and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
RESEARCH CORE CENTERS (P30) FOR ADVANCED NEUROINFORMATICS RESEARCH
RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2002
PA NUMBER: PAR-03-037 (This PAR, requesting applications for the HBP, will not
be reissued after it expires, see NOT-MH-05-014)
EXPIRATION DATE: September 23, 2005
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
(http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
(http://www.nida.nih.gov/)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
(http://www.nasa.gov/)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
(http://www.nsf.gov/)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
(http://www.energy.gov/)
Letter of Intent Receipt Dates: One month prior to receipt date
Application Receipt Dates: January 21 May 21 September 22, 2003
January 21 May 21 September 22, 2004
January 21 May 20 September 22, 2005
THIS PA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
o Purpose of the PA
o Research Objectives
o Mechanism(s) of Support
o Eligible Institutions
o Individuals Eligible to Become Principal Investigators
o Special Requirements
o Letter of Intent
o Where to Send Inquiries
o Submitting an Application
o Peer Review Process
o Review Criteria
o Award Criteria
o Required Federal Citations
PURPOSE OF THIS PA
The purpose of this program announcement (PA) is to support shared coordinated
resources to facilitate collaborative, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary
efforts in neuroscience informatics (neuroinformatics). This research effort
through data sharing will create new capabilities in neuroinformatics and
facilitate the solution of complex systems research. Neuroinformatics combines
neuroscience and informatics (information technology/computer sciences) research
to develop databases and neuroscience knowledge management systems, and advanced
tools and approaches essential for efficient data sharing and data integration.
This PA will provide funding for two or more research projects to facilitate and
build the necessary database capabilities for sharing and analyzing data or
federating existing databases. It is expected that these collaborative efforts
may be linked horizontally, vertically, or both and will enable the
understanding and integration of data within in and across systems.
This program is designed for groups of current peer-review funded investigators
working on interrelated complex system problems in neuroscience. Applications
for this PA must introduce new collaborative and interactive activities that
will further the shared research goals and significantly enhance what could not
be accomplished via individual investigator grant support alone. In addition,
a new informatics capability must be the unifying feature that will be derived,
with appropriate computer science expertise, and aimed at facilitating the
concept of advancing the field of neuroscience research through data sharing.
It is required that the participating investigators have externally funded,
peer-reviewed neuroscience research grants appropriate for collaboration.
Direct support of new individual neuroscience research projects is not
appropriate under this PA. A high level of resources may be requested to allow
participating investigators to extend their research efforts and to form a
consortium to approach a research problem of overarching importance in a
comprehensive and highly integrated fashion.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
The greatest increment in knowledge about the brain has occurred within the last
two decades due to intensive, rapid technological advances in molecular and
cellular neurobiology, molecular genetics, brain imaging, and other new
technologies brought about through the computer information technology
revolution. The progressive amount of information being generated is
exponentially incremental. The basic and clinical neuroscience field has
entered into a new era in which collaborative multi- and interdisciplinary
research is essential to understand the structure, function, development, and
plasticity of brain systems. There is an increased need, on a national and
global basis, for collaborative, integrative approaches, through shared
resources and facilities across research groups at diverse sites, to allow more
rapid progress to be made in understanding the nervous system.
The Human Brain Project (HBP) is a broadly based Federal research initiative,
which is sponsored by sixteen Federal organizations from four Federal agencies
and coordinated by the National Institute of Mental Health. The Human Brain
Project seeks to promote the creation of novel shared neuroscience databases and
knowledge management systems to integrate vast, complex information about the
nervous system. For a detailed description on the research objectives of the
FICC-HBP sponsored Human Brain Project/Neuroinformatics Initiative, and a
listing of investigators supported under this program, refer to this program's
homepage (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/neuroinformatics/index.cfm), and PAR-03-035,
The Human Brain Project (Neuroinformatics): Phase I & II
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-03-035.html).
