Participating Organization(s)	National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Components of Participating Organizations	National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Funding Opportunity Title	Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (K12)
Activity Code	K12 Physician Scientist Award (Program) (PSA)
Announcement Type	Reissue of PAR-10-229
Related Notices	August 10, 2015 - Notice of Cancelation of the Final Receipt Date for PAR-13-362. See Notice NOT-NS-15-037. June 4, 2014 - Notice NOT-14-074 supersedes instructions in Section III.3 regarding applications that are essentially the same. November 27, 2013 (NOT-OD-14-027) - NIH to Require Use of Updated Electronic Application Forms for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2014. Forms-C applications are required for due dates on or after January 25, 2014. November 4, 2013 - See Notice NOT-NS-14-003. Clarification of Eligibility for Applications.
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number	PAR-13-362
Companion Funding Opportunity	None
Number of Applications	Only one application per institution is allowed.Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s)	93.853
Funding Opportunity Purpose	The purpose of the NINDS Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (NSADA K12) is to facilitate and support the research career development of pediatric neurologists at educational institutions or professional organizations who have made a commitment to independent research careers. The NSADA program is intended to provide three consecutive years of support to individuals to provide them with the knowledge, tools and research experience that will enable them to transition to significant, individually-supported research.

Posted Date	September 23, 2013
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)	November 11, 2013
Letter of Intent Due Date(s)	Not Applicable
Application Due Date(s)	December 11, 2013, October 12, 2014, October 12, 2015 by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.
AIDS Application Due Date(s)	Not Applicable
Scientific Merit Review	February, 2014
Advisory Council Review	May, 2014
Earliest Start Date	July 2014
Expiration Date	New Date August 14, 2015 per issuance of NOT-NS-15-037. (Original Expiration Date: October 13, 2015)
Due Dates for E.O. 12372	Not Applicable

Required Application Instructions

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide including the Supplemental Instructions to the SF424 (R&R) for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Application, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this FOA or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the FOA) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Part 1. Overview Information
Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information

The overall goal of the NIH Research Career Development programs is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical needs. More information about Career programs may be found at the NIH Extramural Training Mechanisms website.

The purpose of the Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (NSADA K12) is to facilitate and support the research career development of pediatric neurologists who have made a commitment to independent research careers at educational institutions or professional organizations. Under this award, newly trained pediatric neurologists are to be selected and appointed to this program by the PD/PI of the award. The program is intended to provide 3 consecutive years of support for each scholar appointed. It is expected that these individuals will subsequently apply for their own Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08), the Mentored Patient-Oriented Career Development Award (K23), an NINDS Research Scientist Development Award (K02) or a Research Project Grant (R01), to continue their career development and/or research program.

The program should be designed to accommodate research scholars with varying levels of research experience. For example, a prospective research candidate with limited experience in a given field of research may require a structured developmental program, which includes didactic training as well as supervised research experience. Regardless of previous experience, however, each individual's plan should be designed to lead to a significant research project by the end of the 3 year NSADA support period, which is suitable for support by an individual career development award and subsequent transition to an independent research program for the individual.

The applicant organization must have a well-established research and clinical career development program and qualified faculty to serve as mentors. The NSADA program will support up to three research scholars for up to a maximum of three years each. Each individual to be supported should commit to three consecutive 12-month appointments (shorter appointments, or non-consecutive appointments should be exceedingly rare, but are possible, on a case-by-case basis with prior written approval of the NINDS program staff listed as the contact for this FOA). The scholar will acquire knowledge and research skills in scientific areas relevant to his/her career development goals. This should include relevant didactic and laboratory experiences, as well as participation in relevant activities outside of the grantee institution, that will promote development of an outstanding research program for the scholar. A specific plan should be developed, in advance of providing support, for how the scholar will transition to individual funding on an appropriate schedule.

The NSADA program award provides 5 years of potentially renewable support. It is intended that the first scholar will be appointed for years 1-3 of the award, a second scholar will be appointed for years 2-4 of the award, and a third scholar will be appointed for years 3-5 of the award. Funds will be awarded based on this timeline.

