Department of Health and Human Services
Part 1. Overview Information

Participating Organization(s)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Components of Participating Organizations

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Funding Opportunity Title

Rehabilitation Research Career Development Programs (K12)

Activity Code

K12 Physician Scientist Award (Program) (PSA)

Announcement Type

Reissue of RFA-HD-12-208

Related Notices

None

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number

RFA-HD-17-021

Companion Funding Opportunity

None

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s)

93.865

Funding Opportunity Purpose

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) invites applications to coordinate the mentoring and career development of rehabilitation researchers in relevant clinical domains, which may include any one of the following: physiatrists, physical/occupational therapy and allied health professionals, clinicians involved in neurological rehabilitation, or bioengineers. Unlike some other NIH K12 programs, this FOA seeks applications for a national network rather than a program exclusively located at the applicant institution. The applicant will be responsible for identifying qualified candidates (scholars) and supporting them in appropriate research environments throughout the country. The NICHD plans to support K12 programs representing relevant academic disciplines, especially those listed above.

Key Dates

Posted Date

October 21, 2016

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

November 28, 2016

Letter of Intent Due Date(s)

November 28, 2016

Application Due Date(s)

December 28, 2016, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. All types of non-AIDS applications allowed for this funding opportunity announcement are due on this date.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

AIDS Application Due Date(s)

Not Applicable

Scientific Merit Review

March 2017

Advisory Council Review

May 2017

Earliest Start Date

July 2017

Expiration Date

December 29, 2016

Due Dates for E.O. 12372

Not Applicable

Required Application Instructions

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Training Instructions for the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this FOA or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the FOA) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.


Table of Contents

Part 1. Overview Information
Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information


Part 2. Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose

The overall goal of the NIH Research Career Development programs is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. More information about Career programs may be found at the NIH Extramural Training Mechanisms website.

This FOA invites applications to coordinate the mentoring and career development of rehabilitation researchers, especially in clinical domains that may include one of the following: physiatrists, physical/occupational therapy and allied health professionals, clinicians involved in neurological rehabilitation, or bioengineers. Unlike some other NIH K12 programs, this FOA will support a national network rather than a program exclusively located at the applicant institution. The applicant will be responsible for identifying qualified candidates (scholars) and supporting them in appropriate research environments throughout the country.

This FOA encourages applications that promote networking among clinical and academic departments as well as professional organizations in order to attract and nurture a new cadre of rehabilitation researchers. Scholars supported under these programs would be encouraged to seek independent and stable research support through grants from the NIH and other federal agencies and research foundations.

The proposed institutional research career development program may complement other, ongoing research training and career development programs at the applicant institution, but the proposed career development experiences must be distinct from those career development programs currently receiving Federal support.

Background

Despite the increasing population of individuals coping with chronic disabilities at various levels, the field of medical rehabilitation has not responded sufficiently to the need for research to validate approaches, optimize treatments, and incorporate new technologies and opportunities. Unprecedented opportunities exist to explore the biomedical, behavioral, and social bases for rehabilitative strategies and their application to appropriate populations. One of the earliest priorities of the NICHD’s National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) has been the training of research scientists in the field of rehabilitation. There now exists a critical mass of successful investigators in clinical fields such as physiatry and neurorehabilitation, physical/occupational therapy and allied health, bioengineering, and related fields, who could recruit and train promising young rehabilitation researchers through national mentoring programs.

Through the career development programs described here, the NCMRR/NICHD is seeking to attract and support a broad cohort of basic and clinical investigators for research on improving the lives of people with chronic physical disabilities. Rehabilitation research goals include the development of strategies to minimize tissue pathophysiology and secondary complications, to facilitate tissue plasticity and regeneration, to support behavioral and psychosocial adaptation, and to promote and integrate assistive technologies.

Bioengineering research must continue to improve the access and use of orthotics, prosthetics, robotics, and other assistive devices for people with disabilities. Other opportunities include the integration of therapeutic exercise, functional stimulation, pharmacological approaches, and brain imaging technologies.

