Full Text DE-94-005 INSTITUTIONAL DENTIST SCIENTIST AWARD NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 18, May 13, 1994 RFA: DE-94-005 P.T. 34 Keywords: Oral Diseases Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl National Institute of Dental Research Letter of Intent Receipt Date: December 1, 1994 Application Receipt Date: January 18, 1995 PURPOSE The National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) invites applications proposing new and competing renewal Institutional Dentist Scientist Award programs in basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical oral health research. The ultimate purpose of these programs is the development of outstanding clinician research scientists. Programs must provide doctoral-level (Ph.D.) training in basic science and advanced clinical knowledge and skills development in either a recognized clinical specialty or other equivalent dental clinical discipline and a supervised research experience designed to facilitate transition to an active research career. It is anticipated that most graduates will undertake two or more years of post-Ph.D. research development to complete their preparation for an independent research career. 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. Several changes have been introduced in the policies and provisions governing these awards. Current policies and provisions will remain in effect for all programs through June 30, 1995, and will continue to apply to appointees accepted into programs prior to that date until completion of their five years career development. The new policies and provisions will apply to all new appointments made on or after July 1, 1995 and to all new and competitive renewal awards made after July 1, 1996. 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), Institutional Dentist Scientist Award Program, 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 Report: 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 dental schools, or institutions with a dental school affiliation. Only one award will be made to an institution. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutional Dentist Scientist Award (K16). Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed program will be solely that of the program director (PD) on behalf of the applicant institution. The project period for applications submitted in response to this RFA must be five years. Awards may be renewable upon the submission of a successful competing application, depending on programmatic needs and the availability of funds. The earliest award date is July 1, 1996. FUNDS AVAILABLE The NIDR expects to make at least six new or competing renewal awards, in response to this RFA, at a total first year cost of approximately five million dollars. 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 for this purpose. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background Many studies have shown the need for post-D.D.S. career development, including exposure to basic biomedical and behavioral sciences and advanced clinical knowledge and skills development, for dentists who wish to pursue a career in oral health research. The NIDR has supported postdoctoral training of basic scientists and clinicians under the National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for many years. However, the declining numbers of clinician scientists called for additional opportunities tailored to the needs of promising clinician scientists. The Institutional Dentist Scientist Award program was initiated approximately nine years ago to help fill this need. This award prepares individuals for careers as highly skilled investigators and potential leaders in the full scope of oral health research. It enables individuals to undertake five years of intensive preparation in a course of study that involves three distinct phases that include basic and clinical science components integrated with a supervised research experience. The basic science component includes both didactic and laboratory experiences and typically is comparable to a doctoral-level program leading to a Ph.D. The research program can employ either a basic or clinical science approach to studying an oral health problem. The program also requires an advanced clinical knowledge and skills development component of a caliber that the individual would be eligible to receive specialty certification at the completion of the five year program. Throughout the course of the entire program, the individuals are closely supervised by mentors who have basic science and clinical specialty research experience. The first RFA appeared in June 1984 and the second in April 1988. The first group of programs are in their ninth year and the second group are in their fourth year. The current project period will end on June 30, 1995. However, the programs will be supported by administrative supplements through June 30, 1996. Approximately 85 individuals are being supported, with approximately 20 appointees graduating from the program and a similar number entering the program each year. Program Characteristics Opportunities will be provided for dentists pursuing advanced clinical knowledge and skills development and a Ph.D., or equivalent degree, in a basic biomedical or behavioral science. The program will have the following characteristics: A. The Environment: Applicant institutions must have well-established research, research career development, and clinical programs, and adequate numbers of highly qualified faculty in both clinical and basic science departments. The environment must stimulate interactions among basic scientists and clinical investigators. Collaboration with other institutions and organizations, such as other components of the NIH, the Department of Veterans Affairs, not-for-profit and private organizations, is encouraged. B. Program: The institutional award is intended to provide support for up to five consecutive twelve month appointments to each individual Dentist Scientist Appointee (DSA) selected by the program director (PD). There are to be three distinct but overlapping and integrated components to the program offered to each DSA: advanced basic science development, advanced clinical knowledge and skills development, and a supervised research experience. No component can be offered in isolation from the others. The basic science development component must develop knowledge and research