Full Text PAR-97-068 MBRS SUPPORT OF CONTINUOUS RESEARCH EXCELLENCE (SCORE) NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 20, June 13, 1997 PA NUMBER: PAR-97-068 P.T. 34, FF Keywords: Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl National Institute of General Medical Sciences Application Receipt Dates: February 1, June 1, October 1 PURPOSE The purpose of the Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Support of Continuous Research Excellence (SCORE) program is to provide financial assistance to competitive research programs in all areas of biomedical and behavioral research at institutions with significant underrepresented minority student enrollment. The intent of this announcement is to provide grants to support research by faculty members at minority serving institutions. The SCORE program replaces the research component of the traditional MBRS (S06) program and the pilot research projects of the S14 program. By eliminating or modifying some of the restrictions of the traditional S06 and S14 programs, the SCORE program allows enhanced flexibility in the development of research projects. In addition, the MBRS Branch recognizes that minority and minority-serving institutions are diverse in institutional environment and mission. Therefore, with respect to evaluation activities, this program requires that the institution set its own specific goals and measurable objectives. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for a grant under this program, an applicant must be located in a State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, Guam, American Samoa, or the successor States of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau), and be one of the following: a. a public or private nonprofit university, two-year or four-year college, or other institution offering undergraduate, graduate, or health-professional degrees, with a traditionally high (more than 50 percent) underrepresented minority student enrollment; b. a public or private nonprofit university, two-year or four-year college, or other institution offering undergraduate, graduate, or health-professional degrees with a student enrollment, a significant proportion of which (but not necessarily more than fifty percent) is derived from underrepresented minorities, provided the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services determines that said institution has a demonstrated commitment to the special encouragement of, and assistance to, underrepresented minority faculty, students, and investigators; or c. an Indian tribe that has a recognized governing body and that performs substantial governmental functions, or an Alaska Regional Corporation (ARC), as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). For the purposes of this announcement, underrepresented minorities are individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Historically, individuals who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research include, but are not limited to, U.S. citizens who are Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans (including Alaskan natives) and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands A written statement containing the following information is required in order to establish eligibility: a. the total student enrollment at the institution and percentages of various underrepresented minorities in the total student population (i.e., Native American, African American, Hispanic American, natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands); b. number of underrepresented minority students in science departments; c. evidence of the institution's commitment to the advancement of underrepresented minority faculty and investigators, including numbers of minority faculty in science departments; and d. evidence of efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented minority students and faculty in the participating departments. The SCORE program replaces the faculty research category of the traditional MBRS program (S06) and the pilot research projects of the MBRS Program for Undergraduate Colleges (S14). An institution may hold only one active SCORE award. Institutions currently funded for the traditional S06 or S14 programs are encouraged to apply for the SCORE program, with a start date to coincide with the end of their current project period. In general, existing policies and provisions will remain in effect for current S06 and S14 recipients until completion of the non-competing years of their current project period. June 1, 1998 will be the final date for submission of new and competitive renewals of traditional MBRS (S06) and S14 grant applications. Institutions supported by the Initiative for Minority Student Development (NIH Guide, Vol. 25, No. 4, 1996) are not eligible for the SCORE Program. Institutions may have only one active SCORE program. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Awards under this program will be administered using the S06 grant mechanism. The responsibility for planning, direction, execution, data acquisition, and the institutional evaluation activities of the proposed program lies solely with the applicant institution. The maximum grant period may not exceed four years, with the opportunity for competing renewal at the end of that period. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES As of 1992, underrepresented minorities constituted only 4.5 percent of the postdoctoral fellows in the life sciences and less than 2.7 percent of the principal investigators of NIH research grants. In addition, the number of underrepresented minority applicants for research grants and training positions is very low. In the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, NIH was encouraged to increase the number of underrepresented minorities participating in biomedical and behavioral research. In response to the Act, the objective of this initiative is to significantly improve the research capabilities of minority and minority-serving institutions. The MBRS SCORE program offers research opportunities for faculty of eligible institutions through support of faculty-initiated, scientifically meritorious, biomedically relevant research projects, including pilot research projects. Support for faculty participating in pilot projects is preparatory to seeking more substantial funding from NIH research grant programs (e.g. MBRS SCORE (S06) research program, Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA), K awards, R29 (FIRST Awards), and R01 awards) as well as funding from other agencies and private sources. Funds intended to support pilot projects may not be used to supplement ongoing research projects. Applicants should note that evaluation is a necessary component of every MBRS program; this program requires that each institution set its own specific goals and measurable objectives. 