CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Release Date:  September 21, 2001

RFA:  RFA-HD-01-019 (This RFA has been modified, see RFA-HD-05-027)

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
 (http://www.nichd.nih.gov/)
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  January 25, 2002
Application Receipt Date:       February 26, 2002

PURPOSE

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) supports 
a program of Child Health Research Career Development Awards (CHRCDA) 
intended to develop resources to speed the transfer of knowledge gained 
through studies in basic science to clinical applications that will benefit 
the health of children.  The CHRCDA will support research career development 
of pediatricians who have recently completed subspecialty training, and who 
are commencing basic and/or clinical research relevant to child health.  The 
goal of this initiative is to advance research in child health and to support 
educational institutions in their ability to stimulate novel research 
initiatives and career development experiences for junior investigators.  
This will be accomplished by increasing the number and effectiveness of 
established pediatric investigators who have a grounding in basic science and 
research skills that can be applied to the health problems of children, as 
well as by increasing the number of pediatric medical centers that can 
stimulate and facilitate the application of research findings to pressing 
pediatric problems.

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 Request for 
Applications (RFA) is related to several priority areas.  Potential 
applicants may obtain "Healthy People 2010" at 
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/.
  
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and non-profit 
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, 
units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal 
government.  Foreign institutions are not eligible for this institutional 
career development award.  Applications from institutions not previously 
funded for Child Health Research Career Development Awards are encouraged.  
Racial/ethnic minority individuals, persons with disabilities, and women are 
encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators.

A CHRCDA may be awarded to a children’s hospital or to a department of 
pediatrics of an approved medical school in the U.S. that has as a primary 
teaching site either a general children’s hospital or a children’s program 
with an identifiable organizational structure that is part of a larger 
medical institution.  Grantee institutions must have the clinical pediatric 
specialties and subspecialties, and the discrete clinical and research 
facilities sufficient to meet the purposes of the CHRCDA program, namely, to 
bridge clinical pediatric training with a career in basic and/or clinical 
research relevant to child health.  CHRCDA Scholars must have an M.D. degree, 
or equivalent, must have completed a pediatric residency and subspecialty 
training, and must be within three years of completing their subspecialty 
training when starting the program.  Scholars must be willing to spend 75 
percent of full-time professional effort conducting research and research 
career development activities.  Scholars must be U.S. citizens or noncitizen 
nationals, or must be able to provide legal proof of lawful admission for 
permanent residence.  Individuals on temporary or student visas are not 
eligible.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Mentored Clinical 
Scientist Development Program (K12) award mechanism.  Responsibility for the 
planning, direction, and execution of the proposed program will be solely 
that of the  applicant.  The total project period for an application 
submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed five years.  

FUNDS AVAILABLE

NICHD intends to commit approximately $3.2 million in total costs [Direct 
plus Facilities and Administrative (F & A) costs] in FY 2003 to fund up to 
eight new and/or competing continuation grants in response to this RFA.  
Applicants may request a project period of up to five years and a budget of 
up to $400,000 for direct costs per year.  It is not required that 
applications request the allowable budgetary maximum.  Small size is not a 
disadvantage for CHRCDA funding, if the support requested for core resources 
(administration, shared core laboratory) is in proportion to the activity in 
new project development which is the CHRCDA’s primary purpose.  Facilities 
and administrative costs on K12 awards are limited to eight percent of 
modified total direct costs.

Because the nature and scope of the new projects may vary, it is anticipated 
that the size of awards also will vary.  Although the financial plans of 
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 meritorious applications.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

A CHRCDA grant provides pediatric research institutions with an opportunity 
to build a greater capacity for nurturing junior investigators.  Established 
investigators, with research funded by NIH or other sources through 
competitively awarded grants or contracts, combine to establish a center of 
research excellence in their institution.  Individuals with a wide range of 
biomedical and biobehavioral backgrounds, especially those with a basic 
science orientation, are asked to mentor newly trained pediatricians just 
embarking on their research careers.  The established investigators make 
available their expertise, guidance, and laboratory facilities to be utilized 
by junior investigators for research projects that will enhance their basic 
science knowledge and skills.  Although mentors from collaborating 
departments may provide expertise and resources, the emphasis remains on 
research that is relevant to clinical pediatrics and its various subspecialty 
areas. 

