Full Text AG-97-002
 
RESOURCE CENTERS FOR MINORITY AGING RESEARCH
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 1, January 10, 1997
 
RFA:  AG-97-002
 
P.T. 04, FF

Keywords: 
  Aging/Gerontology 
  Disease Prevention+ 
  Health Promotion 

 
National Institute on Aging
National Institute of Nursing Research
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 7, 1997
Application Receipt Date:  April 18, 1997
 
PURPOSE
 
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites applications from
qualified institutions for the creation of Resource Centers for
Minority Aging Research (RCMARs).  The long-range goal for the RCMARs
is to decrease the minority/non-minority differential in health and
its social sequelae for older people by focusing research upon health
promotion, disease prevention, and disability prevention. More basic
or clinical research areas will be considered if there is a clear and
compelling rationale that they offer the potential to reduce health
status differentials.  To meet the long-range goal, RCMARs will
create a research infrastructure around three objectives:  (1) to
establish a mechanism for mentoring researchers for careers in
research on the health of minority elders; (2) to enhance diversity
in the professional workforce conducting research on the health of
minority elders; and (3) to develop and deploy strategies for
recruiting and retaining minority group members in epidemiological,
psychosocial, and/or biomedical research dealing with the health of
the elderly.  RCMAR funding is not intended for further description
of majority/minority health status or access differentials but for
ultimately closing that gap.  RCMARs are intended to be broadly
multi-disciplinary.  Interaction among social, behavioral, and
clinical sciences is anticipated and encouraged in order to meet
Center objectives.
 
The RCMAR solicitation is intended to meet its objectives by:
 
o  increasing learning and mentoring relationships between
experienced researchers and researchers without previous funded
research on minority health and aging issues;
 
o  increasing the research skills and experience of minority faculty
at either majority or traditionally minority based institutions
(TMBIs) who may not have had opportunities for conducting minority
health and aging research;
 
o  increasing the cultural awareness, community development
techniques, and methodological skills of majority and minority
researchers who have limited familiarity with minority populations or
with behavioral science/epidemiological research skills in conducting
research in minority populations;
 
o  supporting research on understanding and reducing health status
and access differentials by funding pilot studies which have a high
probability of resulting in subsequent independent investigator
awards, involving minority researchers as principal investigators
(PIs) or major co-investigators;
 
o  creating an infrastructure using already tested models for
accessing older minority individuals to seek their participation in
biomedical, social and behavioral research on aging;
 
o  increasing and disseminating knowledge about, and experience with,
gaining access to and maintaining populations of various minority
group members for aging research; and
 
o  creating culturally sensitive strategies and measurement tools for
use in older minority populations for 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.  The Request
for Applications (RFA), Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research,
is related to the priority areas of educational and community-based
programs, heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic
disabling conditions, and clinical preventive services.  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) 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.  Awards will not be made
to foreign institutions.  Applications from racial/ethnic minority
individuals, women and persons with disabilities are encouraged.
Applicants must demonstrate access to and experience working  with
the selected minority population(s).  Applicants can come from either
TMBIs or from other institutions that demonstrate a strong,
functional  and cooperative arrangement with minority researchers
and/or minority organizations.  Institutions or affiliates should
have prior experience in conducting minority research including
skills in social survey or qualitative research techniques and
methodologies for recruiting, maintaining, and assessing minority
populations.  At the time of application, institutions participating
as part of a proposed center must have among them at least three or
more externally funded, current, peer-reviewed projects involving
human subjects in the RCMAR-related areas of reducing health
differentials, health care access, and/or minority research, as
related to aging research.  The projects must be expected to continue
for at least a year after the time of application.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
This program will be supported by an NIH Core Center Grant (P30).
Applicants must request five years of support.  Awards may be
renewable at the end of five years through submission of a competing
continuation application depending upon progress and the availability
of funds.
 