Program Description
This Research Core Center PA (P30) is an institutional award, made in the name
of a principal investigator, to support centralized resources and facilities
shared by two or more investigators with existing funded research projects. Its
goal is to encourage integrative, collaborative, interdisciplinary research
approaches to more effectively and efficiently solve significant questions in
basic and clinical neuroscience, that cross institutional and disciplinary
boundaries. These coordinated approaches can be directed horizontally,
vertically, or both. The aim is to assemble teams of peer-reviewed, federally-
funded, basic and clinical neuroscience investigators from diverse institutions,
by providing additional excellent shared computer sciences research resources
and facilities (e.g., for hardware and software development, and/or computer
facilities, data processing and analysis) for their coordinated, collaborative
activities. The additional funds must support activities that are likely to
significantly enhance existing informatics capabilities and introduce new
collaborative approaches to the neuroscience research aims to stimulate the
development of new research directions, while eliminating unnecessary
duplication of effort. Core Centers are encouraged to enter into cooperative
arrangements with established cores in other centers or resource grants offering
a similar type of service at the applicant's institution.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
This PA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Core Center
(P30) grant mechanism. As an applicant, you will be solely responsible for
planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. However, the
institution must demonstrate a commitment to the purposes of this PA in the
specified area. The P30 mechanism will be used to support centralized
informatics resources and facilities shared by investigators with existing
peer-reviewed, Federally funded research projects.
Allowable Costs
Direct costs will be provided to support collaborative, shared informatics
resources and facilities for the development of new databases and federations of
databases to facilitate effective, efficient data integration.
Administrative Activities: Partial or limited salary support for secretarial
and administrative staff may be requested in the summary budget to the extent
that it relates directly to the management of Core Grant activities, see the NIH
Guide notice http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-276.html.
Costs for all secretarial and administrative activities, including support for
the Principal Investigator, ordinarily may not exceed 15% of the total direct
costs of a Core Grant award in any year.
Core Directors and Other Key Personnel: Salary support may not be requested.
An exception will be made for the support of Information Scientists on the
Informatics core. Salary support for up to 75% effort of such an individual may
be requested, whether or not this individual is the director of a core.
Technical Support Personnel: Salary support is allowed for personnel who bridge
or add to the intellectual and technological approaches of the individual
consortium components. A technician cannot be a core director.
Consultant costs: To coordinate the shared use of informatics/computer
equipment and resources across different core sites.
Equipment: Requests for shared Informatics/computer sciences equipment are
allowed. This grant mechanism is not intended for the acquisition of equipment
that should be funded through other sources or through other funding mechanisms.
No equipment item over $3,000 may be requested without prior discussion with
FICC-HBP program staff.
Supplies: Consumable supplies directly related to the operation of the
Informatics cores are allowed.
Travel expenses for collaborative activities are allowed. In addition, grantees
are expected to participate in (1) the two-day Annual Spring Human Brain Project
Meeting of Agencies and Grantees in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area; as
well as (2) the annual meeting of Principal Investigators to be rotated among
the funded sites. These meetings will promote communication among different
groups of investigators (see section on Post Award Management). Funds to
support travel to both of these annual meetings should be included in the budget
for the principal investigator and other relevant collaborator(s) as part of the
research costs.
Other Expenses:
o Specialized training of personnel in interdisciplinary neuroinformatics
research concepts and approaches.
o Access to resources, such as those for software development, data analysis,
bioinformatics and computational services, electronic communication media to
facilitate participation of off-site laboratories and collaborative capabilities
o Facilities and space for the shared use of Informatics/computer equipment.
For specific policy, refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement (Rev. 03/01)
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/).
o Informatics/computer equipment maintenance, maintenance contracts, computer
time, and lease of computer lines.
o Alterations and Renovation: Requests are allowable, but must be thoroughly
justified. Cost sharing by the Institution is strongly encouraged and these
arrangements should be described in the application. Funds for new construction
or major alterations will not be provided.
o Human subjects reimbursement and animal care per diem charges (boarding) are
not allowed.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
You may submit (an) application(s) if your institution has any of the following
characteristics:
o For-profit or non-profit organizations
o Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals,
and laboratories
o Units of State and local governments
o Eligible agencies of the Federal government
o Domestic
Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.
INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out
the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an
application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic
groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply
for NIH programs.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Neuroinformatics research is expected to lead to advanced information
technologies and approaches for the neuroscience community. To qualify for this
mechanism, two or more peer-reviewed, Federally funded investigators need to
demonstrate how their collaboration through informatics and data sharing will
create both a new informatics capability for neuroscience and will add a new
dimension to the ongoing investigations. On the date of this grant application
submission, each collaborating unit on the Core Center grant must hold a minimum
of two research project grants, with a minimum of three years of support
remaining in the original project period. Research projects associated with a
Core Center include individual research project grants (R01) or similar peer-
reviewed project funding from other Federal agencies. A current program
project/center grant (P01 or P50) subproject may count toward the minimum of two
if that subproject will be an "extensive" user of the proposed central core of
this application.
