RUTH L. KIRSCHSTEIN NRSA PROGRAM FOR NIGMS MARC PREDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS (F31)
RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2003
PA NUMBER: PAR-03-114 (See Notice NOT-GM-08-124 Change in Review Contact)
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATES: April 5 and December 5
EXPIRATION DATE: December 6, 2006, unless reissued
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
(http://www.nigms.nih.gov)
This Program Announcement (PA) replaces PAR-99-142, which was published in the
NIH Guide, August 16, 1999.
CATALOGUE OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER(S): 93.121, 93.172, 93.173,
93.233, 93.272, 93.278.93.282, 93.306, 93.361, 93.398, 93.821, 93.837-93.839,
93.846-93.849, 93.853-93.856, 93.859, 93.862-93.867, 93.880, 93.894, and 93.929.
THIS PA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
o Purpose of the PA
o Training Objectives
o Mechanism of Support
o Individuals Eligible to Apply
o Specific Instructions to Applicants
o Where to Send Inquiries
o Submitting an Application
o Peer Review Process
o Review Criteria
o Additional Review Criteria
o Award Criteria
o Required Federal Citations
PURPOSE
In 2002, the National Research Service Award Program was renamed the Ruth L.
Kirschstein National Research Service Award program as a tribute to Dr.
Kirschstein's years of exceptional service to the country. Additional details
related to this legislative change are available at http://grants.nih.gov/
training/news.htm. Under this congressional authority, the Minority
Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program of NIGMS awards individual
predoctoral fellowships (F31) to eligible applicants.
The intent of the MARC Predoctoral Fellowship Program is to encourage students
from minority groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences
to seek graduate degrees, thus furthering the goal of the NIGMS MARC Branch of
increasing the number of underrepresented minority scientists who are
competitively trained to pursue careers in biomedical or behavioral research.
It is expected that training will be conducted in graduate degree programs of
the highest quality.
MARC Predoctoral Fellowships will provide up to five years of support for
research training leading to the Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D. or other combined
professional degree/Ph.D. in the biomedical or behavioral sciences, including
mathematics. These Fellowships are for selected students who are graduates of
MARC undergraduate research training programs. Support is not available for
individuals enrolled in medical or other professional degree schools unless
they are enrolled in a combined professional degree/Ph.D. program in the
biomedical or behavioral sciences. Support is also not available for study
toward only the Master's degree.
This NIGMS MARC Predoctoral Fellowship Program should not be confused with the
Ruth L. Kirschstein Minority Predoctoral Fellowship Program, a trans-NIH
supported program, which has different eligibility and program requirements,
and different application receipt dates.
TRAINING OBJECTIVES
The goals of the MARC Branch are to increase the number of underrepresented
minorities engaged in biomedical research and their potential for quality
research, and to strengthen science course curricula and research training
environments at minority/minority serving institutions. As part of its ongoing
commitment to the development of research training capabilities at these
institutions the MARC Branch will provide funds to eligible underrepresented
minority students who, as undergraduates, were MARC trainees, and who have been
accepted or enrolled in a program leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent in
the biomedical/behavioral sciences.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
This PA will use the individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31) award mechanism.
It is issued under the auspices of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research
Service Award Program (see AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS). The proposed training
under the F31 award must be within the fields related to biomedical or
behavioral research and must be directed to obtain a research doctoral degree.
Applicants are required to pursue their research training on a full-time basis,
devoting at least 40 hours per week to the training program. Awards are not
made for study leading to any of the professional degrees (M.D., D.O., D.D.S.,
etc.).
The period of fellowship support requested in response to this PA may not
exceed five years. (Note: the total period of predoctoral training support is
limited to five years by statute, 42USC 288, except in unusual circumstances.)
The recipient of MARC predoctoral fellowship support must submit a written
request to waive this limit on the duration of support from the NIGMS.
Continuation of the fellowship for each subsequent year beyond the first award
period is based upon evidence of satisfactory progress in a graduate program.
Fellowship awards are administered as described in the NIH Grants Policy
Statement found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm and the NRSA
Guidelines for Individual Awards and Institutional Grants, available on the
NIH Website at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_3.htm.
INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME FELLOWS
CITIZENSHIP: At the time of application, individuals must be citizens or
non-citizen nationals of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted to
the United States for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently
valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551 or other legal verification of such
status). Non-citizen nationals are persons born in outlying possessions of the
United States (i.e., American Samoa and Swains Island). Individuals on
temporary or student visas are not eligible.
MARC STATUS: Applicants must be graduates of either the MARC HURT or the
MARC U*STAR Programs. In addition, applicants must be currently enrolled in
a Ph.D. or equivalent research degree program, a combined M.D./Ph.D. program
or other combined professional degree/Ph.D. program in the biomedical or
behavioral sciences, including mathematics, and must have a thesis mentor and
thesis project acceptable to the institution's Ph.D. dissertation committee(s).
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS
ALLOWABLE COSTS: The MARC Predoctoral Fellowship Award provides an annual
stipend to help meet the fellow's living expenses and an annual institutional
allowance.
STIPEND: A MARC Predoctoral Fellowship provides an annual stipend of $19,968.
The actual amount of stipend will be prorated by the length of the award if the
award is less than 12 months. The stipend is not provided as a condition of
employment with either the Federal Government or the institution.
TUITION, FEES, AND HEALTH INSURANCE: The NIH will offset the combined cost of
tuition, fees and health insurance (either self-only or family as appropriate)
at the following rate: 100% of all costs up to $3,000 and 60% of all costs
above $3,000. Costs associated with tuition and fees are allowable only if
they are required for specific courses in support of the research training
experience supported by the fellowship. A full description of the tuition
policy is contained within the NRSA Policy Guidelines on the NIH website at
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_3.htm.
INSTITUTIONAL ALLOWANCE: NIH will provide an institutional allowance of $2,750
per 12-month period to nonfederal, nonprofit, or foreign sponsoring
institutions to be used for expenses directly related to the applicant's
research training. Examples of such training related expenses might be
research supplies, small equipment, and travel to scientific meetings. The
allowance is not available until the fellow officially activates the award.
OTHER TRAINING COSTS: Additional funds may be requested by the institution
when the training of a fellow involves extraordinary costs for travel to field
sites remote from the sponsoring institution or accommodations for fellows who
are disabled, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The funds
requested for extraordinary costs must be reasonable in relationship to the
total dollars awarded under the fellowship and must be directly related to the
approved research training experience. Such additional funds shall be provided
only in exceptional circumstances that are fully justified and explained by the
institution.
FACILITIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS: F&A (indirect) costs are not allowed on
individual fellowship awards.
STIPEND SUPPLEMENTATION, COMPENSATION, AND OTHER INCOME: An institution is
permitted to provide funds to a fellow in addition to the stipend paid by the
NIH. Such additional amounts may be in the form of augmented stipends
(supplementation) or compensation for services.
SUPPLEMENTATION: Supplementation or additional support to offset the cost of
living may be provided by the sponsoring institution, but must not require any
additional effort from the fellow. Federal funds may not be used for
supplementation unless specifically authorized under the terms of both the
program from which such supplemental funds are to be received and the program
whose funds are to be supplemented. Under no circumstances may PHS grant funds
be used for supplementation.
COMPENSATION: An institution may provide additional funds to a fellow in the
form of compensation (as salary and/or tuition remission) for services, such as
teaching or research. Compensation for services is not considered stipend
supplementation. A fellow may receive compensation for services as a research
assistant or in some other capacity on a Federal research grant, including a
PHS research grant. However, compensated services must occur on a limited,
part-time basis apart from the normal training activities, which require a
minimum of 40 hours per week. In addition, compensation may not be paid from
a research grant supporting research that is part of the F31 research training
experience.
Under no circumstances may the conditions of stipend supplementation or the
services provided for compensation interfere with, detract from, or prolong the
fellow's approved NRSA training program. Additionally, compensation must be in
accordance with institutional policies applied consistently to both Federally
and non-Federally supported activities and supported by acceptable accounting
records determined by the employer-employee relationship agreement.
