and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
Department of Health and Human Services
Participating Organizations
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov)
Components of Participating Organizations
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/)
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), (http://ncmhd.nih.gov)
Title: Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity
Announcement Type
This is a reissue of PAR-00-022, which was previously released on December 9, 1999.
Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:
Program Announcement (PA) Number: PAR-05-132
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.859
Key Dates
Release Date: June 28, 2005
Application Receipt Dates(s): February 1, 2006, 2007, and 2008
Peer Review Date(s): June-July, 2006, 2007, and 2008
Council Review Date(s): September-October, 2006, 2007, and 2008
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: February 1 , 2007
Additional Information To Be Available Date (URL Activation Date): July 1, 2005
Expiration Date: September 18, 2006
Due Dates for E.O. 12372
Not Applicable
Additional Overview Content
Executive Summary
Part II Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
Section II. Award Information
1. Mechanism(s) of Support
2. Funds Available
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
A. Eligible Institutions
B. Eligible Individuals
2.Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other - Special Eligibility Criteria
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Information
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
A. Receipt, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
1. Letter of Intent
B. Sending an Application to the NIH
C. Application Processing
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
6. Other Submission Requirements
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
A. Additional Review Criteria
B. Additional Review Considerations
C. Sharing Research Data
D. Sharing Research Resources
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting
Section VII. Agency Contact(s)
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2. Peer Review Contact(s)
3. Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s)
Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations
Part II - Full Text of Announcement1. Research Objectives
In the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act of 1993, NIH was encouraged to increase the number of underrepresented minorities engaged in biomedical and behavioral research. In response to this Congressional act the Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Branch of the Division of Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), offers through its Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) Program, an opportunity to develop new or expand existing effective academic developmental programs, including student research internships, in order to attract, retain and prepare students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical or behavioral sciences for competitive research careers in those fields. MBRS IMSD grants are institutional awards offered to research institutions with significant number of mentors with NIH or other extramural research support and that have significant numbers of full-time matriculated students from groups underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research fields. These grants may involve one or more biomedical and/or behavioral science-related departments.
The specific goal of the IMSD Program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral research who progress to the next academic step, culminating with the attainment of a Ph.D. degree. While nationally, African American, Hispanic American, American Indian, and Pacific Islander groups are regarded as underrepresented in these fields, it is incumbent on the applicant institution to determine whether a group is underrepresented in biomedical and/or behavioral research fields in establishing their institutional objectives. Furthermore, participation in IMSD activities must be open to individuals of all races or ethnicities whose participation will lead to achieving the goals of the program.
The MORE Division of NIGMS recognizes the heterogeneity in institutional settings and institutional missions. Therefore, each applicant institution must establish its own goals and specific measurable objectives for its proposed program. Various strategies may be utilized to attain the objective of increasing the number of researchers from underrepresented groups via the IMSD program. These may include, but are not limited to, the initiation of new academic developmental activities as well as the expansion, enhancement and/or improvement of existing successful activities. Some institutions may opt to offer programs to improve interest and preparation of undergraduate students for admission to research doctoral degree programs, others may concentrate on training graduate students to obtain their doctoral degrees and be prepared for successful research careers, and still others may concentrate on both.
The specific measurable intermediate stage objectives (milestones), as well as the types of academic developmental activities to achieve the institutional goals and objectives, are entirely determined by the applicant institution. Some examples of measurable objectives are: improvement of undergraduate student retention and graduation rate; improvement in the writing, and presentation skills of students; improvement of students' quantitative skills and academic achievement; and increase in the number of students admitted to research doctoral degree programs. Measurable goals for the doctoral degree students might include improvements in competitiveness for research scholarships, retention and graduation rates, number of research publications, and acceptance to competitive postdoctoral positions.
The IMSD Program can provide support for student academic development activities that are designed to improve communication and quantitative skills, time-management, self-directed learning, independent library or bench research skills, interdisciplinary courses where students learn quantitative skills to analyze biological and biomedical problems, and opportunities to meet and discuss career choices with appropriate role models.
