EXTRAMURAL ASSOCIATES FACULTY RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM (FRESP)

RELEASE DATE:  April 28, 2004

RFA NUMBER:  RFA-HD-04-007 

October 7, 2011  - See Notice NOT-HD-11-026. 
The purpose of this Notice is to Close-out of the 
Extramural Associates Research Development Award (EARDA) 
Program and Clarification of the Eligibility of Current 
and Previous EARDA Grantees for Participation in the Biomedical/Biobehavioral 
Research Development (BRAD) Program (G11).


(This RFA has been modified, see PAR-05-053)

EXPIRATION DATE:  June 18, 2004

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
 
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATION:
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
 (http://www.nih.gov)

COMPONENT OF PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATION:  
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) 
 (http://www.nichd.nih.gov/)

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER(S):  93.865

LETTER OF INTENT RECEIPT DATE:  May 18, 2004
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE:  June 17, 2004

THIS RFA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

o Purpose of this RFA
o Research Objectives
o Mechanism 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 Extramural Associates (EA) Program, National Institute of Child Health and 
Human Development (NICHD), NIH, announces an initiative directed at scientific 
faculty and academic science administrators of women's colleges and 
institutions with significant underrepresented minority (i.e., Black, 
Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Native American) student populations. This 
RFA describes the Faculty Research Enhancement Support Program (FRESP) and is 
intended for non-research-intensive, EA-eligible institutions granting the 
baccalaureate degree as the highest degree in the biomedical or behavioral 
sciences. Selected community colleges that have established collaborative 
research activities or bridge programs with institutions that award at least a 
baccalaureate science degree are also eligible.

The goal of this initiative is to increase the participation of these 
institutions in biomedical and behavioral research and research training 
through an integrated residency and institutional grant support program.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

The EA Program was established at the NIH in 1978 to promote the entry and 
participation of women and underrepresented minority institutions in 
biomedical and behavioral research. Overall, the program accomplishes this 
mission by providing Extramural Associates (EAs) from women's colleges and 
underrepresented minority institutions with the opportunity to come to the NIH 
to gain the necessary understanding of the processes utilized by the NIH, as 
well as other Federal agencies, to provide funding to support biomedical and 
behavioral research and research training. The ten-week summer residency 
program is for institutions with an individual wishing to become a focal point 
for information about funding of biomedical and behavioral research, and to 
support training opportunities for undergraduate students leading to careers 
in biomedical or behavioral research. A successful applicant institution 
receives an Extramural Associates Research Development Award (EARDA); the 
individual from the awardee institution who participates in the residency EA 
Program is known as the Extramural Associate (EA).

Program Objectives

The specific objectives of the FRESP program are to: (1) enhance faculty 
opportunities to conduct biomedical and behavioral research and research 
training; (2) increase the EA’s knowledge of the NIH and related agencies' 
research and research training funding opportunities; (3) develop skills in 
the fundamentals of preparing research grant applications, research contract 
proposals, training grant and fellowship applications; (4) aid undergraduate 
institutions and a selected group of community colleges in developing 
collaborative and consortium arrangements with other academic institutions; 
(5) assist EAs in increasing student participation in research; and (6) assist 
EAs in effectively guiding students toward careers in science and research. A 
major focus addresses strategies and processes for attracting women and 
underrepresented minority undergraduate students into research experiences 
that will lead to biomedical and behavioral research careers. It is 
anticipated that the individuals participating in the program will become the 
institutional focal point in promoting biomedical and behavioral research and 
research training activities among students and faculty and, where 
appropriate, establish or become a resource for an Office of Research 
Development at the applicant institution. 

Scope

Candidates for the Extramural Associates Research Development Award (EARDA) 
must be full-time scientific faculty or academic science administrators at the 
applicant institution. If approved and invited to participate, they will be 
required to spend ten weeks during the first summer of the grant at the NIH in 
residency training. The program has the flexibility necessary to allow each EA 
to participate in activities that are consistent with the institution's 
concerns and interests in health-related research. Upon entering the program, 
EAs are assigned a preceptor and participate in the regular EA Program 
curriculum. The EA's preceptor, a senior NIH or Public Health Service (PHS) 
official, is available for guidance with respect to working assignments and 
related activities to assure consistency with the Institutional Plan presented 
in the EARDA application. Associates attend an initial series of orientation 
sessions as well as in-depth seminars that prepare them to use their time 
effectively at the NIH. Working assignments are intended to provide in-depth 
exposure to the administration of NIH and other Federal extramural research 
programs. EAs have the opportunity to learn about the Federal legislative and 
budgetary processes, to study administrative procedures, and to observe staff 
meetings and scientific review meetings. In the course of the program, they 
visit other Federal agencies and a nearby university's office of sponsored 
research. Opportunities may also be provided to observe NIH site visits to 
grantee institutions. 

