Required Application Instructions

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, 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

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages exploratory applications for the development of innovative, collaborative research projects on brain and other nervous system function and disorders throughout life, relevant to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Collaborations may be proposed between investigators in the United States (U.S) and any LMIC or between upper middle income country (UMIC) investigators and their partners in any other LMIC.

These developmental/exploratory research grants are expected to prepare the foundation for more comprehensive research programs that enrich the knowledge base and contribute to the long-term goals of sustainably strengthening research capacity in LMICs to 1) address nervous system development, function and impairment throughout life and 2) lead to diagnostics, prevention, treatment and implementation strategies. The proposed work may also contribute to developing a base for research networking and for evidence-based policy beyond the specific research project.

During the past several decades, improvements in health care have led to a decrease in mortality (including and especially among children) and an increase in life expectancy in LMICs. These positive trends have set the stage for a complex and paradoxical epidemiology of health and disease as more children survive into adulthood and are affected by the sequelae of combined early illness, malnutrition and adverse experiences. These exposures can also advance the onset and severity of chronic diseases including cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders in later life. Similarly, socio-economic factors, such as poverty, conflict, stigma and gender inequalities, contribute to the initial causes (such as injury, psychological trauma, chronic adversity, genetic vulnerability and infection) of many nervous system disorders. These disorders in turn handicap the physical and cognitive ability of individuals and their societies to address the root causes of the very conditions that may not only affect them but also future generations.

Data published in the updated Global Burden of Disease 2010 (GBD 2010; http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/gbd/en/), continue to show that non-communicable diseases and disorders (NCDs) are rapidly becoming the dominant causes of poor health globally, including all LMIC regions except sub-Saharan Africa (where they are second only to HIV/AIDS, as defined by contribution to years lived with disability ,YLD ).

Disorders of the nervous system, e.g. Alzheimer s Disease, combined with disorders affecting the nervous system, e.g. cerebral malaria, in aggregate contribute the most to the global burden of NCD disease and disability (more than a quarter of the burden, followed by cardiovascular disease and cancer). They also contribute about a third of the burden due only to NCDs in LMICs (Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors Report, DCP2, 2006, http://www.dcp-3.org/dcp2 and see the GBD 2010). In fact, nervous system disorders account for four out of the six leading causes of YLDs. They are: mental and behavioral disorders, especially unipolar depression and bipolar affective disorder, substance-use and alcohol-use disorders, schizophrenia and dementias.

Maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions (including anemia) along with communicable diseases still contribute disproportionately to Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs, a measure of overall disease burden, expressed as the number of years lost due to ill-health and disability or early death) in LMICs as compared to high income countries. All of these conditions may also lead to nervous system problems. (http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/gbd/en/).

Infectious and parasitic diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other neglected tropical diseases, are a particular burden for LMICs, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where they continue to be important causes of YLDs by themselves and due to their long term effects on the nervous system, especially of children. However, very limited data are available on the epidemiology, natural history and pathogenesis of neurological problems caused by these diseases and associated opportunistic infections and co-morbidities in these settings.

Chronic Pain, especially of the neck and back, is also now recognized for its large contribution to the burden of disability. Neurological disorders such as epilepsy, migraine, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis make smaller but significant contributions. Stroke and perinatal asphyxia, with neurological complications, are also a significant problem in LMICs particularly since some of the causative factors of stroke such as hypertension are poorly treated in LMICs as compared to high income countries.

Mental and substance use disorders were ranked as the 3rd leading contributors to the burden of disease according to GBD 2010, when the burden attributable to suicide (which is a leading cause of death in many regions) is also considered. Depression, the most common psychiatric disorder, accounts for the largest proportion of suicide DALYs (46%).

The incidence of neuro-developmental disorders and related cognitive disorders (such as mental retardation, behavioral disorders, learning disabilities and cerebral palsy) is less well characterized in LMICs. However, many of the root causes of developmental disabilities including genetic and nutritional factors, infectious diseases, environmental toxins, and traumatic events (both pre- and post-natal) are particularly common in resource-poor countries, and their prevalence is high. These disorders, along with disability due to injury or insult to the brain and central nervous system during infancy or childhood, are clearly a heavy burden in LMICs.