EDUCATIONAL LOANS OR THE GI BILL: An individual may make use of Federal
educational loan funds and assistance under the Veteran's Readjustment Benefits
Act (GI Bill). Such funds are not considered supplementation or compensation.
CONCURRENT AWARDS: An F31 may not be held concurrently with another federally
sponsored fellowship or similar Federal award that provides a stipend or
otherwise duplicates provisions of the NRSA.
TAX LIABILITY: The Internal Revenue Code, Section 117, applies to the tax
treatment of all scholarships and fellowships. Under that section, non-degree
candidates are required to report gross income, all stipends and any monies
paid on their behalf for course tuition and fees required for attendance.
The taxability of stipends, however, in no way alters the relationship between
NRSA fellows and institutions. NRSA stipends are not considered salaries.
NRSA fellows are not considered to be in an employee-employer relationship
with the NIH or with the institution at which they are receiving their training.
The interpretation and implementation of the tax laws is the domain of the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the courts. The NIH takes no position on
the status of a particular taxpayer, and it does not have the authority to
dispense tax advice. Individuals should consult their local IRS office about
the applicability of the law to their situation and for information on the
proper steps to be taken regarding their tax obligations.
LEAVE: Fellows may continue to receive stipends during periods of vacation and
holidays available to individuals in comparable training positions at the
training institution. Also, fellows may continue to receive stipends for up to
15 calendar days of sick leave per year. Sick leave may be used for the
medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth. Fellows may continue
to receive stipends for up to 30 calendar days of parental leave per year for
the adoption or the birth of a child when those in comparable training
positions at the grantee or sponsoring institution have access to paid leave
for this purpose and the use of parental leave is approved by the sponsor.
A period of terminal leave is not permitted and payment may not be made from
grant funds for leave not taken. Individuals requiring extended periods of
time away from their research training experience must seek approval from
NIGMS for an unpaid leave of absence.
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/programmatic, peer review, and financial or grant management issues.
o Direct your questions about programmatic issues to:
Adolphus P. Toliver, Ph.D.
Chief, Minority Access to Research Careers Branch
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
45 Center Drive, Room 2AS.37, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: (301) 594-3900
FAX: (301) 480-2753
E-mail: tolivera@nigms.nih.gov
o Direct your questions about peer review issues to:
Richard I. Martinez, Ph.D.
Office of Scientific Review
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN.12B, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: (301) 594-2781
Email: martiner@nigms.nih.gov
o Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to:
Ms. Antoinette Holland
Grants Management Officer
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
45 Center Drive, Room 2AN.50B, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: (301) 594-5132
FAX: (301) 480-2554
E-mail: hollanda@nigms.nih.gov
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Applications for a Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual National Research Service
Award must be prepared using PHS 416-1 (6/02 rev.). The PHS 416-1 is available
at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm in an interactive format. For
further assistance, contact Grantsinfo, telephone (301) 710-0267, Email:
Grantsinfo@nih.gov.
Prospective student applicants are strongly advised to seek the assistance of
their MARC Program Director, graduate program director, and/or research advisor
in preparing his/her application.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS: The applicant must follow all general instructions
in the application kit (PHS Form 416-1, Revised 6/02) except for those which
are modified by the supplemental instructions below.
A. Information about the Student Applicant-Section 1/Part 1
Applicants are responsible for completing the following sections of the
Fellowship Application Kit:
Face Page: Items 1-8, 15
Form Page 2: Items 16-18; 22 (if appropriate)
Form Page 3: Table of Contents
Form Page 4: All
Form Page 5: All
Form Page 6: All
Personal Data Page: All
Form Page 9 (checklist): Section I only
Clarifying Instructions for Selected Items
1. Face Page
Item 2 (Face Page, Level of Fellowship): Type in the space provided "MARC
Predoctoral Fellowship".
Item 3 (Program Announcement/Request for Applications): Type "PAR-03-114".
Item 6 (Prior and/or Current NRSA Support): Check "yes" and complete Item 24,
Form Page 5.
