Full Text DA-96-001

BROADENING BASIC BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE RESEARCH IN DRUG ABUSE

NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 29, August 11, 1995

RFA:  DA-96-001

P.T. 34

Keywords: 
  Behavioral/Social Studies/Service 
  Drugs/Drug Abuse 
  041005 


National Institute on Drug Abuse

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  October 13, 1995
Application Receipt Date:  November 14, 1995

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to broaden
basic behavioral science research in drug abuse.  A key feature of
basic behavioral research is the use of laboratory and other
comparably controlled procedures to elucidate underlying behavioral
mechanisms or processes.  As a primary goal, basic behavioral
research establishes a scientific foundation for later application in
treatment and prevention research.  Several important research areas
in behavioral sciences such as cognitive, motivational, and social
processes as well as health behavior research have the potential to
address questions of underlying behavioral mechanisms, determinants
and correlates of drug abuse, as well as to better characterize the
harmful sequelae of drug use and abuse.  These and other basic
behavioral science areas currently are underrepresented at the
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

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 RFA,
Broadening Basic Behavioral Science Research in Drug Abuse, is
related to the priority area of alcohol and other drugs.  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 and foreign, 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.
Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with
disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research
project grant (R01).  This solicitation is for applications for new
(not competing renewal) awards only.  Responsibility for the
planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be
solely that of the applicant.  The anticipated award date is July 1,
1996.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

It is anticipated that approximately $2 million in FY 1996 will be
available to support projects submitted under this RFA.  Because the
nature and scope of the research proposed in response to this RFA may
vary, the size of an award will vary also.  However, it is
anticipated that approximately six to seven new awards will be made
under this RFA.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this RFA is to stimulate innovative basic
behavioral approaches and paradigms that may advance the
understanding of drug abuse.

o  To promote basic behavioral research relating to drug abuse that
is conducted without necessarily including the use of abused drugs in
the research protocols.

o  To encourage the development of behavioral protocols and models
that do not use drugs in the initial development of the protocol, but
have clear potential for further study with drugs.

o  To stimulate basic behavioral research clearly related to drug
abuse, but using research volunteers other than drug users or
addicts.  This is particularly appropriate for protocols that do not
involve the administration of drugs.

o  To develop and improve basic research models of behavioral change
in drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, and other high-risk behaviors.

Both laboratory studies and comparably controlled procedures that use
behavioral measurements, that employ basic behavioral models or that
study basic behavioral processes will be considered.  Both human and
animal research are encouraged.  Additionally, applicants are
encouraged to employ study designs that would permit assessment of
gender differences.

Targeted Areas in the Basic Behavioral Sciences:

o  Cognitive processes (learning and memory, language and information
processing, perception, problem solving, concept formation, spatial
ability, and animal cognition).

o  Social and personality factors (dominance hierarchies, social
influence, social values, social attitudes and cognition, persuasion
conformity and compliance, group and interpersonal processes,
conflict and resolution, sex roles, sexual behavior; risk taking and
HIV/AIDS).

o  Behavioral change models (self-control, self-management, incentive
motivation theory, behavioral alternatives).

o  Developmental processes (cognitive, perceptual, motor and language
development, psychosocial and personality development, lifespan
studies).

o  Health-related behavioral processes (stress coping strategies,
health decision models, placebo effects, self-medication,
co-morbidity including sleep and eating disorders).

o  Biological bases of behavior (aggression, behavioral genetics,
animal learning and behavior, physiology and behavior, stress, pain
and analgesia, diurnal, circadian and ultradian rhythms).

Examples of research topics responsive to this RFA may include, but
are not restricted to, the following:

o  Cognitive dysfunctions associated with acute, casual, and chronic
drug use, including memory deficits and higher-order dysfunctions.

o  Human and animal models of impulsivity and risk taking.

o  Basic behavioral factors leading to first use of drugs, and
escalation to drug abuse and dependence, as well as spontaneous
cessation of drug use.

o  The role of temporal factors (e.g., diurnal or circadian rhythms)
in controlling normal, risky, or abnormal behavior.

o  The cognitive process by which drug-related information is
encoded.

o  The motivational and learning processes underlying craving.

o  The role of social attachment, social interactions, and social
influence on high risk or deviant behavior.