Components of a CHRCDA

(a)  Principal Investigator

The Principal Investigator of the CHRCDA must be the chairperson of the 
Department of Pediatrics or the chief of the pediatric service.  He or she 
should possess the scientific expertise, leadership, and administrative 
capabilities required to coordinate and supervise a multidisciplinary 
research program of this scope.  The Principal Investigator is responsible 
for appointing the Program Director and members of the Advisory Committee 
(see below).  He or she makes the decisions regarding appropriate recipients 
of the program funds for research and career development, taking into 
consideration recommendations from the CHRCDA Advisory Committee.  The 
Principal Investigator does not receive salary or fringe benefit support from 
the CHRCDA for this activity.  The Principal Investigator is expected to 
attend the annual scientific meeting of the CHRCDA centers.

(b)  Administrative Staff

The day-to-day administration of the CHRCDA may be made the responsibility of 
a senior faculty member, called the Program Director, supported for up to 10 
percent time and effort for this activity.  The Program Director must be 
knowledgeable about pediatric research, with a record of success in 
laboratory or clinical investigation and demonstrated skill in career 
development.  The Principal Investigator may serve as Program Director, with 
appropriate support.  The Program Director may be assisted by a part-time 
CHRCDA-supported secretary.  Administrative staff funds also may be used for 
a well-qualified recruitment officer, supported up to 20 percent time and 
effort, to enhance participation in the program by women and members of 
minority groups that are underrepresented in pediatric research (see below).  

(c)  Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee is a group of scientists, selected from the Pediatrics 
Department and other departments or institutions, as appropriate, who have 
interests and expertise relevant to pediatric research.  The Advisory 
Committee is chaired by the Principal Investigator and must include the 
Program Director, the Core Laboratory Director, and some or all of the 
participating established investigators.  It also may include the recruitment 
officer and any other persons considered essential by the Principal 
Investigator.  It is the function of the Advisory Committee to evaluate 
applications for the use of the new project development funds and make 
recommendations to the Principal Investigator about appropriate awardees.  It 
evaluates ongoing activities annually, makes recommendations about their 
continuation, and advises the Principal Investigator on setting priorities 
for use of the core laboratory resources.  The committee may utilize 
institutional or outside consultants for these functions.  The Advisory 
Committee provides expert counsel essential to the Principal Investigator for 
his or her administration of the program.  It should meet regularly and its 
evaluation activities should be formalized.

(d)  Mentors

At least six established investigators, supported by NIH or other 
competitively awarded grants, are required as mentors for a CHRCDA.  They 
should be expert in the application of new advances in basic science 
methodology to problems of human development and pediatric disease that are 
relevant to the mission of the NICHD.  Their research interests must 
contribute to areas that justify their collective designation as a Child 
Health Research Career Development Award center, making the CHRCDA attractive 
to recently trained pediatricians as a place to develop their investigative 
careers.  The mentors need not be pediatric department members.  Linkage to 
other departments can enhance the effectiveness of the CHRCDA and is expected 
to be a key feature of each center.  When a junior investigator is to be 
supported by the CHRCDA through new project development funds, at least one 
of the established investigators must agree to provide his or her expertise 
as a mentor and collaborator, and allow the junior investigator access to his 
or her laboratories.  Annual progress reports for a CHRCDA grant must 
describe ongoing research projects, current publications, and outside 
funding.  These reports will be reviewed by NICHD staff and outside 
consultants to confirm that the institution is continuing to meet its goal of 
recruiting promising new pediatric investigators and facilitating their 
career development.  The mentors do not receive support for their salaries or 
fringe benefits from the career development awards.  Mentors may be added as 
appropriate to the roster of an ongoing funded CHRCDA center without prior 
NICHD approval.

(e)  Laboratory Resources

The laboratory resources of the CHRCDA comprise the research laboratories of 
the established investigators, as well as a shared core laboratory to be 
utilized by the established investigators and the junior investigators whose 
activities they will supervise.  Requests for funding to set up a new core 
must have strong justification of a cost-effective expansion or 
centralization of the research resources.  The core, if any, must serve at 
least three CHRCDA Scholars.  The CHRCDA grant may support professional 
supervision of the shared core laboratory (Core Laboratory Director, maximum 
50 percent time and effort), as well as technical assistance, supplies, and 
equipment purchase and maintenance.  The Principal Investigator, Program 
Director, and Core Laboratory Director are responsible for efficient and 
equitable utilization of the core laboratory on the basis of recommendations 
from the Advisory Committee.  Core laboratory log books are subject to review 
by NICHD staff and outside consultants upon request of the former.  There 
must be an institutional commitment to this shared core laboratory, which may 
take the form of alterations and renovations to establish it, the purchase of 
research equipment, the assignment of research space, and/or the support of 
personnel.  The laboratories of the established investigators are not 
supported directly by the K12 grant.  Funds for supplies, small equipment, 
and technical assistance needed for the conduct of center-supported research 
projects in these laboratories are provided through new project development 
funds.  Support for projects conducted in the core laboratory by recipients 
of new project development funds may come either from those funds, the core 
laboratory budget, or both.

