Department of Health and Human Services

Participating Organizations
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov/)

Components of Participating Organizations
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), (http://www.ninds.nih.gov)

Title: NINDS Mentored Research and Clinical Scientist Development Awards in Translational Research

Announcement Type
This is a reissue of PAR-02-140, which was released on July 26, 2002.

Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:

• February 14, 2008 - See Notice (NOT-NS-08-016) NINDS will no longer accept applications after the February 12, 2008 receipt date for new applications and after the July 12, 2008 receipt date for resubmission applications.
• October 4, 2007 - Expiration Date adjusted to accommodate recent changes to standing submission deadlines, per NOT-OD-07-093.

Program Announcement (PA) Number: PAR-05-160

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
93.853

Key Dates
Release Date: September 6, 2005
Application Submission Dates: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
AIDS Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Peer Review Dates: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Council Review Dates: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Additional Information To Be Available Date (Url Activation Date): Not Applicable
Expiration Date: September 2, 2008 (now September 8, 2008 per NOT-OD-07-093)

Due Dates for E.O. 12372
Not Applicable

Additional Overview Content

Executive Summary

• This PA invites applications for a career development award to enable investigators to build a program of translational research in neurological disorders under the guidance of an experienced mentor. The training received through this program has two key elements. A research project is conducted under the guidance and supervision of the mentor, and a career development program is undertaken to provide broad training for the applicant in the pre-clinical development of therapeutics.
• Only aims required for therapy development can be supported in this program. No basic/mechanistic aims may be included in the research plan.
• There is no specific limit on the total funds that will be awarded under this PA or on the number of awards. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.
• This funding opportunity will use the K01 Research Scientist Development Award and the K08 Clinical Investigator Award mechanisms. The K01 and K08 awards provide three to five years of salary and research support. NINDS will provide salary of up to $85,000 plus fringe benefits for the career award recipient, and up to $50,000 in research development support.
• Applications may be submitted on behalf of the candidate (principal investigator) by any domestic for-profit organization or non-profit organization, public or private institutions such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories, units State and local Tribal governments, and faith-based or community-based organizations. Foreign institutions/organizations are not eligible to apply. To be eligible for a NINDS K01 award an applicant must have a Ph.D. or equivalent research-intensive degree, and have demonstrated the potential for a highly productive independent research career. To be eligible for a K08 award an applicant must have a clinical doctoral degree or equivalent, or a Ph.D. in a clinical discipline. Applicants will spend a minimum of 75 percent of full-time professional effort conducting research and research career development during the entire award period. A 50 percent effort on a K08 award is acceptable for neurosurgeons, who must maintain surgical skills. Current or past principal investigators on NINDS/NIH research grants other than R03 or R21 awards are not eligible for this award.
• Awards in response to this program announcement will be for a total project period of three, four or five years and are not renewable. Planning, direction, and execution of the proposed career development program and research project will be the responsibility of the applicant and his/her mentor(s). Grants are not transferable from one principal investigator to another.
• The candidate for this K award may not concurrently apply for nor have an award pending for another NIH career development award. Up to two revisions of an application will be accepted.
• 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.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence by the time of award.
• See Section IV.1 for application materials.
• Telecommunications for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 301-451-5936

Part I. Overview Information

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

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

1. Research Objectives

Recent discoveries in the neurosciences offer promising opportunities for improved therapies for neurological disorders. As part of its mission to reduce the burden of neurological disease, NINDS is committed to encouraging the "translation" of these basic discoveries into new treatments. This PA invites applications for a career development award to enable investigators to build a program of translational research in neurological disorders under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

This opportunity is available to investigators with a Ph.D. (or equivalent research-intensive degree) who are at an early stage in establishing an independent research career, and investigators with a clinical doctoral degree or a Ph.D. in a clinical discipline. Applicants should have significant postdoctoral or clinical fellowship experience or a junior faculty appointment at the applicant organization. It is important for the institution to be committed to the applicant for the duration of the training experience, and a pending faculty appointment for an applicant still in a postdoctoral training or fellowship position is appropriate.