o  Mechanisms underlying the temporal patterning of drug use as a
function of drug type (e.g., patterns of craving and binging).

o  Ecologically valid human and animal behavioral studies.

o  Co-morbidity (e.g., bipolar illness) as a factor in sensation
seeking and risk-taking behavior.

o  Factors such as mood and emotion as modulators of interoceptive
experiences.

o  Laboratory models of the development of and commonalities among
excessive, persistent and highly motivated behaviors.

o  Aggression and drug abuse: for example, aggressor or victim status
in modulating responsivity to drugs or susceptibility to drugs or
drug cues, stress or drug-induced aggression, dominance-submissive
animal paradigms.

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 subpopulations 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 new policy results
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. The new policy contains some
provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies.

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 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.  Program staff may also provide
additional relevant information concerning the policy.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by October 13, 1995, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal
Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating
institutions, and the number and title of the RFA in response to
which the application may be submitted.  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
NIDA staff to estimate the potential review workload and avoid
conflict of interest in the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to:

Office of Extramural Program Review
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10-42
Rockville, MD  20857

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

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 may be obtained from
the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, NIH,
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3032 MSC 7762, Bethesda, MD 20892-7762,
telephone (301) 435-0715.

The RFA label in the PHS 398 application kit must be affixed to the
bottom of the original face page.  Failure to use the RFA label and
to follow instructions 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 in
Item 2 on the face page of the application form and the YES box must
be marked.

Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including
the checklist, and three signed 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 courier/overnight service)

At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application
must also be sent to:

Office of Extramural Program Review
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10-42
Rockville, MD  20857

Applications must be received by November 14, 1995.  If an
application is received after this date it will be held for the next
regular receipt date and reviewed with all other unsolicited
applications.  However, it will not be considered as a response to
this RFA.  The Division of Research Grants (DRG) will not accept any
application in response to the RFA that is essentially the same as
one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws
the pending application.  The DRG 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.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by DRG
and responsiveness by NIDA.  Incomplete applications will be returned
to the applicant without further consideration.  If the application
is not responsive to the RFA, the applicant may be contacted to
determine whether to return the application to the applicant or
submit it for review in competition with unsolicited applications at
the next review cycle.

Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be
evaluated for scientific/technical merit by an appropriate peer
review group convened by NIDA in accordance with the review criteria
stated below.

Review Criteria

o  scientific, technical or medical significance and originality of
proposed research;

o  appropriateness and adequacy of the experimental approach and
methodology proposed to carry out the research;

o  qualifications and research experience of the Principal
Investigator and staff, particularly, but not exclusively, in the
area of the proposed research;

o  availability of the resources necessary to perform the research;

o  appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to
the proposed research; and,

o  adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their
subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research.
Plans for recruitment and retention of subjects will also be
evaluated.

The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the
protection of human and animal subjects and the safety of the
research environment.

AWARD CRITERIA

Applications will be considered for funding on the basis of overall
scientific and technical merit of the proposal as determined by peer
review, appropriateness of budget estimates, program needs and
balance, policy considerations, adequacy of provisions for the
protection of human and animal subjects, and availability of funds.
In addition, criteria for awards will be based on the RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES listed earlier.

Schedule

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  October 13, 1995
Application Receipt Date:       November 14, 1995
Initial Review Date:            February/March 1996
Advisory Council Date:          May 1996
Earliest Start Date:            July 1996

INQUIRIES

Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  The opportunity to
clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Dr. Jaylan S. Turkkan
Division of Basic Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane Room 10A-20
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-1263
FAX:  (301) 594-6043
Email:  jaylan@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal or grants management issues to:

Dr. Gary Fleming
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8A-54
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-6710
Email:  GFLEMING@AOADA.SSW.DHHS.GOV

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalogue of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.279.  Awards are made under authorization of the
Public Health Service Act, Section 301, and administered under PHS
grants policies and Federal Regulations at Title 42 CFR 52 "Grants
for Research Projects," Title 45 CFR Part 74 & 92, "Administration of
Grants," and 45 CFR Part 46, "Protection of Human Subjects."  Title
42 CFR Part 2, "Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient
Records" may also be applicable to these awards.  This program is not
subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive
Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.

The Public Health Service 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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