Residency Training Curriculum

The purpose of the residency training is to provide the EA with the skills 
needed to improve the research infrastructure at the participating 
institution. Toward this end, the curriculum will focus on eight core areas: 
(1) The Organization and Function of the NIH; (2) Extramural Program Policies 
and Procedures; (3) Extramural Scientific Review Policies and Procedures; (4) 
Compliance and Regulatory Issues; (5) Project Administration and Financial 
Management; (6) Extramural Funding Mechanisms and Opportunities; (7) Other 
Federal Funding Programs and Opportunities; and (8) Grantsmanship Workshops 
and Seminars. Individual training specific to needs of the EAs or their 
institutions will be provided by their assigned preceptors.

Upon completion of the residency program, the EAs have: (1) a comprehensive 
working knowledge of the range of Federal support of biomedical and behavioral 
research; (2) skills in preparation of research grant applications; (3) a plan 
to establish or expand the institution's "Office of Research Development;" (4) 
knowledge of the composition of an Advisory Committee with membership capable 
of reviewing, recommending for funding, and monitoring faculty pilot research 
projects; (5) a network of contacts to the NIH and other Federal agencies, so 
they can serve as a liaison for faculty and students to access NIH 
opportunities, as well a those of other Federal and private agencies; and (6) 
the embryonic stage of a meaningful partnership with a research intensive 
institution.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the NIH Extramural Associate Research Development Award 
(G11) award mechanism. As an applicant you will be solely responsible for 
planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. The anticipated award 
date is upon completion of the NIH residency training after December 1, 2004.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The NICHD intends to commit approximately $162,000 in total costs [Direct plus 
Facilities and Administrative (F & A) costs] in FY 2005 to support three to 
five new grants in response to this RFA.  An applicant may request a project 
period of up to five years and a budget for direct costs of up to $30,000 in 
the first year and up to $50,000 per year in subsequent years.  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 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. 

ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS

You may submit an application if your institution has any of the following 
characteristics: 

o Domestic, private and public women's colleges and educational institutions 
with significant underrepresented minority student populations that offer 
programs in the biomedical or behavioral sciences. 

o Community colleges that meet the enrollment criteria stated above and have 
established significant collaborative research activities or bridge programs 
with institutions that award at least a baccalaureate science degree.

o Institutions that did not receive an Extramural Associate Research 
Development Award in years 1994 through 2003, resulting from their response to 
RFAs OD-94-002, OD-94-003, OD-95-001, OD-96-001, OD-97-002, OD-98-004, 
OD-99-001, OD-00-001, HD-01-004, HD-02-006, or HD-03-006.
 
o Institutions that had EAs enrolled in the NIH training program prior to 1994 
and who have never received an EARDA grant are eligible to apply for this 
program. However, the proposed Principal Investigator from such institutions 
must agree to participate in the ten-week NIH summer residency training 
program. 

An institution may submit only one application for participation in the 
Program in response to this RFA. Eligible women's colleges and 
underrepresented minority institutions that have never had a faculty member 
participate in the EA Program are strongly encouraged to apply. Institutions 
that have received a Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) award, 
if successful in applying for this award, may have their budget requests 
reduced if there is significant overlap in funding infrastructure components.

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 his/her 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.   