This PA is one of four coordinated programs being released by NINDS to promote translational research, including "NINDS Exploratory/Developmental Projects in Translational Research" (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-157.html), NINDS Cooperative Program in Translational Research (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-158.html), and NINDS Cooperative Small Business Awards in Translational Research (SBIR)" (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-005.html).

Definition of Translational Research:

Translational research is the process of applying ideas, insights, and discoveries generated through basic scientific inquiry to the treatment or prevention of human disease.

Objectives of the Mentored Training in Translational Research:

The training received through this program has two key elements. A research project is conducted under the guidance and supervision of the mentor, and a career development program is undertaken to provide broad training for the applicant in the pre-clinical development of therapeutics.

NINDS recognizes that the research project will be part of the research program that was implemented by the mentor. Therefore, there is significant flexibility on the content of the research project, as long as it addresses therapy development for a specific neurological disorder or a group of closely related disorders. Only therapy development goals should be included in the research project, and a project that has a significant component that addresses basic or mechanistic scientific questions is outside the scope of this program.

It is absolutely essential that the career development plan provides a training experience in the pre-clinical development of therapeutics for neurological disorders. This should include the principles of therapeutics, candidate screening and evaluation, assay validation, the development and use of animal models of neurological disorders, toxicology and safety testing, biostatistics, the preparation of Investigational New Drug (IND) or Investigational Device Exemptions (IDE) applications, and interactions with private sector companies involved with the manufacture and marketing of therapeutic drugs or devices. While it is not required that all of these elements are present in the career development plan, most of these areas should be included. The training experiences should include specific course work that is directly relevant to therapy development, and visits to labs and companies that are successfully conducting therapy development projects, if possible. It is unacceptable to include generic training in the career development plan, such as basic science courses, journal clubs, seminars, and national or international meetings that do not specifically focus on translational research.

Scope of the Program:

The scope of this program includes only activities directly focused on pre-clinical therapy development necessary to begin clinical testing. Mechanistic or basic studies will not be supported, nor will clinical trials. Projects will typically include either an assay that has demonstrated relevance to a neurological disorder, or candidate therapeutics that have a significant effect in an animal model of the disorder.

The NINDS Translational Research Program supports the pre-clinical development of drugs, biologics, and devices in cells and animals. Non-exempt human studies are outside the scope, and usually may not be included. NINDS does recognize that in some cases human studies are required during the pre-clinical development of therapeutics in order to identify a patient population that is appropriate for future interventional studies. In these circumstances applications that involve human subjects may be submitted if the proposal does not include any clinical intervention and the proposed research includes safety monitoring of study participants that is appropriately performed. It is further recognized that some projects under this PA will include aspects of clinical research on humans that are present in the mentor's research program.

See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.

1. Mechanisms of Support

This funding opportunity will use the K01 Research Scientist Development Award and the K08 Clinical Investigator Award mechanisms.

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).

The applicant should follow the instructions for budget information described in the PHS 398, Section III, providing only the total direct costs for each year and the entire proposed period of support and budget justification information.

Awards are for three-five years and are not renewable.

2. Funds Available

These K01 and K08 awards provide three to five years of salary and research support. NINDS will provide salary of up to $85,000 plus fringe benefits for the career award recipient, and up to $50,000 in research development support. Awards are not renewable and not transferable to another individual.

NINDS has not specified a maximum number of awards or a maximum total amount of funding that will be awarded under this PA.

1. Eligible Applicants

1.A. Eligible Institutions

You may submit (an) application(s) if your organization has any of the following characteristics:

• For-profit organizations
• Non-profit organizations
• Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories
• Domestic Institutions
• Units of State Tribal government
• Units of local Tribal government
• Faith-based or community-based organizations

Foreign institutions/organizations are not eligible for this program.

1.B. Eligible Individuals

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.