(f) Career Development Program

Support for new projects, conducted by junior investigators, is designed to 
enhance their research skills thereby providing a bridge between formal 
research training and the receipt of independent research grants.  The novel 
feature of these grants is the flexibility in the use of the funds awarded 
for research support, decisions about which new projects and which junior 
investigators are to be supported are made by the grantee institution.  Both 
competing and non-competing continuations of a CHRCDA grant are contingent on 
demonstration of good judgment in these decisions, as indicated by scientific 
progress, success of the junior investigators in competing for new research 
grants and contracts, and the development of new pediatric investigators.

The Principal Investigator, after considering recommendations from the 
Advisory Committee, will make CHRCDA Scholar appointments to junior 
investigators for the pursuit of research projects under the guidance and 
supervision of an established investigator.  The institution will support 
CHRCDA Scholars for periods of two to five years consisting of consecutive 
12-month appointments.  In addition to research activity, the program should 
include an initial didactic phase that may include training in areas such as 
biostatistics, scientific writing and oral presentation, biotechnology, and 
epidemiology.  The program must include appropriate training in the 
responsible conduct of research.

CHRCDA Scholars, as well as the Principal Investigator and Program Director, 
are expected to attend an annual CHRCDA centers meeting.  One purpose of this 
meeting is to allow Scholars to present their career development award-
supported research to their peers.  Principal Investigators and Program 
Directors are expected to attend these meetings to demonstrate their support 
of the program and the junior investigators.  In addition, they will have an 
opportunity at these meetings to exchange ideas about common problems and 
make suggestions to NICHD staff about possible modifications in the program.

(g) CHRCDA Scholars

The scholar position is a junior faculty position offered to a pediatrician 
who is no more than three years beyond subspecialty training and who has not 
previously been the Principal Investigator of an NIH research grant or 
contract.  Scholars must have an M.D. degree and have completed a pediatric 
residency and subspecialty training.  The scholar position is not a 
fellowship or an extension of a fellowship position.  Similarly, these 
positions are not to be offered to more senior faculty members who are in 
need of funding.  This junior faculty appointment should be extended to 
candidates who are willing to spend a minimum of 75 percent of full-time 
professional effort in research and research career development activities.  
During the award period, the scholars are encouraged and expected to seek 
independent grant support.

The K12 grant application should indicate the number of CHRCDA Scholar 
appointments proposed for each year and provide evidence that this number of 
worthwhile projects is likely to be forthcoming.  The number of new projects 
to be supported must be commensurate with the institution’s capacity to 
develop and recruit appropriate candidates.  CHRCDA projects may be clinical 
or non-clinical, as long as they relate to the goals of the CHRCDA program. 

Support of scholars is renewable at the discretion of the Principal 
Investigator, contingent upon presentation of evidence of satisfactory 
progress to the Advisory Committee and to the NICHD in the required annual 
progress report.  The pool of potential scholars and criteria for selecting 
CHRCDA Scholars should be described in the grant application.  Institutions 
are encouraged to develop novel mechanisms for recruiting qualified 
pediatricians to become grant-supported investigators.  Such mechanisms could 
include, for example, part-time appointments for individuals with families 
and special efforts to recruit members of minority groups.  Annual progress 
reports must include a Biographical Sketch and other pertinent information on 
the new scholar recruits for the year reported.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The CHRCDA grant may provide funds for three purposes:

(1)  Administration of the CHRCDA Career Development Program

o  Salaries and support for a Program Director (maximum 10 percent time and 
effort), a part-time secretary, and a recruiting officer (maximum 20 percent 
time and effort).

o  Administrative support services, including supplies, duplicating 
equipment, telephone, or maintenance contracts for equipment if not covered 
by institutional overhead charges.

o  Travel of Principal Investigator and Program Director to an annual CHRCDA 
scientific meeting.

(2)  Shared Core Laboratory

o  Salaries and support for shared core laboratory staff, including a Core 
Director.

o  Supplies and animals.

o  Scientific equipment (purchase and maintenance).

o  Computer costs.

(3)  New Project Development Support

Up to $100,000 annually may be used per CHRCDA Scholar for projects that are 
pursued in their own laboratories, in the shared core laboratory, and/or in 
the laboratories of the established investigators.  Individual Scholars are 
eligible for up to $75,000 per year in salary.  For each person supported in 
this category, the maximum expenditure for equipment is $10,000 annually and 
for travel, $3,500 annually.  Awards to CHRCDA Scholars need not all be equal 
in size.  These funds may be used for salary and to defray the costs of 
materials, supplies, technical assistance, and miscellaneous expenses 
generated by these projects in the laboratories of the established 
investigators who serve as mentors of the awardees, for supplies needed for 
work in the core laboratory that are beyond the capacity of that laboratory"s 
budget, for small items of equipment, for travel, and for a portion of the 
salaries and fringe benefits of the junior investigators.

