Full Text PAR-97-040 NIA PILOT RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM IN NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOLOGY NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 7, March 7, 1997 PA NUMBER: PAR-97-040 P.T. 34 Keywords: Neuroscience Biology, Developmental/Evolution Aging/Gerontology National Institute on Aging Application Receipt Dates: March 17, July 17, November 17, 1997 PURPOSE The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is seeking small grant (R03) applications to: (1) stimulate and facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the neuroscience and biology of aging and (2) encourage established investigators to enter new targeted, high priority areas in these research fields. This Small Grant (R03) Program provides support for pilot research that is likely to lead to a subsequent individual research project grant (R01) or a First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) award application and /or a significant advancement of aging research. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This program announcement, NIA Pilot Research Grant Program in Neuroscience and Biology, is related to the priority areas of unintentional injuries, diabetes and chronic disabling conditions, and immunization and infectious diseases. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-11474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-11473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. Foreign organizations and institutions are not eligible. Participation in the program by investigators at minority institutions is strongly encouraged. Pilot project grants awarded through this Program Announcement may not be used to support thesis or dissertation research. To be eligible for this award as a new investigator in aging, the proposed Principal Investigator (PI) should be an independent investigator at the beginning of her/his career. If the applicant is in the final stages of training, it is permissible to apply for an R03 but awards cannot be made to anyone still in training status at the time of award. Established investigators proposing research unrelated to a currently funded research program are also eligible to apply for these grants. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Applicants may request up to $50,000 (direct costs) for one year through the small grant (R03) mechanism. However, the grants will be awarded under Expanded Authorities and are eligible for a single one-year no cost extension. These awards are not renewable. Before completion of the R03, investigators are encouraged to seek continuing support for research through a research project grant (R01) or FIRST (R29) award. The award may not be used for salary support for the principal investigator, but may be used to support the costs of technicians or fellows to carry out the research. Replacement of the Principal Investigator on this award is not permitted. Revisions of applications previously reviewed under this initiative but unfunded are not permitted. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The Small Grant program is designed to support independent basic and clinical scientists who are interested in entering the research fields of the neuroscience or biology of aging. Targeted aims For 1997, investigators may apply for a small grant to support research on one of the following topics relevant to aging research: o Age-related factors in HIV infection, latency, progression and severity; and the susceptibility of the aging nervous system to HIV infection and AIDS-associated opportunistic infections. o Immunobiology of aging including cellular and molecular approaches, as well as neural and neuroendocrine mechanisms and pathways modulating the aging immune system. o Molecular mechanisms regulating age-related alterations in gene expression including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational processes and protein structural or conformational changes in either neural or non-neural tissues. o Development of novel biological resources for aging research (e.g., animal models, other models, molecular reagents and probes). o Basic underlying mechanisms of musculoskeletal aging (muscle, bone, cartilage). o Molecular basis of cardiovascular aging. o Nutritional factors and aging. o Biology of age-related prostate growth. o Mechanisms underlying changes in sleep and circadian processes in older organisms. o Neural mechanisms of age-related changes in attention and frontal lobe executive processes. o Mechanisms underlying changes in sensory and motor processing in the aging nervous system. o Novel tract-tracing procedures to identify age-related changes in neuronal connections and degeneration in post-mortem tissues. o Investigations into neuroglia function in aging that examine cellular and molecular factors controlling glial cell activation, death, neurotransmitter receptor and transport functions, and mitochondrial and other abnormalities leading to neuronal oxidative damage. Applications for support in areas other than those stated will be returned to the proposed Principal Investigator without review. The National Institute on Aging will modify the selected topic areas annually by reissuing the program announcement. Information on other initiatives supported by NIA may be found at the following internet address: http://www.nih.gov/nia . INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification are provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43). All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which have been published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) and prepared according to the directions in the application packet, with the exceptions noted below. Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: ASKNIH@ODROCKM1.OD.NIH.GOV. On the face page of the application: Item 2 Type "NIA PILOT RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM IN NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOLOGY". Check the "YES" box. Only one Small Grant application may be submitted by a principal investigator per receipt date. Applicants may not submit R01 or R29 applications on the same topic concurrent (to be considered at the same review cycle) with the submission of a Small Grant application. The submission, review, and award schedule for this Small Grant Program for 1997 is: Application Receipt Dates: Mar 17 Jul 17 Nov 17 Institute Committee Review: Jun-Jul Oct-Nov Feb-Mar Earliest Funding: Sep 97 Jan 98 May 98 In a cover letter, identify the specific research topic relevant to your research from the bulleted items in the RESEARCH OBJECTIVES section of this program announcement. Also indicate whether you are a new investigator to aging or an established investigator entering a new area of aging research. Sections 1-4: Do not exceed a total of ten pages for the following sections: specific aims, background and significance, progress report/preliminary studies, and experimental design and methods. Tables and figures are included in the ten page limitation. Applications that exceed the page