Full Text DK-95-004

SUPPORT OF MINORITIES IN DIABETES, DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASE
RESEARCH

NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 2, January 20, 1995

RFA:  DK-95-004

P.T.


Keywords: 


National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Office of Research on Minority Health

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 2, 1995
Application Receipt Date:  April 19, 1995

PURPOSE

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK) and the Office of Research on Minority Health (ORMH)
recognizes the need to increase the number of underrepresented
minorities committed to scientific careers in research areas served
by the Institute.  This program is aimed primarily at recently
trained M.D. and/or Ph.D. minority investigators.  The program will
enable the minority applicant to accept a tenure-earning position,
gain additional research experience and obtain preliminary data on
which to base a subsequent research grant application in an area of
diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, digestive diseases and
nutrition, kidney, urology or hematology.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This RFA,
Support of Minorities in Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease
Research, is related to the priority area of increasing
underrepresented minority health scientists.  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 for-profit and non-profit
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and
eligible agencies of the Federal government.  The applicant must be
African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander, or
other ethnic or racial group members underrepresented in biomedical
or behavioral research.  To apply, one must be a citizen of, or have
been lawfully admitted to, the United States for permanent residence.

An applicant must have a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.O., D.D.S.,
D.V.M.).  He or she should have received at least two years of
postgraduate research training in an area of research applicable to
research supported in this institute, and have direct access to an
expert in the area of the proposed research.

Applicants may not hold, nor apply concurrently for any other PHS
research project grant at the time of this application.  Priority
will be given to those applicants who have not previously been a
Principal Investigator on a major research grant.  Applicants are
encouraged to apply for other research project grants (R01, R29)
during the course of, or following, this award.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) small
research grant (R03).  Responsibility for the planning, direction,
and execution of the proposed project will be that of the applicant.
Except as otherwise stated in this RFA, awards will be administered
under PHS grants policy as stated in the PHS Grants Policy Statement.

This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  If the NIDDK determines that
there is a sufficient continuing program need, a request for new
applications will be announced.  The total project period for
applications submitted in response to the present RFA may be for one
year, but should not exceed two years.  Direct costs requested must
not exceed $50,000 per year.  A grant cannot be renewed.  The
anticipated award date is September 30, 1995.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

For FY 1995, $250,000 in total direct costs for year 01 will be
committed in each of the three research divisions in the NIDDK.  It
is anticipated that a total of five awards will be made in each of
the three divisions in FY 1995.  This level of support depends on the
receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific
merit.  Although this program is provided for in the financial plans
of the NIDDK, the award of grants pursuant to this RFA is contingent
upon the availability of funds for this purpose.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The primary purpose of this RFA is to increase the number of
underrepresented minority Principal Investigators conducting research
in the areas of research supported by the NIDDK.  Surveys of research
and training programs administered by the NIDDK disclose the need to
increase the access to NIDDK support of recently-trained minority
scientists who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Those who receive several years of training via an individual
postdoctoral fellowship or an institutional training grant funded by
a National Research Service Award, still require research experience
and preliminary data to support an independent research career at
this stage of development.  An additional period of training may not
be feasible for minority individuals with pressing economic burdens.
Such individuals may be lost to academic research through a lack of
opportunity to obtain an additional one or two years of support
essential for establishing a research career.

This program was designed to help alleviate some of the noted
problems experienced by underrepresented minorities who may wish to
pursue a career in academic research.  The program will allow the
minority investigator to hold a tenure-earning position, gain
additional research experience and to obtain preliminary data on
which to base a subsequent research grant application.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are required to have available a recognized expert in the
area of proposed research for guidance and consultation.  It is
expected that this expert will assist the applicant in the design and
conduct of his/her research.  It is not necessary that the expert be
at the same institution as the applicant, but he/she should be within
a reasonable proximity to be available for guidance and consultation.

Following the research plan, the applicant is required to provide a
brief summary of his/her long-term career plans and objectives.  The
application should state how this award would make a difference in
and enhance the applicant's development as a scientist.