Research is also needed to develop better treatments for clinical conditions such as chronic pain, weakness and paralysis, spasticity and tremors, problems with balance, coordination, and gait, and sensory and autonomic dysfunction. Behavioral and psychosocial studies are needed to promote cognitive rehabilitation and psychosocial support, understand the role of environmental factors, increase participation, and improve quality of life.

Special research is also needed for understanding rehabilitative issues specific to pediatric populations. Children are more dependent on family and environmental factors and react differently to trauma, pharmacological compounds, and physical interventions. While the developing brain has a greater degree of vulnerability, it has higher potential for plasticity and recovery.

The NCMRR/NICHD encourages the development of improved diagnostic and prognostic measures; better ways to assess function, impairment, disability, and patient goals; and broader measures of participation and quality of life. Molecular genetic approaches may have a role in understanding rehabilitative processes, improving prognostic measures, and targeting therapeutic strategies. The NCMRR/NICHD also supports the development of clinical trials, comparative effectiveness research, and studies of health-service utilization.

Scope of the Program

The Institutional Career Development Programs shall be responsible for:

  • Recruiting, selecting, and supporting qualified individuals who would most benefit from participation in this program and are most likely to develop independent careers in medical rehabilitation research; Developing guidelines for mentoring, didactic interactions, career development, and the responsible conduct of research;
  • Developing a network of established faculty with a record of research support and productivity, who could serve as potential mentors and secondary resources for scholar candidates;
  • Negotiating and coordinating with participating institutions and departments to ensure that scholars obtain appropriate research support and opportunities for advancement;
  • Periodically reviewing the research and career goals of each scholar in conjunction with his/her mentor(s);
  • Providing special opportunities for research presentations and professional advancement, and assistance in career counseling and job placement;
  • Supporting the transition of mentored individual scholars to independent faculty positions in appropriate departments and to independent research support;
  • Enhancing the involvement of women, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and persons with disabilities as candidates, mentors, and/or other resource positions; and
  • Providing periodic evaluation of the Rehabilitation Research Career Development Program as a whole.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to make a 4-5 year commitment to their career development, spanning both Phase I and Phase II. Upon entering the program, candidates should develop, in conjunction with their primary mentor, a long-range research and career development plan.

During Phase I, scholars may be supported by the K12 program for up to three years, provided they are making appropriate progress as judged by the Advisory Committee in conjunction with the PD/PI. Toward the end of the second year, candidates are expected to apply for independent and stable research support outside the K12 grant as they transition to independent-researcher status. Support may include research grants from the NIH, other federal agencies, research foundations, or possibly advanced mentored development through individual K awards (the NICHD stipulates that an individual may have no more than six years of aggregate direct K support across all mentored career-development mechanisms).

During Phase II (generally another 2-3 years), scholars should be supported by independent grants or departmental funds; they can no longer be supported directly from the K12 grant. Nonetheless, they will be encouraged to remain associated with the program for career-development opportunities and participation in annual K12 meetings. During the Phase II period, the scholars' departments are strongly encouraged to provide at least 50% - and preferably 75% - protected time for research activities. The total combined duration of Phase I and Phase II interaction should not exceed five years.

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information
Funding Instrument

Grant: A support mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity.

Application Types Allowed

New
Renewal

The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

The NICHD intends to commit up to $3,090,000 in FY 2017 to fund 4 awards.

Award Budget

Applicants may request up to $715,000 annual direct costs. Future year amounts will depend on annual appropriations.

Award Project Period

The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period. The maximum period is 5 years.

Other Award Budget Information
Personnel Costs

Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the career development program may request salary and fringe benefits appropriate for the person-months devoted to the program. Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the institution's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the congressionally mandated cap. If mentoring interactions and other activities with scholars are considered a regular part of an individual's academic duties, then mentoring and other interactions with scholars are non-reimbursable from grant funds.

Limited program-related administrative and clerical salary costs associated distinctly with the program that are not normally provided by the applicant organization may be direct charges to the grant only when they are in accordance with applicable cost principles. This may include a part-time administrator to assist the PD/PI and/or Deputy Director in the coordination and administration of the K12 program.