The Principal Investigator will serve as the Extramural Associate (EA) for the 
program.  Full-time science faculty, i.e., faculty who have earned degrees in 
the life sciences (biomedical and or behavioral sciences) or in the physical 
sciences (chemistry, mathematics, engineering or physics) are eligible to 
become Principal Investigators. Academic science administrators, or mid-level 
and senior-level faculty, are preferable so long as they have the flexibility 
to participate in the residency training and carry out the expectations 
outlined in this RFA after completing the residency training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Institutional Commitment

Institutions may nominate only one Principal Investigator per cycle for 
participation in the program. In nominating the EA candidate, the sponsoring 
institution is expected to commit adequate resources to formulate and 
implement an Institutional Plan that will build upon the EA's residency 
training experience. For the ten-week residency program, this may include:

o a commitment to provide the EA with support in the form of designated 
authority to develop or enhance an Office of Research Development upon his/her 
return to the institution.

o a statement in the proposed plan describing how the institution plans to 
continue the developmental research activity once EARDA support expires. 

o the EA's residency training costs under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act 
(IPA). The institution should be prepared to provide advance travel and per 
diem for the EA during the first year of the EARDA.

Absence During Training

The EA and the institution must be fully committed to the EA residency 
training. Because of the time and effort expended in scheduling and conducting 
training, only in extreme cases will the EA be excused from any part of the 
training to engage in institutional responsibilities incurred prior to or 
during the residency training.

Allowable Costs

Funding for the program may be used to support the activities of the EA upon 
returning to the home institution such as equipping an office, support of 
small pilot research studies, student/teacher seminars, and workshops to 
enhance research interest and to establish consortium research arrangements. 
Funds may also be used for other purposes including, but not limited to, the 
following:  

o Purchase of office supplies and equipment 

o Administrative assistance (Support for administrative assistance can be 
requested up to, but must not exceed, 50 percent FTE. Any request for 
administrative assistance greater than 50 percent FTE will be denied.) 

o Travel expenses for the EA to gain additional experience in carrying out the 
functions of the office 

o Membership dues in one professional organization whose function is related 
to the goals of the EA Program. 

Salary support for the EA during the ten-week residency program will be 
provided through an IPA agreement mechanism described below, not through or 
from the EARDA grant itself. Therefore, salary should be requested for only 42 
weeks in the first 12-month budget period of the EARDA. The costs for the 
residency program are entirely separate from the EARDA award. Selected EAs 
will come to the NIH for the assignment under the IPA. The IPA enables 
temporary appointments to the Federal government for employees of academic 
institutions. The IPA provides partial support for the EA while he/she is at 
NIH. Under the IPA arrangement, up to 67 percent of the cost of the EA's 
salary while at the NIH is reimbursed. Similarly, per diem (food and lodging) 
costs are reimbursed at 75 percent by NIH and the institution contributes 25 
percent. The cost of relocating the EA from the home institution and any other 
cost incurred that is related to the residency program are reimbursed at 100 
percent. 

Although institutions with an existing Office of Research Development or 
similar office, or with funding through programs such as the RCMI, may apply, 
adjustments in the final funding level for budgetary overlap may be made prior 
to the award.

Change of Principal Investigator

If a request to change the Principal Investigator is received at any time 
during the five-year grant, support may be suspended by NICHD pending approval 
of a substitute Principal Investigator by the EA Program Director. 
Additionally, the new PI must attend a modified EA training course to be 
conducted by the EA program staff. The expense for residency training for the 
new PI will be borne entirely by the grantee institution.

Inclusion of Pilot Research Projects 

Please do not include in this application any descriptions of pilot studies 
that will be conducted by faculty at your institution. These pilot studies 
will not be considered by the peer reviewers of your grant application; 
therefore, such information will not influence the evaluation. Detailed 
instructions for submitting proposed pilot studies for evaluation of 
scientific and technical merit, human subjects protection and animal welfare, 
and the inclusion of women, minorities and children can be accessed at: 
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/RFA/HD-04-107/HD-04-107.htm    

Post-Award Monitoring

To insure that the EA is making satisfactory progress in achieving the goals 
and objectives of the EA Program and is receiving appropriate institutional 
support, two EARDA assessments will be conducted during the five-year grant 
period. The first assessment will take place at the institution approximately 
18 months after the EARDA is awarded. The second one, a grantee interview, 
will take place at the NIH during the latter part of the fourth year or early 
in the fifth year of the grant during the residency training, and will include 
the EA and one or two designated institutional officials. Applicants should 
include the budget funds necessary to participate in the grantee interview at 
NIH.  These assessments will be carried out in addition to the normal 
requirement for submitting annual Progress Reports to the NICHD.

WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES

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

o Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:  

Matthew Kinnard, Ph.D.
Director, Extramural Associates Program
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, 5E03, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone: (301) 435-2736
FAX: (301) 480-0393
Email: [email protected]

o Direct your questions about peer review issues to:  

Robert Stretch, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Scientific Review
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 5B01, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone: (301) 496-1485
FAX: (301) 402-4104
Email: [email protected]

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

Ms. Myrtle Coleman
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, 8A17, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD 20892-7510
Telephone: (301) 402-4572
FAX: (301) 402-7827
Email:  [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 NICHD 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:  

Matthew Kinnard, Ph.D.
Director, Extramural Associates Program
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, 5E03, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone: (301) 435-2736
FAX: (301) 480-0393
Email: [email protected]

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application 
instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001). Applications must have a Dun and 
Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the 
Universal Identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative 
agreements. The DUNS number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or 
through the web site at http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/. The DUNS number 
should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form. The PHS 398 
document 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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONS: The instructions accompanying Form PHS 398 (rev. 
5/2001) must be followed, with the exceptions noted below:

Special Instructions for Research Plan 

For section I.C.9, Specific Instructions - Research Plan, use Continuation 
Pages to provide information on the three parts described below. The total 
length for these three parts combined should not exceed 15 pages. 

The Research Plan for a FRESP application consists of three parts. These parts 
are required and it is imperative that applicants fully address each point 
described in the outline below because they are reflected in the review 
criteria.

Part I: The Nominee

This part pertains to the nominee's background and potential as an EA. It 
should be prepared by the nominee and must include:

o Evidence of rapport with faculty and students, ability to motivate and 
advise others, and commitment to serve the institution.

o A description of the nominee's commitment to increasing and strengthening 
involvement of women and underrepresented minorities in biomedical and 
behavioral research at the institution. This description also should address 
his/her interest in and commitment to the objectives of the EA Program, the 
benefits that will accrue to the institution from his/her participation in the 
program, and the nominee's availability to participate in the 10-week 
residency program at the NIH.

o The names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail 
addresses of three colleagues who have consented to submit letters of 
reference to the NIH attesting to the personal qualifications and potential 
effectiveness of the nominee. The reference letters must be included in the 
appendix. One of these letters should be from the President of the applicant 
institution. Reference letters should accompany the two applications sent to 
the NICHD (see SENDING AN APPLLICATION TO THE NIH, below). The reference 
letters must be received in the same package with the EARDA application. 
Otherwise, the application is considered incomplete and will be returned to 
the applicant without further consideration. In order to comply with this 
requirement, it is recommended that all reference letters be obtained from the 
referring individuals as far in advance of the application deadline as 
possible.

o A detailed description of the current status of the sponsored programs 
office or similar office at the institution and the nominee's plan to take the 
institution forward with regard to developmental research activities. 

Part II: The Institution

This part pertains to the institution's mission and goals related to the EA 
Program. It should be prepared by institutional officials and must include the 
following:

o A brief description of the institution's mission and history with respect to 
preparing women and/or underrepresented minorities for careers in research.

o A brief statement that imparts the institution's philosophy on the role of 
undergraduate education in fostering faculty and student research, as well as 
in preparing students for graduate studies in the sciences.

o A description of the current academic environment, with emphasis on the 
institution's science departments and/or programs. Data on the composition of 
science faculty and student enrollment should be provided in this section.

o A statement on the existing or potential quality of the institution's 
research and research training environment, providing information on campus-
wide funded or pending grant support or collaborative research activities as 
indicated by: (1) number of faculty members in biomedical and behavioral 
science disciplines; (2) number of faculty engaged in biomedical and 
behavioral science research; (3) number of faculty with external support; (4) 
evidence of presentations at local, regional, and national meetings; (5) 
evidence of faculty collaborations; (6) faculty involved in external peer 
review activities, as members of standing or ad hoc review committees; (7) 
current student population in the sciences and follow-up data (e.g., graduate 
and post-graduate career profiles); (8) current and planned facilities for 
scientific research and training; and (9) current and planned Federal and non-
Federal research support. A brief description of the current research 
facilities and research administration functions should also be included.

o A detailed description of the current status of the Sponsored 
Programs/Research Office or similar office, if one exists at the institution. 
A letter from the head of this office, if one exists, signed and dated and 
stating explicitly that he or she is committed to working in mutual harmony 
with the Office of Research Development, once established, for the maximum 
benefit of the entire institution.