(Items 9 - 14 should be completed by the sponsor or research advisor.)
2. Form Page 2
Item 17 (Form Page 2, Employment): Your employment history during college
should also be included if it involved a significant time commitment.
Items 19, 20, and 21 should be completed by your sponsor or research advisor.
Item 22 (Research Proposal Description): Complete this section following the
instructions in the kit (instruction page 9).
3. Form Page 4
Item 23 (Form Page 4, Scholastic Performance): Be sure to include your scores
from the GRE or MCAT at the bottom of the page.
4. Form Page 5
Item 24 (Form Page 5, Prior and/or Current NRSA Support): List the institution
where you were a MARC trainee and give the dates. If you have received any
other support from a National Research Service Award grant, such as a
predoctoral training grant, list the grant number, institution, and dates. If
you are not sure, check with the director of your graduate program. Generally,
only students already enrolled in a graduate program will have had such support.
Item 25b (Title of Thesis/Dissertation): If you have a Master's Degree, give
the title of your thesis and indicate that it is your MS thesis; otherwise
leave blank.
Item 26 (Name of Thesis Advisor): Give the name, title, department, and
institution of your thesis advisor.
5. Form Page 6
Item 28 (Form Page 6, Research Experience): Provide a thorough description of
your relevant work and research experiences, including time, place, research
director, the research projects, and your role in the research.
Include a list of publications, abstracts, and poster presentations, if
available. If you have them, submit three collated sets of copies of
publications and abstracts as part of Section 3 (Appendix).
Do not complete Item 28b.
Item 29 (Revised Application) need not be completed unless THIS application is
a revision of one submitted earlier.
Item 30 (Research Training Plan)
o Item 30a (Approximate Percentage ): Fill out the Table.
o Item 30b and 30c (Research Proposal and Respective Contributions)
o Complete these items according to the instructions in the application kit
(instruction pages 11-21). You should work closely with your research advisor
to complete this section.
o Item 30d (Selection of a Sponsor and Institution): You should explain your
reasons for selecting the degree program and school in which you have enrolled.
o Provide a rationale for choosing that particular individual as your mentor.
o Item 30e Give a description of the plan to provide formal and informal
instruction on scientific integrity and ethical principles in research.
B. Information about the Faculty Sponsor and Graduate Program-Section 2/Part II
Your thesis research advisor should complete these items.
Clarifying Instructions for Selected Items
All of Section 2/Part II (Form Page 7) should be completed by the faculty
sponsor.
1. Item 32 and Item 33 (Form Page 8) should be completed by the applicant's
thesis research advisor.
2. Item 34 (Training Plan, Environment, Research Facilities, Form Page 8): In
addition to the information requested in the application kit (instruction page
27), provide a full description of the graduate or combined degree program in
which the applicant is/is to be enrolled. This description should also outline
the normal course of study (both didactic and laboratory) for students enrolled
in the program.
For example, the description of a degree program would commonly sketch the
program's administrative organization and responsibilities. The following
questions include the kind of information that the review group finds useful
in assessing a graduate program. (The specific features described should be
tailored to the local program being presented and need not necessarily include
all, or be limited to, the suggested questions.)
o How does a student become aware of the laboratories/mentors available for
thesis research?
o Who advises a student concerning course and research mentor selection?
o What are the qualifications required of a faculty member if he/she is to be
eligible to serve as a Ph.D. mentor?
o Who is responsible for monitoring a student's overall progress?
o Describe any special program features (courses, seminars, retreats, teaching
requirements, etc.).
o What is the current student enrollment of the program? How many students
have entered and how many have completed the program in each of the last five
years?
o What have these graduates done since graduation?
o What proportion of the program's entering students complete their Ph.D. or
M.D./Ph.D. degree studies?
o What has the program's experience been in recruiting and training
underrepresented minorities?
o In the case of M.D./Ph.D. programs, how are the medical and graduate
portions of a student's program integrated, and how is the transition between
the two assisted?
Describe the applicant's course of study up to the time of submission of the
application and plans for further study.
