PAR-98-063: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AWARD IN GENOMIC RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)

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CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AWARD IN GENOMIC RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS Release Date: May 1, 1998 PA NUMBER: PAR-98-063 P.T. National Human Genome Research Institute PURPOSE The National Human Genome Research Institute"s (NHGRI) Curriculum Development Award in Genomic Research and Analysis (K07) supports the development of courses and curricula designed to train interdisciplinary scientists who combine knowledge of genomics and genetics research with expertise in computer sciences, mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering or closely related sciences. It is anticipated that these courses or curricula would be useful to students and scientists who wish to (1) develop new conceptual approaches to genome research and analysis or (2) organize, analyze, or interpret large data sets resulting from genomic and genetics research. Development of courses at the graduate and undergraduate level is encouraged. As part of this program, awardees will be expected to develop and implement the courses or curricula in their institution. It is expected that such courses and curricula will be models that could be transferable to other institutions in whole or in part. BACKGROUND The Human Genome Project has benefitted greatly from the application of concepts and principles of computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering and chemistry to problems in mapping and sequencing. Thus, the success of the Human Genome Program is due in large part to the cross fertilization between genomics/genetics and specific non-biology fields. With the large amount of data anticipated from the sequencing of the genomes of model organisms and humans, the ability to organize and analyze large amounts of data to help understand genetic variation and gene function will be essential to any laboratory interested in human biology. In order to prepare students for research in this emerging area, there is a need to develop courses and curricula that bring together disciplines critical to the continuing development of genomics and genetics research. A recent study carried out by NHGRI staff supports the need to encourage the development of interdisciplinary courses and curricula to support the further development of students interested in genomics research and genetic analysis. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service 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, Curriculum Development Award in Genomic Research and Analysis, is related to the priority area of human resource development. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202/512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS The principal investigator must be engaged in genomics/genetics research or research in one of the following areas: computer science, mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering or a related field, such as, bioinformatics, statistics, biomathematics, computational biology, bioengineering with genomics research or genetics research. A collaborator(s) must be identified who will contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of the courses or curricula. The principal investigator must be willing to spend at least 20 percent of full- time professional effort on course(s) and curricula development for the period of the award. The principal investigator must also identify appropriate researcher(s) who will agree to collaborate on the development of course(s) and curricula. Applications may be submitted by domestic, non-Federal organizations, public or private institutions of higher education. Applications with minority and women scientists and scientists with disabilities as principal investigators are encouraged. Principal investigators must be U.S. citizens or noncitizen nationals, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Card or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Awards in response to this PA will use the K07 mechanism. Planning, direction, and execution of the program will be the responsibility of the principal investigator. However, the institution must demonstrate a commitment to the purposes of this award for course or curriculum development in the specified area. The project period is for three to five years. Competing renewals to continue the development of courses initiated under this award will not be considered. Support of the development and implementation of new courses that are an integral part of the overall curriculum design will be considered. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES A. Program: The principal investigator is expected to develop a series of courses or a curricula at the undergraduate or graduate level that applies principles and conceptual approaches in computer science, mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering or related sciences (bioinformatics, statistics, biomathematics, computational biology, bioengineering) to genomics research and analysis of large-scale genetics research. Principal investigators are expected to commit at least 20 percent full-time professional effort to this activity. The product, whether course(s) or curricula, must be dynamic and must embody principles of curricula development. There must be a commitment from the nominating institution that the courses or curricula will become an integral part of the academic offerings of the institution. B. Environment: The institution must have strong training program(s) in genomics and genetics and related non-biology disciplines for which the course(s) or curricula are being developed, must be able to demonstrate a commitment to research in areas of interest to the NHGRI, and must be committed to the further development and implementation of courses and/or curricula in the proposed area following the award. The institution must provide assurance that the principal investigator is an integral part of its research and training programs. C. Allowable Costs: (1). Salary: The percent effort requested must be consistent with the proposed project. NIH will provide salary and fringe benefits for the awardee. The