FUNDS AVAILABLE
 
The award of Center grants pursuant to this RFA is contingent upon
the availability of funds for this purpose.  The intent is to fund up
to six RCMARs in Fiscal Year (FY) 1997.  The specific number awarded
will be contingent upon the merit of the proposals.  These
applications do not compete for funding within the general pool of
dollars available for investigator-initiated research proposals.  The
total cost may not exceed $575,000 per application for the first year
(excluding an elective Coordinating Center component; see below).
Years two through five may not exceed a three percent per year
increase.  Contingent upon funds being available and appropriate
progress, RCMARs may be renewable after the initial five year period
through submission of a competing continuation application.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
Over the last several years NIA has increasingly focused attention
upon:  enhancing its commitment to research on topics germane to the
health and well-being of older minority Americans; involving minority
researchers in minority institutions in aging research and training;
and encouraging researchers at TMBIs to participate in nationally
funded research on aging and health.  Research focusing directly and
indirectly upon minority/majority differences in health, health care
access and the use of preventive services has lead to increased
understanding of these differences (Ferraro and Farmer, 1996; Link
and Phelan, 1995; Marquis and Long, 1996; Weissman and Epstein,
1994).  However, the involvement of minority researchers in
independently funded health care and health promotion research and
the involvement and maintenance of minority populations in research
projects continues to be an NIA priority and major concern in both
social and biomedical research concerning the elderly (Harris et al.,
forthcoming; Prohaska and Walcott-McQuigg, forthcoming).
 
The creation of RCMARs is intended to continue the effort to close
the gap between minority and non-minority populations in health
status and health care and to improve understanding of disease and
health in older minority populations.  This long-range goal can be
accomplished by enhancing the capacity of minority and non-minority
researchers and TMBIs to conduct research among minority groups.
RCMARs are also expected to contribute to the creation and
dissemination of knowledge regarding the inclusion and continued
participation of minority subjects in studies dealing with the RFA's
focus.  The recruitment and retention of minority subjects in panels
for both social science and clinical/biological research is a central
objective in this RFA.  These objectives will necessitate the
creation of culturally sensitive techniques and measurement tools in
ethnically and racially diverse populations.
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
 
The RCMAR proposal may be submitted by a PI from a TMBI or a
non-TMBI.  If submitted by a non-TMBI, the PI should be able to
demonstrate active involvement of minority researchers at the
professional level.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to include at
least one community based, minority oriented organization as a
partner in the RCMAR proposal.  At least one of the institutions
involved in the RCMAR must have prior experience related to aging
research on reducing the differential in health status and/or access
among minority and majority populations.
 
The RCMAR will be organized around a series of Core activities. The
function of each Core is suggested below; the particular organization
of the RCMAR and the interaction among Cores should be described and
justified in the application.  The proposal should present an
identifiable and separate budget for each Core and a description of
each Core's approach to the activities outlined in the RCMAR RFA.
While four Cores are required, each applicant may propose and justify
additional Cores.
 
Administrative Core
 
RCMARs must have strong and experienced central leadership to
coordinate proposed activities and to keep all RCMAR components
informed of important activities and decisions.  Critical elements of
the Administrative Core follow.
 
o  Leadership by an experienced investigator is essential.  The PI
must possess experience in conducting research with minority elderly
populations.  He/she should be experienced in mentoring and learning
environments that will enhance the inclusion of minority researchers.
 
o  The Administrative Core must propose and show evidence of having
recruited an Advisory Panel of at least five, and no more than seven,
members including at least two from relevant community groups and two
researchers on aging, the latter not otherwise affiliated with the
RCMAR.  The Advisory Panel will meet at least twice yearly to review
Center activities and make recommendations to improve RCMAR
functions.
 
o  The proposal must specify how the Administrative Core will create
mechanisms to ensure that RCMAR Cores will interact to maximum
benefit.  The objectives of that interaction must be specified.
 
o  The proposal's Administrative Core component should specify the
mechanisms for ensuring that RCMAR researchers will interact with
colleagues at the parent institution and at affiliated institutions,
including community organizations.  These mechanisms are needed to
ensure: (1) the practicability of developing connections with
minority communities; (2) recruitment and retention of minority
subjects; (3) the viability of mentoring and training relationships
among  affiliated institutions, when appropriate; and (4) the
creation of appropriate instruments and techniques for working with
different ethnic/racial groups.
 
o  The Administrative Core should specify its role in the oversight
of the selection of studies for pilot funding made during the conduct
of the RCMAR effort.  It must specify how it will facilitate and
track the evolution of these studies from pilot to independent
investigator, R01-type proposals during and following the five years
of the RCMAR.
 
o  The Administrative Core will select three participants from the
RCMAR and prepare for an annual day and a half meeting in the
Washington, DC area to discuss progress and common problems in the
conduct of the Centers.  Travel to these meetings should be budgeted
as part of the Administrative Core.
 