Allowable Costs:

  • Up to $25,000 may be requested to support all faculty who are involved in designing, directing, and administering the K12 program. This may include the PD(s)/PI(s), Deputy Director, and/or Recruiting Officer, as appropriate to the proposed program. Maximum allowable cost is for all faculty combined.
  • Up to $40,000 per year may be requested for administrative, clerical, or other staff with responsibilities directly associated with the institutional career development program. Maximum allowable cost is for all staff combined.

Items that may NOT be supported with K12 funds include:

  • Salaries and fringe benefits for the program mentors;
  • Salary and support for central institutional administrative personnel (e.g., budget officers, grant assistants, and building maintenance personnel), which are usually paid from institutional overhead charges;
  • Salary and support for administrative activities such as institutional public relations or health and educational services.

Participant Costs

Scholars are those individuals who directly benefit from the proposed activities and experiences involved in the career development program. Requested salary and fringe benefit amounts must be in accordance with institutional policies applied consistently to individuals in like circumstances and must be supported by acceptable accounting principles. If full-time, 12-month salaries are not currently paid to comparable staff members, the salary proposed must be appropriately related to the existing salary structure. Salary amounts requested on career development awards must be based on the investigator's institutional base salary (IBS) prorated for their commitment on the project. While requested salary and fringe benefit information is provided in the initial application, confirmation of these costs may be required prior to the issuance of an award.

The NICHD will provide total support for each Scholar position of up to $125,000 in direct costs per year. This amount includes salary, fringe benefits, and research and career development expenses as itemized below.

Salary and Fringe Benefits:

Scholars may receive up to $100,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits, consistent with the institution's salary scale. Scholars must spend at least 9 person-months (equivalent to 75 percent) of full-time professional effort conducting research and research career development activities.

The scholar's institution may supplement the NIH salary contribution up to a level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale from non-federal sources; however, supplementation may not be from federal funds unless specifically authorized by the federal program from which such funds are derived. Institutional supplementation of salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of the Program.

Research and Career Development Support:

Within each scholar's $125,000 direct cost award, up to $25,000 per year may be allocated for research and career development costs. Allowable research expenses may include 1) research expenses such as supplies, equipment and technical personnel, including expenses generated in the laboratories of the established investigators who serve as mentors; 2) travel to attend an annual Scholar's meeting, which may be held at an appropriate professional meeting or at a site chosen by the grantee; 3) travel to receive training or attend scientific meetings; 4) tuition, fees, or books; 5) technical support for data analysis and statistical or computer services. These research and development costs must be related to the Scholar's research activities. They cannot be pooled and used for other programs unrelated or indirectly related to the research activities of individual Scholars.

Items that may NOT be supported with each Scholar's Research and Career Development Support category include:

  • Direct support of the laboratories, travel, and research projects of the investigators serving as mentors beyond those expenses directly attributable to the scholar's project.
Other Program Related Expenses

Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, non-Scholar travel for Senior/Key persons, meeting costs, and other program-related expenses may be included in the proposed budget. These expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the applicant institution.

Other Program-Related Expenses are limited to $25,000 per year. This allowance may be used for the PD(s)/PI(s), other faculty, or advisory committee members to attend the annual Scholars meeting or other organizational/administrative meetings associated with the K12 program.

Items that may NOT be supported with K12 funds include:
  • Travel of the PD(s)/PI(s), Training Director, or program mentors to scientific meetings other than K12 program-specific meetings;
  • Patient care costs such as inpatient bed days or outpatient visits, except for clinical laboratory analyses essential for the Scholars research;
  • Alterations and renovations.
Indirect Costs

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and fees, consortium costs in excess of $25,000, and expenditures for equipment), rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible Organizations

Higher Education Institutions

  • Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
  • Private Institutions of Higher Education

The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:

  • Hispanic-serving Institutions
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  • Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
  • Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
  • Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
  • Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)

Governments

  • Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
  • Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)
  • U.S. Territory or Possession

Other

  • Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
  • Faith-based or Community-based Organizations

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program.

The applicant institution must have a strong and high-quality research program in the area(s) proposed under this FOA and must have connections to the requisite faculty, staff, potential trainees and facilities to conduct the proposed national career-development program. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed program will complement other ongoing career development programs occurring at the applicant institution and at network sites, and that a substantial number of program faculty will have active research projects in which participating scholars may gain relevant experiences consistent with their research interests and goals.

