Part I Overview Information

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Department of Health and Human Services

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

Components of Participating Organizations
Fogarty International Center (FIC) (http://www.fic.nih.gov)
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) (http://nccam.nih.gov)
National Institute on Aging (NIA) (http://www.nia.nih.gov)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (http://www.NIAAA.nih.gov)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (http://nidcd.nih.gov)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (http://www.nidcr.nih.gov)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (http://www.nida.nih.gov)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) (http://www.niehs.nih.gov)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering (NIBIB) (http://www.nibib.nih.gov)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (http://www.nichd.nih.gov/)

Title: Fogarty International Research Collaboration Basic Biomedical (FIRCA-BB) Research Award (R03)

Announcement Type
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is a reissue of PAR-07-335.

Update: The following updates relating to this announcement have been issued:

• August 16, 2010 - IMPORTANT NOTE! NIH has eliminated the error correction window for due dates of January 25, 2011 and beyond. As of January 25, all corrections must be complete by the due date for an application to be considered on-time. See NOT-OD-10-123.
• November 17, 2010 - This PAR has been reissued as (PAR-11-037).
• October 5, 2010 - See Notice NOT-TW-10-729 The John E. Fogarty International Center (FIC) intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to reissue this PAR.
• June 24, 2010 - See Notice NOT-TW-10-008 Notice to Highlight Current NIH Funding Opportunities that Promote Research on the Human Health Effects of Climate Change.
• December 30, 2009 - This FOA has been updated to reflect the new requirements from NIH’s Enhancing Peer Review Initiative. The new requirements are effective for submissions intended for due dates January 25, 2010 and beyond. If submitting an application intended for a due date of January 25, 2010 and beyond, follow the guidance below and be sure to use the Adobe-Forms-B version of the application forms and instructions. If applying for a due date before January 25, 2010, follow the guidance in the archived version of this FOA and be sure to use the Adobe-Forms-A version of the application forms and instructions.
• May 29, 2009 - See Notice NOT-OD-09-104 Error Correction Window Extended for Electronic Submission of NIH Opportunities with Due Dates Between May 20 and May 29, 2009.
• May 28, 2009 - See Notice NOT-OD-09-103 Error Correction Window Extended for Electronic Submission of NIH Opportunities with Due Dates Between May 25 and May 28, 2009.

NOTICE: Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF424 Research and Related (R&R) forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORMAT.

This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines included with this announcement in Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).

A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four (4) weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV.

Program Announcement (PA) Number: PAR-08-222

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.989, 93.213, 93.866, 93.273, 93.286, 93.173, 93.279, 93.113, 93.114, 93.115, 93.853, 93.121, 93.865

Key Dates
Release/Posted Date: July 31, 2008
Opening Date: August 29, 2008 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov):
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): Not applicable.
NOTE: On time submission requires that applications be successfully submitted to Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization).Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): September 29, 2008; January 28, 2009; May 28, 2009; September 29,2009; January 28, 2010; May 28, 2010; and September 28, 2010
AIDS Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): Not applicable.
Peer Review Date(s): February/March 2009; June/July 2009; October/November 2009; February/March 2010; June/July 2010; October/November 2010; February/March 2011Council Review Date(s): May 2009; October 2009; January 2010; May 2010; October 2010; January 2011; May 2011
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): July 1, 2009; December 1, 2009; April 1, 2010; July 1, 2010; December 1, 2010; April 1, 2011, and July 1, 2011
Expiration Date: September 29, 2010

Due Dates for E.O. 12372

Not Applicable

Additional Overview Content

Executive Summary

• Purpose. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the Fogarty International Research Collaboration Basic Biomedical (FIRCA-BB) Research Award program, facilitates collaborative basic biomedical research between scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and investigators in low- to middle-income countries (LMIC). All non-AIDS-related biomedical research topics that are supported by the NIH, including basic, clinical, and applied research that does not involve behavioral or social science topics and techniques, are eligible for inclusion under the FIRCA-BB program. For behavioral and social science (BSS) research, see the companion Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the Fogarty International Research Collaboration Behavioral and Social Sciences (FIRCA-BSS) Research Award program, (PAR-08-223).Special consideration will be given to proposed research that addresses significant global health problems, particularly those of high relevance to an LMIC country or region. This FOA includes an additional review criterion of Research Capacity Building (see Section V.2. Application Review and Selection Process).
• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Small Research grant (R03) mechanism, with additional eligibility, project period and funding restrictions.The R03 is intended to support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources.
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. The anticipated number of awards is 25 35 per year.
• Budget and Project Period. Budget for direct costs for up to $50,000 per year and a project duration of up to three years may be requested for a maximum of $150,000 direct costs over a three year period.
• Research Plan Component Length: The Research Strategy of the R03 application may not exceed 6 pages, including tables, graphs, figures, diagrams, and charts. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/funding_program.htm
• Eligible Institutions/Organizations. Institutions/organizations listed in Section III, 1.A. are eligible to apply.
• Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs): Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution/organization 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 support. Eligible PDs/PIs either:(a) must have a current, eligible NIH-funded research grant (from any NIH Institute or Center, whether listed as participating in this FOA or not) and collaborate with a colleague from a laboratory or research site in an eligible LMIC; or (b) must currently be or formerly have been the LMIC collaborator on a FIRCA awarded within the past seven years. The LMIC collaborator/PD/PI must hold a position in an eligible country, at an eligible public or private institution, that will allow him/her adequate time and provide appropriate facilities to conduct the proposed research. (See Section III, 1.A., Eligibility Information, for further details on requirements.)
• Number of PDs/PIs. More than one PD/PI (i.e., multiple PDs/PIs), may be designated on the application. For multiple PDs/PIs a collaborator from each country involved should be listed as a PD/PI on the application. The first PD/PI listed must be affiliated with the institution submitting the application and will serve as the contact PI. (See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-017.html).
• Number of Applications. Applicants may already be FIRCA grantees on another FIRCA at the time of the application. Applicants may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.
• Resubmissions. Applicants may submit a resubmission application, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous peer review critique (Summary Statement).
• Renewals. The R03 is not renewable. No renewal (formerly competing continuation or Type 2) applications are accepted. However, the LMIC Investigator on an awarded Type 1 FIRCA may submit a new (Type 1) FIRCA application as the PI, directly from his/her home institution (the original LMIC site), to follow-up on the research in the initial three-year FIRCA period.
• Special Date(s). This FOA uses non-standard due dates. See Receipt, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
• Application Materials. See Section IV.1 for application materials.
  All applications, including resubmission, revision and renewal, submitted for due dates January 25, 2010 and beyond, must utilize the current forms and instructions.
• General Information. For general information on SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission, see these Web sites:
  • SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission Information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm
  • General information on Electronic Submission of Grant Applications: http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/
• Hearing Impaired. Telecommunications for the hearing impaired are available at: TTY 301-451-5936.