C. Reference Reports/Letters-Section 3
At least three faculty reference reports must be submitted with your
application. You should complete the top part of the reference form (Name of
Applicant, Proposed Sponsoring Institution) and give one form to each person
writing a reference letter for you.
o One reference report must be from the MARC program director or a MARC
faculty member who knows you well.
o We strongly advise that at least one letter be from an individual who was
your supervisor/advisor for one of your major research experiences, preferably
a research experience outside of your home institution.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT THE THREE REQUIRED REFERENCE REPORTS/LETTERS
WILL BE RETURNED WITHOUT REVIEW. The reference letters must be in sealed
envelopes and attached with a clip to the original copy of your applications.
In addition to the three reference letters cited above, the following MUST be
included with the application at the time of submission:
o A copy of the results of either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the
Medical College Admission Tests (MCAT) for M.D./Ph.D. applicants must be
included at the end of the application.
o A clear and legible copy of the applicant's transcript(s) from all
undergraduate and graduate institutions in which the applicant is/has been
enrolled must be included at the end of the application.
o A description of the graduate or combined degree program in which the
applicant is either enrolled or has been admitted and agreed to enroll must be
included as Item 33 of the application.
D. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT
Fellowships must be administered in accordance with the current NRSA Policy
Guidelines for Individual Awards and Institutional Grants (see the NIH Website
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_3.htm), the current
NIH Grants Policy Statement (see the NIH Website at http://grants.nih.gov/
grants/policy/policy.htm), and any terms and conditions specified on the
Notice of Research Fellowship Award.
ACTIVATION: No funds may be disbursed until the fellow has started training
under the award and an Activation Notice (PHS 416-5) has been submitted to the
NIGMS.
An awardee has up to six months from the issue date on the Notice of Research
Fellowship Award to activate the award. Under unusual circumstances, NIGMS
may grant an extension of the activation period upon receipt of a specific
request from the fellow.
CERTIFICATION AND REPORTING PROCEDURES: No application will be accepted
without the applicant signing the certification block. Individuals admitted to
the United States as Permanent Residents must submit notarized evidence of
legal admission prior to the award. At completion of the training, the fellow
must submit a Termination Notice (PHS 416-7) to the NIH. These forms may also
be found on the NIH Website at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm.
INVENTIONS AND DATA COLLECTION: Fellowships made primarily for educational
purposes are exempted from the NIH invention requirements. F31 awards will not
contain any provision giving PHS rights to inventions made by the award
recipient.
DATA SHARING: NIH policy is to make available to the public the results and
accomplishments of the activities that it funds. Therefore, fellows are
encouraged to publish the results and accomplishments of their F31 activities
in the journals of their choice. Awarding unit support must be acknowledged
in the publications. There are no restrictions on the publication of results
in a timely manner.
COPYRIGHTS: Except as otherwise provided in the terms and conditions of the
award, when publications, data, or other copyrightable works are developed in
the course of work under a NIH grant-supported project or activity the
recipient is free to arrange for copyright without awarding unit approval. Any
such copyrighted or copyrightable works shall be subject to a royalty-free,
nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to the Government to reproduce them,
translate them, publish them, or otherwise use them, and to authorize others
to do so for Federal Government purposes.
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATES: Applications submitted in response to this program
announcement will be accepted at only two of the standard application deadlines,
i.e., April 5 and December 5. Standard application deadlines are available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/dates.htm. Application deadlines are also
indicated in the PHS 416-1 application kit.
SENDING AN APPLICATION TO NIH: Submit a signed, typewritten (single-sided)
original of the application (including the checklist, Personal Data form, at
least three sealed reference letters, and all other required materials), and
one signed photocopy in one package to:
Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC 7710
Bethesda, MD 20892-7710
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
At the same time, one additional copy should be sent under separate cover to:
Chief, Office of Scientific Review
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN.12, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be received by the receipt dates
listed on the first page of this announcement. 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. 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.
Although there is no immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of an
application, applicants are generally notified of the review and funding
assignment within eight weeks.