Disability from disease and injury and the need for rehabilitation and accommodation will be an increasingly heavy burden on all health systems. GBD 2010 also puts an important spotlight on nervous system related chronic disability (and its particularly heavy toll on women) from, for example, mental health disorders, substance abuse, musculoskeletal disease, accidents, chronic pain and loss of vision and hearing.

Overall, the burden of neurological, mental, behavioral and substance use disorders together is expected to rise worldwide, as a proportion of the global burden of disease and disability, because of the projected increase in the number of individuals entering the ages of risk for the onset of many such disorders. As recently as 1950, about 5% of the people in the world were over 65 and about 15% under 5. Those numbers are on track to switch between the years 2030-2050. This transition highlights both the direct attention needed to research on diseases and disorders of later life along with the need for research on the influence and impact of early health/illness/treatment, experience and environment on development of those diseases and disorders across the lifespan. The rise of these disorders is expected to be steeper in LMICs, because of the continuing and long lasting contributing effects of early life trauma, infectious disease and malnutrition.

These problems pose a greater burden on vulnerable groups such as people living in poverty, those coping with disease and those exposed to emergencies. Disaster, war and conflict situations, especially prevalent in many LMICs, may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which affects a substantial proportion of the overall population exposed to such conditions and which may lead to persistent dysfunction. In addition, stigmatization and gender inequality amplify many of the key risk factors for nervous system disorders. At the same time, available care is frequently inadequate. In some countries, the overall physician-patient ratio can be low as 1:20,000, with even fewer psychiatrists and neurologists.

Lack of adequate prevention and treatment in LMICs is a major contributor to the burden of disease and disability. Some disabling brain disorders are readily treatable at low cost, and yet many in LMICs suffer untreated with detrimental individual, family and societal consequences. For example, epilepsy is a common brain disorder that disproportionately affects people in LMICs (roughly 85 percent of the total number affected worldwide). Although inexpensive and effective treatments are available, epilepsy is frequently untreated and even unrecognized in LMICs often because of stigmatization and lack of knowledge. For such disorders, implementation science that integrates social and cultural factors into education, media, policy and behavior change research is especially needed and appropriate.

Prevention of disability due to neurological impairment is possible in many situations with appropriate research leading to knowledge and interventions. For example, research to identify neurotoxins and their mechanisms can be combined with interventions to minimize human exposure by reduction in use or release to the environment and by appropriate safeguards in occupational settings.

Despite their enormous burden of disease, nervous system disorders have been largely absent from the global health research agenda. In addition to research on the etiology, prevention and treatment of individual conditions and disorders, more information is needed on co-morbidities among nervous system disorders and between these disorders and other chronic NCDs. Many of these conditions exist together in LMICs and are likely to have more severe and complicated effects than any in isolation and often extend beyond the individual affected (for example maternal depression as a risk factor for infant stunting). Research on the social and economic impact of neurological, psychiatric, and developmental disorders is needed to inform interventions, implementation and policy. Research is also needed to further define the burden and identify knowledge gaps, needs, opportunities and methods to effectively reduce the burden and to lay the ground work for developing and testing interventions.

Applicants are encouraged to refer for more background to recent publications summarizing the state of knowledge on the burden of nervous system disorders around the world including the following: Disease Control Priorities Related to Mental, Neurological, Developmental and Substance Abuse Disorders (contains five chapters from the Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries, second edition, World Health Organization 2006, http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2006/924156332x_eng.pdf. Also see http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/gbd/en/.

Relevant research topics for this FOA are related to nervous system function and/or impairment from birth to advanced age and across generations, and must be relevant to the collaborating LMICs. Applicants are especially encouraged to propose research on co-morbidities and conditions that affect nervous system function at different life stages, as well as across the lifespan. Relevant research for these applications may range from basic science to epidemiological, clinical, health services, translational (e.g. translation of basic research to therapy and of clinical research to applications in the field) and implementation research. Applicants may propose a research and capacity building program on some aspect of nervous system function and/or impairment at any stage of life.

Examples of nervous system disorders contributing to the burden of disease in LMICs and relevant to this FOA include, but are not limited to, neuro-developmental disorders (including autism, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, learning disabilities), neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases), addictive disorders, seizure disorders (such as epilepsy), neuropsychiatric disorders (such as unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), posttraumatic stress disorder, dementias, encephalopathy, peripheral neuropathies, sensory and motor neuron diseases.