To be eligible for a K01 award an applicant must have a Ph.D. or equivalent research-intensive degree, and have demonstrated the potential for a highly productive independent research career. To be eligible for a K08 award an applicant must have a clinical doctoral degree or equivalent, or a Ph.D. in a clinical discipline. Applicants will spend a minimum of 75 percent of full-time professional effort conducting research and research career development during the entire award period; a 50% commitment on a K08 is acceptable for neurosurgeons. Current or past principal investigators on NINDS/NIH research grants other than R03 or R21 awards are not eligible for this award.

Only U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals, or an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence who possesses an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551), or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident prior to the time of award, are eligible for this award. Non-citizen nationals, although not U.S. citizens, owe permanent allegiance to the U.S. They are usually born in lands that are not states but are under U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.

Candidates must identify a mentor with extensive research experience.

Candidates must be able to commit a minimum of 75 percent of full-time professional effort conducting research career development and clinical research activities associated with this award (50% effort on a K08 is acceptable for neurosurgeons). The remaining 25 percent effort can be divided among other research, clinical and teaching activities only if these activities are consistent with the goals of the award, i.e., the candidate's development into an independent investigator. The candidate must have a full time appointment at the academic institution that is the applicant institution. Candidates who have VA appointments may not consider part of the VA effort toward satisfying the full time requirement at the applicant institution.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing is not required.

The most current Grants Policy Statement can be found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/nihgps_Part2.htm#matching_or_cost_sharing.

3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

A candidate for an NINDS K01 or K08 award may not simultaneously submit or have an application pending for any other NIH career award or any PHS award that duplicates any of the provisions of the K01 or K08 award. Ineligible individuals include current and former principal investigators on NIH research project grants, comparable individual career development awards, or project leaders on sub-projects of program project (P01) or center (P50) grants. Former principal investigators of NIH Small Grants (R03) or Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21) remain eligible.

Consultation with NINDS Program Staff:

Due to the unique requirements of the NINDS Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards in Translational Research, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with NINDS Program Staff as plans for an application are being developed. This early contact will provide an opportunity to clarify the applicant's understanding of program goals and guidelines, including the scope of projects and career development plans within the program.

Environment:

The applicant organization must have well-established research and career development programs and qualified faculty in translational research to serve as mentors. The institution must demonstrate a commitment to research and to the continuing development of the applicant as an independent scientist and allow the protected time needed by the applicant.

Percent Effort:

An award in this program provides three to five years of salary and research support. At least 75 percent of the recipient's full-time professional effort must be devoted to the goals of this award. The remainder may be devoted to other scholarly activities and research pursuits consistent with the objectives of the award. To accommodate neurosurgeons, who need significant clinical activity to maintain their surgical skills, NINDS will accept a 50% time commitment to a K08 award.

Mentor(s):

An applicant must name a primary mentor who, together with the applicant, will be responsible for the planning, direction, and execution of the program. The mentor should be recognized as an accomplished investigator in the area of therapy development and have a track record of success in training independent investigators. The mentor should have sufficient independent research support to cover the costs of the proposed research project in excess of the allowable research costs of this award. Because of the scope of this program, applicants may wish to nominate co-mentors that can provide particular expertise which will augment and balance the research strengths of the primary mentor. NINDS strongly encourages outstanding research scientists with significant translational research experience to serve as mentors or co-mentors.

Allowable Costs:

Allowable Costs:

• NINDS will provide salary of up to $85,000 plus fringe benefits for the career award recipient. The total salary requested is based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment. It must be consistent both with the established salary structure at the institution and with salaries actually provided by the institution from its own funds to other staff members of equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned. If full-time, 12-month salaries are not currently paid to comparable staff members, the salary proposed must be appropriately related to the existing salary structure. Confirmation of salary is required prior to award.

The sponsoring institution may supplement the NIH salary contribution up to a level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale. However, supplementation may not be from federal funds unless specifically authorized by the federal program from which the funds are derived. Because the salary amount provided by this award is based on the full-time institutional salary, no other NIH funds may be used for salary supplementation. Institutional supplementation of salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of the K01 or K08. Under NIH grants policy institutions may rebudget funds within the total costs awarded to cover salaries consistent with the institution's salary scale up to the current legislated maximum salary.