Foreign Institutions

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Required Registrations

Applicant Organizations

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. The NIH Policy on Late Submission of Grant Applications states that failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission.

  • Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) - All registrations require that applicants be issued a DUNS number. After obtaining a DUNS number, applicants can begin both SAM and eRA Commons registrations. The same DUNS number must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.
  • System for Award Management (SAM) (formerly CCR) Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.
  • NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM.
  • eRA Commons - Applicants must have an active DUNS number and SAM registration in order to complete the eRA Commons registration. Organizations can register with the eRA Commons as they are working through their SAM or Grants.gov registration. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.
  • Grants.gov Applicants must have an active DUNS number and SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.gov registration.

Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s))

All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons.If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research training program as the Training Program Director/Principal Investigator (Training PD/PI) is invited to work with his/her organization 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 support.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide.

The PD(s)/PI(s) should be an established investigator and recognized leader in the scientific area in which the application is targeted and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. The PD/PI will be responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees to the approved research training program, and for the overall direction, management, administration, and evaluation of the program. The PD/PI will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required.

2. Cost Sharing

This FOA does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility
Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is programmatically distinct.

The NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time. This means that the NIH will not accept:

  • A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application.
  • A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.
  • An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review (see NOT-OD-11-101).
Preceptors/Mentors

Program faculty should have strong records as researchers, including recent publications and successful competition for research support in the area of the proposed research training program. Program faculty should also have a record of research training, including successful, former trainees who have established productive careers relevant to the NIH mission. Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to participate as mentors.

Scholars

Scholars to be supported by the institutional career development program must be at the career level for which the planned program is intended. Scholars are expected to devote a minimum of 9 person-months (75% of full-time professional effort) during their appointment on the K12 award.

Scholars must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Additional details on citizenship requirements are available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Candidates must have received, as of the beginning date of the K12 appointment, a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., or comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution. Eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to, the following: D.M.D., D.C., D.O., D.V.M., O.D., D.P.M., Sc.D., Eng.D., Dr. P.H., D.N.Sc., D.P.T., D.O.T, Pharm.D., N.D. (Doctor of Naturopathy), D.S.W., Psy.D, as well as a doctoral degree in nursing research.

In general, candidates should be no more than three years beyond their postdoctoral (therapists and engineers) or fellowship (clinicians) training when they enter this program. An individual who has previously served as PD/PI on an NIH research grant (e.g., R01, R21, R03), subproject of program project (P01), contract (N01), or individual mentored career development award (e.g., K01, K08, K22, K23, K25, or K99) may not be considered for further mentoring through this program.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Requesting an Application Package

Buttons to access the online ASSIST system or to download application forms are available in Part 1 of this FOA. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Training Instructions for the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide including Supplemental Grant Application Instructions except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.

Letter of Intent

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

By the date listed in Part 1. Overview Information, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

  • Descriptive title of proposed activity
  • Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s)
  • Names of other key personnel
  • Participating institution(s)
  • Number and title of this funding opportunity

The letter of intent should be sent to:

Ralph Nitkin, Ph.D.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-402-4206
Fax: 301-402-0832
Email: rn21e@nih.gov

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed

Instructions for Application Submission

The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this FOA.

SF424(R&R) Cover

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application.

SF424 (R&R) Other Project Information

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application, with the following additional modifications:

Substitute the term scholars for all references to trainees in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, and substitute the term career development for all references to training in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Project Summary/Abstract. Provide an abstract of the entire application. Include the objectives, rationale and design of the research career development program, as well as key activities in the career development plan. Indicate the planned duration of appointments, the projected number of scholars including their levels (i.e., fellows, instructors, faculty), and intended scholar outcomes.

Other Attachments. Provide a plan for the appointment of an Advisory Committee to monitor progress of the career development program. The composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information should be included. Describe how the Advisory Committee will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program. For new applications, proposed Advisory Committee members should not be named in the application. Renewal applications with Advisory Committees should include the names of all committee members during the past project period. Please name your file Advisory_Committee.pdf .

The filename provided for each Other Attachment will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.

SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile Expanded

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application.

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application.