Table of Contents

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Part I Overview Information

Part II Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives

Section II. Award Information
1. Mechanism 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. Request Application Information
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
A. Submission, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
1. Letter of Intent
B. Submitting an Application Electronically to the NIH
C. Application Processing
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
A. Additional Review Criteria
B. Additional Review Considerations
C. Resource Sharing Plan(s)
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 Announcement

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Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

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1. Research Objectives

An important role of the FIC is to foster discovery and reduce global health disparities through the support of international research cooperation across the continuum of basic, clinical and applied biomedical, social and behavioral health sciences. This FOA contributes to the FIC mission, and the broad NIH initiative to reduce health disparities among nations, by strengthening research infrastructure in LMICs, particularly those with the least economic resources. This FOA responds to a number of goals in the new FIC strategic plan (http://www.fic.nih.gov/about/plan/strategicplan_08-12.htm).

The main objectives of the FIRCA program are to: (1) support collaborative research efforts between NIH-funded scientists and LMIC scientists (referred to as the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI) on research of high scientific merit, relevant to global health and of mutual interest and benefit; and (2) help build research capabilities and foster further sustained and productive research and research collaborations at the LMIC site.

The opportunity to collaborate internationally provides a means of access to new information and perspectives, innovative concepts and methods, emerging research techniques and technologies, and unique populations and environments important for addressing global health problems.

The FIRCA will extend and enhance the research interests of both the NIH-funded scientist and the collaborating LMIC scientist, and will help build the research and research capabilities of the LMIC investigator and institution.

The research capacity building goal of the FIRCA is served by both the direct research collaboration between the teams involved in the research and also by the associated training and consultation at the LMIC site. This training and consultation may also involve other investigators and students at the LMIC site thereby helping to build institutional capacity. The NIH funded PI may spend up to three months of the year under the FIRCA teaching and consulting at the LMIC site. A formal detailed plan with proposed curriculum, audience, schedule and time frame should be presented as part of the research plan.

All non-AIDS-related biomedical research topics that are supported by the NIH, including basic, clinical, and applied research that does not involve behavioral or social science topics and techniques, are eligible for inclusion under the FIRCA-BB program. For behavioral and social science (BSS) research, see the companion FOA, Fogarty International Research Collaboration Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Award program (FIRCA-BSS, PAR-08-223). Research topics related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are not eligible for FIRCA funding. Investigators working on topics related to HIV/AIDS and wishing to conduct collaborative research involving LMIC countries should note the other opportunities listed at (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-TW-07-002)

Interests of Participating Institutes and Centers (ICs)

Applicants can obtain information and research interests for each of the sponsoring ICs listed on the first page of this announcement at their websites, or by contacting the IC program contact listed in Section VII, Agency Contacts. Some of the participating ICs have provided additional statements of interest:

• The Fogarty International Center (FIC) is interested in all eligible applications. Special consideration will be given to proposed research that addresses significant global health problems, particularly those problems of high relevance to the LMIC country or region (http://www.fic.nih.gov/about/plan/index.htm).
• The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is specifically interested in funding/co-funding FIRCA awards that are relevant to its mission and which focus on the science underlying highly promising traditional medicine (TM) health practices. Through the use of the FIRCA grant mechanism, NCCAM hopes to establish collaborative research programs between NIH-funded investigators and investigators in eligible countries who are knowledgeable about indigenous TM practices. Studies may include basic, translational, or clinical research aimed at understanding TM systems or in determining whether specific TM practices are beneficial to health and well-being in addressing problems important both at the LMIC site and in a global health context. Interested investigators should carefully review and adhere to the relevant NCCAM policies and guidelines. (http://nccam.nih.gov/research/).
• Through the FIRCA mechanism, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is interested in funding/co-funding laboratory, clinical, and population-based research focusing on aging processes, age-related diseases, and special problems and needs of the aged. Please go to http://www.nia.nih.gov/ResearchInformation/ExtramuralPrograms/ for more information on NIA research programs. High quality, interdisciplinary research embracing two or more of these areas is especially encouraged.
• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is interested in funding/co-funding FIRCA awards that contribute directly to its mission through the development of research collaborations between NIAAA-funded investigators and scientists in LMICs.
• The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is specifically interested in funding/co-funding FIRCA awards that are relevant to its mission and are selected to be paid by the FIC. Through the use of the FIRCA grant mechanism, FIC and NIEHS wish to develop collaborative programs between established environmental health researchers and investigators in LMICs with access to unique research opportunities. This includes laboratory- and population-based studies on the effects of exposure to pollutants in air, water, food, and through occupation, as well as studies of susceptibility factors due to genetics, age, or nutritional status.
• The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is interested in funding FIRCA awards that are relevant to its mission, and collaborations between U.S. investigators, whose research is currently supported by the NINDS, and LMIC investigators in eligible low- to middle-income countries. The NINDS encourages basic and mechanistic, translational and clinical research across the spectrum of neurological disorders, neuromuscular diseases and stroke.
• The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is interested in supporting FIRCA collaborative projects on basic, clinical, and epidemiological studies to ensure that every person is born healthy and wanted, that women do not suffer harmful effects from reproductive processes and that all children have the chance to achieve their full potential for healthy and productive lives free from disease or disability and to ensure health productivity and well being of all people through optimal rehabilitation.

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

Section II. Award Information

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1. Mechanism(s) of Support

This FOA will use the NIH Small Research grant (R03) award mechanism. The Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.

This FOA uses Just-in-Time information concepts see SF424 (R&R) Application Guide). It also uses the modular as well as the non-modular budget formats (see the Modular Applications and Awards section of the NIH Grants Policy Statement. All domestic applications submitted in response to the FOA must use the modular budget format (use the PHS398 Modular Budget component provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Package and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (see specifically Section 3.4, Modular Budget Component, of the Application Guide).

This FOA uses the detailed (non-modular) budget format for all foreign institutions applications (that is, complete the Research & Related Budget component of the SF424 (R&R) application forms not the PHS398 Modular Budget component). See NOT-OD-06-096), August 23, 2006.