K01 and K08 recipients are encouraged to apply for independent research grant support during the later part of this award. K08 and K01 award recipients that obtain independent support during the award period may hold concurrent research support, and under certain circumstances, salary support from their career award and a competing NIH research project grant when recognized as a Principal Investigator or subproject Director of the research project grant, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-04-007.html.

• In addition to salary, NINDS will provide up to $50,000 in research development support. These funds may be used for the following expenses: (a) tuition, and fees related to career development, (b) research expenses, such as supplies, equipment, and technical personnel, (c) travel to research meetings or training, (d) statistical and computational services including personnel and computer time. All expenses must be directly related to the proposed research career development program.
• Salary for mentors, and secretarial or administrative assistance is not allowed.
• Facilities and Administrative costs will be awarded at 8 percent of modified direct costs.

1. 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.

Applicants should follow the supplemental instructions for Career Development awards located in the PHS 398, Section III.

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.

In addition to the Supplementary Instructions in the PHS 398 for Research Career Awards (Instructions, Part III, starting on page 44), the following information must be included in the application.

Candidate:

• Describe the candidate's commitment to a career in translational research for neurological disorders, and potential to make future contributions to the neurological sciences.
• Establish the candidate's potential to develop into an independent investigator with a description of long-term career objectives, and explain how this award will contribute to these goals.
• Affirm a commitment of at least 75 percent effort to research career development activities. A 50% commitment on a K08 is acceptable for a neurosurgeon.
• Include as part of the application three sealed letters of reference addressing the applicant's potential for a research career.

Career Development Plan:

The career development and training experience must focus on translational research. Describe the career development plan incorporating consideration of the candidate's goals and prior experience. A systematic plan should be presented for obtaining the necessary translational research background and experience to launch an independent research career. The career development plan must be specifically tailored to the needs of the candidate and the ultimate goal of achieving independence as a researcher.

The career development plan should include the principles of therapeutics, candidate screening and evaluation, assay validation, the development and use of animal models of neurological disorders, toxicology and safety testing, biostatistics, the preparation of Investigational New Drug (IND) or Investigational Device Exemptions (IDE) applications, and interactions with private sector companies involved with the manufacture and marketing of therapeutic drugs or devices. While it is not required that all of these elements are present in the career development plan, most of these areas should be included. The training experiences should include specific course work that is directly relevant to therapy development, and visits to labs and companies that are successfully conducting therapy development projects, if possible. It is unacceptable to include generic training in the career development plan, such as basic science courses, journal clubs, seminars, and national or international meetings that do not specifically focus on translational research.

Research Plan:

The research project for this award must be in translational research. Organize the research plan as outlined in form PHS 398 including sections on the Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Preliminary Studies, and Research Design and Methods. The applicant should consult with the proposed mentor(s) on this section.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research:

Applications must include a description of a program to receive formal or informal instruction in scientific integrity or the responsible conduct of research. Applications without plans for instruction in the responsible conduct of research will be considered incomplete and may be returned to the applicant without review. Although the NIH does not establish specific curricula or formal requirements, all programs are encouraged to consider instruction in the following areas: conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, policies regarding the use of human and animal subjects, and data management. Applicants must follow the application instructions found on page 49 of the PHS-398 application package and refer to the NIH web site (http://www.nih.gov/sigs/bioethics/researchethics.html) for additional guidance.

Document prior instruction in, and propose plans to receive, instruction in the responsible conduct of research in terms of subject matter and duration of instruction. An award cannot be made if an application lacks this component.

Mentors Statement:

The application must include a statement from the mentor that includes information on the mentor's experience in translational research for neurological disorders, and previous experience as a research supervisor. The application must also include a description of the mentor's research support related to the applicant's research plan and the nature of the supervision that will occur during the proposed award period. Because this program is intended to provide a means to promote more extensive interaction among basic and clinical researchers, in some cases more than one mentor will be appropriate. The co-mentor(s) must provide similar information. If more than one mentor is proposed, the respective areas of expertise and responsibility should be described.