The department chairman/head should provide a brief paragraph
indicating his/her plans for the applicant.  This official should
indicate the extent to which time, space and other necessary support
will be provided to the applicant to conduct the proposed
investigation(s).

A letter from a recognized expert in the area of the proposed
research should accompany the application packet.  The letter should
attest to his/her willingness to provide counsel and advice to the
applicant, and an initial plan for ongoing contacts with the
applicant.

INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN
SUBJECTS

It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups
and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported
biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects,
unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided
that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the
subjects or the purpose of the research.  This new policy results
from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law
103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies
(Concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and
Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations), which
have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some
provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies.

All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should
read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as
Subjects in Clinical Research," which have been published in the
Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513), and reprinted
in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11,
March 18, 1994.

Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program
staff listed under INQUIRIES.  Program staff may also provide
additional relevant information concerning the policy.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by March 2, 1995, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal
Investigator, his/her institution, the name and address of the expert
who has agreed to serve as a consultant and advisor, and the number
and title of this RFA.

A letter of intent is not required, is not binding and is not
considered in the review of applications.  It is used by NIDDK staff
to initiate planning for the review of applications, to estimate the
potential review workload and to avoid possible conflict of interest
in the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to:

Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Natcher Building, Room 6AS 37F
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD  20892-6600
Telephone:  (301) 594-8886
FAX:  (301) 480-3505

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used
in applying for these grants.  The form is 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.

The RFA label available in the PHS 398 application form 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.  In addition,
on line 2a of the face page of the application check the YES box,
type the RFA number and the following title: "SUPPORT OF MINORITIES
IN DIABETES, DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASE RESEARCH."

Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including
the Checklist, and three signed, exact photocopies, in one package
to:

Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**

Send two additional copies of the application to:

Robert Hammond, Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Natcher Building, Room 6AS 37F
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD  20892-6600

Applications must be received by April 19, 1995.  If an application
is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant
without review.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Applications for the R03 will receive initial technical merit review
by an initial review committee appointed by the NIDDK, and second
level review by the NIDDK program division to which the application
has been assigned.  Factors to be considered in the review of
applications include:  the applicant's previous research training,
experience and publications; his/her ability to complete the proposed
research plan; the overall scientific merit of the research plan;
whether the aims and scope of the research plan can provide
definitive data within a one or two year period; the potential of the
proposed research to provide the bases for future studies; the
institution's willingness to commit facilities and departmental
support to the applicant; the applicant's plans and career goals; and
the availability of a recognized expert in the area of the proposed
research for counsel and advice as attested to by a letter of
agreement.

AWARD CRITERIA

Applications will compete for available funds with all other
applications submitted in response to this RFA and recommended by the
initial review group.  The following will be considered in making
funding decisions:

o  Quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review
o  Availability of funds
o  Program balance among research areas of the RFA.

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:

Charles H. Rodgers, Ph.D.
Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Natcher Building, Room 6AS 19J
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD  20892-6600
Telephone:  (301) 594-7716
Email:  chuckr@dvsgate.niddk.nih.gov

Judith M. Podskalny, Ph.D.
Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Natcher Building, Room 6AN 12E
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD  20892-6600
Telephone:  (301) 594-8876
Email:  judyp@dvsgate.niddk.nih.gov

Ronald Margolis, Ph.D.
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Natcher Building, Room 5AN 12J
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD  20892-6600
Telephone:  (301) 594-8819
Email:  ronm@dvsgate.niddk.nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms Nancy C. Dixon
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Natcher Building, Room 6AN 44C
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD  20892-6600
Telephone:  (301) 594-8854
Email:  nancyd@dvsgate.niddk.nih.gov

Schedule

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 2, 1995
Application Receipt Date:       April 19, 1995
Technical/Scientific Review:    June 1995
Review by Divisions/NIDDK:      September 1995
Anticipated Award Date:         September 30, 1995

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.849.  Awards are made 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 PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45
CFR Part 74.  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 RFAs Index

Return to NIH Guide Main Index


Office of Extramural Research (OER) - Home Page Office of Extramural
Research (OER)
  National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Home Page National Institutes of Health (NIH)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Home Page Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
  USA.gov - Government Made Easy


Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files.