Community Liaison Core
 
Experience indicates that intensive effort, specialized skill, and
creativity are needed to recruit and retain older minority subjects.
To these ends, it is the responsibility of the Community Liaison Core
to develop and maintain relationships with individual minority group
members and  minority community-based organizations (CBOs). Liaison
Core staff are encouraged to work with CBOs to foster acceptance in
minority communities for participating and remaining in research
projects. The Community Liaison Core's role is to facilitate
interaction among individual minority community members including
formal and informal leaders, as well as with  appropriate CBOs, and
with researchers planning studies involving minority communities.  To
this end, the Community Liaison Core will create and maintain an
infrastructure of minority group member participants for research
involvement among RCMAR and other research projects at their home
institution(s).
 
The Community Liaison Core is encouraged to work closely with both
the CBOs and the professional staff who plan and conduct research
involving community members.  In conjunction with the Investigator
Development Core (see below), the Community Liaison Core must create
and disseminate information regarding techniques for recruitment and
retention of minority subjects suitable for investigators at local
institutions and nationally.  A plan for dissemination of recruitment
and retention methods must be included in the application.  It may
include publications and presentations of information, conferences
and symposia, and outreach activities to other institutions
conducting clinical, behavioral, and/or social research on aging.
 
Investigator Development Core
 
It is the responsibility of the Investigator Development Core to
assure successful mentoring of, and collaboration with, minority
researchers. This function has two components: Pilot Studies and
Information Transfer Activities.
 
Pilot Studies
 
Each RCMAR must propose two pilot studies for the first year.  Each
pilot study should be of no more than one year's duration.  Each
RCMAR should anticipate funding three to four pilot studies during
each subsequent year of the project's five year duration and all
pilot studies must involve a minority investigator at the
professional level (e.g., as PI or major co-investigator).
 
The pilot studies should provide preliminary data on progress toward:
(1) developing or testing  clinical, social, and/or behavioral
interventions for decreasing differentials in health status or access
to services among older minority and majority group members; or (2)
developing and validating measurement instruments or protocols
suitable for use with minority groups; or (3) testing models of
recruitment/retention strategies.
 
In the initial RCMAR proposal, a three page summary (maximum) of each
selected pilot study should accompany the proposal.  Each summary
should contain a PHS standard Biographical Sketch for the
investigator, a statement of the problem, the methods to be used, the
anticipated results, and subsequent planned efforts leading to an
independent investigator award.  The RCMAR proposal must  include the
criteria used for selecting the submitted pilot studies and propose a
plan for reviewing pilot grant applications in subsequent years.
Applicants should also provide a plan for increasing the number of
minority researchers receiving support though pilot projects in the
out years of the project.  A minimum of three and a maximum of four
pilot projects may be supported in each of years 02 through 05.
Funding for each pilot study may not exceed $20,000 (direct costs)
per year.  In years 02 through 05, each RCMAR will be responsible
for:
 
o  selecting and funding (maximum direct cost: $20,000 for each pilot
study) a minimum of three and a maximum of four new pilot
investigations in each year; and
 
o  demonstrating that prior years' pilot studies lead to the
submission of R01 or similar independent research proposals.
 
Each RCMAR must develop and specify plans for disseminating
information about the availability of pilot funds.  If consistent
with the overall objectives of the specific RCMAR, the Center may
fund researchers who are not members of the original participating
institution(s).  It is assumed that such pilot projects might bring
in new collaborating partners.
 
Proposed pilot projects in out-years must have the approval of the
NIA program administrator.
 
Information Transfer Activities
 
Each RCMAR should create a program for disseminating research
information regarding techniques used for conducting research
involving minority aging populations.  The audiences for these
activities should include CBOs and researchers at the host
institution as well as investigators at other institutions who are in
a position to further enhance the inclusion of older minority
populations in research addressing the differential in health status
and access to care among older minority and majority populations.
Information transfer activities may include, but are not limited to
activities such as training programs, short courses, distance
learning, presentations at professional meetings and publications.
The content of these activities are at the discretion of the RCMAR
but should include information on:  basic research methodologies;
recruitment and retention of minority populations; and substantive
issues regarding health care differentials among older minority and
majority populations.  The RCMAR may wish to seek Continuing Health
Education credit for participants.  The information transfer function
of the Investigator Development Core should work closely with the
Community Liaison Core on issues of recruitment and retention.
Proposals should describe in detail the plan for developing and
evaluating information dissemination activities.
 
The Investigator Development Core must also specify a mechanism for
assuring the effective mentoring of minority researchers.  The RCMAR
proposal should contain a plan for, and an evaluation strategy of,
the mentoring process to demonstrate its ability and commitment to
enhancing diversity in the professional research workforce dealing
with the health of the elderly.
 