Examples of influences on nervous system function across the lifespan include, but are not limited to: genetic predispositions and epigenetic changes in response to pre-, peri- and post-natal trauma and environmental factors (such as maternal depression, in-utero drug and alcohol exposure, neuro-toxic insults, perinatal hypoxia, child abuse and neglect, inadequate environmental stimulation, and nutritional deficiencies), physical and psychological trauma (exposure to violence, sexual and physical abuse, traumatic nervous system injury due to violence and accidents), infection of the nervous system by viral and parasitic diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, neuro-cysticercosis) and stroke. Other factors affecting healthy brain development include access to appropriate health care and socioeconomic factors.

Examples of some cross-cutting areas for research are:

• Ethnographic studies and other areas of social science, particularly to address health systems, availability of resources, preventive or screening practices, and appropriate interventions within a given society or group;
• Gender and socio-cultural and economic factors in the etiology, prevention and treatment of the disorders to be addressed;
• Sex differences at all levels of brain and nervous system function and disorders;
• The influence of socio-cultural or other environmental variables on the natural history of common neurological diseases/disorders and how this knowledge can be used for treatment and intervention;
• Factors associated with aging affecting cognitive, emotional and physical health and survival in older persons along with interventions and treatments;
• Co-occurring risk factors or conditions, especially common in the LMIC or region (e.g. neuro-toxic or traumatic insult plus infectious disease and/or malnutrition);
• Mechanisms (e.g. neurotoxic, epigenetic) underlying genetic, physiological, environmental, social and economic factors and interactions that affect brain function or development and result in behavioral outcomes (e.g., expression of cognitive impairment, coping, adaptation, response to intervention); and
• Epidemiology: 1) Descriptive epidemiology to describe and define the problem in the countries in question by assessing the needs and determining the magnitude of factors involved in the problem to be addressed (e.g., research on trends in incidence, prevalence or mortality; distribution of disease; determination of population at risk; determination of case definition/disease classification). 2) Analytical epidemiology to identify potential etiological factors in the populations of interest, including factors responsible for predispositions to the neurological consequences of various infection and/or neurotoxins (e.g., identification of risk factors for neurological consequences of disease onset or progression; classification and measurement of exposure; magnitude and distribution of known risk factors).

Types of research relevant to this announcement include basic research and epidemiology, as well as translational research, research on diagnostics, early interventions, clinical treatment, prevention, and health services that are culturally appropriate, feasible, and acceptable for implementation within the LMIC. This FOA encourages development of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and the capacity in the LMIC to conduct such research, relevant to the research question. Expertise may involve, but is not limited to, fields such as genetics/epigenetics, epidemiology, neurology, cognitive neuroscience, developmental neurobiology, neuro-toxicology, neuro-endocrinology, pharmacology, psychiatry, neuro-immunology, neuro-virology, neurosurgery, neuro-rehabilitation and biotechnology (e.g., for development of diagnostic tools and treatments), as well as the behavioral and social sciences including health economics, health services and implementation science.

Research Capacity Building

The proposed collaborative exploratory/developmental research is expected to help build the capacity for full research programs by improving the research environment and strengthening LMIC individual and institutional research capabilities in the proposed research areas. The proposed work and follow up research are expected to contribute to the long-term goals of building sustainable research capacity for brain and nervous system diseases and disorders in LMICs. The proposed project may also contribute to the development of research networks and evidence-based policy.

For purposes of the research capacity building and networking encouraged in this FOA, and for background, applicants are also encouraged to use as a resource the compilation of the past awards under the past FOAs under the Brain Disorders in the Developing World: Research Across the Lifespan program (http://www.fic.nih.gov/Programs/Pages/brain-disorders.aspx) and the recent symposium highlighting a decade of research under the program (http://www.fic.nih.gov/News/GlobalHealthMatters/january-february-2014/Pages/brain-disorders-program-10th-anniversary.aspx ).

Participating NIH institutes and Centers (ICs) provided specific statements of interest for this FOA below. Applicants can obtain more information on research interests for each of the NIH participants in this FOA at their web sites and through their Scientific/Research contact listed in this announcement.

