MULTIDISCIPLINARY BIOBEHAVIORAL RHEUMATIC DISEASES WORKSHOPS

RELEASE DATE:  May 30, 2002

RFA:  RFA-AR-02-011

PARTICIPATING INSTITUTES AND CENTERS (ICs):  
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

LETTER OF INTENT RECEIPT DATE:  October 16, 2002

APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE:  November 14, 2002

THIS RFA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

o Purpose of this RFA
o Research Objectives
o Mechanism(s) of Support 
o Funds Available
o Eligible Institutions
o Individuals Eligible to become Principal Investigators
o Special Requirements 
o Where to send Inquiries
o Letter of Intent
o Submitting an Application
o Peer Review Process
o Review Criteria
o Receipt and Review Schedule
o Award Criteria
o Required Federal Citations

PURPOSE OF THIS RFA

Biopsychosocial perspectives and approaches to research can contribute to our 
understanding of etiology, course, and outcomes of rheumatic diseases. To 
increase integration of such approaches into rheumatic diseases research, the 
NIAMS has identified a fundamental need to foster interdisciplinary 
communication and collaboration among behavioral scientists, physicians, and 
basic scientists with interests in or relevant to these diseases. To this end, 
the NIAMS is soliciting applications to organize a workshop that will gather 
behavioral scientists, clinicians, and basic scientists with shared or 
overlapping interests to discuss the state of science in the proposed focus 
area and to suggest a research agenda. This workshop should be designed to 
enhance interdisciplinary communication, promote new collaborations, and 
attract investigators who are new to research in the rheumatic diseases. In 
addition, the meetings will define scientific needs and opportunities that may 
guide development of future research initiatives. 

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

In the biopsychosocial model, health and illness are conceptualized as 
products of a variety of factors including biological variables (e.g., genetic 
predisposition, exposure to pathogens), psychological factors (e.g., 
behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, emotions), and social conditions (e.g., social 
support, cultural influences). Perturbations occurring at any level in the 
hierarchical biopsychosocial system, from the molecular to the societal, exert 
effects on other levels. Thus, understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, and 
outcomes of disease and developing effective strategies for prevention and 
treatment require investigation not only in multiple separate domains and at 
multiple separate levels of analysis, but necessitate collaborative research 
efforts that integrate approaches and perspectives from multiple disciplines.  
This need is particularly strong in chronic diseases, whose etiology and 
course are often poorly understood, and which can cause life-long pain, 
disability, and distress. 

Biomedical approaches to research in the rheumatic diseases continue to yield 
important discoveries regarding genetic, immunologic, and other biological 
factors in these diseases. Behavioral and social science research is 
contributing important epidemiologic information and approaches to managing 
the distressing symptoms of these disorders. However, research integrating 
behavioral, basic biomedical, and clinical rheumatology perspectives has been 
extremely limited. The potential of the behavioral and social sciences and a 
biopsychosocial approach to contribute to research in the rheumatic diseases 
has not been fully realized. Among the obstacles delaying the development of 
biopsychosocial research in rheumatic diseases are professional cultures and 
demands that limit interaction among basic biomedical, behavioral, and 
clinical scientists. In the long-term interest of promoting a biopsychosocial 
research agenda in rheumatic diseases, the NIAMS wishes to facilitate 
interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists with interests in or relevant 
to these diseases by supporting interdisciplinary workshops. These meetings 
should be designed to promote enhanced interdisciplinary communication, new 
collaborations, and to identify biopsychosocial research needs and 
opportunities in the rheumatic diseases. 

Examples of workshops that could support the overall goals of this RFA 
include, but are not limited to:

o Psychoneuroimmunology, CNS-endocrine-immune interactions in rheumatic 
diseases

o Cognition and cognitive dysfunction in rheumatic diseases, brain imaging, 
relationships among cognition, mood disturbance, and disease activity 

o Biopsychosocial approaches to understanding sex, ethnic, and/or 
socioeconomic differences in clinical disease, symptom perception and 
management, interactions with the health care system

o Stress   theoretical models, potential influence on disease course and 
presentation (e.g., symptom flares), influence of stress management techniques 
and interventions on illness, potential mechanisms of stress-illness effects

o The problem of fatigue in rheumatic diseases   epidemiological issues, 
potential mechanisms, approaches to prevention and treatment

o Disturbances of sleep and their relationship to disease process, symptoms, 
and disability in rheumatic diseases

o Issues in pediatric rheumatology, including pain, psychosocial adjustment, 
physical functioning, and intervention approaches

o Animal models   appropriate and useful animal models for elucidating 
biobehavioral mechanisms in rheumatic diseases, experimental approaches

o Biopsychosocial approaches to understanding chronic pain and pain 
management in rheumatic diseases, tailoring research and intervention 
techniques based on individual characteristics 

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the NIH conference cooperative agreement award mechanism 
(U13). As an applicant you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, 
and executing the proposed project.  This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  
Future unsolicited, competing-continuation applications based on this project 
will compete with all investigator-initiated applications and will be reviewed 
according to the customary peer review procedures. The anticipated award date 
is June, 2003.  This RFA uses just-in-time concepts.  