Part III: Institutional Plan

Institutional representatives, including the President or equivalent, and the 
nominee must have jointly designed a preliminary plan that will allow the 
nominee to serve as a focal point for developing faculty and research 
capabilities at their institution. This part of the application pertains to 
the institutional plan for the EA's role and activities following completion 
of the EA ten-week summer residency program. It must provide:

o A statement of the nominee's role, authority, and institution-wide 
accessibility upon return to the institution, as well as a description of 
resources that will be made available to the nominee, including a detailed 
budget. 

o An advisory committee:  The purpose, function, and expectations should be 
described in the application, but specific members should not be appointed 
until after an award is made. This committee could serve as advisory to the EA 
in the establishment and the ongoing research development activities upon 
return of the EA to the institution.

o A preliminary plan, including the source of funds, for continuation of the 
program once NIH support expires.

o A justification for developing or expanding an Office of Research 
Development.

o A plan for assessing the effectiveness of the overall institutional plan.

o Emphasis should be given to establishing collaborative arrangements and 
partnerships with private industry and businesses.

Special Instructions for the Appendix

The Appendix to the application should include the following items:

o Reference letters from colleagues identified.

o Letter from Director of Sponsored Programs Office (if applicable).

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 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 and all 
copies of the appendix material must be sent to:  

Robert Stretch, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Scientific Review
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 5B01, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)

APPLICATION PROCESSING:  Applications must be received on or before 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.

Although there is no immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of an 
application, applicants are generally notified of the review and funding 
assignment within eight weeks.

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.  
However, when a previously unfunded application, originally submitted as an 
investigator-initiated application, is to be submitted in response to an RFA, 
it is to be prepared as a NEW application.  That is, the application for the 
RFA must not include an Introduction describing the changes and improvements 
made, and the text must not be marked to indicate the changes from the 
previous unfunded version of the application.  

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR and 
responsiveness by the NICHD.  Incomplete 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: 

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 written critique
o Receive a second level review by the National Advisory Child Health and 
Human Development Council.

REVIEW CRITERIA

I. The Nominee 

o Strength of personal qualifications as indicated by past training and 
experience;

o Evidence of ability to enhance the institution's effectiveness in involving 
women and underrepresented minorities in health-related research;

o Demonstrated interest and resourcefulness, and evidence that the nominee has 
the requisite experience and access to the science faculty and to the 
administration to accomplish the goals of the program;

o Ability to commit himself or herself to function as the EA, preferably for 
the duration of the EARDA grant but, at a minimum, for three full years.

II. Institution

In the context of the institution's history and stage of development:

o Quality of science education and potential for research and/or research 
training in biomedical and behavioral sciences;

o Evidence of commitment to preparing women and/or underrepresented minorities 
for careers in science;

o Evidence of potential for developing research and research training 
infrastructure;

o Strength and quality of faculty and students in health-related science 
departments; and

o Potential for conducting collaborative sponsored research and research 
training projects.

III. Institutional Plan

o Evidence of a strong institutional commitment to implementing the plan;

o Evidence, as reflected in institutional statements and the budget, that the 
nominee will be provided sufficient resources to carry out the plan;

o Evidence that the nominee will have sufficient authority to carry out the 
plan;

o Coherence of the plan and evidence that there is adequate coordination among 
key faculty and administrators (i.e., composition and functioning of 
committees) in its development;

o Adequacy of the proposed Advisory Committee to review, fund, and monitor 
pilot research studies;

o The presence, strength, and viability of the proposed evaluation strategy; 
and

o The justification for establishing or expanding an Office of Research 
Development.

ADDITIONAL REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

BUDGET:  The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of 
support in relation to the proposed research.

RECEIPT AND REVIEW SCHEDULE

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  May 18, 2004
Application Receipt Date:  June 17, 2004
Peer Review Date:  July/August 2004
Council Review:  September 2004
Earliest Anticipated Start Date:  After December 01, 2004

AWARD CRITERIA

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

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.

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 at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the 
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health 
Systems Agency review.  Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 
301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) 
and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.  All 
awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other 
considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.  The NIH Grants 
Policy Statement can be found at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm.  

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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NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices

			Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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