Measurement Core
 
Each RCMAR should specify strategies for identifying, cataloging,
distributing and/or creating culturally sensitive epidemiologic, or
psychosocial measurement tools.  Centers should develop and test
strategies for enhancing cultural sensitivity in collecting clinical,
behavioral,  and social science data (e.g., drawing blood; collecting
urine; assessing socioeconomic status; conducting qualitative
research).  It is the responsibility of the Measurement Core to
create, identify, catalogue, and disseminate information in its
domain.  The RCMAR proposal should specify methodologies for these
activities.
 
Optional Coordinating Center
 
Each applicant is invited to submit as part of his/her response to
the RCMAR RFA, a section proposing a Coordinating Center (CC).  A
maximum budget for this effort is $150,000 per year (total costs) or
should the number of RCMARs funded by less than six, the total budget
for the CC will be $25,000 times the number of funded Centers, but
not less than $100,000.  The selection of the CC will be made by the
NIA program administrator based on the recommendations of  the
Initial Review Group responsible for peer review of the proposals.
The CC will fulfill the following functions.
 
Coordinating Center:  Logistic Support
 
The CC will provide logistic support to the NIA program administrator
and to the RCMARs.  It will make all arrangements for a yearly RCMAR
meeting in the Washington, DC area (see below), prepare minutes, and
in coordination with NIA Program Staff, create the agenda for that
meeting.  It will also have the responsibility of preparing a yearly
progress report for the program.  Additionally it will foster
communication among Centers, including the NIA.  The CC will collect
and summarize Advisory Panel minutes from each Center and share those
with other sites.
 
Coordinating Center:  Data Collection and Dissemination Support
 
The CC will facilitate the sharing of scientific information,
techniques, and measurement tools among the Centers.  By means of a
clearinghouse mechanism, the CC will collect and disseminate these
items and encourage shared activities among the Centers including,
but not limited to: distance learning, training seminars,
dissemination strategies and resources, works-in-progress and
techniques for recruitment and retention of aging minority population
members.
 
Coordinating Center: Summary Report
 
The CC will work with the NIA program administrator and each Center
in preparing a document near the conclusion of the first four years
of RCMAR experience summarizing similarities and differences among
the Centers.  The document will contain, but not be limited to:
Center descriptions; common themes; findings regarding the training
and recruitment of minority investigators; and findings regarding the
recruitment and retention of minority subjects.  In addition, the CC
will work with the NIA program administrator in planning a national
symposium based upon the findings and experience of the RCMAR
program.
 
Budget Considerations
 
All RCMAR applicants should request and provide justification for
five years of support.  The total costs for the first year of support
may not exceed $575,000 and  years 02 through 05 may not exceed a
three percent per year increase.
 
The distribution of funds within the RCMAR to each Core is at the
discretion of the applicant institution and must be justified by the
activities of each Core.  Support for secretarial and administrative
staff may be provided to the extent that their activities relate to
meeting RCMAR's specified objectives.  Similarly, domestic and
foreign travel by project personnel must be justified as meeting
project objectives.  Travel and per diem for three persons to attend
an annual day and a half meeting in the Washington, DC area should be
included in the budget.
 
Consultants' costs are allowed if evidence is presented that the
services are required by the RCMAR's objectives and are not otherwise
available.
 
Pilot studies may not exceed $20,000 per pilot, direct costs.  The
cost justification for each pilot study should be contained in the
Investigator Development Core budget.  For awarded grants,
applications for years 02 through 05 must contain the cost
justification for each of the selected  pilot studies in the renewal
application budget.  Funding for specific out-year pilot studies must
be approved by the NIA program administrator.
 
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES
 
It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups
and their subpopulations 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 resulted from the NIH
Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and
supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the
Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion
of Minorities in Study Populations), which have been in effect since
1990.
 
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should
read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as
Subjects in Clinical Research," published in the Federal Register of
March 28, 1994 (FR 59, 14508-14513), and reprinted in the NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, MARCH 18, 1994.
 
Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program
staff listed under INQUIRIES.
 
LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by March 7, 1997, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
RCMAR, the name, address, phone number(s), fax number, and E-mail
address of the Principal Investigator, if possible, the identities
and professional affiliation(s) of key personnel likely to assume
leadership roles of the Cores, and the number and title of this RFA.
The letter of intent is not binding and will not enter into
consideration in this or subsequent applications.  The information is
helpful in planning for the review of the applications.  It allows
NIA staff to estimate the potential review workload, to select
reviewers appropriately and to avoid conflicts of interest in the
selection of reviewers.  The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr.
Stahl at the address listed under INQUIRIES.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
The application should be prepared using instructions in this RFA and
those in supplementary instructions for preparation of
multi-component applications available from the program staff listed
under INQUIRIES.  Prior to submission of the formal application,
consultation with NIA Program Staff concerning the technical aspects
of preparing the application is strongly encouraged.
 
