly, recipients are hereby 
notified that they may be contacted after the completion of this award for 
periodic updates on various aspects of their employment history, 
publications, support from research grants or contracts, honors and awards, 
professional activities, and other information helpful in evaluating the 
impact of the program.

Other Income: Fees resulting from clinical practice, professional 
consultation, or other comparable activities required by the research and 
research-related activities of this award may not be retained by the career 
award recipient.  Such fees must be assigned to the grantee institution for 
disposition by any of the following methods:

o The funds may be expended by the grantee institution in accordance with the 
NIH policy on supplementation of career award salaries and to provide fringe 
benefits in proportion to such supplementation. Such salary supplementation 
and fringe benefit payments must be within the established policies of the 
grantee institution;

o The funds may be used for health-related research purposes;

o The funds may be paid to miscellaneous receipts of the U.S. Treasury. 
Checks should be made payable to the Department of Health and Human Services, 
NIH and forwarded to the Director, Division of Financial Management, NIH, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20892.  Checks must identify the relevant award account 
and reason for the payment;

o Awardees may retain royalties and fees for activities such as scholarly 
writing, service on advisory groups, or honoraria from other institutions for 
lectures or seminars, provided these activities remain incidental and 
provided that the retention of such pay is consistent with the policies and 
practices of the grantee institution.

Usually, funds budgeted in an NIH supported research or research training 
grant for the salaries or fringe benefits of individuals, but freed as a 
result of a career award, may not be rebudgeted.  The awarding component will 
give consideration to approval for the use of released funds only under 
unusual circumstances.  Any proposed retention of funds released as a result 
of a career award must receive prior written approval of the NIH awarding 
component.

Special Leave: Leave to another institution, including a foreign laboratory, 
may be permitted if the proposed experience is directly related to the 
purpose of the award.  Only local, institutional approval is required if such 
leave does not exceed 3 months.  For longer periods, prior written approval 
of the NCI is required.  To obtain prior approval, the award recipient must 
submit a letter to the NCI describing the plan, countersigned by his or her 
department head and the appropriate institutional official.  A copy of a 
letter or other evidence from the institution where the leave is to be taken 
must be submitted to assure that satisfactory arrangements have been made.  
Support from the career award will continue during such leave.

Leave without award support may not exceed 12 months.  Such leave requires 
the prior written approval of NCI and will be granted only in unusual 
situations.  Support from other sources is permissible during the period of 
leave.  Such leave does not reduce the total number of months of program 
support for which an individual is eligible.  Under unusual and pressing 
circumstances, an awardee may submit a written request to the awarding 
component, requesting a reduction in professional effort below 75 percent.  
Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis during the award 
period.  In no case, will it be permissible to work at a rate of less than 50 
percent effort.  The nature of the circumstances requiring reduced effort 
might include medical conditions, disability, or pressing personal or family 
situations such as child or elder care.

Permission to reduce the level of effort will not be approved to accommodate 
other sources of funding, job opportunities, clinical practice, or clinical 
training.  In each situation, the grantee institution must submit 
documentation supporting the need for reduced effort along with assurance of 
a continuing commitment to the scientific development of the awardee.

Furthermore, the awardee must submit assurance of his or her intention to 
return to full-time professional effort (at least 75 percent) as soon as 
possible.  During the period of reduced effort, the salary and other costs 
supported by the award will be reduced accordingly.

Termination or Change of Institution: When a grantee institution plans to 
terminate an award, the NCI must be notified in writing at the earliest 
possible time so that appropriate instructions can be given for termination.  
The Director of the NCI may discontinue an award upon determination that the 
purpose or terms of the award are not being fulfilled.  In the event an award 
is terminated, the Director of the NCI shall notify the grantee institution 
and career award recipient in writing of this determination, the reasons 
therefore, the effective date, and the right to appeal the decision.

Awardees planning a change of institution must submit to the NCI in advance 
of the change a written request for transfer, countersigned by the 
appropriate institutional business official, describing the reasons for the 
change.  The awardee must establish in this request that the specific aims of 
the research program to be conducted at the new institution are within the 
scope of the original peer reviewed research program.  Staff within the NCI 
will review this request and may require and upon approval of this request, a 
new career award PHS 398 application must be submitted by the new institution 
far enough in advance of the requested effective date to permit review.  The 
period of support requested in the new application must be no more than the 
time remaining within the existing award period.