Subsequent continuation of the NSADA program will in part depend on the progress made by scholars, evaluated by whether supported scholars obtain their own individual NIH Career Development awards, subsequent R01 or equivalent grants and/or continue to be significant contributors to the research enterprise as measured by publications and other individual research funding awards. Applications from institutions with previous K12 awards must contain a progress report that documents the accomplishments and current career activities of all former scholars.

Each candidate supported under this award should propose a research plan that, (1) is relevant to the NINDS mission, (2) has intrinsic research importance, (3) will serve as a suitable vehicle for learning the methodology, theories, and concepts required of a well-trained, independent clinician-researcher and (4) will provide data and/or publications that will be useful in the submission of subsequent individual research applications. The NSADA application should describe the anticipated timeline by which scholars will develop a research project that will begin during the NSADA support period be suitable for continuation beyond the NSADA support period via an individual funding mechanism. NSADA programs should also have an administrative structure that facilitates successful adherence to this anticipated timeline, and which is positioned to provide guidance if obstacles occur. In addition, the application should describe how the program will provide training of all scholars in experimental design, statistics and scientific rigor, the latter specifically as it relates to the notice found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-NS-11-023.html and the related NINDS Grants Policy statement found at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/grant_policy.htm.

The NIH encourages all proposed programs to foster the participation of individuals from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, and women.

The proposed institutional research training program may complement other ongoing research training and career development programs at the applicant institution.However, the proposed research training experiences must be distinct from those research training programs currently receiving Federal support.

Funding Instrument	Grant: A support mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity
Application Types Allowed	New Renewal Resubmission Revision The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types.
Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards	The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
Award Budget	Application budgets are not limited, but must reflect the actual needs of the proposed project and adhere to allowable costs.
Award Project Period	The project period duration for this funding opportunity may not exceed five years.

Personnel Costs	Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the career development program may request salary and fringe benefits appropriate for the person months devoted to the program. Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the institution's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the congressionally mandated cap. For this FOA, NINDS will provide salary and fringe benefits for the PD/PI, a co-director of the program or an administrative assistant, up to a maximum of $10,000 per year. If mentoring interactions and other activities with scholars are considered a regular part of an individual's academic duties, then mentoring and other interactions with scholars are non-reimbursable from grant funds.
Participant Costs	Scholars are those individuals who benefit from the proposed activities and experiences involved in the career development program. Scholar costs must be justified as specifically required for the proposed career development program and based on institutional policies for salaries paid to individuals in similar positions, regardless of the source of funds. These expenses must be itemized in the proposed budget. For this FOA, support for salary and fringe benefits may be requested for each Scholar to be supported. The maximum allowable salary per Scholar is $85,000 per year. The total salary requested for each scholar candidate must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment. It must be consistent both with the established salary structure at the institution and with salaries actually provided by the institution from its own funds to other staff members of equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned. If full-time, 12-month salaries are not currently paid to comparable staff members, the salary proposed must be appropriately related to the existing salary structure. Scholars must devote a minimum of 9 person months (75% full-time professional effort) to the K12 research career development program while supported by the K12.
Other Program Related Expenses	$30,000 per year (maximum of $90,000 per scholar) may be requested for each scholar to support research supplies, equipment necessary for the scholar's research project, technical personnel to assist the scholar in the research project, statistical services (including personnel) for the scholar's research project, and scholar travel to scientific meetings or training sites. In addition, up to $12,000 total per scholar over the entire funding period may be requested for: tuition, fees, and books related to career development. Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses must be justified as specifically required for each scholar's proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available for similar programs at the applicant institution.
Indirect Costs	Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and fees, consortium costs in excess of $25,000, and expenditures for equipment), rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Higher Education Institutions

• Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education

The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or 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
• Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program.

The applicant institution must have a strong and high quality research program in the area(s) proposed under this FOA and must have the requisite faculty and facilities on site to conduct the proposed institutional program. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed program will complement other ongoing career development programs occurring at the applicant institution and that a substantial number of program faculty will have active research projects in which participating scholars may gain relevant experiences consistent with their research interests and goals. Institutions with existing programs must explain what distinguishes this program from the others, how their programs will synergize with one another, if applicable, and make it clear that the pool of faculty, potential scholars, and resources are robust enough to support additional programs.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. The NIH Policy on Late Submission of Grant Applications states that failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission.

• Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) - All registrations require that applicants be issued a DUNS number. After obtaining a DUNS number, applicants can begin both SAM and eRA Commons registrations. The same DUNS number must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.
• System for Award Management (SAM) (formerly CCR) Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.
• NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM.
• eRA Commons - Applicants must have an active DUNS number and SAM registration in order to complete the eRA Commons registration. Organizations can register with the eRA Commons as they are working through their SAM or Grants.gov registration. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.
• Grants.gov Applicants must have an active DUNS number and SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.gov registration.

Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s))

All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account and should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate an existing account with the applicant organization’s eRA Commons account. If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) 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.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PD(s)/PI(s), visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

The PD/PI should be an established investigator in the scientific area in which the application is targeted and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. The PD/PI will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required.

The PD/PI should be experienced in the design and management of programs for developing research investigators, and should be able to demonstrate a superior record of preparation of clinicians for independent research.

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

Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique DUNS number or NIH IPF number) is allowed.

NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed within the past thirty-seven months (as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement), except for submission:

• To an RFA of an application that was submitted previously as an investigator-initiated application but not paid;
• Of an investigator-initiated application that was originally submitted to an RFA but not paid; or
• Of an application with a changed grant activity code.

Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to participate as mentors. Mentors must be committed to continue their involvement throughout the total period of the award. Mentors should interact closely with the scholar(s), and should have research expertise and experience relevant to the proposed career development program(s).

Each scholar appointed in the program must have a primary mentor who: (1) is recognized as an accomplished investigator, (2) is actively involved in basic or clinical research, (3) has a successful record of providing the type of training required under this award and (4) will dedicate the time and resources required to foster the scholar's success. The primary mentor should provide guidance for the research career development of the scholar, should be aware of the goals of the NSADA program, and should provide the guidance appropriate for helping the scholar transition to individually funded research. Ideally, each scholar will have at least one mentor who is a pediatric neurologist with a record of successful research experience, who can provide guidance on successfully navigating a career that combines clinical and research activities in pediatric neurology.

Individuals to be supported by the NSADA program must be at the career level for which the planned program is intended. The NINDS expects Scholars appointed to the NSADA program to have demonstrated potential to develop into successful researchers. Scholars must devote a minimum of 9 person-months (75% of full-time professional effort) during the appointment on the K12 award pursuing research, career development and research-related activities consonant with the intent of the NSADA award. The remaining time should be devoted to developing other clinical and teaching pursuits consonant with the objectives of the award. The NSADA may support up to a maximum of 3 years of research career development activities for each Scholar.

This FOA is intended to provide support for the development of clinician-scientists with a goal of transitioning to an NINDS Mentored Career Development Award for clinician-scientists (K08 or K23), an NINDS Research Scientist Development Award (K02) or a Research Project Grant (R01). Therefore, Scholar candidates for support under this FOA must have the following: (1) a clinical degree or its equivalent, (2) residency training (or its equivalent), (3) a license to practice medicine in the U.S.A., (4) at least one mentor who has extensive and well-funded research experience and a successful track record of training clinician-scientists in child neurology, and (5) the intent to continue in a dual research/clinical career, supported by an individual career-development or research award.

The application should describe the pool of potential scholars for this program, the strategies and methods by which the pool of potential scholars is developed and maintained, and the mechanisms used, and qualifications needed, for selection of participating scholars.

Scholar candidates, who are or have been former principal investigators on NIH individual mentored or non-mentored career awards (e.g. K01, K02, K08, K22, K23, K99), major research project awards (e.g. R01), sub-projects of program project (P01) or center grants (P50), or the equivalent, are not eligible for appointment under this program. Exceptions may be made for individuals who are reentering the research field after an extended absence. Scholar candidates who were former or who are current principal investigators on NIH small grants (R03) or exploratory/developmental grants (R21) remain eligible. Scholar candidates may not concurrently hold any other PHS award that duplicates the provisions of this award.