The Fogarty International Center (FIC) is interested in all eligible applications relevant to its mission. The FIC Strategic plan (http://www.fic.nih.gov/About/Pages/Strategic-Plan.aspx) states the following relevant goals: 1) Build research capacity through individuals, institutions, and networks to meet future and evolving global health challenges; 2) Stimulate innovation in the development and implementation of technologies and other locally relevant solutions to address global health problems; 3) Support research and research training in implementation science; 4) Advance research on prevention and control of the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases and disabilities; and 5) Build and strengthen partnerships to advance global health research and research capacity.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA)is interested in applications relevant to Alzheimer's disease, other degenerative diseases of the nervous system in aging, and/or age-related changes in cognition, memory, sensory, and/or motor function, and in brain structural and functional connectivity at the cell, circuit, and network level. Of interest also are studies on reducing disability and/or preventing or slowing additional decline among persons with cognitive, sensory, or motor disabilities as they continue to age. The studies may be laboratory-, clinic-, or population-based. Cross-cultural studies with data harmonization are welcome if focused on the topics above.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is particularly interested in encouraging research on problems in child health and development, such as intellectual and developmental disabilities, cognitive and behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities. Relevant research includes etiology, patho-physiology, screening, prevention, treatment, and epidemiology. Also of interest are studies on cognitive, social, and affective development, including studies in high-risk settings (e.g., in violent or abusive environments, or families experiencing stressors such as poverty, unemployment or parental depression). Biomedical, behavioral, and bio-behavioral research in these areas is encouraged along with investigations of socio- and ethno-cultural, familial, individual, and biological influences. Also of interest are studies investigating the roles played by nutrition, stressors and hormonal factors in nervous system development and function. Additionally, the interaction of infectious diseases (for example, HIV, malaria, tuberculosis) with the brain/development in the fetus and infants, children and adolescents is of interest to NICHD. NICHD also encourages research on the effective use of information technologies for research, research capacity building, public health registries and tracking systems, data collection and management, point of care technologies and applications of new technologies for affordable screening and research in LMICs. NICHD is further interested in enhancing the capacity of LMIC investigators to conduct clinical trials and the inclusion of children in translational research, and the inherent ethical, legal and social issues that arise in such clinical research.

The National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) of the NICHD is interested in promoting the discovery of new and cost-effective prostheses for treatment of physical disabilities in the developing world. Interface with the nervous system may be a critical part of this type of rehabilitation research and grantees should consider partnerships that explore this interface. In addition, cognitive rehabilitation is particularly effective when combined with technology through computer based games as part of therapy, telemedicine, consultations among physicians, and patient reminders for appointments, medications or exercises. NCMRR is interested in rehabilitation across the life-span for a wide range of disease/disorders including stroke, brain and spinal cord trauma, neurodegenerative disorders and diseases of the nervous system that result from infection. NCMRR is particularly interested in research on approaches to medical/cognitive rehabilitation that minimize costs and can be provided in community settings

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invites research on any area currently supported by NIDA. However, current priority topics are:

• Active drug use is often associated with increased risk of HIV transmission, non-adherence to HAART or lapses in HIV treatment. Studies are needed to discern the impact of HIV and AIDS on brain development and function;
• Amphetamine type stimulant abuse and synthetic and other designer drug abuse are growing problems in the U.S. and around the world. Studies are encouraged to assess the nature and extent of amphetamine type stimulant abuse and synthetic and other designer drug abuse, their short and long term sequelae on brain and behavior, and prevention and treatment options;
• Inhalant abuse continues to be an under-recognized public health problem in many countries. Studies are encouraged to improve epidemiological data on the nature and extent of abuse, to develop and implement effective prevention programs, to better understand the neurobiological impacts of these agents, and to increase public awareness of their impact;
• Smoking during pregnancy studies are encouraged to increase our knowledge of the prenatal impact of smoking and the effects of early exposure to tobacco in young people and adolescents on development of addiction and other diseases and on cognitive development; and
• Drugged driving studies are encouraged to develop and utilize accurate drug testing technologies to assess the prevalence of driving under the influence of drugs, the role of drugs in accidents, and to assess the costs and benefits of laws and other programs to reduce the incidence and impact of drugged driving.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) conducts and supports research in 7 scientific program areas: hearing, balance/vestibular, voice, speech, language, taste and smell. The mission of the NIDCD is to reduce the burden of communicative disorders and improve public health. NIDCD is especially interested in applications that strengthen research capacity building & clinical intervention by otolaryngologists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists and related medical and health professionals. Areas focused on newborn screening of hearing ability and early identification and treatment of voice, speech, and language delay or disorders are highly desirable.