The applicant institution establishes the criteria by which students are selected to participate, and the criteria for their retention in the IMSD Program.
See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.
Section II. Award Information1. Mechanism(s) of Support
This funding opportunity will use the NIH Education Projects (R25) award mechanism.
As an applicant, you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.
This funding opportunity uses the just-in-time budget concepts. It also uses the non-modular budget format described in the PHS 398 application instructions (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html). A detailed categorical budget for the "Initial Budget Period" and the "Entire Proposed Period of Support" is to be submitted with the application.
The total project period for an application submitted in response to this program may not exceed four years and is renewable. Facilities and Administration (F&A) costs will be paid at eight percent of the direct costs, minus appropriate exclusions.
2. Funds Available
Facilities and administrative costs requested by consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation, see NOT-OD-05-004.
Section III. Eligibility Information1. Eligible Applicants
1.A. Eligible Institutions
You may submit an application if your organization has the following characteristics:
Foreign Institutions are not eligible to apply.
The applicant institution must be a research institution that has a significant number of mentors with NIH or other extramural research support, and that awards the baccalaureate, research master's and/or doctoral degree in biomedical or behavioral science fields with a significant number of students from groups underrepresented in these fields. Institutions supported by the MBRS Support of Continuous Research Excellence (SCORE) or Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) programs are not eligible to apply for or hold an IMSD grant.
1.B. Eligible Individuals
1.B.1. Principal Investigator
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research education program is invited to work with her/his institution to develop an application for support and serve as the Principal Investigator. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.
The Principal Investigator of an IMSD application is referred to as the Program Director (PD). The PD must have a regular full-time appointment (i.e. not adjunct, part-time, retired or emeritus) preferably at the rank of associate or full professor, and should possess the teaching and research experience in biomedical and/or behavioral sciences and in administering multidisciplinary programs. Typically, a PD has an earned Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree.
1.B.2. Student Participants
There is no specific eligibility requirement for participation in IMSD-supported activities. However, to receive salary support from the IMSD program, students must be matriculated full time in degree-granting programs at the applicant institution. Undergraduate students matriculated at an institution different from the applicant institution are not eligible for IMSD support. U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals or persons lawfully admitted for permanent residence are eligible for IMSD support. (A non-citizen national is a person who, although not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the U.S. This is generally a person born in a land that is not a state, but that is under U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration -- for example, American Samoa). An individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence must possess an alien registration receipt card (I-551) prior to appointment on the grant. Individuals on temporary visas, those seeking asylum, or refugees are not eligible for support from the IMSD Program.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The IMSD program grants do not require cost sharing or matching funds.
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicant institutions may not concurrently apply for, or have pending more than one IMSD grant application. Eligible institutions may only hold one IMSD award. Institutions awarded an NIH-MBRS SCORE (Support for Continuous Research Excellence) or RISE (Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement) grant are ineligible to apply for an IMSD grant.
Section IV. Application and Submission Information1. Address to Request Application Information
The PHS 398 application instructions are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Applicants must use the currently approved version of the PHS 398. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: [email protected].
Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY 301-451-5936.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Applications must be prepared using the most current PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms. Applications must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or through the web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/. The D&B number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form.
The title and number of this funding opportunity must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be checked.
2.A. New and Competing Continuation Application Formats
IMSD applications typically include academic programs that extend across several departments e.g. Biological Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Sciences, etc. Hence, the proposal should be organized to reflect the institutional scope of the proposed program, and it should be presented as an integrated set of student developmental activities with a single consolidated budget, described in detail, that enhance academic excellence and promote timely progression of students to the next academic step culminating with the attainment of a Ph.D. degree.
In preparing the IMSD grant application, follow the general instructions in PHS 398 to complete the Face Page, Form Pages 2, 3, 4, 5, Biographical Sketch Format Pages, Resource Format Page, Checklist Form page, and Personal data Form page. In addition, follow the specific instructions presented in this section on Research Plan, and use the relevant sample IMSD tables (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/funding/imsd_sample_tables.html) to prepare the grant application.
