SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE PROGRAM NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 29, August 14, 1992 P.T. 34 Keywords: Biomedical Research Training Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl RFA: GM-92-003 National Institute of General Medical Sciences Application Receipt Date: November 6, 1992 PURPOSE The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) announces a pilot program, the Supplements for Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program, to provide supplements to NIGMS grants to enable Principal Investigators (PI) to support undergraduate students for a 10-week summer research experience in their laboratories. The purpose of the program is to attract talented students to careers in the biomedical sciences by giving them a hands-on research experience at a critical point in their academic careers. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS PIs at domestic institutions who hold an active Research Project (R01), First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29), Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) (R37), Program Project (P01), or Center (P50) grant from the NIGMS are eligible to submit a request for an administrative supplement. Recipients of Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15) and Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) (R43 and R44) grants are not eligible, nor are PIs at foreign institutions. In all cases, the parent grant must have support remaining through the period of the proposed SURE award. It is expected that each parent grant, including Program Projects and Centers, will support only one undergraduate student through this program. Award of an administrative supplement to support a minority undergraduate student under the Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities program or a disabled undergraduate student under the program of Research Supplements to Promote the Recruitment of Individuals with Disabilities into Biomedical Research Careers in no way precludes an award to the PI through the SURE Program. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Support will be provided through supplements made to active R01, R29, R37, P01, and P50 grants funded by the NIGMS. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Successful applicants for supplements will be notified in February 1993 in order to provide sufficient time to recruit talented students. The supplement is not to exceed $6.00 per hour for salary plus $125 per month for supplies for a period of 10 weeks. Equipment may not be purchased from these funds. Applicable indirect costs will be provided. Supplemental funds will be restricted to the purpose described in this announcement. Recipients of supplements must submit appointment forms (PHS 2271) to the NIGMS. Students who are supported by SURE awards will be designated "NIGMS Summer Scholars" and will receive certificates at the completion of their research experience. FUNDS AVAILABLE It is estimated that the NIGMS will award up to 250 SURE awards. This level of support is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high merit. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NIGMS, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The NIGMS is strongly committed to supporting research training in the biomedical sciences through its institutional training grants and individual fellowships awarded under the National Research Service Award (NRSA) Act. The NIGMS recognizes that to maintain the success of its training programs, talented undergraduate students must continue to be attracted to the biological sciences and related areas, such as chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Often, however, promising undergraduates, particularly at large, research-intensive universities, are deterred from pursuing science majors because of a lack of opportunity for personal participation in research at a critical stage in their academic careers. The SURE Program will make administrative supplements to NIGMS research grants to enable PIs to provide support for undergraduate students who participate in research in their laboratories for the summer. Supplements will be awarded for support during the summer of 1993, and it is hoped that institutional and other sources of support will enable interested students to continue the research experience beyond the initial summer. Supplements to NIGMS research grants are designed to provide beginning undergraduate students who have not yet begun their junior year with a summer research experience. The proposed research must be an integral part of the approved ongoing research supported by the parent grant. As part of this research experience, the student must be given the opportunity to interact with scientists and graduate students in the laboratory, to contribute intellectually to the research, and to enhance research skills and knowledge in the particular area of biomedical science. In addition, the PI must demonstrate an ability and a willingness to serve as a supportive mentor and a role model in encouraging interest in a career in biomedical research. Although it is understood that other members of the laboratory will be involved in the student's training, it is expected that the PI will be responsible for serving as the primary mentor. In particular, it is expected that the PI will discuss with the student the ongoing research in the laboratory and its broader scientific context, appropriate laboratory practices and scientific conduct, appropriate use of human subjects and animals, if applicable, and career options. Supplemental awards will be consistent with the goal of strengthening the existing research program. Awards will be made according to the policies and provisions stated in this announcement. Students are expected to devote an equivalent of 10 weeks of full-time effort to the research project. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS By acceptance of a supplement, the PI agrees to provide the NIGMS, as part of the next progress report (non-competing, competing, or final), with an evaluation of the student's accomplishments during the program. In addition, the PI is responsible for ensuring that the student submit a one to two page report which should include both a description of the research project and results obtained and an evaluation of the research experience and an assessment of its impact on career goals. This report should be submitted to the NIGMS no later than September 15, 1993. APPLICATION PROCEDURES All requests for supplements must be received by November 6, 1992. In making requests, the grantee institution, on behalf of the PI of the parent grant, must submit four copies of the application, including a signed original, directly to: Office of the Associate Director for Program Activities National Institute of General Medical Sciences Westwood Building, Room 940 5333 Westbard Avenue Bethesda, MD 20892 The request for a SURE award must include the following: o A completed face page (with appropriate signatures) from grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91). This form is available at most institutional business offices and from the Office of Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 496-7441. Include on line 1 the title and grant number of the parent grant and specify on line 2a (Response to Specific Request for Applications or Program Announcement) "Supplement for Undergraduate Research Experience." o A brief description (maximum of three pages), prepared by the PI of the parent grant, that includes: (a) the PIs plans for mentoring, training, and advising the student. It is NOT necessary to have identified a student for support at the time of submission of the request, but, if a student has not been identified, some indication should be given of the plans to recruit, the criteria for selection of a student, and the likelihood of success; (b) plans for the student's research experience and a discussion of the student's role in relation to the research supported by the parent grant; (c) expectations for how the research experience will foster the research capabilities and scientific interests of the student; (d) a proposed budget entered on the budget pages from the grant application form PHS 398; and (e) documentation, if applicable, that the proposed research experience was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or the Human Subjects Review Board (IRB) of the grantee institution. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS The staff of the NIGMS will review requests for supplements using the following general criteria: o Adequacy of the plan for the proposed research experience of the student; o Evidence that the experience will enhance the research potential, knowledge, and/or skills of the undergraduate and his/her interest in biomedical science; o Evidence that the activities of the student will be an integral part of the project; o The suitability of the research environment; and o The commitment of the PI and the grantee institution to promote and support undergraduate research. A strong indication of the PIs commitment is a demonstration of past mentorship of undergraduates. AWARD CRITERIA It is hoped that many of the students supported under the SURE Program will be able to continue their research experiences beyond the 10-week period with institutional support. A commitment of this sort from the PI and the grantee institution would be viewed favorably in making awards. INQUIRIES Principal Investigators interested in applying for this program may contact the program administrator whose name appears on the Notice of Grant Award or: Michael Martin, Ph.D. Deputy Associate Director, Office of Program Activities National Institute of General Medical Sciences Westwood Building, Room 938 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7063 Inquiries regarding fiscal matters are to be directed to the grants management specialist whose name appears on the Notice of Grant Award or: Ms. Ruth Monaghan Deputy Grants Management Officer National Institute of General Medical Sciences Westwood Building, Room 953 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7746 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.821, 93.859, 93.862, 93.863. 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. .
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