TYPE 2 DIABETES IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION
Release Date: December 1, 1999
RFA: DK-00-008
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 24, 2000
Application Receipt Date: April 25, 2000
THIS RFA USES THE "MODULAR GRANT" AND "JUST-IN-TIME" CONCEPTS. IT
INCLUDES DETAILED MODIFICATIONS TO STANDARD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
THAT MUST BE USED WHEN PREPARING APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO THIS
RFA.
PURPOSE
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) invite investigator-initiated research grant
applications to study the epidemiology, natural history,
pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in
children in the U.S. Type 2 diabetes has traditionally been viewed
as a disease of adults. Recently, however, it has become apparent
that an increasing number of cases of type 2 diabetes are being
reported in children. This rise in type 2 diabetes in the pediatric
population is presumed to be a consequence of widespread obesity and
decreased physical activity among children. However, much of the
available data concerning type 2 diabetes in children is anecdotal.
This RFA is intended to stimulate epidemiologic, metabolic and
clinical research into this important public health problem. The
intent of this RFA is to intensify investigator-initiated research,
to attract new investigators to the field and to encourage
interdisciplinary approaches to research in this area.
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is committed to
achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of
"Healthy People 2000," a DHHS-led national activity for setting
priority areas. This RFA, Type 2 Diabetes in the Pediatric
Population, is related to the priority area of diabetes and chronic
disabling conditions. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of
"Healthy People 2000" at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and nonprofit
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) and Exploratory/Development Research Grant (R21)
award mechanisms. Except as otherwise stated in this announcement,
awards will be administered under NIH grants policy as stated in the
NIH Grants Policy Statement.
The R21 awards are to demonstrate feasibility and to obtain
preliminary data testing innovative ideas that represent clear
departure from ongoing research interests. These grants are intended
to 1) provide initial support for new investigators; 2) allow
exploration of possible innovative new directions for established
investigators; and 3) stimulate investigators from other areas to
lend their expertise to research within the scope of this
solicitation. Applicants for the R21 must limit their requests to
$100,000 direct costs per year and are limited to two years. These
R21 grants will not be renewable; continuation of projects developed
under this program will be through the regular research grant (R01)
program.
Applicants from institutions which have a General clinical Research
Center (GCRC) funded by the NIH National Center for Research
Resources may wish to identify the GCRC as a resource for conducting
the proposed research. In such a case, a letter of agreement from
either the GCRC program director or principal investigator should be
included with the application.
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. Responsibility for the planning, direction,
and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the
applicant. The anticipated award date is September 30, 2000.
Specific application instructions have been modified to reflect
MODULAR GRANT and JUST-IN-TIME streamlining efforts being
examined by the NIH. Complete and detailed instructions and
information on Modular Grant applications can be found at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm
Modular Grant applications will request direct costs in $25,000
modules. The total direct costs must be requested in accordance
with the program guidelines and the modifications made to the
standard NIH 398 application instructions.
FUNDS AVAILABLE
For FY 2000, the NIDDK intends to commit approximately $2 million,
and the NICHD plans to commit $500,000 to fund 10-12 new and/or
competing continuation grants in response to this RFA. An applicant
may request a project period of up to 5 years for an R01.
Because the nature and scope of the research proposed may vary, it
is anticipated that the size of awards will also vary. Prospective
applicants anticipating the submission of applications with direct
cost budgets larger than $500,000 per year are encouraged to
consult, at an early opportunity, with the appropriate program
official listed under INQUIRIES.
Although the financial plans of the NIDDK and NICHD 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
applications of outstanding scientific and technical merit.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and impaired
insulin secretion, although its precise etiology and pathogenesis
are only incompletely understood. The public health impact of type
2 diabetes is enormous.