The NIH U13 is a cooperative agreement award mechanism in which the Principal 
Investigator retains the primary responsibility and dominant role for 
planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, with NIH staff being 
substantially involved as a partner with the Principal Investigator, as 
described under the section "Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of 
Award." 
Applications may request support for one conference. The total project period 
may not exceed 2 years, total cost of award will not exceed $50,000 
(investigators who wish to propose a workshop requiring a larger budget should 
plan on obtaining the additional funding from other sources). This RFA is a 
one-time solicitation.  Future unsolicited competing continuation applications 
will compete with all investigator-initiated applications and be reviewed 
according to the customary peer review procedures.  The anticipated award date 
is July, 2003.

FUNDS AVAILABLE 

The NIAMS intends to commit approximately $100,000 in FY 2003 to fund 2 new 
grants in response to this RFA. Although the financial plans of the NIAMS 
provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent 
upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of 
meritorious applications. At this time, it is not known if this RFA will be 
reissued.

ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
 
You may submit (an) application(s) if your institution has any of the 
following characteristics:

o For-profit or non-profit organizations 
o Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, 
and laboratories 
o Units of State and local governments
o Eligible agencies of the Federal government  
o Domestic 
o Faith-based organizations 

INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS   

Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry 
out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop 
an application for support.  Individuals from underrepresented racial and 
ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged 
to apply for NIH programs.    

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award

The Principal Investigator will have the primary authority and responsibility 
to define objectives and approaches, plan, publicize, and conduct the 
scientific meeting, and publish the results of the meeting.

The Principal Investigator will retain custody of, and have primary rights to, 
information developed under the cooperative agreement, subject to Government 
rights of access, consistent with current Department of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS), PHS, and NIH policies.

The NIAMS staff member named in the Notice of Award will provide significant 
input in the planning and conduct of the scientific meeting. This work may 
include working with the Principal Investigator in finalizing the meeting 
format and agenda, selecting topics for discussion, publicizing the meeting, 
selecting speakers and other meeting participants, and publishing the meeting 
proceedings.

Publication and copyright agreements and the requirements for financial status 
reports, retention of records, and terminal progress reports will be as stated 
in the NIH document, "Guidelines for Support of Scientific Meetings by NIH," 
NIH Guide, October 30, 1998.

An independent, third-party individual acceptable to both the Principal 
Investigator and NIAMS will be asked to serve as an arbitrator of any serious 
differences of opinion on scientific and programmatic issues that may arise 
during the planning and conduct of the scientific meeting. This special 
arbitration process will in no way affect the rights of the recipient to 
appeal an adverse action in accordance with PHS regulations of 42 CFR Part 50, 
Subpart D, and DHHS regulations of 45 CFR Part 16.

These special Terms and Conditions are in addition to, not in lieu of, 
otherwise applicable Office of Management and Budget administrative 
guidelines, DHHS grant administrative regulations at 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92, 
as appropriate, and other DHHS, PHS, and NIH grants administration policies.

WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES

We encourage inquiries concerning this RFA and welcome the opportunity to 
answer questions from potential applicants.  Inquiries may fall into three 
areas:  scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management 
issues:

o Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:

Deborah N. Ader, Ph.D.
Behavioral and Prevention Research Program 
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
45 Center Dr., Bldg. 45, Rm. 5A19H
Bethesda, MD 20892-6500
Telephone: (301) 594-5032
FAX: (301) 480-4543 (fax)
Email: aderd@mail.nih.gov

o Direct your questions about peer review issues to:

Dr. Tommy Broadwater
Review Branch
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
45 Center Drive, Bldg. 45, Rm. 5A25U
Bethesda, MD 20892-6500
Telephone: (301) 594-4952
FAX: (301) 480-4543 
Email: broadwat@ep.niams.nih.gov

o Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to:

Melinda Nelson
Grants Management Officer
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Building 45, Room 5AS49F
45 Center Drive, MSC 6500
Bethesda, MD 20892-6500
Telephone: (301) 594-3535
FAX: (301) 480-5450
Email: melinda_nelson@nih.gov

LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes 
the following information:

o Descriptive title of the proposed research
o Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
o Names of other key personnel 
o Participating institutions
o 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 IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan 
the review.
 
The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed at the beginning of this 
document.  The letter of intent should be sent to:

Deborah N. Ader, Ph.D.
Director, Behavioral and Prevention Research Program 
NIAMS
45 Center Dr., Bldg. 45, Rm. 5A19H
Bethesda, MD 20892-6500
Telephone: (301) 594-5032
FAX: (301) 480-4543 (fax)
Email: aderd@mail.nih.gov

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application 
instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001).  The PHS 398 is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive 
format.  For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267, 
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS: 

When preparing a U13 application, the applicant must consult the "Guidelines 
for Support of Scientific Meetings by NIH," 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-151.html). Applicants 
should also review the NIH policy announcement concerning the inclusion of 
women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in NIH sponsored and 
supported scientific meetings and conferences: 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not95-123.html

In the Research Plan section of the application describe the anticipated 
role(s) of NIAMS Program staff in the proposed meetings.