The Research Plan referred to in PHS 398 is equivalent to the institutional IMSD program plan. For the IMSD program plan, PHS 398 continuation pages should be used. The page limit for the IMDS program plan (corresponding to sections A-D, Form PHS 398) is 25 pages of narrative, excluding figures, charts, tables, and diagrams. Figures, charts, tables, etc. mentioned in the narrative should be placed after the Instruction of IMSD Participants in the Responsible Conduct of Research and before the Literature Cited (see below).
Details of the information required to be included in an IMSD grant application in each of these four sections in the Research Plan are presented below.
1. Specific Aims:
In the section on the Specific Aims, the application must address the overall goals and specific measurable objectives (including anticipated milestones) that the institution expects to accomplish in attracting, retaining, and preparing underrepresented group students for careers in biomedical and/or behavioral science research, and how these objectives contribute to the NIH-MBRS goals. The objectives must be presented as percent improvement over the current baseline data and the baseline data (see below) must be clearly presented.
2. Background and Significance:
The section on Background and Significance should include the following specific items:
i) Institutional Setting and Current Status of the Undergraduate and/or Graduate Biomedical Science-Related Academic Programs: Provide a brief description of the mission of the institution and its academic components. Provide evidence of the institution's commitment to diversity, particularly in the hiring of faculty from groups underrepresented in biomedical and/or behavioral fields, especially in the participating science departments. Describe the current academic programs and counseling/mentoring services, and their success in preparing and graduating students from underrepresented groups and all other students in the sciences. Discuss any perceived impediments at your institution to the success of students in biomedical sciences in general, and of underrepresented group students in particular, with reference to graduation and preparation for careers in research in biomedical sciences. Cite literature on which you base your rationale for incorporating particular features into your program.
ii) Student Enrollment, Retention, Graduation and Career Paths: Provide baseline data, e.g., average data over the previous four years on the overall and underrepresented student enrollment, number of students (overall and underrepresented) majoring in the participating departments, their relative retention and graduation rates (see sample IMSD tables: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/funding/imsd_sample_tables.html as a guide), and the subsequent career paths and/or education plans of students.
iii) Research Mentors and their Training Record: IMSD mentors are expected to have significant NIH or other extramural research support; provide relevant information on a sample of these faculty members (approximately 10) who would be research mentors and in addition, those faculty and/or staff who would conduct the student development activities. Provide their biosketches (use PHS 398 format and sample IMSD tables: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/funding/imsd_sample_tables.html as a guide) emphasizing their teaching and/or research achievements, research support, and their record in training and mentoring students from underrepresented groups.
iv) Facilities and Resources: Describe the facilities and resources (e.g., equipment, laboratory space, library, computer facilities) available to implement the proposed student development activities.
v) Vision and Anticipated Value of the Proposed IMSD Program to the Institution: Discuss the potential impact of the proposed IMSD program on the institution's academic programs for retention and graduation toward careers in biomedical and behavioral research, with regard to underrepresented and other students. Describe the institution's vision of the IMSD program and how it will be integrated into any of the existing academic programs and/or complement other externally funded initiatives for undergraduate/graduate student training. Describe options available to the institution for embracing and incorporating, beyond the scope of the grant, any particularly effective curricular, training, programmatic, etc., elements that may be developed within the institution's IMSD Program.
3. Preliminary Studies (For Competing Continuation Application, place Progress Report here (see below):
For new applications (Type 1), briefly describe and summarize any significant achievements within the last four years of any programs at the institution that have encouraged and helped retain underrepresented students, postdocs and faculty in the IMSD program-participating departments.