Normal hearing ability is central to development of effective verbal expression. Communication disorders occur throughout the lifespan and can occur in isolation (e.g. hearing loss, stuttering) or may occur within the context of a hearing impairment or a neuro-developmental disorders (e.g. autism). Communication disorders may be heritable, due to in utero exposure, or result from injury, neurologic condition (e.g. stroke), head and neck cancer, or coexist with congenital physical conditions (e.g. cleft lip/palate). Developing research capacity of a health related workforce fluent in the languages spoken in the LMIC is a plus. Applications from institutions within a geographic region which shares the same spoken language e.g. Latin America, Middle East and North Africa would offer nodes on which to build future regional networks for communication disorders or for the development of national and regional Centers of Excellence in Communication Sciences & Disorders.

NIDCD is interested in funding the development and implementation of epidemiological studies on the incidence, prevalence, and determinants of hearing impairment and other communication disorders across the lifespan, including risks associated with behavioral, demographic, environmental, genetic, or other health factors.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is interested in supporting research in LMICs to identify the causes of, and opportunities to prevent or ameliorate the consequences of neurotoxic insult to the nervous system throughout the lifespan. Research in LMICs is encouraged in how exposures to toxic environmental insults alter biologic processes, are linked to disease initiation or progression, or affect the risk of either disease development or distribution in populations. Examples of environmental exposures of interest include industrial chemicals or manufacturing byproducts, metals, pesticides, herbicides, air pollutants and other inhaled toxicants, particulates or fibers, fungal, food or bacterially derived toxins (but not infectious agents, per se) and indoor air pollutants from cooking stoves and other sources.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) encourages research that:

• Charts the course of neuropsychiatric disorders over the lifespan in order to: (a) understand ideal times and methods for intervention to preempt or treat mental disorders and hasten recovery; (b) examine the interactions of neurobiological systems and environmental/social factors that affect brain development, resulting in maladaptive behavioral outcomes (e.g., cognitive impairment, inability to respond to intervention); or (c) identify molecular or circuit pathways of neural function that are promising new intervention targets;
• Assesses new psychosocial and biomedical interventions, with a focus on mediators, moderators, and predictors (e.g., biological, genetic, behavioral, experiential, environmental) of intervention response and side effects in diverse patient populations;
• Develops and tests novel models and methods for implementing effective mental health interventions in diverse systems of health care and to meet the needs of those groups that typically have less access to evidence-based mental health services;
• Seeks to understand sex, genetic, or other biological differences implicated in the presentation, course, severity, or disease burden of mental disorders or in treatment response; and
• Targets HIV/AIDS related topics such as epidemiology, natural history and pathogenesis and genetics of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and neuropsychiatric disorders before and after treatment initiation in adult and pediatric populations; examination of the neurobehavioral consequences, with respect to in-utero exposure to a dysregulated immune environment and/or antiretroviral medication and consequences of being born to an HIV-positive mother. NIMH encourages development of common standardized assessment instruments with appropriate norms that can provide reliable and valid measurement of neurobehavioral consequences of HIV and its treatments throughout the age-span in low- and medium-resource environments; and develops interventions to improve neurobehavioral functioning compromised by HIV/AIDS and its associated conditions that can be implemented in LMICs.
• Applicants proposing to conduct a clinical trial under this FOA should review information about NIMH’s new direction for clinical trials research. NIMH’s shift in focus for clinical trials aims to accelerate treatment development and bring improved therapies to patients with mental disorders. See: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/opportunities-announcements/clinical-trials-foas/index.shtml .

NIMH would also like to encourage the NIMH mission centered research networks option as described in this FOA.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is interested in supporting mechanistic, epidemiological, prevention, translational and clinical research across the spectrum of neurological, neuromuscular and neurovascular diseases and disorders in all ages. In addition to prevalent neurological disorders and stroke, NINDS is also interested in supporting research and capacity building in areas of rare and neglected neurological diseases that are relevant to the collaborating LMICs (NINDS Disorder Index http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/disorder_index.htm) NINDS would like to encourage the development of networks in topical disease-related areas (e.g., stroke, epilepsy or other high burden neurological disorders in LMICs) or linked to existing programs or resources in LMICs (e.g., MEPI, H3Africa, or other NIH funded projects) to share capacity building activities and conduct collaborative research. Under this FOA, the NINDS is interested in applications that lay the groundwork for future clinical trials, such as conducting surveys of available patient populations, developing clinical trial protocols and training materials, and establishing trial infrastructure for recruiting and treating subjects and collecting, receiving, storing and distributing study drugs, and processing data and laboratory specimens.