Environment and Institutional Commitment:

The sponsoring institution must document a strong, well-established basic and clinical research program in neurological sciences including a high-quality research environment with faculty that have had productive collaborations in translational research. The sponsoring institution also must provide a statement to document the level of commitment to the applicant's development into a productive, independent investigator during the period of the award. This must include an indication of support for the applicant's proposed level of effort (at least 75 percent, or 50% on a K08 for neurosurgeons), commitment to the necessary release time, as well as the availability of support and supervision during the award period.

Budget:

Budget requests must be provided according to the instructions in form PHS 398, and the limitations referenced above. Provide only the total direct costs for each year and the entire proposed period of support. Within the direct costs limitation for research development support, provide a detailed description with justification for all equipment, supplies and personnel that will be used to help achieve the career development and research objectives of this award.

3. Submission Dates and Times
See Section IV.3.A for details.

3.A. Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates

Application Submission Dates: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Peer Review Date: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Council Review Date: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm for details

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)

In order to facilitate the review of applications, the applicant should, at the same time, submit two copies of the application and all appendix materials to:

Chief, Scientific Review Branch
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Room 3201, MSC 9529
6001 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-9529
(Rockville, MD 20852 for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 496-9223
Fax: (301) 402-0182
E-mail: [email protected]

Personal deliveries of applications are no longer permitted (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-040.html).

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.

5. Funding Restrictions

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.

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.

6. Other Submission Requirements

Plan for Sharing Research Data
Not required for K01 and K08 awards.

Sharing Research Resources

NIH policy requires that grant awardee recipients make unique research resources readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community after publication (NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/index.htm and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part7.htm#_Toc54600131). Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a plan for sharing research resources addressing how unique research resources will be shared or explain why sharing is not possible.

The adequacy of the resources sharing plan will be considered by Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding applications. Program staff may negotiate modifications of the resource sharing plans with the awardee before recommending funding of an application. The final version of the resource sharing plans negotiated by both will become a condition of the award of the grant. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each non-competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590). See Section VI.3. Reporting.

1. Criteria

Prior to peer review applications will be examined by NINDS Program Staff to determine if they are responsive to this PA. Applications that are not responsive will be withdrawn from further consideration.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications that are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate review group convened by NINDS in accordance with the review criteria stated below.

As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:

• Undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score.
• Receive a written critique
• Receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council.

The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

• Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review
• Availability of funds
• Relevance of program priorities

The goals of NIH-supported career development programs are to help ensure that diverse pools of highly trained scientists are available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. The scientific review group will address and consider each of the following criteria in assigning the application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application.

• Candidate
• Career Development Plan
• Research Plan
• Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
• Appropriateness of and statements by Mentor, Co-Mentor(s), Consultant(s), and Collaborator(s)
• Environment and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate

The application does not need to be strong in all categories to receive a high priority score. These criteria are listed in logical order and not in order of priority.

Candidate

• The quality of the K01 candidate's research in basic and/or clinical neurological sciences (for K08 candidate's, only if applicable).
• The potential to develop as an outstanding, independent research scientist developing a program of translational research for neurological disorders.
• The commitment to a career in translational research.
• Quality of the letters of reference and mentor's statements.

Career Development Plan

• The appropriateness of the content and duration of the career development plan for achieving scientific independence.
• The consistency of the career development plan with the candidate's career goals.
• The likelihood that the plan will contribute substantially to the achievement of scientific independence, and the extent to which the award will enable the applicant to devote full time (at least 75 percent effort or 50% effort for neurosurgeons) to research and related activities.
• Plans for evaluation of candidate's progress.

Research Plan

• The importance of the translational research objective to the neurological disorder under study.
• The scientific and technical merit of the research question, design, and methodology.
• The relevance of the proposed translational research project to the applicant's career objectives.
• Appropriate plans for the rigorous management and quality control of research data or materials from human subjects.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

• The quality and appropriateness of the proposed training in responsible conduct of research.