For competing continuation applications (Type 2), a detailed progress report (in place of Preliminary Studies) must be included. State the original and specific measurable objectives, anticipated milestones and outcomes. Provide, in narrative and/or tabular or graphical form, a summary of the accomplishments of the IMSD program during the previous three-year project period. Describe all improvements that resulted from IMSD support. Describe the effect of IMSD program activities on the enrollments, academic environment, retention and graduation rates of underrepresented students and other related aspects of the institution and, if applicable, the community. Describe any significant honors, publications, and awards to students (give specific dates) that were related to, or resulted from, involvement in activities supported by the IMSD program. Describe what has been learned through the program evaluation and any changes made in the program as a result of the evaluation. T he narrative portion of the Progress Report is included in the 25-page limit for the Research Plan ( IMSD Program Plan) section of the application.
Provide a list of those students who participated, during the previous three-year project period, in research and/or other IMSD Program-supported developmental activities, e.g., workshops, scientific meetings, etc. This list should give each student's name, department, type and year of degree earned, and current plans or status.
Provide, for the previous eight-year project period (if applicable), information on the training and current academic status of all undergraduate and graduate students who participated in the IMSD program (refer to the suggested sample tables: see http://www.nigms.nih.gov/funding/imsd_sample_tables.html). Provide a list of all peer-reviewed publications by IMSD students where IMSD support is acknowledged.
4. Research Design and Methods:
This section should include the following specific items:
i) Proposed Student Developmental Activities Plan: Provide detailed information on plans to improve the academic and research competitiveness of underrepresented students at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels and to increase their entry into, and graduation from, Ph.D. programs. A coordinated development plan is required, designed to achieve the overall goals and specific measurable objectives of the proposed program. Describe the procedures and criteria by which students are to be selected to participate in the IMSD program, including the criteria related to the students' academic status.
Proposed student development activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: activities to improve communication and quantitative skills, time-management and self-directed learning opportunities, supplemental instruction (see for example, Treisman, U. (1992), College Mathematics Journal 23(5), 362-372), independent library and/or bench research, interdisciplinary courses that address biomedical/behavioral problems, opportunities to meet and discuss career choices with appropriate role models, research-oriented technical training courses or workshops for graduate students, research and other training experiences, and any other training that could facilitate entry into careers in biomedical or behavioral research for persons trained in mathematics, computer sciences, and other quantitative sciences. These programs may be offered to students during the academic year and/or in special summer sessions.
Provide a detailed description and rationale for the choice and feasibility of the proposed specific academic development activities and how each will contribute toward realization of the measurable objectives. Describe the milestones (i.e., anticipated intermediate steps toward the objectives). Give a brief account of the proposed schedule of the activities and whether these activities will be available to all students. Discuss any perceived impediments in implementing the proposed activities and alternative strategies to achieve the measurable objectives.
ii) Program Administration, and IMSD Advisory Committee: The PD generally assumes responsibility for overall execution of the IMSD program at the institution and is substantially involved in all the operational aspects of the program that typically encompass several departments. The PD informs institutional officials as to the implementation of the program and its impact on institutional policies (i.e., on the use of human subjects, vertebrate animals, and hazardous materials), procedures, and personnel (participation in student development activities). The application should describe the organizational structure of the institutional administration, show how the PD will interface with it, and describe how the proposed structure will allow the PD to best implement the IMSD program activities.
The responsibilities of the PD typically include selection and placement of students in research laboratories, and coordination and implementation of developmental and mentoring activities. In addition, the PD is the principal contact with MBRS/MORE/NIGMS at the institution, and prepares and submits in a timely manner the required reports, e.g., annual progress reports, changes in program activities if any, etc. The PD works with the program evaluator (see below) to monitor and evaluate the progress of individual program elements and the overall functioning of the program.
An Institutional IMSD Advisory Committee, while not required, is recommended. It can provide counsel to the PD and to the chief executive of the institution in meeting the goals of the IMSD program and those of the institution. The IMSD advisory committee may include the PD (ex officio), one or more key personnel from the IMSD program, IMSD student representative(s), a representative of the institution's business office (preferably the fiscal administrator assigned to handle the grant), and a representative of the institution's central administration (e.g., dean or provost). Other representatives may be selected based on their ability to further the goals and specific measurable objectives of the program.