Renewal (formerly competing continuation) applications will not be accepted for the R03 grant mechanism. Small grant support may not be used for thesis or dissertation research. Applicants may submit a resubmission, but such applications must include an Introduction addressing issues raised in the previous critique (Summary Statement).

No renewal (formerly competing continuation or Type 2) applications are accepted. However, the LMIC Investigator on an awarded Type 1 FIRCA may submit a new (Type 1) FIRCA application as the PI, directly from his/her home institution (the original LMIC site), to follow-up on the research in the initial three-year FIRCA period.

For specific information about the R03 programs, see: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r03.htm.

2. Funds Available

Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. Although the financial plans of the NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Budget for direct costs for up to $50,000 per year and a project duration of up to three years may be requested for a maximum of $150,000 direct costs over a three year period.

F&A costs requested by consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation. See NOT-OD-05-004, November 2, 2004.

The participating organization(s), the Fogarty International Center (FIC), the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute on Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), collectively intend to fund 25 35 applications.

• Allowable costs include purchases of supplies, equipment and technical assistance for the LMIC site, limited salary support or consultant fee for the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI as well as travel for the high income country (HIC) and LMIC collaborators and their research associates as justified by the needs of the collaborative research. One trip per 3 year FIRCA should be budgeted for the collaborators to attend a 2 day Fogarty International Center networking meeting in Washington DC or Bethesda, Maryland. If the NIH funded PD/PI submits a detailed formal plan for extended teaching and consultation at the LMIC site, additional travel costs for this purpose may be budgeted. For details please see additional budget guidance under Section IV.2., Supplementary Instructions and Section IV.5, Funding Restrictions.
• Standard anticipated start dates for each council round apply.
• Continuation of the FIRCA project each year depends on satisfactory research progress and availability of funds. The FIRCA grant will remain active even if the parent grant expires and is not renewed during the FIRCA project period.

Section III. Eligibility Information

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1. Eligible Applicants

1.A. Eligible Institutions

The following organizations/institutions are eligible to apply:

• Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education
• Hispanic-serving Institutions
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
• Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
• Small Businesses
• For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)
• State Governments
• Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
• Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organizations
• County Governments
• City or Township Governments
• Special District Governments
• Independent School Districts
• Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities
• U.S. Territory or Possession
• Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)
• Regional Organizations
• Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations)
• Other(s):
  • Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
  • Faith-based or Community-based Organizations.

The LMIC collaborator/PD/PI must be from an institution located in a LMIC country defined by the World Bank, according to Gross National Income (GNI) per capita as low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income (see: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/CLASS.XLS).

LMIC institutions may only apply if they meet the eligibility requirements for LMIC collaborating institutions listed above and the PD/PI and Collaborating Investigators meet the criteria listed below in Section 1.B., Eligible Individuals.

Occasionally, scientific opportunities may arise that warrant a formal collaborative effort between the PD/PI and individuals from more than one country. Such applications may be considered only after consultation with by the FIC Program Officer.

1.B. Eligible Individuals

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the PD/PI is invited to work with his/her organization 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 support.

More than one PD/PI (i.e., multiple PDs/PIs), may be designated on the application for projects that require a team science approach and therefore clearly do not fit the single-PD/PI model. Additional information on the implementation plans and policies and procedures to formally allow more than one PD/PI on individual research projects is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi. All PDs/PIs must be registered in the NIH electronic Research Administration (eRA) Commons prior to the submission of the application (see http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm for instructions).

The decision of whether to apply for a grant with a single PD/PI or multiple PDs/PIs grant is the responsibility of the investigators and applicant organizations and should be determined by the scientific goals of the project. Applications for grants with multiple PDs/PIs will require additional information, as outlined in the instructions below. When considering the multiple PD/PI option, please be aware that the structure and governance of the PD/PI leadership team as well as the knowledge, skills and experience of the individual PDs/PIs will be factored into the assessment of the overall scientific merit of the application. Multiple PDs/PIs on a project share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically.Each PD/PI is responsible and accountable to the grantee organization, or, as appropriate, to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of required reports. For further information on multiple PDs/PIs, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi.

The scientist who applies as the contact PD/PI must either (1) be an NIH-funded Investigator or (2) have previously been the LMIC collaborator on an awarded FIRCA.

• The NIH-funded scientist applying as the contact PD/PI must have a current, eligible NIH research grant and collaborate with a colleague from an eligible laboratory or research site in an eligible LMIC country;
• The former FIRCA LMIC collaborator applying as contact PD/PI must be, or have been, a LMIC collaborator on a FIRCA awarded within the past seven years. LMIC Collaborators on FIRCAs that have already been awarded a competitive renewal are not eligible to submit a FIRCA application as PI. To submit as PI, the LMIC collaborator must also continue to hold a position in an eligible institution in an eligible LMIC country that will allow him/her adequate time and provide appropriate facilities to conduct the proposed research.

The LMIC collaborator/PD/PI on a FIRCA must be employed at a LMIC institution that meets the eligibility requirements described in Section 1.A., Eligible Institutions.

Applicants may already be FIRCA grantees on another FIRCA at the time of the application. Applicants may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

Consistent with FIRCA requirements multiple PDs/PIs on a project share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. Each PD/PI is responsible and accountable to the grantee organization or, as appropriate, to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of required reports. For further information on multiple PDs/PIs, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

This program does not require cost sharing as defined in the current NIH Grants Policy Statement.

3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

Applicants may submit a resubmission application, but such application must include an Introduction addressing issues raised in the previous critique (Summary Statement).

Applicants may not submit a renewal application.

Applicants may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

No renewal (formerly competing continuation or Type 2) applications are accepted. However, the LMIC collaborator on an awarded Type 1 FIRCA may submit a new (Type 1) FIRCA application as the PD/PI, directly from his/her home institution (the original LMIC site), to follow-up on the research in the initial three-year FIRCA period.

Eligible Funding Mechanisms for Consideration as FIRCA Parent Grants

The following NIH research project grant mechanisms are eligible as FIRCA parent grants (and must be both active and funded at the start of the proposed FIRCA budget period):

• R01, R37 (MERIT), P01, or U01. PIs of sub-projects of a program project (P01) or cooperative agreement (U01 and U19) are eligible. An active R21 or R03 is eligible if the research is already being conducted in the proposed FIRCA collaborating country.
• Other mechanisms will be considered on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the FIC Program Officer.
• Grants reviewed under an FIC Request for Applications, (e.g. the FIC Ecology of Infectious Diseases (EID) Research Program) but awarded by Institutions/Organizations outside of NIH, are eligible.
• Awards funded by other Federal Agencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the FIC Program Officer prior to application.