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)

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

• 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)
• Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions)

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

To determine country income categories, please view the following: http://data.worldbank.org/country. The subcategories of LMICs are: upper-middle-income (UMIC), lower-middle-income and low-income countries.

At least one institution in the U.S. or an UMIC, and at least one institution in a LMIC must be involved as partners in the grant application (UMIC institutions are eligible to partner either with U.S. institutions or directly with other LMIC institutions with no U.S. partner).

Exceptions:

Foreign high income country (HIC) institutions are not eligible institutional partners under this FOA.

Note that Hong Kong-based institutions are not eligible as applicant or primary LMIC partner institutions. As long as China remains a LMIC, a second institution in mainland China must be involved as the primary collaborating UMIC institution if an institution in Hong Kong is included.

Applicant Organizations

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. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons. 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 PDs/PIs, 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.

This FOA provides an avenue for investigators in the U.S. and LMICs, with shared interests in brain and other nervous system disorders, to establish collaborative research and research capacity strengthening activities. Therefore, one or more investigators from an institution in the U.S. (or UMIC) and one or more from an institution in a LMIC (see definitions above, in the Eligible Institutions section) must collaborate on the application. Use of the multiple PD/PI format is encouraged but not required. Where there are multiple PD/PIs, the contact PD/PI may be from the LMIC institution or from the U.S. but the collaborators are expected to prepare the application jointly.

Non U.S.-based HIC investigators are not eligible as PD/PIs but may be included as consultants, especially if they present special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, or provide resources relevant to the proposed project that either are not readily available in the eligible LMIC or the U.S. institution or which augment existing resources.

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

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

The NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time. This means that the NIH will not accept:

• A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application.
• A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.
• An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review (see NOT-OD-11-101).

In addition, the NIH will not accept a resubmission (A1) application that is submitted later than 37 months after submission of the new (A0) application that it follows. The NIH will accept 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.

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, including Supplemental Grant Application Instructions 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.

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

By the date listed in Part 1. Overview Information, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

• Descriptive title of proposed activity
• Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s)
• Names of other key personnel
• Participating institution(s)
• Number and title of this funding opportunity

The letter of intent should be sent, preferably by email, to:

Kathleen Michels, Ph.D.
Telephone: 301-496-1653
Fax: 301-402-0779
Email: [email protected]

All page limitations described in the SF424 Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed

The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this FOA.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

It is expected that the majority of funds awarded (greater than 51% of the total direct costs) will be used for supplies, research capacity building costs, equipment, services, travel, and personnel at the LMIC site(s). Any funds spent at the U.S. (or UMIC PD/PIs institution) site will be directly related to the collaborative research or research capacity building activities under the grant and will involve the LMIC collaborators.

Supplemental Budget Information:

Networking meetings (3 days) involving grantees of these awards will be held at a site in the U.S. each year. A yearly meeting outside the U.S. focusing on evidence based dissemination and implementation policy, but in a regional context, will also be convened.

Funds should be budgeted for travel to at least one three day networking meeting per year (in the U.S. or other country to be determined by year) by the PDs/PIs, LMIC collaborators, and/or other relevant individuals with significant day-to-day involvement in the activities performed under this award.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Specific Aims: Describe how the proposed research is relevant to the interests of one of the participating NIH Institutes or Centers.

The main goals of the R21 application should be to:

• Build or expand on research collaborations between U.S. (or UMIC) and LMIC country institutions, individuals and teams;
• Pursue basic, epidemiological, clinical, prevention, intervention or health services research, in the area of nervous system development, function and impairment at any stage of life and on topics particularly relevant to LMICs;
• Strengthen the research capabilities of LMIC partners and institutions to enable further research to take place during and beyond the R21 period; and
• Contribute to developing a base for further networking and research to support evidence-based policy in the LMICs beyond the R21-specific research project.