skills in scientific areas relevant to oral health. It must include both didactic and laboratory experiences in a basic science. It must consist of a doctoral (Ph.D.) level program that is consistent with the applicant institution's degree requirements and with the objectives of the Dentist Scientist Award Program. The clinical development component must ensure that the DSA acquires requisite advanced clinical knowledge and skills in either a recognized clinical specialty or other equivalent dental clinical discipline. The research experience component uses a basic science or clinical science approach to problems in oral health research. Typically, it is what is required for a doctoral degree and it must facilitate transition to an active research career. The areas of clinical development are not limited to the eight dental specialties currently recognized by the American Dental Association. If specialty certification is possible in the clinical discipline proposed, the program of study is to be arranged so that conferring of the clinical specialty certificate does not occur until completion of the entire program by the DSA. The application must indicate the clinical disciplines and degree certifications to be offered to the DSAs. After an award is made, this offering may not be changed without the approval of the NIDR. A minimum of 80 percent of the DSA's effort must be devoted to this program. The remaining 20 percent effort may be devoted to other clinical and teaching pursuits only if they are consonant with the objectives of the Dentist Scientist Award Program. The PD and applicant institution are encouraged to develop innovative multidisciplinary programs that maximize the research and educational resources of the institution and any collaborating institutions. Applicant institutions must be able to provide programs individually tailored to meet the unique research and clinical development needs of each DSA and ensure that DSAs complete the program with requisite competencies. C. Program Director: The PD must possess the scientific expertise, leadership, and administrative capabilities required to coordinate and supervise a multidisciplinary research and clinical career development program of this scope. The PD must have the commitment and capability to provide guidance to DSAs in their research career development. The PD is responsible for the selection of the DSAs, and the applicant must have developed a recruitment plan, which addresses the efforts to recruit women, minorities, and individuals from non-research intensive dental schools. Plans must be provided for the appointment of an advisory body to act as an overview committee and to assist in DSA selection. The PD will be expected to participate in at least one annual meeting with the staff of the NIDR. This meeting likely will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research. The PD will be required to submit to the NIDR a detailed description of each DSA's planned supervised research experience as soon as feasible but no later than the midpoint of each DSA's program. Annually, the PD and advisory committee will assess the progress of each DSA and submit a detailed report on the progress of each DSA to the NIDR. Support for the DSA for the subsequent year in the program will be dependant on satisfactory performance. D. Mentors: Each DSA must have a mentor, who is an accomplished investigator active in the proposed area, to guide the DSA's development and research project. Usually, such a mentor will be the doctoral thesis advisor. The mentor must be committed to continue this involvement through the individual's total period of development under the award. A co-mentor, representing the clinical component, also may be named. Where feasible, women and minority mentors should be involved as role models. E. Dentist Scientist Appointees: DSAs must meet the following criteria: they must have completed a dental degree (D.D.S., D.M.D., or equivalent) and must be, at the time of appointment, citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and have in their possession an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551). Noncitizen nationals are persons who, although not citizens of the United States, owe permanent allegiance to the United States. They are generally persons born in lands which are not states but which are under United States sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration (e.g., American Samoa). Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible. Dentists who have completed a Ph.D., Sc.D., or equivalent research degree are not eligible for appointment. The NIDR will consider a written request from a PD for an exception on behalf of such an individual, if such a degree was awarded in an area unrelated to oral health. Individuals who have completed advanced clinical knowledge and skills development in a recognized dental specialty or who have undergone two or more years of formal postdoctoral clinical development in a non-specialty recognized clinical field are not eligible. Such individuals should apply for an individual Dentist Scientist Award (K15). However, applicants who have undergone clinical development in either an Advanced Program in General Dentistry or a General Practice Residency Program are eligible for appointment. Under special circumstances where an applicant already has significant clinical experience but wishes to pursue career development in another clinical area, the NIDR will consider a written request from a PD on behalf of the applicant. An individual who has been a principal investigator on an NIH- research grant, such as a research project grant (R01), FIRST award (R29), sub-project on a program project (P01) or center grant (P50), or the equivalent, is not eligible for appointment to this award. F. Duration, Effort, and Allowable Costs: The applicant must request support for two DSAs to enter the program in each year, giving a total of ten during the five year project period. In the case of competitive renewal applications, these positions are in addition to those required to allow completion of five years support for appointees already on the program. In planning DSA appointments beyond the first year of the award, the PD and the DSAs should be aware that continued NIDR support beyond the five-year project period is dependent upon the availability of appropriated funds and success in competition for renewed support. In the event that a competitive renewal application for the next five-year project period is unsuccessful, it is the intention of the NIDR to provide salary, and Research Development Support funds, until each DSA in that program has completed the five-year program. However, the applicant institution must have plans in place to provide such support in the event that funding from the NIDR is not available. 