Clearly associated with aging and obesity, type 2 diabetes has
traditionally been considered a disease of adults. Children
presenting with diabetes are usually assumed to have type 1
diabetes, an autoimmune disease. In recent years, however, it has
become apparent that an increasing number of children who present
with hyperglycemia actually have type 2 diabetes. Although many of
the reports of type 2 diabetes in children are of an anecdotal
nature, several published series have recently demonstrated a
dramatic rise in the disorder in children. In general, population-
based screening data are not available. However, data culled from
diabetes clinics in several locations suggest that the percentage of
children diagnosed with diabetes who are classified as having type 2
diabetes has risen from less than 5% (prior to 1994) to 20-30%
(after 1994). The number of children being diagnosed with type 1
diabetes during this period has not changed substantially.
Not surprisingly, the available published data reveal that one of
the major risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children is obesity.
Indeed, the increase in reports of type 2 diabetes among children
parallels a similar rise in the adult population, as obesity has
become a major public health concern. In children, the rise in the
incidence in type 2 diabetes appears to be concentrated largely in
minority populations African Americans, Hispanic Americans and
Native Americans. Indeed, type 2 diabetes (in all age groups) is
one of the major chronic diseases where significant racial/ethnic
health disparities exist.
Data from NHANES III suggests that up to 1/3 of adults who have type
2 diabetes may go undiagnosed. A similar situation may exist with
children. Indeed, the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in children is
often made because of routine laboratory screening being conducted
as part of a school physical and not because the child presents to a
health care provider with specific complaints. Thus, many children
who do not receive such screening may go undiagnosed until they
become symptomatic, at which time they may have been hyperglycemic
for many years and are at high risk for developing diabetic micro-
and macrovascular complications. In addition, the incidence of type
2 diabetes in the pediatric population may be underestimated if all
children with diabetes are assumed (but sometimes incorrectly) to
have type 1 diabetes. Further confounding the situation are an
increasing number of reports that many African American children
with diabetes may present with ketoacidosis, traditionally
considered the hallmark of type 1 diabetes, but subsequently can be
managed without insulin. Thus, the emerging epidemic of type 2
diabetes in children also raises questions concerning the diagnostic
criteria that have been used to distinguish type 1 and type 2
diabetes.
The majority of children with type 2 diabetes are in the pre-
adolescent or adolescent age range. The adolescent period presents
special challenges to health care providers and families when
attempting to promote behavior and life style changes. Treatment
options are further restricted by the lack of data on the use of
pharmacologic agents for type 2 diabetes in the pediatric
population.
Scope and Objectives
New hypothesis-driven studies are needed to describe the
epidemiology, refine the diagnosis, define the metabolic
abnormalities and formulate treatment options for type 2 diabetes in
children. Relevant topics listed below are examples and should not
be construed as requiring or limiting.
o Descriptive epidemiologic studies to define risk factors and
metabolic or genetic markers for type 2 diabetes in children. These
studies should have as a long-term goal the establishment of case
definition.
o Prospective screening studies in high-risk individuals to describe
the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes in specific sub-
populations.
o Studies to establish and validate practical screening programs for
type 2 diabetes in children.
o Metabolic studies to define early markers of insulin resistance
and/or beta cell dysfunction in children.
o Studies to examine the relative roles of insulin resistance and
beta cell dysfunction in children with type 2 diabetes.
o Studies to examine patterns of impaired glucose tolerance and
determine the time course between the development of insulin
resistance and clinical diabetes in children.
o Studies to determine whether weight loss and/or exercise in
children reverses insulin resistance.
o Studies to define metabolic and/or genetic differences among
various ethnic and/or racial groups which would predispose to the
development of type 2 diabetes at a young age.
o Studies to determine whether there are metabolic differences
between children and adults with new-onset type 2 diabetes.
o Studies to determine whether there are identifiable metabolic
and/or genetic differences between ketosis-prone and typical type
2 diabetic children.
o Single or multi-center clinical studies to determine the risks and
benefits of pharmacologic treatment of type 2 diabetes in children.
o Studies to describe the epidemiology of micro- and macrovascular
complications in children with type 2 diabetes.
o Studies to develop appropriate screening strategies for the micro-
and macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes in children.
o Behavioral studies to define factors which impact on the
pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in children, and affect compliance
with treatment and/or prevention programs. Also of interest would
be studies to test strategies to improve and/or maximize compliance.
o Studies to evaluate strategies for promoting weight loss,
appropriate eating behavior, and increased exercise or physical
activity in children and adolescents at risk for and/or with type 2
diabetes.