limitation or PHS requirements for type size and margins (Refer to PHS 398 application for details) will be returned to the investigator. The ten page limitation does not include Sections 5-9 (Human Subjects, Consortia, Literature cited). "Just-in-Time" Instructions: "Just-in-Time" (JIT) is an initiative of the National Institutes of Health Extramural Reinvention Laboratory under the auspices of the National Performance Review and government-wide efforts to create a government that works better and costs less. JIT postpones the collection of certain information that previously was included in all competing applications when submitted. The information for the applications with a likelihood of funding is submitted "just-in-time" for awards to be made. This delayed exchange of information significantly relieves the administrative burden for the 75 to 80 percent of applicants who will not receive an award. In addition, the information that is exchanged "just-in-time" for award will be current, rather than several months old as is currently the case (which often necessitates a request for updated information, e.g., for other support). Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period - Do not complete form page 4 of the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95). It is not required nor will it be accepted at the time of application. In some cases it may be requested prior to award. Budget for Entire Proposed Period of Support - Do not complete the categorical budget table on form page 5 in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95). Only the requested total direct costs for each year and total direct costs for the entire proposed period of support should be shown. Begin the budget justification in the space provided, using continuation pages as needed. Budget Justification o List the name, role on project and percent effort for all project personnel (salaried or unsalaried) and provide a narrative justification for each person based on his/her role on the project and proposed level of effort. o Identify all consultants by name and organizational affiliation and describe the services to be performed. o Provide a narrative justification for any major budget items, other than personnel, that are requested for the conduct of the project that would be considered unusual for the scope of research. No specific costs for items or categories should be shown. o Indirect costs will be calculated at the time of the award using the institution's actual indirect cost rate. Applicants will be asked to identify the indirect cost exclusions prior to award. o If consortium/contractual costs are requested, provide the percentage of the subcontract total costs (direct and indirect) relative to the total direct costs of the overall project. The subcontract budget justification should be prepared following the instructions provided above. Biographical Sketch - Biographical sketches are required for all key personnel, following the modified instructions below. Do not exceed the two-page limit for each person. o Complete the education block at the top of the form page; o List current position(s) and those previous positions directly relevant to the application; o List selected peer-reviewed publications directly relevant to the proposed project, with full citation; o Provide information on research projects completed and/or research grants participated in during the last five years that are relevant to the proposed project. Title, principal investigator, funding source, and role on project must be provided. Other Support - Do not complete the other support page (format page 7 of the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95)). Information on active support for key personnel will be requested prior to award. Checklist - Do not submit the checklist page. A completed checklist will be required prior to award. Submit a signed, original of the application, including the checklist, and three exact photocopies in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040-MSC-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for courier/overnight service) In addition, to expedite the review of the application, submit two additional exact photocopies of the application directly to: Chief, Scientific Review Office National Institute on Aging Gateway Building Suite 2C212, MSC 9205 7201 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 In order not to delay review, it is important that applicants comply with this request. Amended applications will not be allowed. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will be assigned on the basis of established Public Health Service referral guidelines. Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by a review group of NIA, in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. Applications will be evaluated with respect to the following criteria: o Importance of the area to aging research. o Feasibility of the proposed exploratory research. o Likelihood of the proposed pilot project leading to the development of an R01/R29 grant application, or significant advancement of aging research. o Adequacy of approach and scientific originality and significance. o Potential for high gain, perhaps with high risk. o Appropriateness of the proposed budget and timetable in relation to the scope of the proposed research. o Qualifications and research experience of the principal investigator. o Availability of resources necessary for the research, including any needed to supplement the budget. o The adequacy of the proposed means for protecting against or minimizing potential adverse effects upon humans, animals, or the environment. o Adequacy of adherence to guidelines for including gender and minority representation in any study population AWARD CRITERIA Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review o availability of funds o program priority INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Dr. David B. Finkelstein Biology of Aging Program Telephone: (301) 496-6402 FAX: (301) 402-0010 Email: BAPquery@gw.nia.nih.gov Dr. Judy Finkelstein Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program Telephone: (301) 496-9350 FAX: (301) 496-1494 Email: NNAquery@gw.nia.nih.gov The address and general E-mail address for all the above is: National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Suite 2C212 7201 Wisconsin Avenue MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892 Email: NIAPILOT@gw.nia.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Robert Pike Grants and Contracts Management Office National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Suite 2N212 7201 Wisconsin Avenue MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-1472 FAX: (301) 402-3672 Email: pikeR@gw.nia.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.866. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410), as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. .
Return to NIH Guide Main Index
Office of Extramural Research (OER) |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
||||||||
Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files. |