Among the mechanisms not generally accepted are: training grants, contracts, Small Business Innovation Research (R43/R44) and Small Business Technology Transfer (R41/R42) Awards.

The active funded parent grant may have been awarded by any NIH Institute or Center (IC), regardless of whether the IC is listed as a participating component in this FOA. To be eligible, the grant must have a minimum of 12 months of funding, which may include a no-cost extension, remaining at the time of the initial FIRCA application deadline. For the follow-up application from the LMIC collaborator as PD/PI no active grant for the former FIRCA collaborator is necessary.

If the initial FIRCA research application, submitted by the NIH-funded Investigator, is an extension or a new direction of the parent grant research, it must not overlap with research already supported by the parent grant or by other sources. If the FIRCA application is for work that is not an obvious extension FIRCA parent grant, the FIRCA research must be clearly within the expertise and field of interest of both FIRCA collaborators, as indicated by other research support and published work. Such research should ideally make use of the comparative strengths and expertise of both collaborators.

Special consideration will be given to proposed research which addresses significant global health problems, particularly those of high relevance to the LMIC country or region, and to research that makes use of unique of special resources, circumstances, or environment of the LMIC site.

To continue the collaboration under the FIRCA program, LMIC collaborators on previously funded FIRCA grants that have ended, or will end before the new FIRCA application deadline, must apply for a FIRCA as PD/PI either with their original FIRCA collaborator or a new collaborator as justified by the needs of the research. Current grantees and collaborators may want to consider whether their collaboration has developed to the point where they can submit a Research Project (R01) grant application (direct foreign grant or domestic grant with a foreign component).

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

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Registration:
Appropriate registrations with Grants.gov and eRA Commons must be completed on or before the due date in order to successfully submit an application. Several of the steps of the registration process could take four weeks or more. Therefore, applicants should immediately check with their business official to determine whether their organization/institution is already registered with both Grants.gov and the Commons. All registrations must be complete by the submission deadline for the application to be considered on-time (see 3.C.1 for more information about on-time submission).

To download a SF424 (R&R) Application Package and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for completing the SF424 (R&R) forms for this FOA, use the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or link to http://www.grants.gov/Apply/ and follow the directions provided on that Web site.

A one-time registration is required for institutions/organizations at both:

• Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp) and
• eRA Commons (http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm)

PDs/PIs should work with their institutions/organizations to make sure they are registered in the NIH eRA Commons.

Several additional separate actions are required before an applicant can submit an electronic application, as follows:

1) Organizational/Institutional Registration in Grants.gov/Get Registered

• Your organization will need to obtain a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) as part of the Grants.gov registration process.
• https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf
• If your organization does not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN), allow for extra time. A valid TIN or EIN is necessary for CCR registration.
• The CCR also validates the EIN against Internal Revenue Service records, a step that will take an additional one to two business days.
• Direct questions regarding Grants.gov registration to:

Grants.gov Customer Support
Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726
Business Hours: M-F 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Email [email protected]

Foreign (non-US) organizations will need to obtain an NCAGE number. See https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf

2) Organizational/Institutional Registration in the eRA Commons

• To find out if an organization is already Commons-registered, see the "List of Grantee Organizations Registered in NIH eRA Commons.
• Direct questions regarding the Commons registration to:

eRA Commons Help Desk
Phone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
TTY: 301-451-5939
Business hours M-F 7:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Email [email protected]

3) Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Registration in the NIH eRA Commons: Refer to the NIH eRA Commons System (COM) Users Guide.

• The individual(s) designated as PDs/PIs on the application must be registered also in the NIH eRA Commons.In the case of multiple PDs/PIs, all PDs/PIs must be registered and be assigned the PI role in the eRA Commons prior to the submission of the application.
• Each PD/PI must hold a PD/PI account in the Commons. Applicants should not share a Commons account for both an Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) role and a PD/PI role; however, if they have both a PD/PI role and an Internet Assisted Review (IAR) role, both roles should exist under one Commons account.
• When multiple PDs/PIs are proposed, all PDs/PIs at the applicant organization must be affiliated with that organization.PDs/PIs located at another institution need not be affiliated with the applicant organization, but must be affiliated with their own organization to be able to access the Commons.
• This registration/affiliation must be done by the AOR/SO or his/her designee who is already registered in the Commons.

Both the PD(s)/PI(s) and AOR/SO need separate accounts in the NIH eRA Commons since both are authorized to view the application image.

The registration process is not sequential. Applicants should begin the registration processes for both Grants.gov and eRA Commons as soon as their organization has obtained a DUNS number. Only one DUNS number is required and the same DUNS number must be referenced when completing Grants.gov registration, eRA Commons registration and the SF424 (R&R) forms.

1. Request Application Information

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply.

Note: Only the forms package directly attached to a specific FOA can be used. You will not be able to use any other SF424 (R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA), although some of the Attachment files may be useable for more than one FOA.

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

Prepare all applications using the SF424 (R&R) application forms and in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

The SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is critical to submitting a complete and accurate application to NIH. There are fields within the SF424 (R&R) application components that, although not marked as mandatory, are required by NIH (e.g., the Credential log-in field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile component must contain the PD/PIs assigned eRA Commons User ID). Agency-specific instructions for such fields are clearly identified in the Application Guide. For additional information, see Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.

The SF424 (R&R) application is comprised of data arranged in separate components. Some components are required, others are optional. The forms package associated with this FOA inGrants.gov/APPLY will include all applicable components, required and optional. A completed application in response to this FOA will include the following components:

Required Components:
SF424 (R&R) (Cover component)
Research & Related Project/Performance Site Locations
Research & Related Other Project Information
Research & Related Senior/Key Person
PHS398 Cover Page Supplement
PHS398 Research Plan
PHS398 Checklist
PHS398 Modular Budget or Research & Related Budget, as appropriate (See Section IV.6., Special Instructions, regarding appropriate required budget component.)

Optional Components:
PHS398 Cover Letter File
Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form

Foreign Organizations (Non-domestic [non-U.S.] Entities)

NIH policies concerning grants to foreign (non-U.S.) organizations can be found in the NIH Grants Policy Statement at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part12.htm#_Toc54600260.