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 policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of
1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43).
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should
read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as
Subjects in Clinical Research," which was published in the Federal
Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and in the NIH Guide
For Grants and Contracts, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994, available
on the web at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-100.html
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN
SUBJECTS
It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the
age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research,
conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and
ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all
initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after
October 1, 1998.
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should
read the NIH Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of Children as
Participants in Research Involving Human Subjects that was
published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998,
and is available at the following URL address:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html
Investigators may also obtain copies of these policies 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 March 24, 2000, 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 NIDDK staff to estimate the
potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the
review.
The letter of intent is to be sent to:
Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities, NIDDK
Natcher Building, Room 6AS-37F
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD 20892-6600
Telephone: (301) 594-8885
FAX: (301) 480-3505
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) 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 Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources,
National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910,
Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301-710-0267, email:
[email protected].
The modular grant concept establishes specific modules in which
direct costs may be requested as well as a maximum level for
requested budgets. Only limited budgetary information is required
under this approach. The just-in-time concept allows applicants to
submit certain information only when there is a possibility for an
award. It is anticipated that these changes will reduce the
administrative burden for the applicants, reviewers, and Institute
staff. The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is
to be used in applying for these grants, with the modifications
noted below.
BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS
Modular Grant applications will request direct costs in $25,000
modules, up to a total direct cost request of $250,000 per year.
(Applications that request more than $250,000 direct costs in any
year must follow the traditional PHS 398 application instructions.)
The total direct costs must be requested in accordance with the
program guidelines and the modifications made to the standard PHS
398 application instructions described below:
PHS 398
o FACE PAGE: Items 7a and 7b should be completed, indicating Direct
Costs (in $25,000 increments up to a maximum of $250,000) and Total
Costs [Modular Total Direct plus Facilities and Administrative (F&A)
costs] for the initial budget period. Items 8a and 8b should be
completed indicating the Direct and Total Costs for the entire
proposed period of support.
o DETAILED BUDGET FOR THE INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD: Do not complete
Form Page 4 of the PHS 398. It is not required and will not be
accepted with the application.
o BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT: Do not complete
the categorical budget table on Form Page 5 of the PHS 398. It is
not required and will not be accepted with the application.
o NARRATIVE BUDGET JUSTIFICATION: Prepare a Modular Grant Budget
Narrative page. (See
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm
for sample pages.) At the top of the page, enter the total direct
costs requested for each year. This is not a Form page.
o Under Personnel, list key project personnel, including their
names, percent of effort, and roles on the project. No individual
salary information should be provided. However, the applicant should
use the NIH appropriation language salary cap and the NIH policy for
graduate student compensation in developing the budget request.
For Consortium/Contractual costs, provide an estimate of total costs
(direct plus facilities and administrative) for each year, each
rounded to the nearest $1,000. List the individuals/organizations
with whom consortium or contractual arrangements have been made, the
percent effort of key personnel, and the role on the project.
Indicate whether the collaborating institution is foreign or
domestic. The total cost for a consortium/contractual arrangement
is included in the overall requested modular direct cost amount.
Include the Letter of Intent to establish a consortium. Provide an
additional narrative budget justification for any variation in the
number of modules requested.
o BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: The Biographical Sketch provides information
used by reviewers in the assessment of each individual's
qualifications for a specific role in the proposed project, as well
as to evaluate the overall qualifications of the research team. A
biographical sketch is required for all key personnel, following the
instructions below. No more than three pages may be used for each
person. A sample biographical sketch may be viewed at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm
- Complete the educational block at the top of the form page;
- List position(s) and any honors;
- Provide information, including overall goals and responsibilities,
on research projects ongoing or completed during the last three
years.