A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status Report are 
required upon either termination of an award or relinquishment of an award in 
a change of institution situation.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Support for this program will be provided through the NIH K22 award 
mechanism.  The total project period for an application submitted in response 
to this PA may not exceed 3 years.  Planning, direction, and execution of the 
program will be the responsibility of the candidate on behalf of the 
applicant institution.  Grants are not transferable from one principal 
investigator to another.  Funding beyond the first year is contingent upon 
satisfactory progress during the preceding year, as documented in the 
required progress report.  Awards are not renewable.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are encouraged to contact the NCI program staff listed under 
INQUIRIES regarding their eligibility for this award prior to the preparation 
of an application.  Recipients of the NCI Mentored Career Development Award 
for Underrepresented Minorities and/or candidates who meet the following 
requirements are eligible to apply:

o Qualify as an underrepresented minority individual defined as belonging to 
a particular ethnic or racial group that has formally been determined by the 
applicant institution to be underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral 
research (e.g., African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indian and 
Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders).

o Possess a research or health professional doctoral degree (or its 
equivalent) that is suitable preparation for a productive research career.

o Have been in or currently in a "mentored" research postdoctoral position 
and have completed two years or more of research in this capacity at the time 
of the application, or be in a suitable independent position for less than 
two years with continuous previous postdoctoral research training at the time 
of the application.  Exceptions to this condition will require explicit 
written permission from the NCI.

o Intend to conduct a research project highly relevant to cancer biology, 
etiology, pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and treatment that has the 
potential for establishing an independent research program.

Although applications may be submitted for peer-review without institutional 
representation, if approved for funding applications must be submitted on 
behalf of candidates by domestic, for profit and non-profit organizations, 
public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, 
units of State or local government, and eligible agencies of the Federal 
government or comparable institutions (see section on AWARD CRITERIA AND 
PROCEDURES).  Applications from foreign organizations are excluded from 
applying to this program announcement.  Awards will be limited to individuals 
who are citizens or non-citizen alien nationals, or permanent residents of 
the United States.  Individuals on temporary or student visas are not 
eligible.  Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as 
principal investigators.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Recipients of an NCI Transition Career Development Award for Underrepresented 
Minorities (K22) must submit a competitive research grant application to the 
NIH/NCI, or an R01 equivalent research grant application to an equivalent 
funding organization (for example, an American Cancer Society Research 
Project Grant) for peer review and funding consideration prior to the end of 
the second year of support.

INQUIRIES

Written, telephone, fax, and E-mail inquiries concerning this PA are 
encouraged, especially during the planning phase of the application.  The 
opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is 
welcome.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Sanya A. Springfield, Ph.D.
Chief, Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Branch
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Boulevard
Suite 7018A
Bethesda, MD  20892-7405
Rockville, MD  20852 (express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 496-7344
FAX:  (301) 402-4551
Email: [email protected]

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Barbara Fisher
Grants Administration Branch
National Cancer Institute
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 243
Bethesda, MD 20892-7150
Rockville, MD 20852 (express/courier service)
Telephone:  (301) 846-1015
FAX:  (301) 846-5720
Email: [email protected]

Direct inquiries regarding review matters to:

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

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 
4/98) and will be accepted at the standard application deadlines as indicated 
in the application kit.  Applications should be organized using the Research 
Career Award, Section IV of the PHS 398, Just-In-Time procedures.  
Applications for which the candidate already has a position must be completed 
as directed.  Postdoctoral candidates with no sponsoring institution may 
leave out all information that is the grantee institution's responsibility to 
provide; this information must be provided at a later time if the candidate 
is selected for funding (see section on AWARD CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES).  
Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored 
research; from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, 
National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 
20892-7910, telephone 301/710-0267, email: The title (NCI TRANSITION CAREER 
DEVELOPMENT AWARD FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES) and number of the PA must 
be typed in Section 2 on the face page of the application.  The YES box must 
be marked.  For those applicants with Internet access, the 398 kit may be 
found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm.

Applicants must provide evidence that they received uninterrupted support as 
noted under ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS above.

Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application and current 
curriculum vitae with complete bibliography, including the checklist, and 
three signed photocopies, in one package to:

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

At time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent to:

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

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 submission of 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.

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 or NCI Program Coordinator 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 details about the Policy of the NCI for Data Safety 
Monitoring of Clinical Trials see 
http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/grantspolicies/.  For Phase I and II 
clinical trials, investigators must submit a general description of the data 
and safety monitoring plan as part of the research application.  See NIH 
Guide Notice on  Further Guidance on a Data and Safety Monitoring for Phase I 
and II Trials  for additional information:  
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-038.html.