Research Strategy: The R21 grant will provide support to assess needs, to initiate preliminary studies and strengthen research capabilities, and to organize, plan, prepare, and assemble or solidify partnerships, additional expertise, information and data as needed for an application for a more comprehensive research grant (e.g. PAR-14-332 involving collaboration between U.S. (or UMIC) and LMIC investigators in the proposed research area(s) relevant to this FOA. The application should define an exploratory research project and associated plan for developing and strengthening research capabilities.

All R21 research teams must:

• Assess research needs (define the problem and determine the magnitude of and factors involved in the problem to be addressed in the countries in question);
• Assess research capabilities needed to carry out the proposed research;
• Develop plans to address these needs to enable the proposed research and capacity building to be successfully carried out;
• Develop and solidify collaborative relationships and understandings with the partners in the countries involved;
• Test the feasibility of the approach proposed and generate preliminary data for the collaborative research to be proposed in a follow-up research grant submission; and
• Integrate research capacity strengthening into the proposed research program;
• Identify opportunities for and begin to develop relevant research networks within and/or between institutions, countries and regions; and
• Assess current resources and processes to carry out any proposed research involving human or animal subjects, including those of the performance site institutional review board (IRB), or community advisory board and begin to address any needs and gaps in knowledge or practice.

Applicants should propose specific milestones and a timeline to meet these goals.

Meetings, workshops and small conferences may be conducted as necessary to develop research plans and collaborations or for assessment of needs. New analyses of extant data sets and development or use of new methodologies or approaches may also be proposed. These activities may also serve to identify which specific research questions show the greatest promise for advancement in specific countries and settings. Travel among sites for these purposes may be proposed.

The relevance of the proposed research to the health of the host endemic country should be justified.

In addition, the planned involvement, if any, of the LMIC institution and faculty in formulating treatment and prevention policies locally, nationally, regionally or internationally should be noted.

Collaboration

The purpose of this R21 is to foster initial development of collaborative work focused on brain disorders across the lifespan, which is relevant to LMICs; accordingly, investigators need not demonstrate in the R21 any history of prior collaboration. However, those factors in the investigators' background and/or institutional circumstances that would facilitate success in such collaboration should be clearly delineated.

While there is no cap on the maximum number of investigators or institutions involved, the contributions and roles of each individual and institution and how they will be working with the whole team should be clearly delineated.

Plans for coordination of research and activities to strengthen research capabilities between the partner country institutions should be described and should include regular meetings (virtual and/or physical).

Networking

All applicants are encouraged to become familiar with other relevant research and research training being conducted at the LMIC institution, and more widely within the country and region as are feasible. Applicants may discuss the potential to take advantage of synergies for networking and collaboration for research and for activities to strengthen research capabilities.

As an option, where a strong research base exists in the relevant LMICs, applicants may submit an application with plans to form an interdisciplinary research network in topical, disease or disorder-related areas to share activities that will strengthen research capabilities and to conduct collaborative research, involving for example: multiple departments within an institution, multiple institutions within a country, or even multiple institutions in different countries. Consultation with NIH Scientific/Research staff is recommended when developing this option.

Such activities may include but are not limited to:

- leveraging NIH or other funder investments already in place in specific foreign countries,

- using common measures/data elements across research studies in a country/region,

- sharing or pooling data or creating data repositories,

- making efficient use of local/regional oversight bodies such as IRBs, DSMBs

- sharing education platforms to develop expertise across programs.

Letters of Support: Letters of support should be provided by each collaborator and collaborating institution.

Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in 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.

When conducting clinical research, follow all instructions for completing Planned Enrollment Reports as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

When conducting clinical research, follow all instructions for completing Cumulative Inclusion Enrollment Report as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Foreign (non-U.S.) institutions must follow policies described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, and procedures for foreign institutions described throughout 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. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late.

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. See Section III of this FOA for information on registration requirements.

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. 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.

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

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-13-030.

Important Update: See NOT-OD-16-006 and NOT-OD-16-011 for updated review language for applications for due dates on or after January 25, 2016.

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.