Following the Research Plan, the applicant should provide a statement 
acknowledging and agreeing to NIAMS Program staff post-award involvement in 
planning and conducting the scientific meeting, and should describe plans to 
accommodate this involvement.

In the Research Plan section of the application, describe the relevance of the 
proposed workshop to NIAMS program goals. Description of these goals for the 
Rheumatic Diseases Branch and the Behavioral and Prevention Research Program 
can be found on the web at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/rtac/funding/grants/ep3.htm

This section should also be used to provide a detailed description of the 
planning process, including a core planning committee, and identify the 
individual who will chair the proposed meetings. The timeline, topic, 
objectives, approximate size, and format of the workshop should be described, 
including the disciplines to be represented, potential participants for the 
meeting and how the workshop will be advertised or publicized. Plans to 
include trainees, early career attendees, women, and minorities should be 
noted. This section also should specify how meeting proceedings will be 
developed.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The application must be submitted at least 12 months in 
advance of the conference, to provide enough time for peer review and program 
evaluation.  No conference grant award will be made after the beginning date 
of the conference. The PHS 398 research grant application instructions and 
forms (rev. 5/2001) at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html 
are to be used in applying for these grants. This version of the PHS 398 is 
available in an interactive, searchable PDF format. Beginning January 10, 
2002, the NIH will return applications that are not submitted on the 5/2001 
version. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone 301/710-0267, 
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.

USING THE RFA LABEL: The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) 
application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the 
application.  Type the RFA number on the label.  Failure to use this label 
could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not 
reach the review committee in time for review.  In addition, the RFA title and 
number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and 
the YES box must be marked. The RFA label is also available at: 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf.
 
SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH: Submit a signed, typewritten original of 
the application, including the Checklist, and three signed, photocopies, 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)
 
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be 
sent to:

Dr. Tommy Broadwater
Chief, Review Branch
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
45 Center Drive, Natcher Bldg. Rm. 5A25U
Bethesda, MD 20892-6500

APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be received by the application 
receipt date listed in the heading of this RFA.  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 already reviewed, but such applications must include 
an Introduction addressing the previous critique.

PEER REVIEW PROCESS  
 
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR and 
responsiveness by NIAMS.

Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further 
consideration.  And, if the application is not responsive to the RFA, CSR 
staff may contact the applicant to determine whether to return the application 
to the applicant or submit it for review in competition with unsolicited 
applications at the next appropriate NIH review cycle.

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 
NIAMS in accordance with the review criteria stated below.  As part of the 
initial merit review, all applications will:

o Receive a written critique
o Undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the 
highest scientific merit, generally the top half of the applications under 
review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score
o Receive a second level review by the NIAMS National Advisory Council.

REVIEW CRITERIA

The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of 
biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health.  In 
the written comments, reviewers will be asked to discuss the following aspects 
of your application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed 
research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals:

o  the need and timeliness for the scientific meeting,
o  its format and agenda,
o  qualifications of the organizers and proposed participants,
o  past performance where applicable,
o  appropriateness of the meeting site,
o  plans for the appropriate involvement of women, racial/ethnic minorities
and persons with disabilities in the planning and implementation of the
proposed meeting
  
Additional review criteria for this RFA include: 

o The workshop"s likelihood of promoting post-workshop interdisciplinary 
collaboration in rheumatic diseases research and advancing a 
biopsychosocial research agenda in rheumatic diseases

o The timeliness and need for the scientific workshop

o The qualifications of the PI, organizers, and proposed participants

o The appropriateness of the proposed format for achieving the stated goals

o Plans for the inclusion of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities 
in the planning and implementation of the proposed workshops

o The adequacy of the applicant"s plans to seek out and encourage the 
participation of junior investigators and postdoctoral fellows (if not 
within the scope of a particular workshop, explain why).

o The adequacy of the resources and environment

The scientific review group will address and consider each of these criteria 
in assigning your application"s overall score, weighting them as appropriate 
for each application.  Your application does not need to be strong in all of 
the following categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact 
and thus deserve a high priority score.

RECEIPT AND REVIEW SCHEDULE

Letter of Intent Receipt Date: October 16, 2002
Application Receipt Date: November 16, 2002
Peer Review Date: April, 2003
Council Review: May, 2003
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: June, 2003

AWARD CRITERIA

Award criteria that will be used to make award decisions include:

o Scientific merit (as determined by peer review)
o Availability of funds
o Programmatic priorities.
 
REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS

URLs IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES: All applications and proposals 
for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations. 
Unless otherwise specified in an NIH solicitation, Internet addresses (URLs) 
should not be used to provide information necessary to the review because 
reviewers are under no obligation to view the Internet sites.   Furthermore, 
we caution reviewers that their anonymity may be compromised when they 
directly access an Internet site.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010: The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving 
the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 
2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This RFA is 
related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain 
a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS: This program is described in the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance No. 93.846. and is not subject to the intergovernmental 
review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.  
Awards are made under authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public 
Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and administered under NIH 
grants policies described at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm 
and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.

The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free 
workplace and discourage the 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.

The PHS strongly encourages all grant 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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