Items that may not be supported with CHRCDA grant funds include:

o  Direct support of the laboratories, salaries, fringe benefits, travel, and 
research projects of the established investigators, except for reimbursement 
of costs from new project development support within the CHRCDA center.

o  Salary and support for central institutional administrative personnel 
usually paid from institutional F & A costs, such as budget officers, grant 
assistants, and building maintenance personnel.

o  Salary and support for administrative activities such as public relations 
or health and educational services.

o  Travel of the Principal Investigator, the Program Director, the Core 
Laboratory Director, or other established investigators to scientific 
meetings except as previously noted.

o  Patient care costs such as inpatient bed days or outpatient visits, except 
for clinical laboratory analyses essential for the research.

o  Alterations and renovations.

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 are 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 
UPDATED "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in 
Clinical Research," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on 
August 2, 2000 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html), 
a complete copy of the updated Guidelines is available at  
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm.  The 
revisions relate to NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials and require:  a) 
all applications or proposals and/or protocols to 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) all investigators to report accrual, and to conduct and report 
analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group 
differences.

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," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts, March 6, 1998, and available at: 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html.    

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

URLS IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES

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.  Reviewers are 
cautioned that their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access 
an Internet site.

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.  This policy announcement is found in the NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts Announcement dated June 5, 2000, at the following website:  
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.

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 RFA 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.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes a 
descriptive title of the proposed application, the name, address, and 
telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key 
personnel (established investigators excepted) and participating 
institutions, and the 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 
subsequent applications, the information that it contains allows NICHD staff 
to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Karen Winer, at the address listed 
under INQUIRIES, below, by January 25, 2002.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001) 
at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html are to be used in 
applying for these grants. This version of the PHS 398 is available in an 
interactive, searchable PDF format. For further assistance contact 
GrantsInfo, Telephone 301-710-0267, E-mail: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.

Application Instructions

Refer to the  Research Career Award  section in the PHS 398 for guidance in 
preparing applications, noting modifications below.  Page limitations on 
research project grant applications, as stated in the guidelines and 
instructions for PHS Form 398, do not apply to these K12 applications, 
although applicants are encouraged to be concise.  

The application must include a TABLE OF CONTENTS and should include all 
information requested under  Section I:  Basic Administrative Data.   

 Section II: Specialized Information  should be modified as follows:  

This section should begin with an overview of the proposed CHRCDA program.

o  The Candidate:  Describe, in general, the pool of potential candidates 
including information about the types of prior research training.  Describe 
criteria used for candidate selection and evaluation.  

o  Competing renewal applications must name all scholars who have received 
funding from this award, their current academic status, gender and minority 
information, and all funding awarded to the candidate since CHRC funding was 
initiated.  This information should be provided in a table.  Additionally, a 
list of peer reviewed articles published since the initiation of CHRCDA 
support with the scholar’s name in bold is also required.  Describe the 
previous success of the CHRCDA and what might be changed in the future. 

o  Statement by Sponsor:  Summarize the long-term objectives of the program.  
Describe the career development plans for prospective candidates.  The 
application should contain a description of how the career development plan 
will be tailored to the needs of the prospective candidates.

o  Environment and Institutional Commitment:  Provide information and 
documentation establishing the commitment of the applicant institution. 
Describe the institution’s research environment and the pool of mentors.

o  Research Plan:  For each potential mentor, include a paragraph on his or 
her research relevant to the goals expressed in this RFA that may be the 
foundation of the CHRCDA scholar’s research experience. 

Biographical Sketch

Biographical Sketches for the Principal Investigator, Program Director, Core 
Laboratory Director, and potential mentors should be provided, using the 
appropriate Format Page.

Budget Instructions

Each application submitted in response to this RFA should include the 
following information, using PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) Form Pages 4 and 5, 
including appropriate budget justification, as indicated:

Using Form Page 4, DETAILED BUDGET FOR THE INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD, provide the
following individual budgets, using separate pages for each:

o  A budget for the administrative core, including Personnel, Supplies, 
Travel Expenses for the Principal Investigator and Program Director to the 
annual CHRCDA scientific meeting, and Other Expenses, for the first year.

o  A budget for the shared core laboratory including Personnel, Equipment, 
Supplies, and Other Expenses, for the first year.

o  A budget for new project development funds for the first year, providing 
under Other Expenses the total dollars and minimum number of positions 
requested.  The new project development funds budget need not be allocated 
into categories in the initial application, since these will vary with the 
projects supported.  It should be specified to what extent these funds will 
be used for salaries.