PHS 398 Training Subaward Budget Attachment(s)

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide

Research and Related (R&R) Budget

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following additional modifications:

  • Include all personnel other than the Career Development PD(s)/PI(s) in the Other Personnel section, including clerical and administrative staff. Also include proposed salary costs for planned scholars.
  • Do not complete the section on Participant/Trainee Support Costs.
PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan

The PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan Form is comprised of the following sections:

  • Training Program
  • Faculty, Trainees, and Training Record
  • Other Training Program Sections
  • Appendix

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following additional modifications:

Data Tables: Particular attention must be given to the required Training Data Tables. For this FOA, applicants should use the following Data Tables only (Data for Scholars should be entered into the Postdoctoral sections of the Data Tables):

Table 2 (Renewal applications only)

Table 3 (Renewal applications only)

Table 4 (Renewal applications only)

Table 5B (Renewal applications only)

Table 7 (Renewal applications only)

Substitute the term scholars for all references to trainees in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, and substitute the term career development for all references to training in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Training Program

Program Plan:

a. Program Administration

Institutions with existing programs must explain what distinguishes this program from the others, how their programs will synergize with one another, if applicable, and make it clear that there is access to a national network of faculty, potential scholars, and resources robust enough to sustain this K12 program. When a program administrator position is planned, a description of the scientific expertise, leadership, and administrative capabilities essential to coordinate a program for developing investigators must be included in the application.

For renewal applications, highlight how the training program has evolved in response to changes in relevant scientific and technical knowledge, educational practices, and to evaluation of the training program.

b. Program Faculty

Career-development programs developed under this FOA shall be national networks rather than programs based solely at the applicant institution. Scholars shall be matched to the most appropriate mentors and institutions, which will often extend beyond those of the applicant organization; the specific expertise of those mentors will depend on the needs of scholar pool. Applicants must describe a plan for identifying appropriate mentors, linking candidates to those mentors, and ensuring that mentors will commit to candidate support. Applicants must also describe their connections to potential mentors at appropriate institutions, as well as the potential mentors expertise, experience, qualifications, and mentoring track records. However, the K12 applicant need not provide a list of potential mentors at their institution and beyond. Providing an advanced listing of prospective mentors and collaborators at other institutions may compromise the review process by creating unnecessary institutional conflicts for the recruitment of peer reviewers. Applicants should describe how mentors at remote sites will be integrated into the overall network of the proposed K12 program in terms of providing guidance and scientific advice to the scholars and supporting their transition to independent status.

e. Scholar Candidates

Describe in general terms the pool of potential candidates including information about the types of prior clinical and research training and career level required for the program. Do not name prospective Scholars. Describe the criteria to be used for candidate evaluation in the selection of Scholars. Describe plans to recruit individuals with disabilities or from racial or ethnic groups that are currently underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences and explain how the plans will be implemented. The application should contain a description of how the career development plan will be tailored to the needs of the prospective candidates, taking into account their past experiences and competencies.

Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Appendix

Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

PHS Assignment Request Form

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

See Part 1. Section III.1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov

4. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Policy on Late Application Submission.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

6. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit Applying Electronically. If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Guidelines for Applicants Experiencing System Issues. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the SF424(R&R) Application Package. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management (SAM). Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by components of participating organizations, NIH. Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.

Post Submission Materials

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-13-030.

Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. As part of the NIH mission, all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood that the proposed training program will prepare individuals for successful, productive scientific research careers and thereby exert a sustained influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of the merit of the training program, and give a separate score for each. When applicable, the reviewers will consider relevant questions in the context of proposed short-term training. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact.