- List selected peer-reviewed publications, with full citations;
o CHECKLIST: This page should be completed and submitted with the
application. If the F&A rate agreement has been established,
indicate the type of agreement and the date. All appropriate
exclusions must be applied in the calculation of the F&A costs for
the initial budget period and all future budget years.
o The applicant should provide the name and phone number of the
individual to contact concerning fiscal and administrative issues if
additional information is necessary following the initial review.
The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) application form
must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application.
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 sample RFA label available at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf has been
modified to allow for this change. Please note this is in pdf
format.
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 time of submission, two additional copies of the application must
be sent to:
Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities, NIDDK
Natcher Building, Room 6AS-37F
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD 20892-6600
Applications must be received by the application receipt date listed
in the heading of the RFA. If an application is received after that
date, it will be returned to the applicant without review.
Supplemental documents containing significant revision or additions
will not be accepted, unless applicants are notified by the
Scientific Review Administrator.
The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will not accept any
application in response to this RFA that is essentially the same as
one currently pending initial review unless the applicant withdraws
the pending application. The CSR will not accept any application
that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not
preclude the submission of substantial revisions of applications
previously reviewed, but such applications must include an
introduction addressing the previous critique.
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the
CSR and responsiveness by the NIDDK and NICHD. Incomplete and/or
non-responsive applications will be returned to the applicant
without further consideration.
Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be
evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer
review group convened by the NIDDK in accordance with the review
criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, all
applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process
in which only those applications deemed to have the highest
scientific merit, generally the top half of the applications under
review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a
second level review by the Advisory Councils of NIDDK and/or NICHD.
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, reviewer will be asked to discuss
the following aspects of the application in order to judge the
likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact
on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will be
addressed and considered in assigning the overall score, weighting
them as appropriate for each application. Note that the application
does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to
have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority score.
For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work
that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to move a
field forward.
(1) Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If
the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific
knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on
the concepts or methods that drive this field?
(2) Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and
analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to
the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential
problem areas and consider alternative tactics?
(3) Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches
or method? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project
challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or
technologies?
(4) Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and
well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed
appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator
and other researchers (if any)?
(5) Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work
will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the
proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the
scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements?
Is there evidence of institutional support?
In addition to the above criteria, in accordance with NIH policy,
all applications will also be reviewed with respect to the
following:
o Adequacy of plans to include both genders, minorities and their
subgroups, and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of
the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects
will also be evaluated.
o The reasonableness of the proposed budget and duration to the
proposed research.
o The adequacy of the proposed protection of humans, animals, or the
environment, to the extent that they may be adversely affected by
the project proposed in the application.
Schedule
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 24, 2000
Application Receipt Date: April 25, 2000
Peer Review Date: June-July 2000
Council Review: September 2000
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 30, 2000.
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.
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:
Barbara Linder, M.D., Ph.D.
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
NIDDK
Building 45, Room 5AN18A
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD 20892-6600
Telephone: (301) 594-0021
FAX: (301) 480-3503
E-mail: [email protected]
Gilman Grave, M.D.
Center for Research for Mothers and Children
NICHD
6100 Executive Blvd., Room 4B11
Bethesda, MD 20892-7510
Telephone: (301) 496-5593
FAX: (301) 480-9791
E-mail: [email protected]
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Nancy Dixon
Division of Extramural Activities
NIDDK
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD 20892-6600
Telephone: (301) 594-8854
FAX: (301) 480-4237
E-mail: [email protected]
E. Douglas Shawver
Grants Management Branch
NICHD
6100 Executive Blvd., Room 8A17
Bethesda, MD 20892-7510
Telephone: (301) 496-1303
FAX: (301) 402-0915
E-mail: [email protected]
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.847 and 93.865. Awards are under authorization of
the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410,
as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and
administered under NIH grants policies and Federal Regulations 42
CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. This program is not subject to
the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372
or Health Systems Agency review.
The NIH strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to
provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all
tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children
Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some
cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine
education, library, day care, health care or early childhood
development services are provided to children. This is consistent
with the NIH mission to protect and advance the physical and mental
health of the American people.
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