The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used
in applying for these grants.  Applications kits are available at
most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained
from the Office 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.
 
To identify these applications as being in response to the RFA, check
"YES" on item 2 of the face page of the application and enter the RFA
number and the title: "RESOURCE CENTERS FOR MINORITY AGING RESEARCH."
The RFA label available with the application form PHS 398 must be
affixed to the bottom of the face page.  Failure to use this label
could result in delayed processing of the application such that it
may not reach the review committee on time for review.
 
Submit a signed, original of the application, including the
Checklist, and three signed, 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 express/courier service)
 
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application
must be sent to:
 
Chief, Scientific Review Office
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 2C212
7201 Wisconsin Avenue MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
 
Applications must be received by April 18, 1997.  If an application
is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant
without review.
 
Page Limitation: Applications may not exceed a total of 25 pages for
Items a-d of each core.
 
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
 
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the
Division of Research Grants (DRG) and for responsiveness by NIA.
Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without
further consideration.  If NIA staff find that the application is not
responsive (i.e., fails to include all required components, or
requests amounts that exceed allowable limits, or is not directed to
the goals of this RFA) it will be returned without further
consideration.
 
Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be
evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer
review group convened by the NIA.  As part of this merit review, a
streamlined review process may be used in which applications will be
determined to be competitive or non-competitive based on their merit
relative to other applications received in response to the RFA.
Applications judged to be competitive will be reviewed in detail by
an initial peer review group and also receive a second level of
review by the National Advisory Council on Aging.  Applications
determined to be "non-competitive for funding" will be so designated,
and an abbreviated summary report noting the major weaknesses will be
sent to the principal investigator and the application withdrawn.
 
Each application must be thorough and complete enough to stand on its
own and should be prepared as if no site visit will occur.
Additional materials or revisions will not be accepted after the
receipt date.  It is strongly recommended that Institutional Review
Board (IRB) approval be secured prior to submission.  Otherwise, it
is the applicant's responsibility to ensure these certifications are
sent to the Scientific Review Office, NIA, within 60 days of the
proposal's receipt date.  Applications failing to comply with this
requirement will be returned without review.  There will be no
further notification on this issue.
 
Review criteria
 
Applicants should demonstrate that the following general criteria can
be met for this solicitation.
 
o  Evidence of experience with, and a commitment to, fostering
working relationships with minority populations.
 
o  Evidence of the inclusion of minority researchers in the RCMAR
proposal.
 
o  Evidence of prior research in the areas addressed by this RFA as
they relate to minority elderly populations.
 
o  Evidence of existing linkages, or a reasonable expectation of such
linkages, with minority institutions or community organizations.
 
o  Appropriateness of the proposed budget.
 
The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the
protection of human and animal subjects and the safety of the
research environment.
 
The following criteria will be used in judging the adequacy of the
administration of the proposed RCMAR.
 
o  Evidence of the scientific, leadership, and administrative ability
of the RCMAR Director and his/her staff and a commitment to devote
adequate time to program management.
 
o  Evidence that the organization and processes proposed for internal
communication and cooperation between and among the Cores and
community groups will function to meet RCMAR objectives.
 
o  Evidence that the mechanisms for review and administration of the
pilot studies will function to produce studies that meet substantive
objectives and have a reasonable expectation of subsequent
independent funding.
 
o  Evidence that the Advisory Panel is well linked to the minority
population(s) served and to the broader gerontologic research
community and is committed to the success of the RCMAR.
 
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the commitment of the
host institution(s) to RCMAR objectives.
 
o  Evidence that the academic environment(s) and its/their resources,
including space, equipment, and facilities, are adequate to meet the
RCMAR's objectives.
 
o  Evidence that the host institution is sufficiently flexible to
foster multi-disciplinary interaction between its administrative
units and with organizations external to the university (e.g., CBOs).
 
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the investigators.
 
o  Evidence of sustained research and prior successful mentoring
experience.
 
o  Evidence of commitment to furthering RCMAR objectives through
prior professional activity in each of the following areas:  (1)
creating an infrastructure for increasing minority researcher
mentoring; (2) successfully maintaining recruitment goals for
minority subjects in prior funded research; (3) conducting research
addressing strategies for decreasing minority/non-minority health
and/or access differentials in older populations; and (4) development
of culturally sensitive assessment methods and tools.
 