Training grants (F32/T32), career development awards (e.g., K08/K23), small
grants (R03), and exploratory/development awards (R21) do not count as part of
the requisite research base, but PIs of such awards can be users of the Core
Center.
Cores:
Core Supervision: An independent investigator, who has the expertise to
supervise its use, should direct each core. Other arrangements may be proposed,
but must be well justified.
Research cores should be designed to furnish a group of investigators with an
Informatics focus to allow them to share data in a manner that will enhance the
research progress. In addition, this new informatics capability should be
useful to the neuroscience community-at-large, and made available in a full and
timely manner. The requested resources and facilities must facilitate the
collaboration and integration of the component projects, and support a synthesis
of information that would not take place if each component core project were
given its own independent resource facility by itself.
Each research core must have extensive usage by all collaborating investigators
with funded peer-reviewed projects. A Core Center must be an identifiable
organizational unit either within a single grantee institution or representing a
consortium of cooperating institutions (e.g., geographic or web-based).
It is strongly encouraged that researchers funded under the Human Brain Project
collaborate. Supplemental funds may be competitively awarded to projects to
support such interactions beyond that already funded under this award. A
listing of investigators participating in the Human Brain Project Program is
located at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/neuroinformatics/index.cfm. Also listed at
this website are the types of data, software, and other information available
from these investigators, to be broadly shared among all grantees to minimize
scientifically unnecessary duplication of effort in all Phases. Grantees are
expected to participate in (1) the Annual Spring Human Brain Project Meeting at
NIH; as well as (2) an annual meeting of Principal Investigators to be rotated
among the funded sites. These meetings will promote communication among
different groups of investigators. See section on Post Award Management.
Non-competitive Continuations: These reports must include information that
demonstrates how the core(s) enhanced the capability of investigators and the
institution for conducting research. Examples of projects or representative
publications, which benefited from use of the core, should be cited. If
applicable, describe collaborative studies, attraction of investigators to
neuroinformatics research, and any other research-related activities made
possible or facilitated by the core.
Competing Continuation (renewal) Applications: In addition to the information
reported in the non-competitive renewals, the applicant should include a general
progress report that highlights achievements under the Core Center since the
last competitive review. Include the following information: a brief summary of
major accomplishments that can be attributed to the Core Center program and a
brief explanation of how these accomplishments have contributed to the
achievement of the stated objectives of the grant; a list of changes (if any) in
professional staffing since the last competitive review; and a list of all
publications, including those in press, that have resulted from the Core Center
grant. (Do not include manuscripts in preparation or under review.)
NIH is interested in ensuring that the unique research capability developed
through this mechanism from the HBP become readily available to the research
community for further research, development, and application, in the expectation
that this will lead to products and knowledge of benefit to the public. At the
same time, NIH recognizes the rights of grantees to elect and retain title to
subject inventions developed under Federal funding under the provision of the
Bayh-Dole Act. Indeed, for inventions developed in its intramural program, NIH
does file patent applications, in accord with a set of policies described at
http://www.nih.gov/od/ott/200po6.htm.
Grantees are encouraged to perfect copyright protection of software produced as
a result of Human Brain Project funding
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/nihgps_2001.pdf.
These should include prominent notification in the software and its
documentation that the software is copyrighted. Notification could consist
of the following:
Copyright c [year] by [your name, the names of your colleagues, or the name of
your institution] with funding from the Human Brain Project.
This notification will identify the source of the software and help ensure that
the software can be shared freely while protecting any commercial rights in it.
In addition, grantees will be required to agree that they will provide the
primary funding organization, upon its request and at a reasonable cost, a copy
of any software produced under this Human Brain Project funding, with the
understanding that the federal organizations directly involved with this Project
will have the right to use such software for internal research and archival
purposes only, and will not permit its distribution beyond those organizations.
WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES
We encourage your inquiries concerning this PA and welcome the opportunity to
answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into three
areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management
issues. Representatives from each of the participating agencies, institutes and
center can be contacted for further information or clarification.
o General programmatic inquiries regarding the Human Brain Project should be
directed to:
Stephen H. Koslow, Ph.D.
Chair, FICC-HBP
Office on Neuroinformatics
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6167, MSC 9613
Bethesda, MD 20892-9613
Telephone: (301) 443-1815
FAX: (301) 443-1867
Email: [email protected]
A current list of Agency Contacts may be found at:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/neuroinformatics/agencycontacts.cfm
o Questions regarding scientific/research issues related to participating ICs
may be directed to these individuals:
National Institute of Mental Health
Michael D. Hirsch, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Office on Neuroinformatics
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6167, MSC 9613
Bethesda, MD 20892-9613
Telephone: (301) 443-1815
FAX: (301) 443-1867
Email: [email protected]
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Antonio Noronha, Ph.D.
Chief, Neuroscience & Behavioral Research Branch
Division of Basic Research
6001 Executive Boulevard, Suite 402, MSC 7003
Bethesda, MD 20892-7003
Telephone: (301) 443-7722
FAX: (301) 594-0673
Email: [email protected]
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Thomas Aigner, Ph.D.
Division of Basic Research
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 4282, MSC 9555
Bethesda, MD 20892-9555
Telephone: (301) 443-6975
FAX: (301) 594-6043
Email: [email protected]
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Marc Shepanek, Ph.D.
300 E Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20546
Telephone: (202) 358-2201
FAX: (202) 358-4168
Email: [email protected]
National Science Foundation
Soo-Siang Lim, Ph.D. or
Diane Witt, Ph.D.
Behavioral Neuroscience and Neuroendocrinology Program
Division of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 685S
Arlington, VA 22230
Telephone: (703) 292-8423
FAX: (703) 292-9153
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Department of Energy
Dean Cole, Ph.D.
Office of Biological and Environmental Research
Medical Science Division
SC-73/Germantown Building
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585-1290
Telephone: (301) 903-3268
FAX: (301) 903-0567
Email: [email protected]
o Direct your questions about peer review issues to:
Peter M. Lyster, Ph.D.
Scientific Review Administrator
Center for Scientific Review
6701 Rockledge Drive, Rm. 5218, MSC 7850
Bethesda, MD 20892-7850
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 435-1256
FAX: (301) 480-2241
Email: [email protected]
o Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to:
National Institute of Mental Health
Joy R. Knipple
Grants Management Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6131, MSC 9605
Bethesda, MD 20892-9605
Telephone: (301) 443-8811
FAX: (301) 443-6885
Email: [email protected]
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Judy Fox
Grants Management Branch
6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 504, MSC 7003
Bethesda, MD 20892-7003
Telephone: (301) 443-4704
FAX: (301) 443-3891
Email: [email protected]
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Gary Fleming, J.D., M.A.
Chief, Grants Management Officer
Grants Management Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3131, MSC 9541
Bethesda, MD 20892-9541
Telephone: (301) 443-6710
FAX: (301) 594-6849
Email: [email protected]
LETTER OF INTENT
It is recommended that applicants contact the appropriate program official(s)
listed under INQUIRIES and submit a letter of intent that includes the following
information:
o Descriptive title of the proposed research
o Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
o Names of other key personnel
o Participating institutions
o Number and title of this PA
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 IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
Each letter of intent will be distributed to all of the sponsoring agencies,
institutes and center.
The letter of intent is to be submitted to Dr. Stephen H. Koslow at the address
listed above, by the receipt dates listed in the heading of this PA.
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application
instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001). The PHS 398 is available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive
format. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267,
Email: [email protected].
The NIH encourages applicants to access application instructions and forms, via
the Internet. Certain forms are available electronically on the NIH Home Page
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm). Instructions for downloading
documents and electronic forms can be accessed at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/edocs.htm
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS REQUESTING $500,000 OR MORE PER YEAR:
Applications requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs for any year must
include a cover letter identifying the NIH staff member within one of NIH
institutes or centers who has agreed to accept assignment of the application.