Using Form Page 5, BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT, provide 
the following:

o  A composite budget, reflecting the sum of the individual budgets, in 
categories, for the first year and for the entire proposed period of support.  
New project development funds should be listed under Other Expenses.  Provide 
budget justification in narrative form.

Submission Instructions

The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) must be stapled to the 
bottom of the face page of the application and must display the RFA number 
HD-01-019.  A sample RFA label is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf.  Please note this 
is in the pdf format.  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 (CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH CAREER 
DEVELOPMENT AWARD) and number (HD-01-019) must be typed on line 2 of the face 
page of the application and the YES box must be marked.

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 the time of submission, two additional copies of the application should be 
sent to:

Robert Stretch, Ph.D.
Acting Director
Division of Scientific Review
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 5E03, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Rockville, MD  20852 (for express/courier service)

Applications prepared in response to this RFA must be received by February 
26, 2001.  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.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR and 
for responsiveness by the 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 NICHD in accordance with the review criteria stated below.  
As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written 
critique and may undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to 
have the highest scientific merit will be discussed, assigned a priority 
score, and receive a second level review by the National Advisory Child 
Health and Human Development Council.

Review Criteria

o  Applicant institution’s commitment to appropriate broadly based research, 
resting on the interests of established investigators who can act as mentors 
or senior collaborators for scholars.  The research at the institution must 
be relevant to the current areas of interest of the research and programmatic 
needs of the NICHD.  Research should not be narrowly defined by a specific 
disease category or organ system.

o  Institutional commitment to the requirements of the program, such as 
recruitment efforts, salaries, equipment, core laboratory support, or other 
forms of cost sharing.

o  Evidence of the availability of a pool of prospective investigators, 
trained locally or recruited from elsewhere, who could benefit from receiving 
career development support from the CHRCDA.

o  Appropriateness of the number of planned awards for the size of the 
institution, the number and skills of the established investigators who will 
serve as mentors, and the magnitude of the request for administration and 
core laboratory resources.

o  Availability of research-oriented faculty positions at the grantee 
institution for new investigators previously trained by the CHRCDA.

o  Evidence of previous success of the institution in developing new 
pediatric investigators.

o  The likelihood that the career development  plan will contribute 
significantly to the scientific development of the candidates.  
Appropriateness of the development plan for achieving scientific independence 
for the prospective candidates.

o  Evidence of cost-effectiveness and procedures for quality control in 
allocation of resources.

o  For renewal (competing continuation) applications, or subsequent new 
applications from an institution with a previously funded center, success of 
the center-funded junior investigators in producing research publications and 
in obtaining independent, competitively funded support for pediatric 
research. 

o  Efforts to develop novel mechanisms for recruiting candidates for new 
project development awards from women and minority groups under-represented 
in pediatric research. 

o  Evidence of a scientifically sound and equitable system for evaluating 
candidates for new project development funds and providing internal quality 
control of ongoing research.

o  Quality of the proposed training in the responsible conduct of research.

o  Appropriateness of the requested budget.

o  Probable impact of the CHRCDA on enhancing the capacity of the grantee 
institution to develop well-qualified new pediatric investigators, thereby 
advancing pediatric research at the grantee institution, in the local medical 
environment, and in the nation, especially with regard to the application of 
basic research developments to clinical problems in pediatrics.

Schedule

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:    January 25, 2002
Application Receipt Date:         February 26, 2002
Peer Review Date:                 June 2002
Council Review:                   September 2002
Earliest Anticipated Award Date:  December 1, 2003

AWARD CRITERIA

Criteria that will be used in making funding decisions include scientific and 
technical merit, as determined by peer review, availability of funds, and 
programmatic priorities.

INQUIRIES

Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify any 
issues or questions from potential applicants is welcomed.  Prospective 
applicants are urged to discuss their plans with Institute staff.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues and address the letter of 
intent to:

Karen K. Winer, M.D.
Center for Research for Mothers and Children
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 4B11, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone:  (301) 435-6877
FAX:  (301) 480-9791
E-mail:  winerk@exchange.nih.gov 

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Mary Daley
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 8A17, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone:  (301) 496-1305
FAX:  (301) 402-0915
E-mail:  daleym@exchange.nih.gov    

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 
93.865, Research for Mothers and Children.  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 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 PHS 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 PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of 
the American people.

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