Scholar Citizenship and Residency Requirement: Only U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals, or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence who have a currently valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551), or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident prior to admission into the K12 program, are eligible for scholar support from this program. Non-citizen nationals, although not U.S. citizens, owe permanent allegiance to the U.S. They are usually persons born in lands that are not states but are under U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible. Details on citizenship requirements are available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed institutional career development program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and relevant resources that can contribute to the planned program. Applicant institutions must also guarantee the required protected time for the scholars selected for support.

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application package associated with this funding opportunity using the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants.gov.

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.

All page limitations described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

The forms package associated with this FOA includes all applicable components, required and optional. Please note that some components marked optional in the application package are required for submission of applications for this FOA. Follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide to ensure you complete all appropriate optional components.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA).

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA).

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA), with the following additional modifications:

Substitute all references to trainees in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with scholars and all references to training in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with career development .

Project Summary /Abstract. Provide an abstract of the entire application, including the long-term goals and objectives of the program. Include the rationale and design of the program, the planned duration of the program and the projected number of scholars, including their levels (i.e., year of residency, fellowship, faculty).

Other Attachments:

Advisory committee to the PD/PI. Applicants are expected to form a committee with representatives from appropriate basic and/or clinical science departments to advise the PD/PI on management of the program. Inclusion of a pediatric neurologist with a record of successful independent research is encouraged The advisory committee is encouraged to provide input, guidance, and oversight of the program. A description of the committee's role in program development and implementation, selection of scholars (if applicable), formulation of recruitment strategies and evaluation of overall effectiveness of the program should be provided. Describe the membership (including background relevant to the program and reasoning behind their selection) and any other responsibilities of the advisory committee.

Advisory committee to the Scholar. An advisory committee for each scholar should be established to provide input and guidance to the scholar, and to provide oversight of the scholar s progress. There may be a single committee to advise all scholars or multiple committees tailored to the needs of each individual scholar. These committees should be composed of experts in all areas necessary to ensure the success of the scholar(s) in research, career development and ultimately the creation and management of an independent research lab. Provide a plan for the appointment of members to scholar committees. Composition, responsibilities, frequency of meetings, and other relevant information should be included. If members are known, describe the composition of the Advisory Committee(s), identifying the role and expertise of members. Note that proposed Advisory Committee members for scholars need not be named in the application, but in this case, a description of the plan by which the committee will be selected should be provided. However, renewal applications with Advisory Committees should include names of existing external advisors. Please name your file Advisory_Committees.pdf .

Previously Supported Scholars

For renewal applications, provide a list of all scholars previously supported by the NSADA K12 with the following associated information: their dates of support by the NSADA K12, their primary mentors for the K12 training period, their most recent and/or most important publications, subsequent grant awards for which they were PD/PI, if known, their current positions (or most recent position known with date) and any other pertinent research-associated accomplishments. Please name your file "Previously_Supported_Scholars.pdf".

The filename provided for each Other Attachment will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA).

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA).

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA).

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following additional modifications:

• The R&R Budget Component must be used instead of the Training Budget Component.
• Include all personnel other than the Training PD(s)/PI(s) in the Other Personnel section, including clerical and administrative staff. Also include proposed salary costs for planned scholars.
• Do not complete the section on Participant/Trainee Support Costs.

All Supplemental Instructions to the SF424 (R&R) for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Application must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Substitute all references to trainees in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with scholars and all references to training in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with career development .

Program Plan

Program Administration. Describe the strengths, leadership and administrative skills, and scientific expertise of the Training PD/PI. Include the planned strategy and administrative structure to be used to oversee and monitor the program. For applications with multiple PDs/PIs, address the Leadership Plan and how the combined knowledge, skills and experience of the individual PDs/PIs will enhance the likelihood of success of the program. When a program administrator position is planned, a description of the scientific expertise, leadership, and administrative capabilities essential to coordinate a program for developing investigators must be included in the application. The PD/PI should describe past research training activities/experiences including those of mentors documenting the success of former scholars in seeking further career development and the establishment of independent productive scientific careers.