Mentor/Co-Mentor

• The appropriateness of the mentor's research qualifications in translational research.
• The quality and extent of the mentor's proposed role in providing guidance and advice to the applicant, especially with regard to translational research.
• The mentor's previous experience in fostering the development of basic and/or clinical researchers.
• The mentor's history of research productivity.
• The adequacy of support for the proposed research project.
• Strength of mentor's statement.

Environment and Institutional Commitment

• The adequacy of research facilities and training opportunities.
• The quality and relevance of the environment for scientific and professional development of the applicant, and the extent to which it provides a means to promote more extensive interaction among basic and clinical researchers.
• The institution's commitment to the scientific development of the applicant, and the assurances that the institution intends for the applicant to be an integral part of its research program.
• The institution's commitment to an appropriate balance of research and clinical responsibilities including the level of 75 percent effort proposed by the applicant (50% effort for neurosurgeons).

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:

Protection of 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 the Research Plan, Section E on Human Subjects in the PHS Form 398).

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 the Research Plan, Section E on Human Subjects in the PHS Form 398).

Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, the five items described under Section F of the PHS Form 398 research grant application instructions will be assessed.

Biohazards: If materials or procedures are proposed that are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, determine if the proposed protection is adequate.

2.B. Additional Review Considerations

Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research career development plan. The priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget.

2.C. Sharing Research Data
Data Sharing Plan: Not required for K01 and K08 awards.

2.D. Sharing Research Resources

NIH policy requires that grant awardee recipients make unique research resources readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community after publication (See the NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/part_ii_5.htm#availofrr and http://www.ott.nih.gov/policy/rt_guide_final.html). Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a sharing research resources plan addressing how unique research resources will be shared or explain why sharing is not possible.

Program staff will be responsible for the administrative review of the plan for sharing research resources.

The adequacy of the resources sharing plan will be considered by Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding applications. Program staff may negotiate modifications of the resource sharing plans with the awardee before recommending funding of an application. The final version of the resource sharing plans negotiated by both will become a condition of the award of the grant. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each non-competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590). See Section VI.3. Reporting.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Not applicable

1. Award Notices

After the peer review of the application is completed, the Principal Investigator 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 NoA 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 NoA. 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).

A. Evaluation

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

B. Other Income

Awardees may retain royalties and fees for activities such as scholarly writing, service on advisory groups, honoraria from other institutions for lectures or seminars, fees resulting from clinical practice, professional consultation or other comparable activities, provided that these activities remain incidental, are not required by the research and research-related activities of this award, and provided that the retention of such pay is consistent with the policies and practices of the grantee institution.

All other income and fees, not included in the preceding paragraph as retainable, may not be retained by the career award recipient. Such fees must be assigned to the grantee institution for disposition by any of the following methods:

• The funds may be expended by the grantee institution in accordance with the NIH policy on supplementation of career award salaries and to provide fringe benefits in proportion to such supplementation. Such salary supplementation and fringe benefit payments must be within the established policies of the grantee institution.
• The funds may be used for health-related research purposes.
• The funds may be paid to miscellaneous receipts of the U.S. Treasury. Checks should be made payable to the Department of Health and Human Services, NIH and forwarded to the Director, Office of Financial Management, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Checks must identify the relevant award account and reason for the payment.

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

C. Special Leave

Leave to another institution, including a foreign laboratory, may be permitted if the proposed experience is directly related to the purpose of the award. Only local institutional approval is required if such leave does not exceed 3 months. For longer periods, prior written approval of NINDS is required. Details on the process for submission of prior approval requests can be founds in the NIHGPS (rev. 12/03), Requests for Prior Approval, at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part7.htm#_Toc54600130.

A copy of a letter or other evidence from the institution where the leave is to be taken must be submitted to assure that satisfactory arrangements have been made. Support from the K08 or K01 award will continue during such leave.

Leave without award support may not exceed 12 months. Such leave requires the prior written approval of NINDS and will be granted only in unusual situations.

Support from other sources is permissible during the period of leave without award support. Such leave does not reduce the total number of months of program support for which an individual is eligible.