Each Core should demonstrate evidence that its functions address the
objectives of the proposed RCMAR.  The review criteria for the
Administrative Core are those of overall program administration and
are listed above.  The following criterion will be used for
evaluating the Community Liaison Core.
 
o  Evidence of an ongoing relationship or a reasonable expectation of
the ability to create a relationship with minority community groups.
 
The Investigator Development Core will be evaluated using the
following criteria.
 
o  Evidence of the scientific adequacy, appropriateness (to meet
RCMAR objectives), and feasibility of the proposed pilot studies.
 
o  Evidence of the intention and likelihood that the proposed pilot
studies will result in the submission of a competitive, investigator
initiated, independent research award, such as an R01.
 
o  Evidence that during the out-years of the Center, there is a
sufficient pool of researchers to submit excellent pilot study
applications.
 
o  Evidence that out-year pilot study selection will provide
scientifically rigorous and potentially fundable projects.
 
o  Evidence of the ability to disseminate through professional and
less formal mechanisms, information learned about recruiting and
retaining minority population members in research on health and
access of older minority populations.
 
o  Evidence that the mentoring strategy is likely to produce and
retain minority professionals in aging research.
 
The Measurement Core will be evaluated based upon the following
criterion.
 
o  Evidence of prior experience in the creation and/or use of
culturally sensitive and specific measurement tools.
 
Should the RCMAR choose to apply for the Coordinating Center, it
should meet the following criteria.
 
o  Evidence of experience with, or a reasonable expectation of
success in, providing diverse sites with logistic support in
arranging for annual meetings and in preparing pre- and post-meeting
materials.
 
o  Evidence that the CC will be able to foster interaction between
all sites for sharing developments and findings such as mentoring
progress, new research tools, recruitment and retention strategies
that work/do not work, etc.
 
o  Evidence that the CC can draft an annual progress report, serve
the clearinghouse function, and create a summary report near the
conclusion of the first four years of RCMAR experience.
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
The anticipated date of award will be September 1997.  Funding
criteria will be scientific merit (based on the Review Criteria),
availability of funds, and program priorities.  Among those
priorities is representation from African American, Hispanic, Asian,
and Native American Indian populations among the selected RCMARs.
Therefore, final selection will take into account racial and ethnic
variation both within and between proposals to select a balance among
the most qualified of the RCMAR proposals.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Inquiries are encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify issues or
answer questions from potential applicants is welcome.  Inquiries
regarding programmatic issues and the application process, as well as
letters of intent, may be directed to:
 
Sidney M. Stahl, Ph.D.
Behavioral and Social Research Program
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 533
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 402-4156
FAX:  (301) 402-0051
Email:  Sidney_Stahl@nih.gov
 
J. Taylor Harden, Ph.D.
Extramural Programs
National Institute of Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12, MSC 6300
Bethesda, MD  20892-6300
Telephone:  (301) 594-6906
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  THarden@ep.ninr.nih.gov
 
Direct inquires regarding fiscal matters to:
 
David Reiter
Grants Management Office
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2N212
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-1472
FAX:  (301) 402-3672
Email:  DR36T@nih.gov
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.866, 93.361.  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.
 
References
 
Ferraro, Kenneth F. and Melissa M. Farmer. 1996.  Double Jeopardy to
Health Hypothesis for African Americans: Analysis and Critique."
Journal of Health and Social Behavior 37:27-43.
 
Harris, Yvonne, Philip Gorelick, Patricia Samuels and Isaac Bempong.
(forthcoming). "Why African Americans May Not be Participating in
Clinical Trials." Journal of the National Medical Association 88.
 
Link, Bruce G. And Jo Phelan. 1995. "Social Conditions as Fundamental
Causes of Disease." Journal of Health and Social Behavior (Extra
Issue):80-94.
 
Marquis, M. Susan and Stephen H. Long. 1996. "Reconsidering the
Effect of Medicaid on Health care Services Use." Health Services
Research 30:791-808.
 
Prohaska, T. and J. Walcott-McQuigg. (forthcoming). "Recruitment of
Older African Americans.  A Focus Group Approach. Journal of Aging
and Ethnicity.
 
Weissman, Joel S. And Arnold M. Epstein. 1994.  Falling through the
Safety Net. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
 
.

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