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EXPIRED


THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE ADIPOCYTE
 
RELEASE DATE:  October 10, 2002
 
RFA: DK-03-002
 
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) 
 (http://www.niddk.nih.gov)
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
 (http://www.nia.nih.gov)
 
LETTER OF INTENT RECEIPT DATE: February 14, 2003 

APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE: March 14, 2003 
 
THIS RFA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

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

PURPOSE OF THIS RFA 

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) 
and the National Institute of Aging (NIA) invite investigator-initiated 
Research Projects (R01 and R21) to study the life cycle of adipocytes.  This 
initiative encourages investigators to develop the necessary biological 
procedures and reagents for characterization of adipocyte progenitor cells at 
multiple stages of determination and commitment into the adipocyte lineage, 
for use in identifying fat cell commitment factors, and to use in the study 
of adipose tissue turnover and remodeling.  The goal of this initiative is to 
increase our understanding of the life cycle of human adipocytes and to 
catalyze the development of novel treatments for metabolic diseases including 
type 2 diabetes, obesity, familial lipodystrophy, and acquired lipodystrophy 
associated with HIV infection and treatment.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

The adipocyte is a key cell in the development of many metabolic diseases 
including diabetes, obesity, and both familial and acquired lipodystrophy.  
Previous work supported by NIDDK and NIA have demonstrated important roles 
for hormones, receptors and/or transcription factors, such as peroxisome 
proliferator-activated receptor gamma?(PPAR-gamma) and CCAAT box enhancer 
binding protein alpha?(C/EBP-alpha), in fat cell differentiation.  Continued 
dissection of the pathways involved in differentiation of preadipocytes into 
adipocytes while important, is NOT the focus of this initiative.  Rather, the 
current initiative is designed to encourage studies of the factors and 
pathways involved in the commitment of progenitor cells into the adipocyte 
lineage; to increase our understanding of the cues signaling turnover and 
remodeling of adult adipocytes from various fat depots; to determine how fat 
tissues are maintained during adult life; to investigate how adipocytes are 
affected by age and environmental factors; and to understand more about how 
the life cycle of adipocytes is regulated in health and disease.  

Recent advancements in our understanding of stem cell and progenitor cell 
biology, and the development of methods for whole genome and proteome 
analyses allow new approaches to be applied to the study of the adipocyte 
life cycle.  Moreover, the ready accessibility of both peripheral and 
visceral adipose tissues to biopsy makes fat tissue a reasonable target for 
animal and human studies.    

The Human Genome Project and similar work in other species have made it 
possible to address in new ways the important biological problems of how 
different tissues and organs develop from small founder populations of stem 
cells, how organs reach optimal size, are maintained throughout adult life, 
and sometimes regenerate, and the effects of age and disease on this 
capacity.  There is emerging evidence that progenitor cells of different 
tissues may share some common basic molecular mechanisms that allow them to 
self-renew in the presence of appropriate environmental cues.  The 
elucidation of these mechanisms offers the promise of providing a complete 
understanding of the factors that maintain normal tissues in health, and the 
promise for novel approaches to the study of pathogenesis and treatment of 
human diseases.  

In addition, the Congressionally-established Diabetes Research Working Group 
(DRWG) report "Conquering Diabetes, A Strategic Plan for the 21st Century" 
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/federal/dwg/dwgsummary.htm and an international 
workshop, entitled "Lipoatropic Diabetes and Other Syndromes of 
Lipodystrophy", emphasized the importance of obtaining a greater 
understanding of the life cycle of insulin responsive tissues (e.g. liver, 
skeletal muscle, and fat) in healthy individuals, the cross-talk among these 
tissues, and elucidating how the life cycle of these tissues is altered in 
metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Furthermore, with the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy 
(HAART) for the treatment of HIV disease, patients are now living longer.  
Although the overall health of HIV-infected individuals is improving, 
concerns are now arising that HAART therapies may be associated with adverse 
metabolic effects, such as hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and changes in 
body composition.  Loss of subcutaneous fat in the buttocks, face and/or 
extremities, either alone or in combination with abnormal fat accumulation in 
other locations, has been widely reported in patients with HIV infection over 
the past few years.  The mechanisms underlying these various HIV associated 
lipodystrophies, and their connection with antiretroviral therapies presently 
remains unclear.  