The candidate must address the following issues and include the following 
information in the application:

Candidate

For applicants already in an independent position:

o Describe immediate and long-term career goals, explaining how the award 
will contribute to their attainment;

o Describe the current position in terms of its ability to enable the 
candidate to pursue an independent career in cancer research;

All Applicants:

o Describe immediate and long-term career goals, explaining how the award 
will contribute to their attainment; 

o Describe all activities during the "mentored" period (postdoctoral, 
previous K-award, etc.) of cancer research training.  Include all research 
experiences and mentors, any pertinent didactic experiences and any other 
experiences designed to acquire critical skills, techniques and scientific 
perspectives for pursuing an independent career in the chosen area of cancer 
research (e.g., basic research, clinical or patient-oriented research, and 
prevention, control and population research);

o Describe scientific productivity during the mentored period of career 
development;

o Establish the potential to manage an independent research program;

o Establish the ability to become an independent investigator during the 
three year term of the award;

o Describe the ability to interact and collaborate with other scientists;

o Establish the ability to make a commitment of at least 75 percent effort to 
the objectives of this award;

o Submit three letters of recommendation from established scientists familiar 
with the candidate's potential and capability to become a successful 
independent investigator in which the following issues are addressed:

- the adequacy of the candidate's scientific background for the proposed 
research and career goals;

- the quality of the candidate's scientific productivity and achievements 
(e.g., publications, intellectual contributions to the research environment);

- the candidate's ability to work with other scientists in various 
interactive situations (e.g., seminars, journal clubs), on collaborative 
research projects, and with support staff (e.g., technicians, nurses, 
secretaries etc.);

- evidence of the candidate's originality and innovativeness in pursuing a 
research problem;

- VERY IMPORTANTLY, the candidate's special potential to develop, establish 
and manage an independent research program.

Research Plan

o Describe the research plan using Form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98 or subsequent 
revisions) following instructions for the Specific Aims, Background and 
Significance, Progress Report/Preliminary Studies, Research Design and 
Methods.  The research plan must be clearly relevant to cancer biology, 
etiology, pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment;

o Describe how the proposed research extends the mentored research training 
that has been completed into new concepts and ideas;

o Describe the equipment, specialized facilities and personnel resources that 
will be needed to conduct the proposed research;

o Describe the plans for inclusion of women, minorities and children in any 
clinical or population research activities;

o Describe the plans for protection of humans, animals or the environment to 
the extent they may be adversely affected by activities proposed in the 
application.

Previous Mentor's Statement

o Include a signed statement from the previous mentor(s) with information on 
potential and capability of the candidate to become a successful independent 
investigator in which the following issues are addressed:

- The adequacy of the candidate's scientific background for the proposed 
research and career goals;

- The quality of the candidate's scientific productivity and achievements 
(e.g., publications, intellectual contributions to the research environment);

- The candidate's ability to work with other scientists in various 
interactive situations (e.g., seminars, journal clubs), on collaborative 
research projects, and with support staff (e.g., technicians, nurses, 
secretaries etc.); research qualifications and previous experience as a 
postdoctoral researcher.  The application must also include information to 
describe the previous mentor's research support as related to the candidate's 
research plan.

Environment and Institutional Commitment

o Describe the resources and facilities available to the candidate;

o Describe how the research environment of the institution is particularly 
suited for the development of the candidate's research career and the pursuit 
of the proposed research plan;

o In a clear statement, provide assurances that the candidate will be able to 
spend a minimum of 75 percent effort in the conduct of his/her research 
activities, with the remaining percent effort devoted to activities related 
to the development of a research career.

Biographical Sketch

o A biographical sketch is required for the candidate, including information 
on research projects completed and/or research grants participated in during 
the postdoctoral or mentored phase that are relevant to the proposed project.

Budget

The total direct costs requested must be consistent with this K22 program 
announcement and the award limits of the NCI.  Applicants seeking information 
on award limits should contact the fiscal representative listed in the 
INQUIRIES section of this announcement. 

o Provide a detailed description, with justification, for all equipment, 
supplies and personnel that are required to achieve the research objectives 
of this award.

Non-Competing Renewals

o In addition to the information requested in the Application for 
Continuation Grant form PHS 2590 (Rev. 4/98), documentation must be provided 
with the Progress Report for the third year of the award showing that the 
awardee has submitted a competitive research grant (or equivalent) for 
funding.  This documentation should minimally be a copy of the face page of 
the application with all required institutional signatures.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR and 
adherence to the guidelines of this PA by NCI staff.  Incomplete or non-
responsive applications will be returned 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 review criteria stated below.  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, assigned a priority score, and receive a second 
level review by the National Cancer Advisory Board.

The following review criteria will be applied:

Candidate (Principal Investigator)

For candidates already in an independent position:

o Suitability of the position for the candidate to pursue an independent 
research career;

For all Candidates:

o Quality of the mentored period of cancer research training in terms of 
research experience(s), didactic experiences and other experiences (e.g., 
special skills, perspectives, techniques) that will enhance the candidate's 
ability to pursue an independent cancer research career in the chosen area of 
research (e.g., basic research; clinical or patient oriented research; or 
prevention, control and population research);

o Scientific productivity during the mentored period of cancer research 
training;

o Commitment of the candidate to an independent cancer research career that 
will be focused
on problems clearly relevant to cancer;

o Potential ability to successfully manage an independent research project; 

o Ability of the candidate to interact and collaborate with other scientists;

o Recommendations of three well-established scientists attesting to the 
special potential of the individual to pursue an independent career in cancer 
research.