Describe the composition and functions of the advisory committee and list the names and titles of the members including their institutional affiliations. The following are some typical functions of an advisory committee: advise and assist the PD in the development and implementation of program procedures and practices, assist the PD in establishing criteria and procedures for the admittance/retention of students and faculty mentors, monitor progress of program activities, advise on rebudgeting of funds, help to expand the present effort by identifying internal and external funding sources, monitor compliance with NIH policies and regulations and, if necessary, assist in selecting a new PD and addressing faculty and student grievances related to the IMSD program
iii) Evaluation Plan: Formal program evaluation is a mandatory component of the IMSD Program. The main purpose of the evaluation is to provide information useful to the PD for improving the IMSD program at the institution, by identifying the most effective student developmental activities as well as those that are not achieving the desired outcomes. Thus, the emphasis of the evaluation activities of the IMSD program should be on overall program improvement. The evaluation plan must at least: identify the target group(s), provide baseline data -- typically the average of the previous four-year data -- on specific indicators (quantitative and qualitative), describe the evaluation approach to be used for the developmental activities to assess if proposed goals and objectives will be achieved, and discuss the use of the evaluation in shaping or modifying the program. Describe the methods and schedule of data collection and analysis; identify the selected evaluator and present his/her credentials.
iv) Instruction of IMSD Participants in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Applications must include a description of a plan to provide instruction in scientific integrity and the responsible conduct of research. Although the NIH does not establish specific curricula or formal requirements, all programs should consider instruction in the following areas: conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, policies regarding the use of human and animal research subjects, procedures for students to obtain individual certification for the use of humans or animals as research subjects, and data management. Within the context of training in scientific integrity, it is also beneficial to discuss the mutual responsibilities of the institution and the student researchers regarding publications, intellectual property rights, etc. The application should address the content, rationale, and format of the instruction, the extent of faculty participation, student attendance, and the frequency and duration of instruction. Describe the plan to instruct students on the regulations governing use of hazardous substances, vertebrate animals and human subjects. (See PHS 398 Instructions http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html pages 32-35)
5. Human Subjects Research. Not applicable, however, please see Student Involvement in Research Section below.
6. Vertebrate Animals. Not applicable, however, please see Student Involvement Research Section below.
7. Student Involvement in Research. Prior to the participation of a student supported by this grant in a project that involves human subjects and/or vertebrate animals, applicants are expected to fulfill the institutional and federal requirements for these activities, e.g., IRB and IACUC approvals and obtain the student research certifications. Furthermore, The IMSD PD and the advisory committee, if applicable, must be diligent in working with other institutional offices or units such as the radiation and/or biosafety office to insure that exposure of student participants to research hazards is minimized. Attention should be given to: pre-use training of personnel; storage or containment of the hazard; use of a log to record usage; monitoring exposure to the hazard; decontamination procedures, where applicable; and methods for disposal of hazardous substances.
8. Literature cited. Follow PHS 398 instructions.
9. Checklist. Follow PHS 398 instructions.
10. Appendix. Appendix material is generally not needed for IMSD applications. Limit it to oversized documents, evaluation questionnaires/reports, and brochures, etc.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be received on or before the receipt date listed below (Section IV.3.A.). Note that IMSD grant applications are received only once per year.
3.A. Receipt, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
Application Receipt Date: February 1 , 2006, 2007, and 2008
Peer Review Date: June-July, 2006, 2007, and 2008
Council Review Date: September-October, 2006, 2007, and 2008
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: February 1, 2007
3.A.1. Letter of Intent
A letter of intent is not required for the funding opportunity.
3.B. Sending an Application to the NIH
Applications must be prepared using the research grant application forms found in the PHS 398 instructions for preparing a research grant application. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, 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 (U.S. Postal Service Express or regular mail)
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service; non-USPS service)
Personal deliveries of applications are no longer permitted (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-040.html).
At the time of submission, two additional single-sided, signed photocopies of the complete application as well as all five collated sets of any appendix materials must also be sent to:
Helen R. Sunshine, Ph.D.