PEER REVIEW PROCESS
Applications for this PA will be assigned to NIGMS. Applications will be
evaluated for the merit of the overall research training by the MARC Review
Committee, composed primarily of non-government scientists selected for their
competence in research and research training, which is convened in accordance
with the standard NIH peer review procedures.
As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:
o Receive a written critique
o Receive a second level review by the NIGMS Fellowship Oversight Group (FOG),
comprised of NIGMS professional staff.
REVIEW CRITERIA
The MARC Review Committee will address and consider each of the criteria listed
below in assigning the application's overall score, weighting them as
appropriate for each application. The application need not be strong in all
categories to be judged likely to have an important training impact and thus
to deserve a high priority score.
In the written comments, the reviewers will be asked to discuss the criteria
listed below in order to judge the likelihood of successful completion of the
proposed research training leading to a research doctoral (Ph.D. or equivalent)
degree by the applicant and achievement of the goals of this PA. The review
criteria focus on four main components:
o Candidate
o Sponsor and Training Environment
o Research Proposal
o Research Training Potential
(1) CANDIDATE: An assessment of the applicant's qualifications and potential
for a career as a researcher and teacher, based on past accomplishments, such
as scholastic record and scholastic honors, career goals, scientific
publications and/or presentations (if any), professional honors, and awards
and letters of recommendation.
(2) SPONSOR AND TRAINING ENVIRONMENT: An assessment of the qualifications of
the sponsor as a mentor for the proposed research training program and of the
quality of the training environment.
(3) RESEARCH PROPOSAL: The quality and appropriateness of the proposed
training, including the merit of the scientific proposal and its relationship
to the candidate's career plans.
(4) RESEARCH TRAINING POTENTIAL: An assessment of the value of the proposed
research training in preparing the candidate for quality research and/or
teaching.
ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA: In addition to the above criteria, your
application will also be reviewed with respect to the following:
PROTECTION OR HUMAN SUBJECTS FROM RESEARCH RISK: The involvement of human
subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in
the proposed research will be assessed (see criteria included in the section on
Federal Citations, below).
INCLUSION OF WOMEN, MINORITIES AND CHILDREN IN RESEARCH: 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 will be assessed. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects
will also be evaluated. (See Inclusion Criteria included in the section on
Federal Citations, below.)
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
DATA SHARING: The adequacy of the proposed plan to share data.
INSTRUCTION IN THE RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH: Applications must include
the candidate's plans for obtaining instruction in the responsible conduct of
research, including the rationale, subject matter, appropriateness, format,
duration and frequency of instruction. No award will be made if an application
lacks this component.
AWARD CRITERIA
Applications submitted in response to this PA will compete for available funds
with all other recommended applications for Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA MARC
Predoctoral Fellowship Awards. The following will be considered in making
funding decisions:
o Scientific and technical merit of the application as determined by peer
review.
o Availability of funds.
o Relevance to program priorities.
REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS
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
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
is 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: 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: 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 (hESC): 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 hESC 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 for the hESC 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.
STANDARDS FOR PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION: The
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued final modification to
the "Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information",
the "Privacy Rule," on August 14, 2002. The Privacy Rule is a federal
regulation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA) of 1996 that governs the protection of individually identifiable health
information, and is administered and enforced by the DHHS Office for Civil
Rights (OCR). Those who must comply with the Privacy Rule (classified under
the Rule as "covered entities") must do so by April 14, 2003 (with the
exception of small health plans which have an extra year to comply).
Decisions about applicability and implementation of the Privacy Rule reside
with the researcher and his/her institution. The OCR website
(http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/) provides information on the Privacy Rule, including
a complete Regulation Text and a set of decision tools on "Am I a covered
entity?" Information on the impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on NIH processes
involving the review, funding, and progress monitoring of grants, cooperative
agreements, and research contracts can be found at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-025.html.
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 a 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 at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health
Systems Agency review. NRSA awards are made under the authority of Section
487 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 288) and Title 42 of
the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 66. Fellowships must be administered
in accordance with the current NRSA Guidelines for Individual Awards and
Institutional Grants, the current NIH Grants Policy Statement, and any terms
and conditions specified on the Notice of Research Fellowship Award.
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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