For this particular announcement, note the following:

The R21 exploratory/developmental grant supports investigation of novel scientific ideas or new model systems, tools, or technologies that have the potential for significant impact on biomedical or biobehavioral research. An R21 grant application need not have extensive background material or preliminary information. Accordingly, reviewers will focus their evaluation on the conceptual framework, the level of innovation, and the potential to significantly advance our knowledge or understanding. Appropriate justification for the proposed work can be provided through literature citations, data from other sources, or, when available, from investigator-generated data. Preliminary data are not required for R21 applications; however, they may be included if available.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact 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 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. 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? Is the research on a problem of particular relevance for the LMIC involved?

Investigator(s)

Are the PD(s)/PI(s), collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the project? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, or in the early stages of independent careers, 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 planning for a larger mission-centered research network is proposed, are investigators identified who can function as hubs and nodes in that network?

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 of the LMIC site to frame or address the research question? Does the project incorporate innovative strategies for strengthening research capabilities in the research proposed?

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 human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, are the plans to address 1) the protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion or exclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?

For projects with multiple sites and/or multidisciplinary components, is there an adequate plan to coordinate and integrate the research among the sites/components? Are the administrative plans for the management of the research project appropriate, including plans for resolving conflicts?

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?

Does the application include a feasible and relevant plan to assess specific resource and research capacity strengths, needs, and gaps at the LMIC site(s) and to follow up to use the strengths and address the needs in relation to the proposed pilot (and future) research?

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.

Research Capacity Strengthening

Does the proposed exploratory research strategy contain appropriate plans to develop related research capacity at the LMIC institution(s) as needed through research methodology training, professional development, mentoring and other models? Are there appropriate and feasible plans to help the LMIC institution(s) sustain and continue to strengthen the needed research capabilities (including networking with other LMIC institutions as appropriate if optional development of research networks is proposed)?

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. For additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Human Subjects.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children

When the proposed project involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for the inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion (or exclusion) of children to determine if it is justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Inclusion in Clinical Research.

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. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.

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.

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

Not Applicable

Revisions

Not Applicable

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.

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 U.S. or augment existing U.S. resources.

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).

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; 2) Sharing Model Organisms; and 3) Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS).

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 Center for Scientific Research (CSR), 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 Fogarty International Center Advisory 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.
• Program priorities for regional or country distribution of awards.

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 terms and conditions found on the Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website. This includes any recent legislation and policy applicable to awards that is highlighted on this 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.

Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award

Not Applicable

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

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 the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

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.

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

eRA Service Desk (Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons registration, submitting and tracking an application, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, post submission issues)
Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
Finding Help Online: https://grants.nih.gov/support/index.html
Email: [email protected]

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission, downloading forms and application packages)
Contact CenterTelephone: 800-518-4726
Email: [email protected]

GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and process, finding NIH grant resources)
Telephone: 301-945-7573
Email: [email protected]

Kathleen Michels, Ph.D.
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Telephone: 301-496-1653
Email: [email protected]

Dallas W. Anderson, Ph.D.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-496-9350
Email: [email protected]

Lana Shekim, Ph.D.
National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Telephone: 301-496-5061
Email: [email protected]

Danuta Krotoski, Ph.D.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301 496-5576
Email: [email protected]

Steve Grant, Ph.D.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Telephone: 301-402-1118
Email: [email protected]

Annette Kirshner, Ph.D.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Telephone: 919-541-0488
Email: [email protected]

Beverly Pringle, Ph.D.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-3725
Email: [email protected]

Yuan Liu, Ph.D.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 301-496-0012
Email: [email protected]

Cindy D. Davis, Ph.D.
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
Telephone: (301) 496-0168
Email: [email protected]

Suzan Nadi, PhD
Center for Scientific Review
Telephone: 301-435-1259
Email: [email protected]

Farah Bader
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Telephone: 301-496-1653
Email: [email protected]

Lesa McQueen
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-496-1472
Email: [email protected]

Bryan Clark
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-435-6975
Email: [email protected]

Carol Alderson
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Rockville, MD 20892-9541
Telephone: 301-594-5614
Email: [email protected]

Christopher Myers
National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Telephone: 301-435-0713
Email: [email protected]

Lisa Edwards
National Institute of Environmental Sciences (NIEHS)
Telephone: 919-541-0751
Email: [email protected]

Tamara Kees
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-8811
Email: [email protected]

Tijuanna DeCoster, Ph.D
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 301-496-9231
Email: [email protected]

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.