Program Faculty. Describe the expertise and experiences of the proposed mentors. Provide a description of their active research and other scholarly activities, as well as track records of mentoring and training. If there are too many potential participating faculty to list, provide details regarding those considered likely to be core mentors and provide a generalized description to provide an understanding of the expertise of other faculty involved in the program and any requirements that must be met for inclusion as mentors.

Proposed Training. Provide an overview of the proposed program: Describe the immediate and long-term objectives of the program, including activities that will be used to ensure that the objectives of the program are met. Include information about planned courses, curricula, seminars, workshops, or tutorials that will be incorporated into the training program and mentored research experiences and activities. Describe the expected timeline of different career development and research activities, and how this timeline is expected to lead to the transition to an individual mentored career development award by the end of the 3rd year of scholar support. Institutions with existing training or career development programs must explain what distinguishes this program from the others, how the programs will synergize, if applicable, and justify that the faculty, pool of potential trainees, and resources are robust enough to support additional programs. The description should include planned strategies to be used to ensure that the objectives are met. The PD/PI should also describe past research career development activities/experiences including those of mentors, documenting the success of former trainees in establishing independent productive scientific careers. Describe the plan for training of each scholar in research design, statistics and scientific rigor.

Program Evaluation. Describe an evaluation plan to review and determine the effectiveness of the program. This should include plans to obtain feedback from current and former trainees to help identify weaknesses and to provide suggestions for program improvements, as well as plans for assessing trainees career development and progression, including metrics such as degree completion (if applicable), publications, and subsequent positions. Specified evaluation metrics should be tied to the goals of the program. Evaluation results should be included in future renewal applications and in the Final Progress Report. For renewal applications, what forms of evaluation (internal, external) were performed during the prior funding cycle, who was involved in the evaluation process, what was learned from the evaluation and what, if any, changes were made as a result of the evaluation?

Trainee Candidates. Describe in general terms the pool of potential candidates including information about the types of prior clinical and research training and the expected career level required for the program. Describe plans to recruit candidates and explain how these plans will be implemented (see also section on Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity). Describe the evaluation criteria to be used in the selection of trainees. Provide brief summaries of training plans that the program will employ. The application should contain a description of how training plans will be tailored to the needs of the prospective candidates, taking into account their past experiences and competences. Applications must identify the first candidate scholar intended to be supported, describe the qualifications of the first candidate scholar (a biosketch must be included), and identify the mentor and qualifications of the mentor of the first candidate scholar. Provide a description of the research project of the first candidate scholar adequate to determine the merit of the project as a vehicle to progress to an individual career development award. Include a mentoring plan provided by the proposed mentor.

Institutional Environment and Commitment to the Program. The application must include a letter explaining the institutional commitment to the proposed institutional research career development program and a description of the non-research responsibilities generally expected of scholars. The statement of institutional commitment should specifically include a description, including time required, for all activities not directly associated with the research career development.

The institution must assure that essential time will be allowed for the PD(s)/PI(s), other faculty and mentors. The statement must also guarantee the required protected time for scholars (9 person months, equivalent to 75%) selected for the program, and provide an explicit explanation of the time required for all responsibilities not associated with research or research career development of the scholars. To the extent that there is potential overlap between clinical and research activities, this should be explained. The sponsoring institution must have well-established research programs and highly qualified faculty mentors and be the site for the institutional program. Describe the research infrastructure, facilities, etc., that are available and accessible to this Program. This includes the existence of funded laboratories and research space and activities that will meet and sustain the needs of the Program. Provide information establishing the commitment of the applicant institution, the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI), the Research Administrator, if any, and the faculty mentors to providing developmental experiences that lead to independence in biomedical, behavioral, and/or clinical research relevant to the mission of the NINDS. The statement should also indicate that the necessary resources, including financial, will be available to the scholar to complete the research project designed for the scholar.

Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity as provided in Chapter 8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research as provided in Chapter 8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Appendix

Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. .

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit Applying Electronically.

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the SF424(R&R) Application Package. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management (SAM). Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed.

Applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year (excluding consortium F&A) must contact NIH program staff at least 6 weeks before submitting the application and follow the Policy on the Acceptance for Review of Unsolicited Applications that Request $500,000 or More in Direct Costs as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-10-115.