Research Plan

o Adequacy of the proposed research plan for developing an independent cancer 
research program as it relates to the basic, clinical or patient-oriented 
and/or prevention control and population cancer research and commensurate 
with the candidate’s level of research development;

o The originality and quality of the research hypothesis/question, design and 
methodology, judged in the context of the candidate's previous training and 
experience;

o Adequacy of plans for the protection of human and animal subjects and the 
safety of the research environment and conformance with the NIH Guidelines 
for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research and 
Inclusion of Children Participating in Research Involving Human Subjects.

Previous Mentor/ Co-Mentor

o Adequacy and clarity of the previous mentor's statement describing the 
potential and capability of the candidate to become a successful independent 
investigator. 

Institutional Environment and Commitment

o Clear commitment of the institution to ensure that a minimum of 75 percent 
of the candidate's effort will be devoted directly to research, with the 
remaining percent effort being devoted to activities related to the 
successful development of a independent research career;

o Adequacy of research facilities and training opportunities;

o Quality and relevance of the environment for scientific and professional 
development of the candidate.

Budget

o Justification of the requested budget in relation to career development 
goals and research aims and plans;

o Adequacy of the proposed budget items for the achievement of the career 
development and research objectives of the award.

Non-Competing Renewals

o Adequacy of how the proposed research and research-related activities 
should contribute to the scientific development of the candidate and the 
development of an independently funded research program;

o Adequacy of the long-term research career goals, including the timing of 
submission of applications for competitive research grants.

AWARD CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES

Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended 
applications.  The NCI staff will notify the applicant of the National Cancer 
Advisory Board's action shortly after its meeting.  The following will be 
considered in making decisions: scientific and technical merit of the 
proposed project as determined by the initial review group, the results of 
the secondary review by the NCAB, availability of funds, program balance and 
priority.

The NCI will notify the candidates who have competed successfully for funding 
with a "Letter of Intent to Commit Funds."  Candidates in a postdoctoral 
position will then have one-year from the date of the letter to find an 
institution that offers a position, preferably tenure-track, suitable for 
enhancing a research career.  For candidates who already have a position in a 
sponsoring institution, negotiation with the institution will begin without 
delay.

Negotiations will be initiated by asking the candidate's institution to 
submit a "Statement of Environment and Institutional Commitment" to the NCI.  
This statement will be evaluated by NCI staff using the following criteria:

o Documentation of a strong, well-established research program related to the 
candidate's area of interest including a high-quality research environment 
with staff capable of productive collaboration with the candidate;

o Agreement of the institution's statement of commitment of equipment, 
physical and personnel resources with the peer-reviewed recommendation of 
needs;

o Adequacy of the arrangements with the candidate to provide a permanent 
preferably tenure-track position, adequate facilities for conducting a 
research program, and additional resources conducive to the development of a 
research project and establishment of a successful research career.

For postdoctoral candidates, if the NCI approves the "Statement of 
Environment and Institutional Commitment" offered by the institution, the 
institution will be asked to submit a completed PHS Form 398 application.  
For candidates who already have a position in a sponsoring institution, the 
NCI only needs to approve the Statement.  After NCI approval and subject to 
the availability of funds, the institution will receive an award.  At the 
time of the award to the grantee institution in support of the K22, any 
current award held or other support provided for the mentored training of the 
candidate will be terminated.

An award can be terminated prior to the end of the third year by the NCI if 
the candidate does not submit an R01 type grant application or equivalent for 
peer review before the end of the second year (See SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS).

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 to indicate 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).

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 is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm.  The 
revisions relate to the NIH defined Phase III clinical trials and require: a) 
all applications or proposal and/or protocols to provide a description of 
plans to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by 
sex/gender and 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 (e.g., individuals under the age of 21) 
must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by 
the NIH, unless there are 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.

REQUIRED EDUCATION IN THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS

All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the 
policy that was published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, June 5, 
2000 (Revised August 25, 2000), and is available at the following URL 
address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.

URLS IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES

All applications for NIH funding must be self-contained within specific 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) 
NCI Transition Development Award for Underrepresented Minorities, is related 
to the priority area of human resource development in cancer research.  
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at 

AUTHORITY AND REGULATION

This program is described in the catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 
93.398.  Awards are made under authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the 
Public Health Service Act as amended by Public Law 99-158, 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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