Full Text DE-94-004 NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARD - INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING APPLICATIONS NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 14, April 8, 1994 RFA: DE-94-004 P.T. Keywords: National Institute of Dental Research Letter of Intent Receipt Date: August 10, 1994 Application Receipt Date: September 12, 1994 PURPOSE The National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) invites new and competing applications proposing National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) programs in basic biomedical, behavioral and clinical sciences pertaining to oral health research. The primary objective is to develop highly qualified, clinical investigators by supporting postdoctoral training of individuals with a D.D.S., D.M.D., or equivalent degree, who are committed to a career in oral health research. The secondary objective is training of pre- and post-Ph.D. biomedical and behavioral scientists in oral health research. Several advisory groups have called attention to the need to expand the pool of clinical investigators in order to take advantage of opportunities for transfer of fundamental knowledge to improve oral health care of the public. For this purpose, the term clinical research is defined as research in which patients serve as the research subjects, and is often referred to as patient-oriented or patient-related research. It includes characterization of normal and diseased human function, evaluation of new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and devices, patient compliance and disease prevention regimens, drug trials, assessment of various health care practices by various population subgroups and epidemiological studies. In order to address this need, applications must allocate not less than two postdoctoral positions to trainees with a declared interest in receiving training to conduct this type of clinical research. The remaining positions may be allocated to basic or clinical research training, in the array of biomedical and behavioral research areas pertaining to the NIDR's mission. Programs must be relevant to the goals of the NIDR including: research on the causes, epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental caries, periodontal and soft tissue diseases, oral cancer, oral manifestations of AIDS, and craniofacial anomalies; orofacial pain; temporomandibular disorders; structure and function of teeth, jaws, oral mucosa, bone, connective tissue, salivary glands; behavioral, social, economic and cultural factors related to oral diseases and disorders; biomaterials; fluoride and nutrition; and research on older Americans, gender differences, minorities, those with medical problems and handicaps, and individuals and groups at high-risk for oral health problems. 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), NRSA - Institutional Training Applications, is related to the priority area of oral health. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202/783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic, public, and private institutions such as dental schools and dental research institutions. Only one application may be submitted by an institution unless the training programs are in distinctly different areas of oral health research. Levels of Training and Trainee Eligibility Training is to be provided at one or more of the following levels: (1) dentists pursuing postdoctoral clinical research training; (2) dentists pursuing a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in basic biomedical or behavioral science; (3) baccalaureate degree holders pursuing a Ph.D. or equivalent degree; (4) Ph.D. degree holders pursuing postdoctoral research training although, generally, they are expected to apply for an individual postdoctoral NRSA fellowship (F32). Postdoctoral trainees who have received, as of the beginning of an appointment, a D.D.S., D.M.D., or equivalent dental degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution, must be given preference. If the degree has not yet been conferred, a statement, by an authorized official of the degree-granting institution, that all degree requirements have been met is acceptable. Predoctoral trainees must have received a baccalaureate degree as of the beginning of the appointment and be enrolled in a graduate program leading to the award of a Ph.D. or an equivalent degree in biomedical or behavioral oral health research. Individuals who wish to interrupt their dental school studies for one or more years to engage in full-time research training before completing their professional degrees are eligible; however, prior approval by the NIDR, as well as by the institution, is required before an appointment can be offered. Trainees must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551). Noncitizen nationals, although not citizens of the United States, owe permanent allegiance to the U.S. They are generally born in lands which are not states but are under U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Awards resulting from this RFA will be the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants (T32). Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The total project period for applications submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed five years. Awards may be renewable upon submission of a successful competing application, depending on programmatic needs and the availability of funds. The anticipated award date is July 1, 1995. Trainees may receive up to five years of NRSA support at the predoctoral level and three years of support at the postdoctoral level, including any combination of support from institutional training awards and individual fellowship awards. Extensions beyond these periods require a waiver from the NIH. Dentists requiring additional time to complete training as a participant in a Ph.D. program may anticipate favorable consideration of a waiver request, contingent upon certification of the recipient's good academic standing. It is expected that postdoctoral trainees with Ph.D., D.D.S., or equivalent degrees will engage in not less than two years training. FUNDS AVAILABLE In response to this RFA, the NIDR expects to make up to three new or competing awards, each with two postdoctoral positions, in the first year. The estimated total funding for the first year of support is $240,000. This level of support is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific and educational merit. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NIDR, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The training program must provide opportunities for individuals to carry out supervised biomedical or behavioral oral health research and develop research skills. Clinical programs must have strong relationships with basic scientists to ensure trainees the opportunity to acquire the necessary foundation for independent research. The training program director will be responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees and for the overall direction of the program. Applicants must request six postdoctoral positions over the five-year period, with two appointments in each of the first, second and third years. Applicants must allocate not less than two postdoctoral positions to trainees interested in receiving training to conduct the type of clinical research defined under PURPOSE. Such appointments must be made in the first and second years of the award. The remaining positions may be allocated to basic or clinical research trainees, in the array of research areas relevant to the NIDR's mission. Three predoctoral positions may be requested over the five- year period. The number and types of positions awarded will be determined by the initial review group's assessment of scientific and educational merit, program needs, and the availability of funds. Training grants may not be used to support studies leading to a D.D.S. or other similar professional degrees, or to support residencies, or other training for dentists providing care to patients where the majority of their time is spent in non-research clinical training. However, if a specified period of full-time research training is creditable toward specialty board certification, the training grant may support such research training if the trainee has shown a clear interest in a research career. Since recently graduated dentists usually have little or no prior research training, the training must include a minimum of two years of basic or clinical research training. Applicants are reminded of the importance the NIDR places on recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented minorities to sponsored training and career development programs. Where feasible, women and minority mentors should be involved as role models. Additional information regarding NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants is given in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 21, No. 11, March 20, 1992. Copies of the NIH Guide are usually available in the business or grants office of most academic institutions. This publication is available electronically to institutions via BITNET or INTERNET and is also on the NIH GOPHER. Alternative access is through the NIH Grant Line using a personal computer (data line 301/402-2221). Contact Dr. John James at 301/594-7270 for details. Stipends and Other Training Costs For predoctoral trainees, at all levels of experience, the stipend is $10,008 per year. For postdoctoral trainees, the stipend is determined by the number of years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the time of appointment. Relevant experience may include research, including industrial; teaching; internship; residency; clinical practice; or other time spent in a health-related field beyond that of the qualifying doctoral degree. The postdoctoral stipends are as follows: Years of Relevant Experience Stipend 0 $19,608 1 20,700 2 25,600 3 26,900 4 28,200 5 29,500 6 30,800 7 or more 32,300 Stipends may be supplemented by an institution from non-Federal funds. Other NIH funds may not be used to supplement stipends. Non-NIH Federal funds may not be used for stipend supplementation unless specifically authorized under the terms of the program from which the supplemental funds are derived. An individual may make use of Federal educational loan funds or Department of Veterans' Affairs benefits when permitted by those programs. Under no circumstance may the condition of stipend supplementation detract from or prolong the training. The Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514, impacts on the tax liability of all individuals supported under the NRSA program. Degree trainees may exclude only required course tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment. Non-degree trainees will be required to report stipends and all monies paid on their behalf for tuition and fees. The NIH is not in a position to advise students or institutions about their tax liability. In any event, changes in the taxability of stipends in no way alters the relationship between NRSA fellows, trainees, and institutions. NRSA stipends are not now, and never have been, salaries. Trainees supported under the NRSA are not in an employer-employee relationship with the NIH or the institution at which they are pursuing research training. Reimbursement of tuition and fees, including medical insurance, will be consistent with NIH policy. They are allowable trainee costs if such charges are required of all persons in a similar training status at the institution, without regard to their source of support. Tuition at the postdoctoral level, if justifiable, is limited to that required for specific courses in support of the approved training program. Annual increments in tuition costs beyond the first year of a five-year award will not be allowed. Trainee travel, including attendance at scientific meetings that the institution determines to be necessary to the individual's training, is an allowable trainee cost. Institutional costs of $1,500 per year per predoctoral trainee and $2,500 per year per postdoctoral trainee may be requested to defray the cost of training related expenses, such as staff salaries, consultant costs, equipment, research supplies, and staff travel. Indirect costs - reimbursement of actual indirect costs at a rate up to, but not exceeding, eight percent of the total direct costs, exclusive of tuition, fees and equipment, is allowed. Payback Provisions Predoctoral trainees do not incur payback obligations. Postdoctoral trainees must sign an agreement to fulfill NRSA payback requirements. They incur payback obligation for the first twelve months of support. This obligation will be satisfied by continuing on the training grant for an additional 12 months. For payback obligations which are not satisfied in this way, trainees must engage in biomedical or health-related behavioral research and or teaching for a period equal to the period of support up to 12 months. The obligated service must be undertaken continuously within two years after termination of support. Individuals who fail to fulfill the obligation through service must pay back the total amount of funds paid to the individual for the obligation period plus interest at a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Financial payback must be completed within three years of the date the United States becomes entitled to recover such amount. Under certain conditions, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may extend the period for starting service or for repayment, permit breaks in the period of service or repayment, or otherwise waive or suspend the payback obligation of an individual. Officials of the applicant organization responsible for recruitment of trainees should familiarize themselves with the terms of the payback service requirement and explain them carefully to prospective trainees before an appointment to the training grant is offered. For additional information, including the grounds for approving extensions of support and payback provisions, refer to the announcements in the NIH Guide, "National Research Service Awards - Guidelines for Individual Awards - Institutional Grants," Special Edition, Volume 13, No. 1, January 6, 1984, and "Modification of the NRSA Service Payback Obligation," Volume 22, No. 27, July 30, 1993. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by August 10, 1994, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research training program, the name, address, and telephone number of the program director, 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 subsequent applications, the information that it contains is helpful in planning for the review of applications. It allows NIDR staff to estimate the potential review workload and to avoid conflicts-of-interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Thomas M. Valega at the address listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact Dr. Valega, at the address listed under INQUIRIES, early in the planning phase of application preparation. This will help ensure that applications are responsive to the RFA. Applications are to be submitted on form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91). Application forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 710-0267 and from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Applicants must request six postdoctoral positions over the five-year period, with two appointments in each of the first, second and third years. Applicants must allocate not less than two postdoctoral positions to trainees interested in receiving training to conduct the type of clinical research defined under PURPOSE. Such appointments must be made in the first and second years of the award. The remaining positions may be allocated to basic or clinical research trainees, in the array of research areas relevant to the NIDR's mission. Three predoctoral positions may be requested over the five year period. A plan must be included for the recruitment of women and individuals from minority groups that are nationally underrepresented in these sciences. No awards will be made to applications lacking this component. Where possible, women and minority preceptors should be included, to serve as role models. Cumulative information on the career development of all former trainees, including information about their minority and gender status must be included. Applications must include a description of formal and or informal activities related to instruction about the responsible conduct of research to be incorporated into the proposed research training program. Information must be provided on the rationale, subject matter, appropriateness, format, and the frequency and duration of instruction; and the amount and nature of faculty participation. Progress reports in continuation applications must include the type of instruction, topics covered, and other details, such as attendance by trainees and names of the instructors. No award will be made if an application lacks this component. Information regarding, "Modification of Existing Review Criteria for NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants," is given in the NIH Guide, Vol. 21, No. 11, March 20, 1992. To identify the application as a response to this RFA, check "YES" on item 2a of page 1 of the application and enter "RFA: DE-94-004, NRSA - Institutional Training Applications." The RFA label available in 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 in time for review. 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 Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892-4500** At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application also must be sent to: H. George Hausch, Ph.D. Extramural Program National Institute of Dental Research Westwood Building, Room 519 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7632 This RFA is for a single competition. Applications must be received by September 12, 1994. If an application is received after that date or deemed non-responsive to the RFA, it will be returned to the applicant without review. 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 Applications will be reviewed for completeness and responsiveness to the RFA by NIH staff. Incomplete or nonresponsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Remaining applications may be subjected to triage by the NIDR Special Grants Review Committee, a standing NIH initial review group, to determine their merit, relative to others received in response to the RFA. The NIDR will withdraw applications judged to be noncompetitive and notify the applicant. Applications judged to be competitive will be evaluated for scientific and educational merit by the review committee. The following review criteria will be applied: o Research training program objectives, design and direction: Management structure; core curriculum and available courses or seminars; how guided research activities are selected and trainees are assigned to preceptors; procedures for monitoring progress; existence of a true training program, as contrasted with fellowship training for an individual; appropriateness of the number of trainees; unique and innovative aspects. o Program director, faculty and preceptors: Administrative and scientific qualifications, roles, time commitment, ability to compete for research support, and experience in graduate research training. o Training environment: Institutional commitment; evidence of ongoing fundamental and clinical research; availability of research support, equipment, facilities, and clinical resources. o Selection of trainees: Plans for recruitment and criteria for selection of trainees, availability of high-quality candidates, including minorities and women. o Past training record: For new and renewal applications, potential or performance in training scientists as indicated by former trainees' success in obtaining research grant support, establishing independent research careers, and involvement in clinical and basic oral health research. o Recruitment and retention of women and minority trainees: After review of the application for scientific and educational merit and assignment of a priority score, the Special Grants Review Committee will comment on plans for recruiting women and underrepresented minorities. For renewal applications, this will include accomplishments in recruiting and retaining women and underrepresented minorities and training them for research careers. o Responsible conduct of research: The quality of scientific integrity instruction. Secondary review will be by the National Advisory Dental Research Council. Among the information the Council considers will be the report of the Special Grants Review Committee on the plans for, and success in, recruitment and retention of women and individuals from underrepresented minority groups. The NIDR will notify the applicant of the Council's action shortly after its meeting. Review and Award Schedule Applications will be processed according to the following schedule: Application Initial Review Council Earliest Receipt Date Group Meeting Meeting Award Date Sep 12, 1994 Feb/Mar 1995 May/Jun 1995 Jul 1995 AWARD CRITERIA Funding decisions will be based on the Special Grant Review Committee's and Council's recommendations; the need for research personnel in particular program areas, including the need to train clinical investigators; and the availability of funds. The earliest award date is July 1, 1995. The NIDR appreciates the value of complementary funding from other public and private sources, including foundations and industrial concerns, for activities that will complement and expand those supported by the NIDR. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues and address the letter of intent to: Thomas M. Valega, Ph.D. Extramural Program National Institute of Dental Research Westwood Building, Room 503 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7617 FAX: (301) 594-7616 Direct inquiries pertaining to fiscal matters to: Theresa Ringler Extramural Program National Institute of Dental Research Westwood Building, Room 510 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7629 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants are made under the authority of Section 487 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act as amended (42 USC 288). Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 66, is applicable to this program. This program is also described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.121. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. .
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