Applications from Foreign organizations must:

• Request budgets in U.S. dollars;
• Prepare detailed budgets for all applications (that is, complete the Research & Related Budget component of the SF424 (R&R) application forms not the PHS398 Modular Budget component)(see NOT-OD-06-096);
• Not include any charge-back of customs and import fees;
• Comply with the format specifications, which are based upon a standard U.S. paper size of 8.5 x 11 within each PDF;
• If appropriate, request funds for up to 8% Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs (excluding equipment) ( see NOT-OD-01-028, March 29, 2001);
• Comply with Federal/NIH policies on human subjects, animals, and biohazards; and
• Comply with Federal/NIH biosafety and biosecurity regulations (see Section VI.2., Administrative and National Policy Requirements)

Proposed research should provide special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions in other countries that are not readily available in the United States (U.S.) or that augment existing U.S. resources.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Applications with Multiple PDs/PIs

When multiple PDs/PIs are proposed, NIH requires one PD/PI to be designated as the "Contact PI, who will be responsible for all communication between the PDs/PIs and the NIH, for assembling the application materials outlined below, and for coordinating progress reports for the project. The contact PD/PI must meet all eligibility requirements for PD/PI status in the same way as other PDs/PIs, but has no other special roles or responsibilities within the project team beyond those mentioned above.

Information for the Contact PD/PI should be entered in Item 13 of the SF424 (R&R) Cover component.All other PDs/PIs should be listed in the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component and assigned the project role of PD/PI.Please remember that all PDs/PIs must be registered in the eRA Commons prior to application submission.The Commons ID of each PD/PI must be included in the Credential field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component.Failure to include this data field will cause the application to be rejected.

All projects proposing Multiple PDs/PIs will be required to include a new section describing the leadership plan approach for the proposed project.

Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan: For applications designating multiple PDs/PIs, a new section of the research plan, entitled Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan, must be included. A rationale for choosing a multiple PD/PI approach should be described. The governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and the research project should be described, and should include communication plans, process for making decisions on scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, technical, and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PDs/PIs and other collaborators.

If budget allocation is planned, the distribution of resources to specific components of the project or the individual PDs/PIs should be delineated in the Leadership Plan. In the event of an award, the requested allocations may be reflected in a footnote on the Notice of Award (NoA).

Checklist

Facilities and Administrative (F & A) Costs: F & A costs must be calculated on the basis of the off-site rate, if one has been approved, for U.S. sponsoring institutions.

For applications from foreign institutions and applications that have foreign consortium agreements, F & A costs of up to eight percent of total direct costs (less equipment) may be requested by the LMIC institutions. See NOT-OD-01-028, March 29, 2001.

3. Submission Dates and Times

See Section IV.3.A for details.

3.A. Submission, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
Release/Posted Date: July 31, 2008
Opening Date: August 29, 2008 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov):
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): Not applicable.
NOTE: On time submission requires that applications be successfully submitted to Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization).
Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): September 29, 2008; January 28, 2009; May 28, 2009; September 29,2009; January 28,2010; May 28, 2010; September 28, 2010
AIDS Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): Not applicable.
Peer Review Date(s): February/March 2009; June/July 2009; October/November 2009; February/March 2010; June/July 2010; October/November 2010; February/March 2011Council Review Date(s): May 2009; October 2009; January 2010; May 2010; October 2010; January 2011; May 2011
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): July 1, 2009; December 1, 2009; April 1, 2010; July 1, 2010; December 1, 2010; April 1, 2011, July 1, 2011

3.A.1. Letter of Intent

A letter of intent is not required for the funding opportunity.

3.B. Submitting an Application Electronically to the NIH

To submit an application in response to this FOA, applicants should access this FOA via http://www.grants.gov/Apply and follow Steps 1-4. Note: Applications must only be submitted electronically.PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

In order to expedite the review, applicants are requested to notify the Fogarty International Center (FIC) by email ([email protected]) when the application has been submitted.Please include the FOA number and title, PD/PI name, and title of the application.

3.C. Application Processing

3.C.1 Submitting On-Time

Applications may be submitted on or after the opening date and must be successfully received by Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time(of the applicant institution/organization) on the application due date(s). (See Section IV.3.A. for all dates.) If an application is not submitted by the due date(s) and time, the application may be delayed in the review process or not reviewed. All applications must meet the following criteria to be considered on-time:

• All registrations must be complete prior to the submission deadline
• The application must receive a Grants.gov tracking number and timestamp (or eRA help desk ticket confirming a system issue preventing submission) by 5:00 p.m. local time on the submission deadline date.
• Any system identified errors/warnings must be corrected and the submission process completed within the error correction window.

Please visit http://era.nih.gov/electronicReceipt/app_help.htm for detailed information on what to do if Grants.gov or eRA system issues threaten your ability to submit on time.

Submission to Grants.gov is not the last step - applicants must follow their application through to the eRA Commons to check for errors and warnings and view their assembled application!

3.C.2 Two Day Window to Correct eRA Identified Errors/Warnings

IMPORTANT NOTE! NIH has eliminated the error correction window for due dates of January 25, 2011 and beyond. As of January 25, all corrections must be complete by the due date for an application to be considered on-time. See NOT-OD-10-123.

Once an application package has been successfully submitted through Grants.gov NIH provides applicants a two day error correction window to correct any eRA identified errors or warnings before a final assembled application is created in the eRA Commons. The standard error correction window is two (2) business days, beginning the day after the submission deadline and excluding weekends and standard federal holidays. All errors must be corrected to successfully complete the submission process. Warnings will not prevent the application from completing the submission process.

Note that the following caveats apply:

• Initial application submission must be on-time.
• The AOR/institutions is expected to enforce that application changes made within the error correction window are restricted to those necessary to address system-identified errors/warnings. NIH may reject any application that includes additional changes.
• Proof of on-time submission (e.g., Grants.gov timestamp and tracking number) and description of all changes made within the window must be documented in the PHS 398 Cover Letter component of the application.

3.C.3 Viewing an Application in the eRA Commons

Once any eRA identified errors have been addressed and the assembled application has been created in the eRA Commons, the PD/PI and the Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) have two weekdays (Monday Friday, excluding Federal holidays) to view the assembled application before it automatically moves forward to NIH for further processing.