Chief, Office of Scientific Review
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
45 Center Drive, Room 3An.12F, MSC 6200
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6200
Telephone: (301) 594-2881
3.C. Application Processing
Applications must be submitted on or before the application receipt/submission dates described above (Section IV.3.A.) and at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/dates.htm.
Upon receipt applications will be evaluated for completeness by CSR. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The NIH will not accept any application in response to this funding opportunity that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial merit review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The NIH 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.
Although there is no immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of an application, applicants are generally notified of the review and funding assignment within eight (8) weeks.
4. Intergovernmental Review
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.
All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm. (See also Section VI.2 Administrative and National Policy requirements).
Pre-Award Costs are allowable. A grantee may, at its own risk and without NIH prior approval, incur obligations and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new or competing continuation award if such costs: are necessary to conduct the project, and would be allowable under the grant, if awarded, without NIH prior approval. If specific expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the grantee must obtain NIH approval before incurring the cost. NIH prior approval is required for any costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new or competing continuation award.
The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a competing or non-competing award imposes no obligation on NIH either to make the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award costs incurred. NIH expects the grantee to be fully aware that pre-award costs result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not impair the grantee's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project. See NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part6.htm.
IMSD grant awards include some restrictions as to how the funds may be used. The following account summarizes allowable and non-allowable costs under the IMSD Program. Please note that IMSD applications must present an integrated set of student development activities and therefore a single consolidated budget is required. Each item in the budget must be clearly justified.
Institutions supported by the MBRS Support of Continuous Research Excellence (SCORE) or Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) programs are not eligible to apply for or hold an IMSD grant.
R25 support may not be used to supplement National Research Service Award (NRSA) training mechanisms or circumvent NRSA guidelines.
5.A. Allowable costs:
5.B. Unallowable costs:
6. Other Submission Requirements
Specific Instructions for Applications Requesting $500,000 (direct costs) or More per Year.
Applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs for any year 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) Include a cover letter with the application that identifies 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.
Plan for Sharing Research Data
Not applicable
Sharing Research Resources
Not applicable
1. Criteria
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.
2. Review and Selection Process
Applications that are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate review group convened by NIGMS in accordance with the review criteria stated below.
As part of the initial merit review, all applications:
The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
Applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications.
The goal of NIH-supported IMSD Program grants is to increase the diversity in the scientific workforce engaged in advancing our understanding of biological systems, improving the control of disease, and enhancing health. In their written critiques, reviewers will be asked to comment on each of the following criteria in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will be addressed and considered in assigning the overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. Note that an application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major i mpact and thus deserve a high priority score. For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to accomplish the IMSD goals.
Significance: Does this study address an important problem? Are the proposed goals and specific measurable objectives consonant with the objectives of the Program Announcement? In which ways will the proposed program produce a significant improvement in the preparation of students from underrepresented groups for careers in biomedical research? If the aims/objectives of the program are achieved, what impact will they have on the education, research training and career preparation of underrepresented students, and on their graduation and retention rates in the participating department(s), college(s), and institution? If the aims of the application are achieved, will there be a significant impact on the number of underrepresented students advancing to the next academic step culminating with the attainment of a Ph.D. degree?
Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Are the planned activities consonant with the proposed objectives and appropriate to the background and ability of the undergraduate and/or graduate IMSD participants? Does the application provide adequate details and rationale for selecting the developmental activities? Will the planned activities enhance the academic preparation and competitiveness of the targeted population(s) of students and thereby promote their entry into careers in biomedical and/or behavioral research? How do the planned activities complement the academic offerings of the institution? Does the application demonstrate knowledge of current literature and practice on effective intervention strategies? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? Is a thorough, clearly stated, and coherent evaluation plan in place that includes appropriate baseline data, specific goals, measurable objectives, and milestones? What is the likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives will be achieved through the proposed activities?
Innovation: Is the project original and innovative? For example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, or methods for attracting, retaining and competitively preparing students from underrepresented groups who progress to the next academic step, culminating with the attainment of a Ph.D. degree in biomedical or behavioral research fields.