Applicants requesting more than $500,000 must carry out the following steps:
1) Contact the IC program staff at least 6 weeks before submitting the
application, i.e., as you are developing plans for the study;
2) Obtain agreement from the IC staff that the IC will accept your application
for consideration for award; and,
3) Identify, in a cover letter sent with the application, the staff member and
IC who agreed to accept assignment of the application.
This policy applies to all investigator-initiated new (Type 1), competing
continuation (Type 2), competing supplement, or any amended or revised version
of these grant application types. Additional information on this policy is
available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, October 19, 2001 at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-004.html.
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATES: Applications submitted in response to this PA will
be accepted at the application receipt dates listed in the heading of this PA.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS:
To identify the application as a response to this PA, check "Yes" on item 2, and
the title and number of the PA must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the
application form. Follow the PHS 398 instructions for "Preparing Your
Application," inclusive of format specifications, page limitations, and content
requirements. Note that, in accordance with the standard PHS 398 SPECIFIC
INSTRUCTIONS, sections "a-d" of the Research Plan are limited to 25 pages total.
In response to this PA, include the following information where indicated in
these instructions:
Personnel: The Core Center Director will have responsibility for overall
direction of the entire Core Center (P30). Additionally, a director should be
named for each research core. A research core director must be an expert with
an independently funded research program that will use the core services.
Detailed Budget for Initial Period of Support: A detailed overall budget for
the Center Core Grant should be provided, as well as separate budgets for each
of the cores, including core-related research. Direct costs may be requested
that are essential for the support of the Cores, and must be fully documented
and justified; salary support for administrative costs should be kept at a
minimum.
Budget for Entire Period of Support: Summary budget pages for the initial and
entire budget periods for the Center Core Grant should be provided, presenting
the aggregate budget for all administrative and core activities. Provide budget
justifications here (e.g., for administrative activities) only for requests not
contained in the separate core budgets that will immediately follow.
Biographical Sketches: In addition, this section should include letters of
commitment from each of the participating investigators that indicate their
interest in joining the collaborative project. Do not exceed the two-page
limitation for any individual.
Other Support and Research Base Summary: Other support should be listed for all
individuals listed in the Key Personnel section, with the exception of
consultants. These pages should not be duplicated in the individual component
projects and cores.
Assurance Documentation: In addition to the assurance pages, a master table
listing the status of human subject and the animal usage approval dates should
be included.
Letters signed by the authorized business official of each of the participating
investigators' institutions committing support to the Core Center Grant project.
Resources: As part of this section, be sure to address in sufficient detail the
issue of accessibility of the most important informatics and computer science
equipment items to collaborative investigators.
Research Plan
This section is presented on continuation pages in narrative fashion. Follow
the PHS 398 instructions for format specifications, required page limitations,
and content requirements. Within the 25 page limit per core, also provide the
following information (for amended applications, an additional 3 pages per core
may be used to respond to the reviews):
Explicit New Neuroinformatics Capability Being Developed:
o Briefly articulate the ongoing research and the new collaborative efforts
with goals, objectives, and specific aims, etc.
o Provide an overview of how the Core Center would be used to enhance the new
neuroinformatics capability of the participating collaborators.
o Interactions and interrelationships among Center members, quality and
productivity of the research programs, demonstrated or potential
interdisciplinary collaboration, and how establishment of a Core Center provides
additional dimensions to the current research activities.
Collaborating Investigators: The research base of the collaborating Core Center
investigators needs to be documented. A table listing the grants, funding
source and duration, the current year budget (direct cost), and their principal
investigators is required.
Administrative Management Plan: Include an administrative management plan that
outlines the policies and procedures for access of participating and non-
participating investigators to use the collaborative Core Center project
resources. The application should address the flow of information within the
project, and plans for how the information will be integrated into the solution
of the biological problem being addressed. The mechanism to add new
participating investigators and delete members whose association with the
project has not been productive should be documented in the proposal. The plan
should also include proposed methods for information dissemination both within
the collaborative project and to the scientific community.
Core Management Plan: Provide a core management plan, including an ongoing
evaluation plan, to ensure consistent forward progress of the neuroinformatics
core. The Core Center should define annual milestones in a tentative sequence
or timetable. It is expected that the milestones will be adjusted as required
on an annual basis, both to incorporate a team's scientific accomplishments and
progress in the field in general, as well as to reflect the recommendations of
the external advisory committee.