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. As part of the NIH mission, all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

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

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific 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.

Career Development Program and Environment

• Does the proposed program clearly outline a plan to recruit and develop well-qualified junior investigators in an area relevant to the objectives of the FOA?
• Is the career development plan likely to contribute significantly to the scientific development of the scholars?
• Will implementation of the proposed program advance the objectives of this funding opportunity announcement?
• Is there evidence of an adequate pool of potential scholars who could benefit from receiving career development support?
• Are the general plans for career development of scholars likely to promote the successful research career development of the scholars?
• Are the content and duration of proposed didactic, training-related, and research-related activities of the program appropriate?
• Does the program provide appropriate training in scientific rigor, research design and statistics?
• Are appropriate timelines indicated for career progression and transition to independence?
• Does the institutional environment in which the program will be conducted contribute to the probability of success?
• Does the proposed career development program benefit from any unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or employ useful collaborative arrangements?
• Is there evidence of appropriate collaboration among participating programs, departments, and institutions?
• Is the institutional commitment to the proposed program appropriate? If multiple sites are participating, is this adequately justified in terms of the career development and research experiences provided?
• Are adequate plans provided for coordination and communication between multiple sites (if appropriate)?
• Is there sufficient assurance that the required effort of the PD/PI, mentors and scholars will be devoted directly to the research training, career development, and related activities?
• Is the plan for advisory committee to the NSADA program adequate with regard to the provision of input, guidance and oversight of the program?
• Is the plan for creation of advisory committees for scholars adequate to ensure valuable assistance to the scholar with regard to research career development and advancement?Are adequate research facilities and relevant resources being made available for the planned program?
• For programs submitting competing renewal applications, what are the quality and effectiveness of the program in developing new independent investigators?
• For institutions with other K12 programs, is this proposed program distinct from that offered by the other K12 Programs?

Career Development Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s))

• Do the PD/PI and Research Administrator (if applicable), have the experience to develop, direct and administer the proposed research and development program?
• Does the leadership team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the program?
• Is there evidence that an appropriate level of effort will be devoted by the program leadership to ensure program objectives?
• Are the research qualifications, scientific stature, previous leadership and mentoring experience, and track records of all key personnel appropriate for the proposed career development program?
• Are the PD(s)/PI(s) currently engaged in research relevant to the scientific area of the proposed program?
• Does the PD/PI have a record of preparing clinicians for independent research careers?
• Does the PD/PI have the scientific background, expertise, and experience to provide strong leadership, direction, management, and administration of the proposed research training program?
• Is sufficient administrative and research training support provided for the program?

Mentors

• Do the mentors have the appropriate expertise and experience, as well as successful track records of past mentoring and training?
• Have mentors successfully trained clinician-scientists?
• Is there a plan in place for mentorship of all scholars by at least one clinician-scientist?
• Are the quality and extent of the mentor’s roles in providing guidance and scientific advice to the scholars acceptable?
• Do the mentors have a record of outstanding research?
• Are the mentors currently engaged in research relevant to the proposed research training program?
• Do the mentors have adequate funding for support of scholar research activities?

Candidates/Scholars

• What is the quality of plans to identify, recruit, and select candidates, with a commitment to research relevant to the mission of the FOA, and the potential to develop as independent researchers?
• Is there an appropriate plan for the content, the phasing, and the proposed duration of the career development plan for achieving scientific independence for the prospective candidates?
• What is the likelihood that the career development plan will contribute significantly to the scientific development of the scholars?
• Does the plan for selection of the scholars include all of the eligibility criteria stated in the FOA?

Training Record

• Is there evidence of a successful past training record of the PD/PI and mentors, including the success of former scholars in seeking independent support and establishing productive scientific careers?
• Does the program have a rigorous evaluation plan to assess the quality and effectiveness of the training?
• Are the evaluation plan and timeline adequate for assessing the effectiveness (process and outcome) of the program in achieving its goals and objectives?

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.

Protections for Human Subjects

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Vertebrate Animals

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Biohazards

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Resubmissions

For Resubmissions, 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.