Investigators: Is the PD appropriately trained and well suited to implement the proposed student development activities? Are the research mentors appropriately qualified, experienced, funded, and well suited to carry out the proposed program? Is the past training record of designated mentors adequate, as measured by the success of former trainees in establishing independent and productive research careers?
Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed studies benefit from unique features of the scientific environment? Is there evidence of institutional support for the proposed program? Is there evidence of institution's commitment to diversity, particularly in hiring of faculty from groups underrepresented in biomedical and/or behavioral fields? Is there an adequate pool of underrepresented students in the participating science department(s), who are potentially interested in research careers in biomedical and behavioral fields? Is there evidence of adequate commitment at the departmental, college, and institutional level for creating an environment that contributes to the success of the proposed approaches to improve the academic achievement of underrepresented students?
2.A. Additional Review Criteria:
In addition to the above criteria, the following items will continue to be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score:
Revised Application: For a revised application, the response to the previous critiques will be evaluated.
2.B. Additional Review Considerations
Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed activities and the number of students involved in the program-sponsored activities. The priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget.
Responsible Conduct of Research: Reviewers will assess the applicant's plans on the basis of the appropriateness of topics, format, amount and nature of faculty participation, and the frequency and duration of instruction.
The plan will be discussed after the overall determination of merit, so that the reviewers' evaluation of the plan will not be a factor in the determination of the priority score. Plans will be judged as acceptable or unacceptable. The acceptability of the plan will be described in a note on the summary statement. Regardless of the priority score, applications with unacceptable plans will not be funded until the applicant provides a revised, acceptable plan. Staff within the NIH awarding component will judge the acceptability of the revised plan.
2.C. Sharing Research Data
Not applicable
2.D. Sharing Research Resources
Not applicable
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Earliest possible date when an award will be made will be February 1 for applications reviewed at the September/October Council meeting.
Section VI. Award Administration Information1. Award Notices
After the peer review of the application is completed, the Principal Investigator ( Program Director) will also receive a written critique called a Summary Statement.
If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant. For details, applicants may refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part4.htm).
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document. Once all administrative and programmatic issues have been resolved, the Notice of Award will be generated via email notification from the awarding component to the grantee business official (designated in item 14 on the Application Face Page). If a grantee is not email enabled, a hard copy of the NoA will be mailed to the business official.
Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs. See Also Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the notice of grant award. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part4.htm) and Part II Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part9.htm).
The terms and Conditions will be incorporated into the award statement and will be provided to the Principal Investigator as well as to the appropriate institutional official, at the time of award.
Awardees will be required to submit the PHS Non-Competing Grant Progress Report, Form 2590 annually (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm) and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
For additional instructions to prepare progress report please see the NIGMS/MORE web site: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/funding/pa/imsd2590_inst.html.
Section VII. Agency ContactsWe encourage your inquiries concerning this funding opportunity 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:
1. Scientific/Research Contacts:
Hinda Zlotnik, Ph.D.
Chief, MBRS Branch
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH
45 Center Drive, Room 2As.37, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: (301) 594-3900
FAX: (301) 480-2753
Email: [email protected]
2. Peer Review Contacts:
Helen R. Sunshine, Ph.D.
Chief, Office of Scientific Review
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN.12, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: (301) 594-2881
FAX: (301) 480-8506
E-mail: [email protected]
3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:
Ms. Antoinette Holland
Grants Management Officer
PPBC/MORE Team
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH
45 Center Drive, Room 2AN.50B, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: (301) 594-5132
FAX: (301) 480-2554
E-mail: [email protected]
Required Federal Citations
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 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 funding opportunity 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).
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 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 at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. See also Senate Appropriations Committee Report, No. 92-316, July 29, 1971, Executive Order 12900, Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans February 22, 1994, Executive Order 12876, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, November 1, 1993, and Executive Order 13021, October 21, 1996 and Outline of Work Plan, August 18, 1998, White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The NIH Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm.
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
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
|
|||
|
NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health® |
||||||