Under unusual and pressing circumstances, an awardee may submit a written request to the awarding component requesting a reduction in professional effort below 75 percent. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis during the award period. In no case will it be permissible to work at less than 50 percent effort. The nature of the circumstances requiring reduced effort might include medical conditions, disability, or pressing personal or family situations such as child or elder care. Permission to reduce the level of effort will not be approved to accommodate job opportunities, clinical practice, or clinical training. In each situation, the grantee institution must submit documentation supporting the need for reduced effort along with assurance of a continuing commitment to the scientific development of the awardee. In addition, the awardee must submit assurance of his/her intention to return to at least 75 percent effort as soon as possible. During the period of reduced effort, the salary and other costs supported by the award will be reduced accordingly.

D. Changes in Research or Career Development Program

Individual awards are made for career development at a specific institution in a specific research program. A change in the specified scientific area of the research component of the career development program requires prior approval of NINDS. A scientific rationale must be provided for any proposed changes in the aims of the original peer-reviewed research plan. The new research plan will be evaluated by NINDS staff to ensure that the plan remains within the scope of the original peer-reviewed research program. If the new plan does not satisfy this requirement, program staff could recommend that the award be terminated.

E. Change of Institution or Termination

Consultation with NINDS program staff is strongly encouraged when either a change of institution or termination is being considered.

A change of institution normally will be permitted only when all of the benefits attributable to the original grant can be transferred, including equipment purchased in whole or in part with grant funds.

In reviewing a request to transfer a grant, NIH will consider whether there is a continued need for the grant-supported project or activity and the impact of any proposed changes in the scope of the project, and the qualifications of the proposed new mentor. A change may be made without peer review, provided the PI plans no significant change in research and career development objectives and the facilities and resources at the new organization will allow for successful performance of the project. If these conditions or other programmatic or administrative requirements are not met, NINDS may require peer review or may disapprove the request and, if appropriate, terminate the award.

If the Principal Investigator is moving to another eligible institution, career award support may be continued provided:

• A relinquishing statement is submitted by the original institution and a transfer application is submitted by the new institution at least three months prior to the transfer in order to allow the necessary time for administrative review by NINDS.
• The awardee must establish in the transfer application that the specific aims of the research program to be conducted at the new institution are within the scope of the original peer-reviewed research program, and that a new mentor has been identified who has the appropriate research expertise and support to provide adequate guidance to the awardee and research support for the awardee's research program.
• All conditions of the award are met at the new institution.
• The period of support requested is no more than the time remaining within the existing award period.

When a grantee institution plans to terminate an award, the Grants Management Specialist listed on the NoA must be notified in writing at the earliest possible time so that appropriate instructions can be given for termination. The Director of the NIH may terminate an award upon determination that the purpose or terms of the award are not being fulfilled. In the event an award is terminated, NIH shall notify the grantee institution in writing of this determination, the reasons therefore, the effective date, and the right to appeal the decision.

3. Reporting

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. The Progress Report must include Sections a through f as described in the general PHS Form 2590 instructions, as well as Sections g through j as described in Section IV of the 2590 instructions. Evaluation of the awardee's progress will encompass the following:

• A demonstration of scientific progress toward the aims of the research as described in a brief summary of the studies and results obtained during the prior funding period.
• A description of career development and research-related activities undertaken during the prior funding period.
• A list of accomplishments such as publications, scientific presentations, new collaborations, inventions, or project- generated resources made during the prior funding period.
• A brief explanation of plans to address the specific aims during the next year of support.
• A description of proposed career development and research-related activities for the next year of support with a clear indication of percent effort devoted to research/research training and other activities.
• An annual evaluation statement of the candidate's progress by the mentor(s), as required in the PHS 2590 continuation application instructions (item j. Sponsor's Report).

A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status Report are required when an award is relinquished, when a recipient changes institutions, or when an award is terminated or completed.