Steering/Advisory Committees: As a function of complexity and size, the
principal investigator should consider the advisability of establishing steering
and/or advisory committees. A steering committee comprised of collaborating
investigators and the individual core directors could be assembled on a regular
(i.e., quarterly-annually) basis, to manage the Administrative Management Plan.
An external advisory committee, comprised of leading experts in Neuroscience and
Informatics research, could be assembled on an annual basis to meet with the
steering committee to provide independent evaluation, feedback, and advice on
ongoing merit, progress, and requisite modification for both the Administrative
Management Plan(s) and the Core Management Plan(s).
SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH: The title and number of the program
announcement 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 five 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
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
Schedule
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Dec 21 Apr 21 Aug 22
Application Receipt Date: Jan 21 May 21 Sep 22
Administrative Review: Feb Jun Oct
Scientific Review: Mar/Apr Aug/Sep Nov/Dec
Advisory Council Review: Sep/Oct Jan/Feb May/Jun
Earliest Starting Date: Dec Mar Jul
APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be received by the application
receipt dates listed in the heading of this PA. The 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 a substantial
revision of an application already reviewed, but such application must include
an Introduction addressing the previous critique.
PEER REVIEW PROCESS
Applications submitted for this PA will be assigned on the basis of established
PHS referral guidelines. A special scientific review group convened in
accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures
(http://www.csr.nih.gov/refrev.htm) will evaluate applications for scientific
and technical merit.
As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:
o Receive a written critique
o 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 and assigned a priority score
o Receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory council or
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. In the
written comments, reviewers will be asked to discuss the following aspects of
your application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research
will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals:
o Significance
o Approach
o Innovation
o Investigator
o Environment
The scientific review group will address and consider each of these criteria in
assigning your application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate for
each application. Your application does not need to be strong in all categories
to be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high
priority score. For example, you 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 your study address an important problem? If the aims of
your application are achieved, how do they advance scientific knowledge? 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? Do you acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative
tactics?
(3) INNOVATION: Does your project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods?
Are the aims original and innovative? Does your project challenge existing
paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?
(4) INVESTIGATOR: Are you appropriately trained and well suited to carry out
this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to your experience level as the
principal investigator and to that of other researchers (if any)?
(5) ENVIRONMENT: Does the scientific environment in which your 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?
ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA: In addition to the above criteria, your application
will also be reviewed with respect to the following:
PROTECTIONS: The adequacy of the proposed protection for humans, animals, or
the environment, to the extent they may be adversely affected by the project
proposed in the application.
INCLUSION: The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both genders, all
racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children as appropriate for the
scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of
subjects will also be evaluated. (See Inclusion Criteria included in the
section on Federal Citations, below).
DATA SHARING: The adequacy of the proposed plan to share data.
BUDGET: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of
support in relation to the proposed research.
OTHER REVIEW CRITERIA
An overall priority score will be assigned to the application. This score will
reflect the quality of the individual cores, the leadership and administration
plans, the enhancement of the research base by the core center, including the
likelihood for meaningful collaboration among Core Center investigators, and
overall ability of the Core Center, to provide a significant advantage beyond
what could practically or efficiently be supported on individual research grants.
Competitive Renewal Applications: In a competing continuation application, a
detailed "Progress Report" should be provided in support of the proposed project.
This report, which will be considered as an important part of the initial review,
should include detail about the major accomplishments, to date, and currently
described plans for further improvement, documentation, and multi-site testing
of advanced technologies and tools for shared distribution across the wider
community of neuroscientists and neuroinformaticians. Concerning the latter,
relevant information should be included about the validation, expanded beta
testing, and further refinement of newly developed tools; the development of
appropriate models and simulation capabilities; the interoperability of
information sharing; and a careful evaluation of these products for general
distribution among the neuroscience and neuroinformatics research communities.
The operational, maintenance and evaluation plans should be realistic and deal
with relevant issues. These issues should be considered both in terms of their
being state-of-the-art, yet also with perspective toward future developments.
In addition, the competitive renewal application should document the impact the
Core Center has had on the field of neuroinformatics research. This includes
the qualifications, experience, and commitment of the Core Center investigators
and their proven ability to interact with each other and attract additional
investigators to the mission areas of the Human Brain Project. It is
anticipated that publications, new collaborations, and other explicit examples
will arise and should be documented.