• If everything is acceptable, no further action is necessary. The application will automatically move forward for processing by the Division of Receipt and Referral, Center for Scientific Review, NIH, after two business days, excluding Federal holidays.
• Prior to the submission deadline, the AOR/SO can Reject the assembled application and submit a changed/corrected application within the two-day viewing window. This option should be used if the AOR/SO determines that warnings should be addressed or if information was lost or compromised during transmission. Reminder: warnings do not stop further application processing. If an application submission results in warnings (but no errors), it will automatically move forward after two business days if no action is taken. Please remember that some warnings may not be applicable or may need to be addressed after application submission.
• If the two-day window falls after the submission deadline, the AOR/SO will have the option to Reject the application if, due to an eRA Commons or Grants.gov system issue, the application does not correctly reflect the submitted application package (e.g., some part of the application was lost or did not transfer correctly during the submission process). The AOR/SO should first contact the eRA Commons Helpdesk to confirm the system error, document the issue, and determine the best course of action. NIH will not penalize the applicant for an eRA Commons or Grants.gov system issue.
• If the AOR/SO chooses to Reject the image after the submission deadline for a reason other than an eRA Commons or Grants.gov system failure, a changed/corrected application still can be submitted, but it will be subject to the NIH late policy guidelines and may not be accepted. The reason for this delay should be explained in the cover letter attachment.
• Both the AOR/SO and PD/PI will receive e-mail notifications when the application is rejected or the application automatically moves forward in the process after two days.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

There will be an acknowledgement of receipt of applications from Grants.gov and the Commons. Information related to the assignment of an application to a Scientific Review Group is also in the Commons.

Note: Since email can be unreliable, it is the responsibility of the applicant to check periodically on their application status in the Commons.

The NIH will not accept any application in response to this FOA 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 an application already reviewed with substantial changes, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous critique. Note that such an application is considered a "resubmission" for the SF424 (R&R).

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.

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 renewal award if such costs: 1) are necessary to conduct the project, and 2) 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 renewal 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.

Awards are made to the PDs/PIs institution to support a collaborative research project that will be carried out mainly at the LMIC collaborators/PDs/PIs research site. The major portion of the funds and items purchased with these funds must be used at the LMIC site to support this research in accordance with the following allowed budget allocations:

Budget:

• Consultant fees for the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI and staff must not exceed a total of $7,000 annually.
• Salary for an HIC-based Principal Investigator, or any other staff at the non-LMIC site, is not allowed.
• Travel funds for the Principal Investigator, collaborator or colleagues to visit each others research sites must not exceed $10,000 annually over the course of the three year FIRCA. Travel to one FIC networking meeting over the three years in the Washington, DC area should be budgeted within the cap.
• Additional travel funds for the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI to attend scientific conferences must not exceed $3,000 annually. Also refer to http://www.fic.nih.gov/funding/grants_info/costs.htm.
• Additional travel and per diem up to $8,000 may be allocated for up to 3 months for extended teaching and consultations by the NIH funded collaborator at the LMIC site.

6. Other Submission Requirements

PD/PI Credential (e.g., Agency Login)

The NIH requires the PD/PI to fill in his/her Commons User ID in the PROFILE Project Director/Principal Investigator section, Credential log-in field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile component. The applicant organization must include its DUNS number in its Organization Profile in the eRA Commons. This DUNS number must match the DUNS number provided at CCR registration with Grants.gov. For additional information, see Registration FAQs Important Tips -- Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.

Organizational DUNS

The applicant organization must include its DUNS number in its Organization Profile in the eRA Commons. This DUNS number must match the DUNS number provided at CCR registration with Grants.gov. For additional information, see Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.

PHS398 Research Plan Component Sections

Supplementary Instructions
Follow instructions In the SF424 RESEARCH & RELATED section except as described below for the FIRCA R03 applications:

Other Project Information:

Project Summary Abstract: For FIRCA applications from the NIH funded PD/PIs institution, please include in this section the name of the LMIC collaborator, collaborator country and institution, and the parent grant number and project period (e.g., This research will be done primarily in Peru at Lima University in collaboration with Jorge Smith, as an extension of NIH Grant No. R01HL98765, 9-30-2006 to 9-30-2011). For applications from the LMIC Institution, please include the name of the collaborator and the collaborator country and institution.

Other Attachments: Upload a letter (on institutional letterhead) from the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI (for applications from the LMIC institution) confirming his/her role in the project. Please include full contact information, including email address and telephone and fax numbers for the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI. Provide a statement in the same or separate letter, confirming the LMIC organizations willingness to comply with all pertinent U.S. Federal regulations and policies. For example, the institution must be willing to support the collaboration with time and resources for the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI, and to provide necessary documentation to the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) for human subject involvement: http:///www.hhs.gov/ohrp/ and to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) for animal subjects http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm. The institution must also agree to comply with all required NIH policies on awards involving LMIC institutions. The FIRCA is awarded either as a domestic grant with a LMIC component (consortium agreement) or as a direct award to a LMIC institution with a U.S. component. Refer to the following NIH Grants Policy Statement regarding LMIC grants and consortia for information on policy and requirements (search on LMIC to get to the appropriate part of the Web page): http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part12.htm. The letter must be co-signed by the Head of a Department, a Dean or another academic official.

Project/Performance Site Locations: Provide the full name and address of the LMIC institution where the research will be performed (or the collaborating U.S. institution if the application is from a LMIC institution).

Budget Justification Page: Under Senior/Key Person list all project personnel, including their names, level of effort, and roles on the project. Since no salary is allowed for the NIH-funded HIC collaborator, minimal effort be determined by the applicant institution may be listed.

Research Plan: Follow the SF424 instructions except as described below and note that the Research Strategy must not exceed 6 pages (excluding the Introduction for revised/resubmitted applications):

• Specific Aims Section: This section is limited to 1 page. List the specific aims of the parent grant exactly as written in the parent grant. If these are longer than one page, you may summarize them and indicate that you have done so. If the FIRCA is more closely related to another funded (but not FIRCA-eligible) grant, please be sure to give the specific aims of that grant here also. Then, list the specific aims of the FIRCA proposal. Finally, discuss how the specific aims of the FIRCA relate to the aim(s) of the parent grant, and/or other relevant grant, if applicable.
• Approach Section: Prepare in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following additions:
  • Outline the proposed contributions of the NIH-funded investigator and the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI to the study. Describe exactly where and when each aspect of the work is to be carried out and by whom the work will be done. This will allow reviewers to assess the contributions of each laboratory and predict the likelihood of success. Where appropriate, the design of projects should take into account potential sex and gender differences that may affect the questions asked and the analyses performed. These might include different responses to and impacts of health interventions and differences in physiology.
  • An optional plan for extended teaching and consultation by the NIH funded collaborator at the LMIC site may be included. In this case please detail the proposed curriculum and consultation activities along with the schedule for up to 3 months.
  • Preliminary Studies/ Progress Report: All FIRCA applications should include a description of the nature of the proposed collaboration. Also discuss any relevant previous collaborative arrangement(s). For cases in which the PI has previously served as a mentor to the LMIC collaborator, address the independence of the LMIC collaborator in regard to the proposed FIRCA research. In particular, address respective contributions to the preparation of the research proposal.

