MINORITY DISSERTATION RESEARCH GRANTS IN AGING Release Date: September 15, 1998 PA NUMBER: PAR-98-110 (This PA has been replace by PAR-05-061) P.T. National Institute on Aging Application Receipt Date: November 15, March 15 PURPOSE Small grants to support doctoral dissertation research will be available for underrepresented minority doctoral candidates. Grant support is designed to aid the research of such investigators and to encourage underrepresented minority individuals from a variety of academic disciplines and programs to conduct research related to aging. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 Each NIH PA addresses one or more of 22 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention priority areas identified. These areas can be found via the WWW at http://www.crisny.org/health/us/health7.html ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS For the purpose of this program announcement, underrepresented minority students and investigators are defined as 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. Awards will be limited to citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or to individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of an Alien Registration Receipt Card) at the time of award. In awarding grants for dissertation support, the NIA will give priority to dissertation candidates such as African American (Black), Hispanic American, Native American or Alaska Natives, or Pacific Islanders, and other ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research nationally. The doctoral candidate must have a dissertation topic approved by the named committee. This information must be verified in a letter of certification from the chair of the candidate"s dissertation committee and submitted with the grant application (see APPLICATION PROCEDURES). Research topics must be on aging-related issues and fit within one or more of the areas described below for each individual program (see RESEARCH OBJECTIVES). The applicant organization must be a domestic institution supporting doctoral level training, such as a university or college. The performance site may be foreign or domestic. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanism of support is the NIH small grant (R03). Grants may be made for up to two years. FUNDS AVAILABLE A total of $ 200,000 will be committed by the NIA in FY 1999 and FY 2000 to fund applications of high scientific merit submitted in response to this Program Announcement. It is anticipated that a total of five to six new applications will be funded in each of the two fiscal years. The maximum budget request should be limited to $25,000 in direct costs for the initial budget period. No more than $30,000 in total direct costs will be provided across the two years. Salary may be requested only for the principal investigator (the dissertation candidate). Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NIA, the award of grants pursuant to this PA is contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES This research initiative is to provide underrepresented minority students assistance to complete their dissertation research on an aging-related topic and thereby increase their representation in aging research. The descriptions of the four extramural programs below are provided to help potential applicants determine whether or not their topic may be appropriate for this initiative. Questions on the relevance of a particular topic may be addressed to the program contact listed under INQUIRIES. Information on other initiatives supported by NIA may be found at the following URL: http://www.nia.nih.gov/ Biology of Aging Program This program supports studies that focus on the molecular mechanisms involved in aging processes, and how these are affected by genetic and environmental factors. The overall objectives of the program are to understand these natural processes and how alterations of normal function can lead to age-related pathology. The program interests include biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, immunology, endocrinology, and basic nutrition. Behavioral and Social Research Program This program supports research on social and psychological aging processes and the place of older people in society and its social institutions. The emphasis is on promoting health, effective functioning, productivity, and independence throughout the middle and later years. Areas of special interest include health and behavior, cognitive functioning, health care and long term care, work, retirement and productivity, family and intergenerational relationships, the demography of population aging, biodemography, aging among minorities, women, oldest old, and rural populations, and the aging of adults who are retarded. Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program This program supports research on the structure and function of the aging nervous system and the behavioral manifestations of the aging brain. Areas of special interest include age-related changes in the nervous system, especially as these affect sensory processes, learning, cognition, memory and sleep. The study of Alzheimer"s disease and other disorders associated with the aging nervous system, including the causes, diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and management of such disorders is of special interest. Geriatrics Program This program supports research on clinical issues and problems that occur predominantly among middle-aged and older persons or that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in older people. Areas of interest include cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, infectious diseases, osteoporosis, digestive diseases, rehabilitation, menopause, and physical function and performance in older persons. 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 sub-populations 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, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994. These guidelines can also be found at: http://www4.od.nih.gov/orwh/inclusion.html Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may provide additional information concerning the policy. NIH POLICY AND GUIDELINES ON THE INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after October 1, 1998. The scientific goals of this program announcement are focused on aging, therefore, this policy is waived for applications responding to it. Reviewers will not consider the inclusion of children as part of the initial review. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the most recent revision of grant application form PHS 398 and prepared according to the directions in the application packet, with the exceptions and additions 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: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. Applications are also available at the following URL: http://www.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html The program announcement title and number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Research plan: Do not exceed a total of ten pages for the following parts (a-d): 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 parts e through i. (Human Subjects, Vertebrate Animals, Literature Cited, Consortium Arrangements, Consultants). Background and significance (within the research plan): In addition to the information described in the PHS 398 form, applicants should briefly describe their career goals. Appendix: The only items that may be included in an appendix are original glossy photographs or color images of gels, micrographs, etc., provided that a photocopy (that may be reduced in size) is also included within the 10 page limit of items a-d in the research plan. No photographs or color images may be included in the appendix that are not also represented in the Research Plan. Do not include publications or preprints. Materials submitted after the receipt date: No additional materials pertaining to a particular application will be accepted after the receipt date for which the application is submitted except for certifications of Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval. As specified in the PHS 398 form, certifications of IRB or IACUC approval must be received within 60 days after the receipt date for which the application is submitted. The following MUST be included with the application at the time of submission. Failure to include any of these items may delay review of the application: o A letter from the university official (the chair of the dissertation committee) directly responsible for supervising the development and progress of the dissertation research. The letter should address the student"s progress to date and the individual"s perceptions of the student"s ability to develop into an independent researcher on aging. In addition, the letter must: (a) fully identify the members of the faculty committee and certify their approval of the dissertation topic, (b) certify that, as defined by the institution, the candidate is a member of an ethnic minority group underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral science (see ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS), (c) certify that the author of the letter has read the application and that it reflects the work to be completed in the dissertation, and (d) note that the university official expects the doctoral candidate to proceed with the approved project proposal with or without NIA support. o A transcript of the investigator"s graduate school record. o Biography of the chair of the dissertation committee (i.e., the mentor of the investigator), limited to 2 pages (use the Biographical Sketch page in form PHS 398). Although not required, identification of the investigator"s particular minority group would be helpful so that NIA may continue to monitor and improve the effectiveness of this program. Submit a signed, original of the application, and three exact photocopies, including the checklist, in one package 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) In addition, to expedite the review of the application, submit two additional exact photocopies of the application directly to: Dr. Mary Nekola Scientific Review Office National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C212, MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 In order not to delay review, it is important that applicants comply with this request. Amended applications will not be accepted. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will be assigned on the basis of established Public Health Service referral guidelines. Applications that are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NIA in accordance with 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 appropriate national advisory council or board. Review Criteria o Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field? o Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? o Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or method? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies? o Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)? o Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? The initial review group will also examine: the appropriateness of proposed project budget and duration, the adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research, and plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects, the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects, and the safety of the research environment. 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 Schedule Application Receipt Dates: November 15 March 15 Institute Committee Review: Feb/Mar Jun/Jul Earliest Funding: May 15 September 15 INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Robin A. Barr, D.Phil. Office of Extramural Affairs National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C218, MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-9322 FAX: (301) 402-2945 Email: rb42h@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Mr. Joe Ellis Grants and Contracts Management Office National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2N212, MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-1472 FAX: (301) 402-3672 Email: je14j@nih.gov@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog 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.
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