RFA-AG-98-002: NETWORKS TO ENHANCE MINORITY RECRUITMENT TO AGING RESEARCH

Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)

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NETWORKS TO ENHANCE MINORITY RECRUITMENT TO AGING RESEARCH NIH Guide, Volume 26, Number 39, December 5, 1997 RFA: AG-98-002 P.T. National Institute on Aging Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 30, 1998 Application Receipt: March 10, 1998 PURPOSE As the National Institute on Aging (NIA) continues to work to strengthen training of minority researchers in aging, it is becoming increasingly apparent that a number of professional organizations and academic institutions have developed substantial networks of faculty and students committed to bolstering the training of minority researchers. This initiative is intended to foster collaboration between such organizations and the National Institute on Aging in order to increase the number of qualified and successful minority investigators in 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 Request for Applications (RFA), Networks to Enhance Minority Recruitment to Aging Research, 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 at Telephone 202/512-1800. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic, non-Federal organizations, public or private, such as scientific and professional organizations, medical, dental, and nursing schools or other institutions of higher education. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. Prior to submission, the organization must have established an advisory group that focuses on recruiting participants from minority populations into research. This eligibility criterion is not the sole or major criterion upon which applicants will be evaluated. Eligible students For the purpose of this RFA, eligible participants 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. In making these awards, NIA will give priority consideration to applications that document their ability to recruit substantively from African American, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian populations. Participants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or 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 addition, students must either: (1) be in the last year of a baccalaureate program at a fully accredited institution and plan to pursue a graduate degree, (2) be in the process of applying for admission to graduate school, or (3) be registered for, and in good standing in, an accredited program of graduate study for leading to a doctoral degree, or (4) be in postdoctoral training and within three years of receiving an earned doctorate. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Education Project (R25) mechanism. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the project will be solely that of the applicant. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed five years. The anticipated award date is December 1998. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Renewal of the program, after the initial period of support, will depend upon progress, demonstrated continuing need for the program, and availability of funds. FUNDS AVAILABLE NIA expects to fund five Networks in Fiscal Year (FY) 1998. However, the specific number of Networks awarded will be contingent upon the merit of the proposals. Annual total costs for a single award may not exceed $65,000. Facilities and administrative costs are limited to 8% of eligible direct costs exclusive of equipment. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Despite the existence of several NIA- and NIH-supported programs to increase the participation of minority and OTHER under-represented groups in biomedical research, minority researchers continue to be under-represented in most fields of biomedical and behavioral research on aging. This under-representation limits the cultural and ethnic diversity of the research workforce as well as the important perspectives that comes with such diversity. This initiative seeks to redress this imbalance through developing and enriching existing efforts by organizations to recruit minority and underrepresented graduate students, as well as, junior faculty to research. Applicants may include students at various levels of training but significant emphasis is accorded networks with strong representation from graduate students and junior faculty. The initiative seeks applicants willing to link faculty and staff in different institutions who have the common interest of enhancing minority participation in research. The goal is to increase the cultural and ethnic diversity of the research workforce on aging. Because many minority students are at primarily undergraduate institutions, NIA is particularly seeking organizations with strong networks of faculty at such primarily undergraduate institutions or strong links to institutions that have high enrollment of minority students. Through this initiative, applicants will be able to provide support to underrepresented minorities by providing assistance in finding graduate school placement, assistance in identifying postdoctoral research training, and in identifying employment opportunities in research. Networks to enhance minority recruitment to aging research may be organized around a series of activities. The particular organization of the Network and the interactions among faculty and activities should be described and justified in the application. Networks developed through this RFA may also help to foster the development of minority and underrepresented researchers/students recruited to the network by: (1) organizing workshops that complement and enrich their graduate school experience, (2) identifying mentors who can provide additional research guidance, (3) providing travel awards to permit attendance at relevant national scientific meetings and important seminars in their research area, (4) providing travel awards for participants to work for a limited time in laboratories of mentors at an institution different from the participant’s home institution, and (5) providing career guidance and assistance to the participants. Applicants are encouraged to develop electronic communication networks to allow participants to communicate easily with each other, and with faculty in the program, and with the NIA. As a component of the overall program, electronic networks also may be used to provide information about NIA programs of interest to the participants and to identify research funding and training opportunities for them. (No federal funds may be used to assist participants to prepare applications for federal grants or other federal funds.) Networks are intended to support only educational activities that promote research knowledge and skills and may not be used for support of clinical training or clinically oriented continuing education programs in the health professions. Allowable costs Funds are available to support the immediate costs of operating the program, and to provide travel and per diem expenses (to conferences, workshops, and laboratories of mentors) for participants recruited to the program. Salary support and travel expenses are allowable for faculty and staff who run the program. Participants may be paid a salary only when they are working to assist the organization in its mission relevant to this grant. Participants may not be paid stipends for training purposes. Participants who receive other forms of financial assistance (such as NRSA traineeships and minority supplements) are eligible to participate, or to continue participating, in the networks. However, networks should take account of availability of other funding when allocating resources to support participants" attendance at workshops, conferences, or site visits to other research laboratories. Consultants costs are allowed if evidence is presented that the services are required by the Network’s objectives and are not otherwise available. Unallowable costs: Tuition costs are not allowed under this RFA nor can the participants receive any payment for attendance, nor be charged a fee for attendance at Network activities or workshop(s). LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by January 30, 1998, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed project, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating institutions (or affiliated professional organization as appropriate), and the number and title of this RFA. Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains 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. Ronald P. Abeles at the address listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact the appropriate NIA staff person listed under INQUIRIES early in the planning phase of application preparation to discuss areas of interest and award provisions. Such contact will help ensure that applications are responsive to the aims expressed in this announcement. The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and also 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@od.nih.gov. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application form. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it might not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the RFA title and number (Networks to Enhance Minority Recruitment to Aging Research, RFA AG-98-002) must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. In general, applications should follow instructions in the PHS 398 form (rev 5/95). The instructions below show how the sections of the application should be completed for those parts of the research plan that differ in content from a traditional research grant application. Research Plan (see PHS 398 pp. 15 to 19) Preliminary Studies - Applicants should: Describe any development and recruitment activities already initiated at the organization/institution relevant to enhanced minority recruitment to aging research or in similar fields. Describe any evaluation of the current program"s success in meeting its goals. Research Design and Methods - Program Focus - Applicants should describe the: Overall goals, objectives of the program and the number of participants to be supported. A draft application form to be used to recruit and select participants should be included. Activities proposed to assist participants in developing research careers. Applicants should justify their choice of activities by showing how they will develop the potential of minority applicants and researchers in aging, Breadth, depth, and quality of the Network plan including qualifications, capability, and experiences of the Program Director to successfully recruit, mentor and advance science and/or minorities in research. Relationship and responsibilities of the Network to the overall programs of the sponsoring organization. Advisory group (page 1) diversity including ethnic, minority, and gender diversity. The advisory group must include representatives from several different organizations or institutions in addition to the parent organization. Organizations with extensive existing networks related to aging research are encouraged to participate. Continuing role of the advisory group in the Network"s operation. Organizational plan proposed to initiate or continue minority recruitment and development in areas of interest to aging research. Plans for tracking and monitoring of participants" educational progress. Extent and quality of the Network of faculty and staff engaged in identifying underrepresented participants for this program and in assisting those selected. Applications should show how individual faculty and staff would participate in the different activities. Methods to facilitate the subsequent transition to research careers upon completion of Network activities. Participants" Focus Applicants should describe: And justify the intended level(s) of participants(undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral students, or junior faculty) to be recruited to the program, Strategies to recruit participants who are in non-intense research environments as well as those participating in undergraduate programs such as Career Opportunities in Research Education and Training (COR). Internal pre-award review or post-award evaluation procedures used to select participants for the program, and particular travel awards, and other awards within the program, Participants" commitment to the field of aging. The level of specificity should be consistent with the level of the participant, e.g., an undergraduate student may have a lesser commitment than a junior level faculty member. Subsequent Annual Progress Reports must: Include a one page summary of each Network student"s progress, Include a table indicating participant"s name, current address and telephone numbers, educational affiliation, academic major, and network activities completed. All applicants must submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and three signed exact photocopies, in one package to: CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW (formerly 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: Mary Nekola, Ph.D. Scientific Review Office National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Room 2C212 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 It is important to send these copies at the same time as the original and three copies are sent to the Division of Research Grants. The application must be received by March 10, 1998. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will not accept any application in response to this RFA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The CSR will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of applications previously reviewed, but such applications must include an introduction addressing the previous critique. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS 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 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 and assigned a priority score. Review Criteria 1) Significance: What effect will the network have on research skills and competence of students engaged in research, particularly aging research? (2) Approach: Are the organizational framework, design, methods, and procedures adequately developed, well integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? (3) Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods? Are the approaches original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing recruitment paradigms or develop new methods or approaches? (4) Investigator: Is the principal investigator experienced and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other collaborators (if any)? (5) Environment: Does the organizational environment in which the Network is established contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed activities take advantage of unique features of the environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of appropriate institutional resources and (organizational) support? In addition to the above criteria, and in accordance with NIH policy, all applications will be reviewed with respect to the following criterion where applicable: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed activities. AWARD CRITERIA The anticipated date of award is December 1998. Final funding decisions are based on the recommendations of the reviewers, the relevance of the project to NIA priorities, and the availability of funds. INQUIRIES Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Inquiries regarding programmatic issues and the application process, as well as letters of intent, may be directed to: Ronald P. Abeles, 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: Ronald_Abeles@nih.gov Direct inquiries relating to fiscal matters to: Mr. Joseph 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: EllisJ@nih.gov Schedule Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 30, 1998 Application Receipt Date: March 10, 1998 Initial Review: May/June 1998 Second Level Review: September 1998 Anticipated Date of Award: September 30, 1998 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 79-410, 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. The requirements of Executive Order 12372,"Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," are not applicable to NIA research grant programs. 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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