Appendix Materials

Applicants must follow the specific instructions on Appendix materials as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm).

Do not use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations. An application that does not comply with the required page limitations may be delayed in the review process.

Resource Sharing Plan(s)

NIH considers the sharing of unique research resources developed through NIH-sponsored research an important means to enhance the value and further the advancement of the research. When resources have been developed with NIH funds and the associated research findings published or provided to NIH, it is important that they be made readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community. If the final data/resources are not amenable to sharing, this must be explained in the Resource Sharing section of the application (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_faqs.htm).

(a) Data Sharing Plan: Not Applicable

(b) Sharing Model Organisms: Regardless of the amount requested, all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated are expected to include a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organisms and related resources, or state appropriate reasons why such sharing is restricted or not possible. See Sharing Model Organisms Policy, and NIH Guide NOT-OD-04-042.

(c) Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS): Regardless of the amount requested, applicants seeking funding for a genome-wide association study are expected to provide a plan for submission of GWAS data to the NIH-designated GWAS data repository, or provide an appropriate explanation why submission to the repository is not possible. A genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (e.g., blood pressure or weight) or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. For further information see Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies (go to NOT-OD-07-088, and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/gwas/.)

Foreign Applications (Non-domestic [non-U.S.] Entities)

Indicate how the proposed project has specific relevance to the mission and objectives of the NIH/IC and has the potential for significantly advancing the health sciences in the United States.

Indicate how the proposed project will enhance the ability of the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI and LMIC country site to conduct research of particular relevance to global health or health concerns of the country or region.

Section V. Application Review Information

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1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications submitted for this funding opportunity will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the ICs for funding consideration.

Applications that are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by CSR and in accordance with NIH peer review procedures (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/peer/) using 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 an impact/priority score;
• Receive a written critique; and
• Receive a second level of review by the Fogarty International Center Advisory Board or by the appropriate IC national advisory council or board.

Applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

• Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
• Availability of funds.
• Relevance of the proposed projects to program priorities, including geographic distribution.
• Participation/interest of other NIH Institutes, Centers or Offices (ICs).

The NIH R03 small grant is a mechanism for supporting discrete, well-defined projects that realistically can be completed in two years and that require limited levels of funding. Because the Research Strategy is restricted to 6 pages, a small grant application will not have the same level of detail or extensive discussion found in an R01 application. Accordingly, reviewers should evaluate the conceptual framework and general approach to the problem, placing less emphasis on methodological details and certain indicators traditionally used in evaluating the scientific merit of R01 applications, including supportive preliminary data. Appropriate justification for the proposed work can be provided through literature citations, data from other sources, or from investigator-generated data. Preliminary data are not required, particularly in applications proposing pilot or feasibility studies.

The mission of the NIH is to support science in pursuit of knowledge about the biology and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. As part of this mission, applications submitted to the NIH for grants or cooperative agreements to support biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

Overall Impact. Reviewers will provide an overall impact/priority score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following five core review criteria, and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).

Core Review Criteria. Reviewers will consider each of the five review criteria below in the determination of scientific and technical merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.

Significance: Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? If the aims of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field? How is this research relevant to the LMIC country involved?

Investigator(s): Are the PD/PIs, collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the project? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the project? If the LMIC collaborator is submitting as the PD/PI, is she/he able to undertake and direct the continuation of the research efforts independently but with some level of collaboration with the original (or new) FIRCA collaborator as justified by the needs of the research? How will this award continue to enhance the LMIC PD/PIs research and career development and help her/him towards achieving a position of scientific leadership in her/his home country and field?

Innovation: Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed? Does the project make use of unique or special expertise, resources, circumstances, or environment at the LMIC site to frame or address the research question? Does the project propose innovative or special ways to incorporate capacity building or training into the research program at the LMIC site?

Approach: Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the project is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed? If the project involves clinical research, are the plans for 1) protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?

Environment: Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the project proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements? Has the LMIC collaborator/PD/PIs home institution made a convincing commitment (e.g., provided a research/academic appointment and salary support)? Are the resources necessary to perform the research available or obtainable?

Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider the following additional items in the determination of scientific and technical merit, but will not give separate scores for these items.

Research Capacity Building: If the research is not on a biomedical problem of particular relevance for the LMIC country involved, how will the award contribute to building needed biomedical research capacity/capability at the LMIC site? 1) For new FIRCA collaborations does the collaboration have the potential to enhance the research capability of the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI and the LMIC site? Does the research constitute a substantial scientific endeavor of the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI, including creative and scientific input to the research proposal? The LMIC site and investigator should not be used merely to gather biological samples (clinical, plants, etc.) or behavioral data (interviews, surveys, etc.). In all cases, the LMIC collaborator/PD/PI should be actively involved in analyzing and interpreting the data.2) If the PD/PI is a former FIRCA collaborator, from the LMIC site, how will the award contribute to advancing his/her research and career, research at the PDs/PIs institution and the field of research in the PD/PIs country?

Protections for Human Subjects. For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.

For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children. When the proposed project involves clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and members of both genders, as well as the inclusion of children.

Vertebrate Animals. The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia.

Resubmission Applications. When reviewing a Resubmission application (formerly called an amended application), the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the project.

Renewal Applications. When reviewing a Renewal application (formerly called a competing continuation application), the committee will consider the progress made in the last funding period.

Revision Applications. When reviewing a Revision application (formerly called a competing supplement application), the committee will consider the appropriateness of the proposed expansion of the scope of the project. If the Revision application relates to a specific line of investigation presented in the original application that was not recommended for approval by the committee, then the committee will consider whether the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group are adequate and whether substantial changes are clearly evident.

Biohazards. Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.

Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will address each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items and should not consider them in providing an overall impact/priority score.

Budget and Period Support. Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

Select Agent Research. Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).

Applications from Foreign Organizations. Reviewers will assess whether the project presents special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions that exist in other countries and either are not readily available in the United States or augment existing U.S. resources.