Scope of Research

The NIDDK and NIA intend to support multidisciplinary investigator-initiated 
projects (R01s) that explore fundamental aspects of the life cycle of the 
adipocyte, as well as Exploratory/Development Research projects (R21s).  
Investigators applying to this RFA are encouraged to use genome-wide studies 
(genomics and proteomics), advanced lineage tracing techniques, analytic 
methods, and state-of-the-art cell biological approaches to study mouse and 
human fat cell commitment/determination, adipocyte trans-differentiation and 
remodeling, adult adipocyte turnover, and investigate how these processes are 
altered by metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and lipodystrophy.  

Areas of research opportunities include, but are not restricted to the 
following:

o Develop advanced tools and technologies to study the mechanism(s) used by 
mice and humans to "signal" adult adipocytes to turnover or trans-
differentiate

o Develop advanced tools and technologies to study the mechanism(s) used by 
mice and humans to "signal" progenitor cells to commit to the adipocyte 
lineage

o Measure and compare the turnover rates of fat cells from various depots, 
and investigate if and how these turnover rates are impacted by the 
development of diabetes, obesity, and lipodystrophy or by treatment with 
insulin sensitizing drugs or anti-retroviral therapies (e.g. specific HIV 
protease inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors)

o Define and/or develop specific biomarkers, such as high-specificity 
antibodies or reporter gene constructs, for detection, classification, and 
isolation of adipocyte progenitor cells at multiple stages of development or 
in distinct fat depots.  This might include the development of reliable and 
convenient clonogenic assays for cell populations in developing and adult 
tissues so that these cells can be purified and characterized

o Profile mRNA or protein expression in the relevant cell populations or 
particular fat depots during aging or under different metabolic conditions or 
drug treatments   

o Use in silico methods to identify novel genes and transcript splice forms 
specifically expressed in the targeted cell populations or specific fat 
depots 

o Produce and sequence full-length cDNA libraries and truncation libraries, 
in which cDNAs are inserted downstream of a consensus translation initiation 
sequence and an oligopeptide tag in an effort to generate dominant negative 
protein fragments that can be expressed and studied in cells 

o Develop custom clone sets for use in microarrays or other high-throughput 
gene expression assays; use of arrays to characterize changes in gene 
expression patterns in the target cell population during development, trans-
differentiation, tissue remodeling or disease progression 

o Develop and apply single-cell gene expression methodologies to various 
adipocyte populations

MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
 
This RFA will use the NIH investigator-initiated Research Project Grant (R01) 
and the Exploratory/Development Research Grant (R21) award mechanism(s).  As 
an applicant you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and 
executing the proposed project.  This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  Future 
unsolicited, competing-continuation applications based on this project will 
compete with all investigator-initiated applications and will be reviewed 
according to the customary peer review procedures. The anticipated award date 
is September 30, 2003.

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 $150,000 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.
 
This RFA uses just-in-time concepts.  It also uses the modular as well as the 
non-modular budgeting formats (see 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm).  Specifically, if 
you are submitting an application with direct costs in each year of $250,000 
or less, use the modular format.  Otherwise follow the instructions for non-
modular research grant applications.

FUNDS AVAILABLE
 
The participating IC(s) intend to commit approximately $2 million dollars in 
FY 2003 to fund 3 to 6 new grants in response to this RFA. An applicant may 
request a project period of up to 5 years and a budget for direct costs of up 
to $450,000 per year for more complex, multidisciplinary R01 applications, 
and $150,000 per year in direct costs for up to 2 years for R21 applications.  
Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from 
application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of 
each award will also vary. Although the financial plans of the IC(s) provide 
support for this program, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the 
availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious 
applications. At this time, it is not known if this RFA will be reissued.
 
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
 
You may submit (an) application(s) if your institution has any of the 
following characteristics: 
	
o For-profit or non-profit organizations 
o Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, 
and laboratories 
o Units of State and local governments
o Eligible agencies of the Federal government  
o Domestic or foreign

INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS   

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

Restricted availability of unique research resources, upon which further 
studies are dependent, can impede the advancement of research and delivery of 
medical care.  Sharing biomaterials, data, and software in a timely manner 
has been an essential element in the rapid progress that has been made in the 
genetic analyses of mammalian genomes.  NIH policy requires that 
investigators make unique research resources readily available for research 
purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community after 
publication [NIH Grants Policy Statement 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps; Principles and Guidelines for 
Recipients of NIH Research Grants and Contracts on Obtaining and 
Disseminating Biomedical Research Resources:  Final Notice, December 
1999(http://www.ott.nih.gov/policy/rt_guide_final.html).  Biomaterials 
(constructs, cell lines, etc.) and other research resources that can be 
patented (e.g., software tools, expression data) that are produced in 
projects funded by this RFA are to be made available and distributed to the 
broader scientific community.
 
WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES

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

o Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:

Carol Renfrew Haft, Ph.D.
Adipocyte Program Director
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Blvd, Room 605
Bethesda, MD  20892-5460
Telephone:  (301) 594-7689
FAX:  (301) 480-3503 
E-mail: [email protected]

David B. Finkelstein, Ph.D.
Biology of Aging Program
National Institutes on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C231
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-6402
FAX:  (301) 402-0010 
E-mail: [email protected]

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

Mary K. Rosenberg
Grants Management Specialist
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Boulevard, Rm. 722
Bethesda, MD  20892-5456
Telephone:  (301) 594-8891
FAX:  (301) 480-3504
E-mail: [email protected]

Linda Whipp
Grants and Contracts Management Office
National Institutes on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2N212
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-1472
FAX:  (301) 402-3672 
E-mail: [email protected]
 
LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes 
the following information:

o Descriptive title of the proposed research
o Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
o Names of other key personnel 
o Participating institutions
o Number and title of this RFA 

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not 
enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it 
contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan 
the review.
 
The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed at the beginning of 
this document.  The letter of intent should be sent to:

Carol Renfrew Haft, Ph.D.
Adipocyte Program Director
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Blvd, Room 605
Bethesda, MD  20892-5460
Telephone:  (301) 594-7689
FAX:  (301) 480-3503 
E-mail: [email protected]

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

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

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR R21 APPLICATIONS

All application instructions outlined in the PHS 398 application kit are to 
be followed, with the following requirements for R21 applications:  

1.  R21 applications will use the "MODULAR GRANT" and "JUST-IN-TIME" 
concepts, with direct costs requested in $25,000 modules, up to the total 
direct costs limit of $150,000 per year. 

2. Although preliminary data are not required for an R21 application, they 
may be included.

3.  Sections a-d of the Research Plan of the R21 application may not exceed 
15 pages, including tables and figures.  

4.  R21 appendix materials should be limited, as is consistent with the 
exploratory nature of the R21 mechanism, and should not be used to circumvent 
the page limit for the research plan.   Copies of appendix material will only 
be provided to the primary reviewers of the application and  will not be 
reproduced for wider distribution.  The following materials may be included 
in the appendix:

o Up to five publications, including manuscripts (submitted or accepted 
for publication), abstracts, patents, or other printed materials 
directly relevant to the project.  These may be stapled as sets.
o Surveys, questionnaires, data collection instruments, and clinical 
protocols.  These may be stapled as sets.
o Original glossy photographs or color images of gels, micrographs, etc., 
provided that a photocopy (may be reduced in size) is also included 
within the 15 page limit of items a-d of the research plan

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODULAR GRANT APPLICATIONS: Applications requesting 
up to $250,000 per year in direct costs must be submitted in a modular grant 
format.  The modular grant format simplifies the preparation of the budget in 
these applications by limiting the level of budgetary detail.  Applicants 
request direct costs in $25,000 modules.  Section C of the research grant 
application instructions for the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html includes step-by-step 
guidance for preparing modular grants.  Additional information on modular 
grants is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm.

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

APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be received by the application 
receipt date listed in the heading of this RFA.  If an application is 
received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without 
review.
 
The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will not accept any application in 
response to this RFA that is essentially the same as one currently pending 
initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending application.  The 
CSR will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one 
already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial 
revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must 
include an Introduction addressing the previous critique.

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

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

Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated 
for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group 
convened by CSR in accordance with the review criteria stated below.  As part 
of the initial merit review, all applications will:

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

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

o Significance 
o Approach 
o Innovation
o Investigator
o Environment
  
The scientific review group will address and consider each of these criteria 
in assigning your application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate 
for each application.  Your application does not need to be strong in all 
categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus 
deserve a high priority score.  For example, you 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 your study address an important problem? If the aims 
of your application are achieved, how do they advance scientific knowledge?  
What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that 
drive this field?  Does your study provide an important resource and how will 
the resource(s) impact the field? 

(2) APPROACH:  Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses 
adequately developed, well integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the 
project?  Do you acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative 
tactics?  For R21 applications, is there evidence of feasibility?
 
(3) INNOVATION:  Does your project employ novel concepts, approaches or 
methods? Are the aims original and innovative?  Does your project challenge 
existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?