1. Appointments of new DSAs must occur within three months of the start of a new budget period, usually between July 1 and September 30. Unfilled positions resulting from either failure to make appointments within the prescribed period or due to termination of an appointee prior to completion of a five-year program, will be eliminated from the program. The associated funds will not be available for carry over and will be deleted from future years. A "Statement of Appointment" form (PHS 2271, rev. 3/92) must be completed and sent to the NIDR whenever an individual is appointed or reappointed to the program. 2. Salary - The NIDR will provide salary up to the amounts listed below, starting at $26,500 for 0 years relevant experience, with four percent annual increases thereafter, up to a maximum of $39,226. However, the salary must not exceed the established salary provided by the institution from its own funds to other staff or faculty members of equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibility in the department concerned. Fringe benefits will be provided. Number of Years Experience Salary (maximum provided by the NIDR) 0 $26,500 1 $27,560 2 $28,662 3 $29,808 4 $31,000 5 $32,240 6 $33,530 7 $34,871 8 $36,266 9 $37,717 10 or more $39,226 The scale extends up to 10 years to give credit for relevant postdoctoral experience at the time of appointment. This may include research (including industrial); teaching; residency; clinical practice; or other time spent in a health-related field beyond that of the qualifying doctoral degree. Salaries may be supplemented by an institution from non-Federal funds. Other NIH funds may not be used to provide additional salary support. Non-NIH Federal funds may not be used for salary 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 program. 3. Plans must be provided for the support of DSAs choosing clinical specialties, such as oral-maxillofacial surgery, that require more than the usual two years of clinical knowledge and skills development. 4. Research Development Support (RDS) - $15,000 per year for each DSA will be allowed. The PD may allocate these funds among DSAs as deemed necessary. These funds may be used for the following expenses incurred by DSAs: (a) tuition, fees, and books directly related to their career development; (b) research project expenses, such as supplies, equipment and technical personnel costs; (c) travel; (d) core support, including maintenance, for common equipment for all DSAs; (e) biostatistical services including personnel and computer time; (f) invited seminar speakers; (g) PD travel to the annual meeting; (h) advisory committee. Authorization to use RDS funds for other purposes may be requested from the NIDR. 5. Authorization may be requested from the NIDR to carry over unobligated funds from one budget period to the next; for example, for support of a DSA's salary and RDS for up to twelve months beyond the standard five years to permit completion of the program. Funds attributable to unfilled positions, whether due to failure to make appointments within the prescribed period defined in paragraph 1 above or due to termination of appointees prior to completion of the five year program, will not be available for carry over. 6. Procedures and reporting forms used to track the expenditure of the funds attributable to each DSA must be provided. Annual reports of these expenditures will be required. 7. Program Director's Support - Up to ten percent of the PD's salary, with four percent annual increments thereafter, plus fringe benefits, will be allowed. A PD may serve as a mentor. 8. Ancillary Personnel Support - Salary for mentors, secretarial and administrative assistance, etc., is not allowed. The sponsoring institution is expected to provide these services. 9. 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 expenditures for equipment, is allowed. G. Concurrent Awards: DSAs are encouraged to seek support for a post-Ph.D. experience after completion of the K16 program, ideally at another institution. During the final one to two years of their program, they may apply for a post-Ph.D., NRSA individual fellowship (F32), apply for appointment to a NIDR sponsored NRSA institutional postdoctoral training program (T32), or arrange for other support from the NIH or from nongovernmental sources sufficient to ensure two or more years of post- Ph.D. career development. If such support becomes effective prior to completion of the K16 program, it may be used without reduction in the annual RDS from the Dentist Scientist Award. H. Evaluation: For purposes of evaluating the Dentist Scientist Award, the PD, on behalf of the applicant organization, and the DSAs must agree to inform the NIDR annually of the career of each DSA for a period of ten years after leaving the program. This information must include the employment history, including all professional activities, publications, participation in research grants and/or contracts, honors and awards, professional organizational activities, and any other information that may be of value in evaluating the impact of the Dentist Scientist Award program. STUDY POPULATIONS 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 new 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 9, 1994 (FR 59 11146- 11151), and reprinted in the NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS of March 18, 1994, Volume 23, Number 11. Investigators may obtain copies from these sources or from the program staff or contact person listed below. Program staff may also provide additional information concerning the policy. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by December 1, 1994, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed Dentist Scientist Award program, the name, address, and telephone number of the PD, the identities of other key personnel, participating institutions, and the number and title of the RFA (RFA: DE-94-005, Institutional Dentist Scientist Award) 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 early in the planning phase of application preparation. Such contact may help ensure that applications are responsive to this RFA. Applications must 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 Dr. Valega at the address listed under INQUIRIES. Applications must include a description of formal and informal activities related to instruction in the responsible conduct of research. 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. Budget requests must be provided according to the instructions in form PHS 398. In addition, the salary level requested for "to be appointed" positions must be at the level of three years experience, $29,808. The RDS requested for tuition and fees, books, travel, etc., must be specified by category for each position. Competitive renewal applications must request support for current appointees at the levels specified under the existing policies, until completion of five years support. 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-94-005, Institutional Dentist Scientist Award. 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 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 January 18, 1995. If an application is received after that date or is deemed non-responsive to the RFA, it will be returned without review. 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 an initial review group, convened by the NIDR Scientific Review Section, 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 and institutional official. Applications judged to be competitive will receive further review for scientific and technical merit by the review committee. The following review criteria will be applied: o Environment: The institutional commitment and ability to provide opportunities for research career development; the quality of clinical knowledge and skills development; the level of ongoing basic and clinical research activity; the evidence of multidisciplinary, collaborative activities, especially between basic and clinical investigators and departments; the availability of facilities, equipment, clinical resources, and research support; and the plans to provide support for DSAs in the event that a competitive renewal application is unsuccessful and the NIDR is unable to continue support. o The clinical and research development program: The structure of a typical DSA's program; the integration of the didactic, clinical and research components; the relationships among clinical and basic science departments and the graduate school in the design and conduct of programs; degree requirements; types of specialty development offered; the availability of prescribed and optional courses or seminars; the manner in which individual guided research activities will be selected; procedures for monitoring DSAs' progress; the unique and innovative aspects of the program. o Program Director: Scientific and administrative expertise, or potential, for managing clinical and research career development programs and research grants; time commitment; other research support; the composition and role of the advisory committee in development of the program, recruitment and DSA selection, assignment of mentors and projects, and evaluation of progress. o Mentors: Their roles and time commitment now and for the duration of the program; accomplishments in basic or clinical research; current and pending research grant holdings; and experience in graduate research and clinical career development. o Recruitment: Plans for recruitment, including minorities, women and others who are underrepresented in oral health research, and individuals from non-research intensive institutions; selection criteria; the availability of high-quality candidates; and retention strategies. o Career development record: For competitive renewal applications, the performance of the program in developing clinician research scientists, as indicated by graduates' success in obtaining fellowships, career awards, and individual research grant support; the rate at which former appointees establish independent productive research careers; recognition for outstanding scientific accomplishments; involvement in clinically oriented and laboratory research; their ongoing productivity; and the record of the program in filling positions. o Recruitment and retention of women and minority appointees: After review of the application for scientific and technical merit and assignment of a priority score, the initial review committee will comment on the plans for recruiting women and individuals from underrepresented minority groups to the program. In the case of renewal applications, this will include the accomplishments in recruiting and retaining women and individuals from underrepresented minority groups and in preparing them for research positions. 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 initial review committee on the plans for, and success in, recruitment of women and individuals from underrepresented minority groups. Schedule Applications will be processed according to the following schedule: Letter of Intent Receipt Date: December 1, 1994 Application Receipt Date: January 18, 1995 Initial Review Group Meeting: May/June 1995 Council Meeting: September 1995 Earliest Date of Award: July 1995 AWARD CRITERIA Funding decisions will be based on the initial review committee's and Council's recommendations, the need for research personnel in specific program areas, and the availability of funds. The earliest award date will be July 1, 1996. 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 issue or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries on programmatic issues 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 on fiscal matters to: Ms. Theresa Ringler Extramural Program National Institute of Dental Research Westwood Building, Room 510 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7629 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS Institutional Dentist Scientist Awards are made under the authority of Title III, Section 301 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act as amended (Public Law 78-410, as amended, 42 USC 241). The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42 Part 52, and Title 45 part 74, are 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. .
Return to NIH Guide Main Index
Office of Extramural Research (OER) |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
||||||||