Resource Sharing Plans. Reviewers will comment on whether the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources, are reasonable: 1) Data Sharing Plan (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_guidance.htm); 2) Sharing Model Organisms (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-04-042.html); and 3) Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-088.html).

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Not Applicable

Section VI. Award Administration Information

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1. Award Notices

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access the Summary Statement (written critique) via the NIH eRA Commons.

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.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice ofAward (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.

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 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 and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities

3. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, awardees will be required to submit the Non-Competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

In the Performance Site block on the PHS2590, grantees must list the LMIC site at which the FIRCA work is being carried out and the parent contact at the LMIC site. Please include full contact information, including telephone and fax numbers and email addresses for the NIH-funded investigator and the LMIC collaborator PD/PI should be collaborator PD/PI.

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.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

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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:

FIC/NIH:
Kathleen Michels, Ph.D.
FIRCA Program Officer
Division of International Training and Research
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C39
31 Center Drive, MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
Telephone: (301) 435-6031
Fax: (301) 402-0779
Email: [email protected]

NCCAM/NIH:
Deborah Hayes, MS
International Health Program Specialist
Office of International Health Research National Center
for Complementary & Alternative Medicine
National Institutes of Health (NCCAM/NIH)
6707 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 401
Bethesda, MD 20892-5475
Telephone: (301) 496-2583
Fax: (301) 480-1587
Email: [email protected]

NIA/NIH:
Dallas W. Anderson, Ph.D.
Program Director, Population Studies
Dementias of Aging Branch
Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 350, MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 496-9350
Fax: (301) 496-1494
Email: [email protected]

NIAAA/NIH:
Margaret M. Murray, M.S.W.
Office of the Director
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2013, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
Telephone: (301) 443-2594
Fax: (301) 480-1726
Email: [email protected]

NIBIB/NIH:
John W. Haller, Ph.D.
Acting Division Director
Division of Applied Science and Technology
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
6707 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 200, MSC 5469
Bethesda, MD 20892-5469
Telephone: (301) 451-4780
Fax: (301) 480-4973
Email: [email protected]

NIDCD/NIH:
Lana Shekim, Ph.D.
Director, Voice and Speech Programs
Division of Scientific Programs
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
6120 Executive Boulevard, EPS-400C, MSC 7180
Bethesda, MD 20892-7180
Telephone: (301) 496-5061
Fax: (301) 402-6251
Email: [email protected]

NIDCR/NIH:
Yasaman Shirazi, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
6710 Democracy Boulevard, Room 620, MSC-4878
Bethesda, MD 20892-4878
Telephone: (301) 594-4812
Fax: (301) 480-8319
Email: [email protected]

NIDA/NIH:
Steven Gust, Ph.D.
Director, International Program
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5-274, MSC 9581
Bethesda, MD 20892-9581
Telephone: (301) 443-6480
Fax: (301) 443-9127
Email: [email protected]

NIEHS/NIH:
David M. Balshaw, Ph.D.
Center for Risk and Integrated Sciences
Division of Extramural Research and Training
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O. Box 12233, EC-27
79 T. W. Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Telephone: (919) 541-2448
Fax: (919) 541-4937
Email: [email protected]

NINDS/NIH:
Yuan Liu, Ph.D.
Chief, Office of International Activities
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Neuroscience Building, Room 2187
6001 Executive Boulevard, MSC 9523
Bethesda, MD 20892-9523
Telephone: (301) 496-0012
Fax: (301) 402-1501
Email: [email protected]

NICHD/NIH
Daniel Singer, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator
Office of the Director
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 2A01, MSC 7510
Rockville, MD 20852-7510
Telephone: 301-435-7565
Fax: (301) 435-0009
Email: [email protected]

2. Peer Review Contacts:

Sherry L. Dupere, Ph.D.
Chief, Biology of Development and Aging IRG
Center for Scientific Review
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 5136, MSC 7840
Bethesda, MD 20892-7840
(For express/courier service use ZIP 20817)
Telephone: (301) 435-1021
Fax: (301) 480-3567
Email: [email protected]

3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:

FIC/NIH:
Angela Smith
Grants Management Specialist
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C29
31 Center Drive, MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
Telephone: (301) 496-5710
Fax: (301) 594-1211
Email: [email protected]

Section VIII. Other Information

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Required Federal Citations

Vertebrate Animals:
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 (45 CFR 46) 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).

Sharing Research Data:
Investigators submitting an NIH application seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year are expected to include a plan for data sharing or state why this is not possible (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing). Investigators should seek guidance from their institutions, on issues related to institutional policies and local institutional review board (IRB) rules, as well as local, State and Federal laws and regulations, including the Privacy Rule. Reviewers will consider the data sharing plan but will not factor the plan into the determination of the scientific merit or the impact/priority score.

Policy for Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS):
NIH is interested in advancing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify common genetic factors that influence health and disease through a centralized GWAS data repository. For the purposes of this policy, a genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire human genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (such as blood pressure or weight), or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. All applications, regardless of the amount requested, proposing a genome-wide association study are expected to provide a plan for submission of GWAS data to the NIH-designated GWAS data repository, or provide an appropriate explanation why submission to the repository is not possible. Data repository management (submission and access) is governed by the Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies, NIH Guide NOT-OD-07-088. For additional information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/gwas/

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. Beginning October 1, 2004, all investigators submitting an NIH application or contract proposal 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.

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.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children:
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 SF424 (R&R) application; 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-09-116.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.

NIH Public Access Policy Requirement:
In accordance with the NIH Public Access Policy, investigators funded by the NIH must submit or have submitted for them to the National Library of Medicines PubMed Central (see http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/), an electronic version of their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts upon acceptance for publication, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication. The NIH Public Access Policy is available at (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-033.html). For more information, see the Public Access webpage at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/.

Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 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 HHS 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. For publications listed in the appendix and/or Progress report, Internet addresses (URLs) or PubMed Central (PMC) submission identification numbers must be used for publicly accessible on-line journal articles.Publicly accessible on-line journal articles or PMC articles/manuscripts accepted for publication that are directly relevant to the project may be included only as URLs or PMC submission identification numbers accompanying the full reference in either the Bibliography & References Cited section, the Progress Report Publication List section, or the Biographical Sketch section of the NIH grant application. A URL or PMC submission identification number citation may be repeated in each of these sections as appropriate. There is no limit to the number of URLs or PMC submission identification numbers that can be cited.

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 FOA 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. 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 Part 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 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/.