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 is 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, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) and supplemental MBRS SCORE program instructions should be used in applying for these grants. Applications 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; and from the MBRS program office listed under INQUIRIES. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three photocopies of the signed application in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20872-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must also be sent to the Chief, Office of Scientific Review listed under INQUIRIES. Applicants are urged to contact MBRS program staff at an early stage for assistance and guidance in developing an application. ALLOWABLE COSTS Applicants may apply for support for from one to as many as twenty (20) research projects and one to eight (8) pilot projects per program. An institution need not apply for both research and pilot projects; they may apply for support of pilot projects only or research projects only. Individual investigators may apply for either a research project or a pilot research project, but not both. Grant funds may be used for payment of any allowable and necessary direct cost (i.e., salaries, consultant fees, equipment, travel, renovations (up to $40,000), supplies, etc.) for biomedical research under the MBRS program. Certain costs for managing a complex program are allowable and may vary, depending upon the size and complexity of the program's activities. The costs budgeted for MBRS grants may not duplicate cost items already budgeted in other cost centers of the institution for example, accounts which make up the Facilities and Administration (F&A) cost pool. The grantee institution must be prepared to provide documentation showing the direct relationship of these costs to the program and that costs of this type are charged in a uniform manner to all other work at the institution. Salary (up to 25 percent) for the Program Director for that portion of time or effort specifically employed in directing the MBRS program is allowable. Salaries for secretarial or clerical help are allowable only when in direct support of the MBRS program. Costs for evaluation activities are allowable, as are costs for an External Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC). Direct costs associated with research and pilot projects are allowable when adequate justification is provided. These include faculty salaries, reimbursed according to percent effort, salaries for technicians, post-doctoral research associates, research associates, and research assistants, and costs for consultants. Costs of equipment and supplies, including costs for animals, necessary to carry out the proposed research may be included. Travel costs are permitted when direct benefits are provided to the program, and when adequate justification is provided. Alterations and Renovations costs (up to $40,000) are allowable and includes repairs, painting, removal or installation of partitions, shielding, etc.. Other costs might include animal maintenance (unit care costs and number of care days), donor fees, publication costs, computer charges, rentals and leases, equipment maintenance, service contracts, and tuition remission in lieu of salary. Consortium arrangements may involve personnel costs, supplies, and other allowable costs, including indirect costs. Contractual costs for support services, such as the laboratory testing of biological materials, clinical services, or data processing, are allowable expenses. Faculty Pilot Research Projects The faculty pilot research project is developmental and is intended for faculty without current research support. Therefore, investigators with funded or pending support from other mechanisms such as the S06, AREA, FIRST, R01, or funding from another agency, are not eligible. For faculty pilot projects, applicants may request support for up to $25,000 in direct costs per project per year, up to a total of $75,000 for a period not to exceed four years, and this support is non-renewable. EVALUATION The MBRS Branch recognizes that minority and minority-serving institutions are diverse in institutional environment and mission. Therefore, the emphasis of the evaluation activities of the MBRS SCORE program will be on the improvement, as defined by specific goals and measurable objectives, which the applicant institution sets for itself. The applicant institution should evaluate the benefits of the SCORE program's activities on specific, measurable outcomes identified by the applicant. Those outcomes will include, but are not limited to, measures of the faculty research projects' success. Since the intent of this program is to support institutions with competitive research programs, measurable outcomes might include progress in completing the specific aims of each research project outlined in the application, numbers of faculty publications in peer-reviewed journals or book chapters, numbers of faculty presentations at national scientific organization/society meetings, unexpected (but important) research findings, etc. At each competitive and non-competitive renewal, in the progress report, the investigators will evaluate what difference the award has made. A central aspect of each grant application (that distinguishes it from previous programs) is that each successful application has specific, MEASURABLE objectives and a plan to evaluate whether those objectives have been met. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, NIH staff will administratively review applications. Incomplete and/or unresponsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Those applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated below for scientific and technical merit by appropriate peer review groups. The National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council will provide the second level of review. The review of an MBRS SCORE application involves a review of the individual research projects, pilot research projects and of the overall program Review Criteria for Individual Research Projects In carrying out the scientific and technical merit review of individual faculty research project applications, the initial review group will take into account: o the appropriateness of, and rationale for, the hypothesis driven research plan; o the appropriateness/adequacy of the methodology proposed to carry out the research; o the quality of the literature review in terms of being complete and current, and containing a critical analysis of the literature, including identification of gaps in the knowledge; o the availability of, or plans to acquire, the necessary resources to conduct the research; o the qualifications and experience of the principal investigator(s) to conduct the work; o the biomedical relevance of the research problem; o the reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research; o in renewal applications, the scientific productivity of investigators currently supported by the MBRS SCORE or traditional S06 program, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals (chapters or articles), presentations at national or international scientific meetings, and attempts to secure other research funding. (The reviewers will evaluate the investigator's progress report.); and o the adequacy of the proposed means for protecting against or minimizing any adverse effects upon humans, animals, or the environment, where an application involves such activities. Review Criteria for Faculty Pilot Projects In carrying out the scientific and technical merit review of pilot research project applications, the initial review group will take into account: o the clarity and focus of the proposed research goal; o the appropriateness/adequacy of the methodology proposed to carry out the research; o the quality of the literature review in terms of being complete and current, and containing a critical analysis of the literature, including identification of gaps in the knowledge; o the availability of, or plans to acquire, the necessary resources to conduct the research; o the qualifications and experience of the principal investigator(s) to conduct the work; o the biomedical relevance of the research problem; o the reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research; o the adequacy of the proposed means for protecting against or minimizing any adverse effects upon humans, animals, or the environment, where an application involves such activities. Review of the Overall Program In carrying out the review of the overall program, the initial review group will examine evidence of the institutional commitment to the goal of fostering the participation of underrepresented minorities in biomedical research. This includes: o an assessment of attempts to increase the numbers of underrepresented minority faculty participating in the research projects; o the commitment, responsibility, and leadership of the Program Director and institutional officials, as reflected by completeness, accuracy, and organization of the application according to application instructions and MBRS guidelines; o adequacy and availability of the institution's research resources such as facilities and fiscal management; o the commitment of the institution to faculty research development and sustaining faculty research efforts as reflected by an adequate plan to assure that the NIH approved and funded percent effort will be applied to research; o the overall scientific merit of the application based on the quality of the individual research projects submitted; and o the adequacy of the evaluation plan. AWARD CRITERIA The MBRS program's mission is to increase significantly the number of underrepresented minorities conducting biomedical research. Towards this end, one of the goals of the MBRS program is to strengthen the biomedical research capability of institutions with significant underrepresented minority enrollments. Priorities for funding will be based on the scientific and technical merit of the application, and the likelihood that the applicant institution can further the goals of the MBRS program. Awards will be made only to institutions with financial management systems and management capabilities that are acceptable under PHS policy. Awards will be administered under the PHS Grants Policy Statement. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Questions on the program and its policies should be directed to: Ernest D. Marquez, Ph.D. MBRS Branch National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Suite 2AS.37, MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-3900 FAX: (301) 480-2753 Email: marqueze@gm1.nigms.nih.gov Questions on the review of applications should be directed to: Helen R. Sunshine, Ph.D. Office of Scientific Review National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 1 AS.13, MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-2881 FAX: (301) 480-8506 Email: sunshinh@gm1.nigms.nih.gov Questions on grants management and fiscal matters should be directed to: Antoinette Holland Grants Management Branch National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AN.50, MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-5132 FAX: (301) 480-2554 Email: hollanda@gm1.nigms.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93-375. Awards are authorized by sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR part 52c, 45 CFR part 74, and 45 CFR part 92. See also Senate Appropriations Committee Report, No. 92-316, July 29, 1971, Executive Order 12900 , Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans February 22, 1994, and Executive Order 12876, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, November 1, 1993. Applications are 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. .
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