AWARD CRITERIA
Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended
applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
o Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review
o Availability of funds
o Relevance to program priorities
POST-AWARD MANAGEMENT
The FICC-HBP committee maintains a Human Brain Project/Neuroinformatics web in
order to provide the public and scientists with the most recent activities of
this program (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/neuroinformatics/index.cfm). Each funded
grant application will be listed and briefly described (provided by the
principal investigator), and hotlinks provided to connect interested parties
directly to the HBP grantees' web site. The grantees' web page to which the
hotlink connects should indicate the program support from the Human Brain
Project, the individual supporting Agencies/Institutes and the Logo. The
individual web sites of grantees are expected to contain complete and accurate
information on the activities of their funded Human Brain Project, and to be
maintained by the principal investigator to ensure that it contains the most
current information on the project, as well as the availability of new resources
or capabilities created via this mechanism. The Human Brain Project web site
also contains a listing of all publications, software, hardware, and patents
that have resulted from this funding. The principal investigator shall provide,
at a minimum, to the coordinating Human Brain Project Office an updated listing
of these results, electronically in cold fusion, at least two times per year.
This list should contain appropriate hot links to allow individuals to find
either the source document and/or additional directly relevant information.
Grantees are expected to participate in the Annual Spring Human Brain Project
Meetings of Agencies and Grantees and the annual Principal Investigator Meeting.
These meetings will promote communications among different groups of HBP
investigators, who are involved in research, curricula development, and career
development and/or other cross-training activities in neuroinformatics. All
publications and meeting abstracts etc., resulting from HBP funding should give
appropriate citation to the Human Brain Project and the funding Institutes and
Agencies.
REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS
MONITORING PLAN AND DATA SAFETY AND MONITORING BOARD: Research components
involving Phase I and II clinical trials must include provisions for assessment
of patient eligibility and status, rigorous data management, quality assurance,
and auditing procedures. In addition, it is NIH policy that all clinical trials
require data and safety monitoring, with the method and degree of monitoring
being commensurate with the risks (NIH Policy for Data Safety and Monitoring,
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, June 12, 1998:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH: 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 clinical research projects unless a clear and
compelling justification is 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 clinical research should read the AMENDMENT "NIH
Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical
Research - Amended, October, 2001," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and
Contracts on October 9, 2001
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html);
a complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm.
The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition of clinical
research; updated racial and ethnic categories in compliance with the new OMB
standards; clarification of language governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical
trials consistent with the new PHS Form 398; and updated roles and
responsibilities of NIH staff and the extramural community. The policy
continues to require for all NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials that:
a) all applications or proposals and/or protocols must 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) investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting analyses,
as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group differences.
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS: The
NIH maintains a policy 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 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 is available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm
REQUIRED EDUCATION ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECT PARTICIPANTS: NIH policy
requires education on the protection of human subject participants for all
investigators submitting NIH proposals for research involving human subjects.
You will find this policy announcement in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
Announcement, dated June 5, 2000, at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.
HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS: Criteria for federal funding of research on hESCs
can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/stem_cells.htm and at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-005.html. Only
research using lines that are registered in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell
Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (see http://escr.nih.gov). It is
the responsibility of the applicant to provide the official NIH identifier(s)for
the line(s)to be used in the proposed research. Applications that do not
provide this information will be returned without review.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT: The
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to provide
public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
under some circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in a project that is
supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) cited publicly and
officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has the force and
effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. It is
important for applicants to understand the basic scope of this amendment. NIH
has provided guidance at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm.
Applicants may wish to place data collected under this PA in a public archive,
which can provide protections for the data and manage the distribution for an
indefinite period of time. If so, the application should include a description
of the archiving plan in the study design and include information about this in
the budget justification section of the application. In addition, applicants
should think about how to structure informed consent statements and other human
subjects procedures given the potential for wider use of data collected under
this award.
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. Furthermore, we caution
reviewers 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 PA is related to
one or more of the 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. 93.242 (NIMH), 93.279 (NIDA), 47.074 (NSF), 81.049 (DOE),
and 93.273 (NIAAA), 43.002 (NASA), and is not subject to the intergovernmental
review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.
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 described at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm and under
Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free
workplace and discourage the 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
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