(4) INVESTIGATOR: Are you appropriately trained and well suited to carry out 
this work?  Is the work proposed appropriate to your experience level as the 
principal investigator and to that of other researchers (if any)?

(5) ENVIRONMENT:  Does the scientific environment in which your 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?

ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA: In addition to the above criteria, your 
application will also be reviewed with respect to the following:

o PROTECTIONS:  The adequacy of the proposed protection for humans, animals, 
or the environment, to the extent they may be adversely affected by the 
project proposed in the application.

o INCLUSION:  The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both genders, 
all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children as appropriate for 
the scientific goals of the research.  Plans for the recruitment and 
retention of subjects will also be evaluated. (See Inclusion Criteria 
included in the section on Federal Citations, below)

o DATA SHARING:  The adequacy of the proposed plan to share data. Do 
investigators state their willingness to submit data to a public database in 
a timely fashion or make the information available to the community at large 
in another way?  Do the investigators agree to share reagents such as knock-
out mice, cell populations, plasmids and antibodies?  The plans proposed for 
sharing and data release will be reviewed for adequacy by reviewers as well 
as NIDDK staff prior to award and will be considered as a criterion for 
award.  

o BUDGET:  The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period 
of support in relation to the proposed research.  Funds to defray the costs 
of submitting data and distribution of reagents may be included in the 
application.  Such requests must be adequately justified.

RECEIPT AND REVIEW SCHEDULE

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:      February 14, 2003
Application Receipt Date:           March 14, 2003
Peer Review Date:                   July 2003
Council Review:                     September 2003
Earliest Anticipated Start Date:    September 30, 2003

AWARD CRITERIA

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

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

MONITORING PLAN AND DATA SAFETY AND MONITORING BOARD: Research components 
involving Phase I and II clinical trials must include provisions for 
assessment of patient eligibility and status, rigorous data management, 
quality assurance, and auditing procedures.  In addition, it is NIH policy 
that all clinical trials require data and safety monitoring, with the method 
and degree of monitoring being commensurate with the risks (NIH Policy for 
Data Safety and Monitoring, NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, June 12, 
1998: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).  

INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH: It is the policy of 
the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their sub-populations 
must be included in all NIH-supported clinical research projects unless a 
clear and compelling justification is provided indicating 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 clinical research should read the AMENDMENT "NIH 
Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical 
Research - Amended, October, 2001," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts on October 9, 2001 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html); a 
complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm   
The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition of clinical 
research; updated racial and ethnic categories in compliance with the new OMB 
standards; clarification of language governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical 
trials consistent with the new PHS Form 398; and updated roles and 
responsibilities of NIH staff and the extramural community.  The policy 
continues to require for all NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) 
all applications or proposals and/or protocols must provide a description of 
plans to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by 
sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable; 
and b) investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting 
analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group 
differences.

INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS: 
The NIH maintains a policy 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 is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm.  

REQUIRED EDUCATION ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECT PARTICIPANTS: NIH 
policy requires education on the protection of human subject participants for 
all investigators submitting NIH proposals for research involving human 
subjects.  You will find this policy announcement in the NIH Guide for Grants 
and Contracts Announcement, dated June 5, 2000, at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.

HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS (hESC): Criteria for federal funding of research 
on hESCs can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/stem_cells.htm and at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-005.html.  Only 
research using hESC lines that are registered in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem 
Cell Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (see http://escr.nih.gov).   
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the official NIH 
identifier(s)for the hESC line(s)to be used in the proposed research.  
Applications that do not provide this information will be returned without 
review. 

PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT: The 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to 
provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) under some circumstances.  Data that are (1) first produced in a 
project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) 
cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action 
that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed 
through FOIA.  It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope 
of this amendment.  NIH has provided guidance at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm.

Applicants may wish to place data collected under this PA in a public 
archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the 
distribution for an indefinite period of time.  If so, the application should 
include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include 
information about this in the budget justification section of the 
application. In addition, applicants should think about how to structure 
informed consent statements and other human subjects procedures given the 
potential for wider use of data collected under this award.

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

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

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS: This program is described in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.847 and 93.866 and is not subject to the 
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health 
Systems Agency review.  Awards are made under authorization of Sections 301 
and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and 
administered under NIH grants policies described at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm and under Federal Regulations 
42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. 

The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free 
workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products.  In addition, 
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in 
certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which 
regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early 
childhood development services are provided to children.  This is consistent 
with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of 
the American people.



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