total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment. It must be consistent both with the established salary structure at the institution and with salaries actually provided by the institution from its own funds to other staff members of equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned. If full-time, 12-month salaries are not currently paid to comparable staff members, the salary proposed must be appropriately related to the existing salary structure. The salary limit that NIH can pay on grants is $125,000 for a 12-month full-time effort. The institution may supplement the NIH contribution up to a level that is consistent with the institution"s salary scale, however, supplementation may not be from Federal funds unless specifically authorized by the Federal program from which such funds are derived. In no case, may DHHS funds be used for salary supplementation. Institutional supplementation of salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of the Academic Career Award. 3. Ancillary Support: A maximum of $20,000 per year may be requested for ancillary needs, such as collaborators, consultants, equipment, computer time, etc. All requests for ancillary support must be justified. There may be instances in which the costs for development and implementation of the course or curricula may exceed $20,000. In such cases, the request for an exception must be justified. 4. Indirect costs: Indirect costs will be reimbursed at 8 percent of modified total direct costs, or at the actual indirect cost rate, whichever is less. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) and will be accepted on the receipt deadlines indicated in the application kit. 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 301/435-0714, Email: ASKNIH@od.nih.gov. The title and number of this program announcement must be typed in Item 2 on the face page of the application. The completed original application and three legible copies must be sent or delivered to: CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent to: Office of Scientific Review National Human Genome Research Institute Building 38A, Room 609 Bethesda, MD 20892-6050 The application should address the following: Principal investigator o Describe the principal investigator"s commitment to developing and implementing academic course(s) or curricula which meet the scientific and educational requirements of the interdisciplinary scientific field and the institution. o Provide evidence that the principal investigator has the capacity to develop and implement course(s) or curricula that are based on sound research concepts and educational principles. o Describe the immediate and long-term objectives of the award and how those objectives will meet the needs for expansion or enhancement of the academic or research capacity of the institution in genomics or genetics research. Course or Curricula Development Plan o Describe the plan and how it fits into the institutional plans and goals. Environment and Institutional Commitment o The institution must provide evidence of commitment and support for the proposed program. There must be evidence of support for the principal investigator and his/her course and/or curricula development and implementation plans and for the further enhancement of the interdisciplinary scientific area. Collaborator"s Statement o Principal investigators must include information about any collaborator(s) including her/his research qualifications. The application must also include information describing the nature and extent of collaboration that will occur during the proposed award period. Budget o Budget requests must be provided according to the instructions in form PHS 398. The request for tuition and fees, books, travel, etc., must be justified and specified by category. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR). Applications that are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research. The following review criteria will be applied: Principal investigator o Evidence of excellence in research and academic activities, o Potential to become a leader in developing educational interdisciplinary scientific programs at the institution, and o Quality and breadth of prior scientific training experience. Course/Curricula Development Plan o Quality and feasibility of course or curricula development and implementation plans, and o Appropriateness of the plan to the goals of this program. Environment o Commitment of the institution to strengthening interdisciplinary research and education activities in the area of interest to the NHGRI, o Merit of the institution’s plan to strengthen their interdisciplinary training, and o Scope and nature of collaboration among participating schools and departments. Collaborator(s) o The collaborator"s capabilities to contribute to the goals of the program. Budget o Justification of budget requests in relation to goals of the program. AWARD CRITERIA Funding decisions will be made based on the recommendations of the initial review group and the Council, the need for research personnel in specific program areas, and the availability of funds. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this PA are encouraged, especially during the planning phase of the application. The program and grants management officials welcome the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions related to this program announcement and encourage written, telephone, or email inquiries. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D. National Human Genome Research Institute Building 38A, Room 614 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7531 Email: bettie_graham@nih.gov For information about PHS Grant Policy, applicants may contact: Ms. Jean Cahill Grants and Contracts Management Branch National Human Genome Research Institute Building 38A, Room 613 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 402-0733 Email: jean_cahill@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.172. Awards are made under the authority of the Section 487, Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 288) and administered under PHS Grant Policies and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 66. 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.

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