Renewals

For Renewals, the committee will consider the progress made in the last funding period, including on the Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity, and Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. Does the application describe the program’s accomplishments over the past funding period(s)? Are changes proposed that would improve or strengthen the career development experience? Is there evidence of a successful past training record of the PD/PI and mentors, including the success of former scholars in seeking independent support and establishing productive scientific careers? Has the program been adequately evaluated and has the level of success been satisfactory? Do the results of the evaluation document a continued need for support for this program? Is the approach for the next project period responsive to the results of the program’s evaluation?

Revisions

For Revisions, 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.

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

Recruitment & Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity

Peer reviewers will separately evaluate the recruitment and retention plan to enhance diversity after the overall score has been determined. Reviewers will examine the strategies to be used in the recruitment and retention of individuals from underrepresented groups. The review panel s evaluation will be included in an administrative note in the summary statement. Plans and past record will be rated as acceptable or unacceptable, and the summary statement will provide the consensus of the review committee.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Taking into account the specific characteristics of the career development program, level of scholar experience, and the particular circumstances of the scholars, the reviewers will address the following questions. Does the plan satisfactorily address the format of instruction, e.g., lectures, coursework and/or real-time discussion groups? Do plans include a sufficiently broad selection of subject matter, such as conflict of interest, authorship, data management, human subjects and animal use, laboratory safety? Do the plans adequately describe how faculty will participate in the instruction? Does the plan meet the minimum requirements for RCR, i.e., eight contact hours of instruction every four years? Plans and past record will be rated as acceptable or unacceptable, and the summary statement will provide the consensus of the review committee.

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).

Budget and Period of Support

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

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s)convened by the NINDS, in accordance with NIH peer review policy and procedures, using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications:

• May undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact score.
• Will receive a written critique.

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. 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 project to program priorities.

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

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the grantee’s business official.

Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. 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.

Any application awarded in response to this FOA will be subject to the DUNS, SAM Registration, and Transparency Act requirements as noted on the Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website.

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. More information is provided at Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants.

The Non-Competing Continuation Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590 or RPPR) and financial statements as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are required annually. Continuation support will not be provided until the required forms are submitted and accepted. Chapter 8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, Additional Instructions for Preparing a Progress Report for an Institutional Research Training Grant, Including Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards, must be followed.

Failure by the grantee institution to submit required forms in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in an expenditure disallowance or a delay in any continuation funding for the award.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act), includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of applicable NIH grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.fsrs.gov on all subawards over $25,000. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting requirement.

• The institution must submit a completed Statement of Appointment (PHS Form 2271) for each scholar appointed or reappointed to the career development program. Grantees must submit the PHS 2271 data electronically using the xTrain system. More information on xTrain is available at xTrain (eRA Commons). An appointment or reappointment may begin any time during the budget period, but not before the budget period start date of the grant year.
• A notarized statement verifying possession of permanent residency documentation must be submitted with the Statement of Appointment (Form PHS 2271). Individuals with a Conditional Permanent Resident status must first meet full (non-conditional) Permanent Residency requirements before receiving support.

A final progress report, invention statement, and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award as described in theNIH Grants Policy Statement. Evaluation results should be included as part of the final Progress Report.

In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related programs, the NIH may request information essential to an assessment of the effectiveness of this program from databases and from participants themselves. Participants may be contacted after the completion of this award for periodic updates on various aspects of their employment history, publications, support from research grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

Prior consultation with the Director of the NINDS Office of Training, Career Development and Workforce Diversity is strongly encouraged.

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission, downloading or navigating forms)
Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726
Email: support@grants.gov

GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and process, finding NIH grant resources)
Telephone 301-710-0267
TTY 301-451-5936
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov

eRA Commons Help Desk (Questions regarding eRA Commons registration, tracking application status, post submission issues)
Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
TTY: 301-451-5939
Email: commons@od.nih.gov

Stephen Korn, Ph.D.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 301-496-4188
Email: korns@ninds.nih.gov

Chief, Scientific Review Branch
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 301-496-9223
Email: nindsreview.nih.gov@mail.nih.gov

Ms. Tijuana Decoster
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 301-496-9231
Email: decostert@ninds.nih.gov

Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

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.