We 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:

Thomas Miller, Ph.D.
Technology Development
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2139
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: 301-496-1779
FAX: 301-402-1501
Email: [email protected]

2. Peer Review Contacts:

Chief, Scientific Review Branch
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Room 3201, MSC 9529
6001 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-9529
(Rockville, MD 20852 for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 496-9223
Fax: (301) 402-0182
Email: [email protected]

3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:

Kenny Bond
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3258
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: 301-496-3813
Fax: 301-451-5635
Email: [email protected]

Required Federal Citations

Use of Animals in Research:
Recipients of PHS support for activities involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf) as mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm), and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm) as applicable.

Human Subjects Protection:
Federal regulations (45CFR46) require that applications and proposals involving human subjects must be evaluated with reference to the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm).

Data and Safety Monitoring Plan:
Data and safety monitoring is required for all types of clinical trials, including physiologic toxicity and dose-finding studies (phase I); efficacy studies (Phase II); efficacy, effectiveness and comparative trials (Phase III). Monitoring should be commensurate with risk. The establishment of data and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) is required for multi-site clinical trials involving interventions that entail potential risks to the participants (NIH Policy for Data and Safety Monitoring, NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).

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.

Sharing of Model Organisms:
NIH is committed to support efforts that encourage sharing of important research resources including the sharing of model organisms for biomedical research (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/model_organism/index.htm). At the same time the NIH recognizes the rights of grantees and contractors to elect and retain title to subject inventions developed with Federal funding pursuant to the Bayh Dole Act (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/index.htm). All investigators submitting an NIH application or contract proposal, beginning with the October 1, 2004 receipt date, are expected to include in the application/proposal a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organism research resources generated using NIH funding or state why such sharing is restricted or not possible. This will permit other researchers to benefit from the resources developed with public funding. The inclusion of a model organism sharing plan is not subject to a cost threshold in any year and is expected to be included in all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated.

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 "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research (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 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 Clinical Research:
The NIH maintains a policy that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all clinical research, conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them.

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 (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 applications for research involving human subjects and individuals designated as key personnel. The policy is available 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://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp 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 (http://escr.nih.gov/). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide in the project description and elsewhere in the application as appropriate, the official NIH identifier(s) for the hESC line(s)to be used in the proposed research. Applications that do not provide this information will be returned without review.

NIH Public Access Policy:
NIH-funded investigators are requested to submit to the NIH manuscript submission (NIHMS) system (http://www.nihms.nih.gov/) at PubMed Central (PMC) an electronic version of the author's final manuscript upon acceptance for publication, resulting from research supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH. The author's final manuscript is defined as the final version accepted for journal publication, and includes all modifications from the publishing peer review process.

NIH is requesting that authors submit manuscripts resulting from 1) currently funded NIH research projects or 2) previously supported NIH research projects if they are accepted for publication on or after May 2, 2005. The NIH Public Access Policy applies to all research grant and career development award mechanisms, cooperative agreements, contracts, Institutional and Individual Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards, as well as NIH intramural research studies. The Policy applies to peer-reviewed, original research publications that have been supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH, but it does not apply to book chapters, editorials, reviews, or conference proceedings. Publications resulting from non-NIH-supported research projects should not be submitted.

For more information about the Policy or the submission process please visit the NIH Public Access Policy Web site at http://www.nih.gov/about/publicaccess/ and view the Policy or other Resources and Tools including the Authors' Manual (http://www.nih.gov/about/publicaccess/publicaccess_Manual.htm).

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. 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.

Loan Repayment Programs:
NIH encourages applications for educational loan repayment from qualified health professionals who have made a commitment to pursue a research career involving clinical, pediatric, contraception, infertility, and health disparities related areas. The LRP is an important component of NIH's efforts to recruit and retain the next generation of researchers by providing the means for developing a research career unfettered by the burden of student loan debt. Note that an NIH grant is not required for eligibility and concurrent career award and LRP applications are encouraged. The periods of career award and LRP award may overlap providing the LRP recipient with the required commitment of time and effort, as LRP awardees must commit at least 50% of their time (at least 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour week) for two years to the research. For further information, please see: http://www.lrp.nih.gov/.

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