Career Development Program and Environment

  • Does the proposed program clearly outline a plan to recruit, select, and develop well-qualified Scholars for successful careers as biomedical or clinical researchers and to monitor and support them at remote locations?
  • Is there evidence of an adequate pool of potential scholars who would benefit from receiving career development support and would be committed to research careers?
  • Are the content and duration of any proposed didactic, career-development, networking, and research-related activities of the program appropriate;
  • Are appropriate timelines indicated for career progression and transition to independence?
  • Does the institutional environment and national network (e.g., academic departments and professional organizations) in which the program would be conducted contribute to the probability of success?
  • Does the proposed career development program benefit from unique features of the professional field, academic networks, subject populations, research opportunities, national resources, or other collaborative and support opportunities?
  • Is the institutional commitment to the proposed program appropriate?
  • If multiple sites are participating, is this adequately justified in terms of the career development and research opportunities and past collaborative experiences?
  • Is there sufficient assurance that the required effort of the PD/PI, mentors, and scholars would be devoted directly to career development and related activities?
  • When applicable, is there adequate documentation describing the responsibilities of the advisory committee with regard to the provision of input, guidance and oversight of the program?
  • Are there strategies to promote and support diversity in the program with respect to scholars and potential mentors?

Career Development Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s))

  • Do the PD(s)/PI(s) and administrative staff (if applicable) have the experience to develop, direct and administer the proposed program?
  • Does the leadership team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the program? Is there evidence that an appropriate level of effort will be devoted by the program leadership to ensure program objectives?
  • Are the research qualifications, scientific stature, previous leadership and mentoring experience, and track record(s) appropriate for the proposed career development program?
  • Are the PD(s)/PI(s) currently engaged in research relevant to the scientific area of the proposed program?
  • For applications designating multiple PDs/PIs:
  • Is a strong justification provided that the multiple PD/PI leadership approach will benefit the career development program and the scholars?
  • Is a strong and compelling leadership approach evident, including the designated roles and responsibilities, governance, and organizational structure consistent with and justified by the aims of the career development program and the complementary expertise of the PDs/PIs?

Mentors

  • Are there connections to potential mentors at appropriate research institutions who would have appropriate expertise and experience, as well as track records of past mentoring and training?
  • Is there an effective plan for identifying highly-qualified mentors and linking them to potential candidates and ensuring that those mentors commit to candidate support?
  • Will mentors at remote sites be effectively integrated into the overall network of the proposed K12 program in terms of providing guidance and scientific advice to the scholars and supporting their transition to independent status?

Scholars

  • Is a recruitment plan proposed with strategies likely to attract high quality scholars?
  • Are there well-defined and well justified recruitment and selection strategies?
  • Is there evidence of a sufficiently large, competitive scholar pool committed to research careers to warrant the proposed size of the career development program?
  • Are the content, phasing, and proposed duration of the career development plan appropriate for achieving scientific independence of the scholars?
  • What is the likelihood that the career development plan will contribute significantly to the scientific development of the scholars and the field as a whole?
  • Does the plan for selection of the scholars include all of the eligibility criteria stated in the FOA?

Training Record

  • Is there evidence of a successful past training record of the PD/PI and mentors, including the success of former scholars in seeking independent support and establishing productive scientific careers?
  • Does the program have a rigorous evaluation plan to assess the quality and effectiveness of the training?
Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.

Protections for Human Subjects

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Vertebrate Animals

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Biohazards

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Resubmissions

Not Applicable

Renewals

For Renewals, the committee will consider the progress made in selecting and supporting productive and committed scholars and their advancement to independent research careers. The committee will also consider the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity, and Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. Does the application describe the program s accomplishments over the past funding period(s)? Has the program been responsive to the needs of the scholars and the larger research community? Are changes proposed that would improve or strengthen the career development experience? Is there evidence of a successful past training record of the PD/PI and mentors, including the success of former scholars in seeking independent support and establishing productive scientific research careers?

Revisions

Not Applicable

Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.

Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity

Peer reviewers will separately evaluate the recruitment plan to enhance diversity after the overall score has been determined. Reviewers will examine the strategies to be used in the recruitment of individuals from underrepresented groups. The plan will be rated as ACCEPTABLE or UNACCEPTABLE, and the consensus of the review committee will be included in an administrative note in the summary statement.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

All applications for support under this FOA must include a plan to fulfill NIH requirements for instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). Taking into account the specific characteristics of the career development program, the level of scholar experience, and the particular circumstances of the scholars, the reviewers will evaluate the adequacy of the proposed RCR training in relation to the following five required components: 1) Format - Does the plan satisfactorily address the format of instruction, e.g. lectures, coursework and/or real-time discussion groups, including face-to-face interaction? (A plan involving only on-line instruction is not acceptable.); 2) Subject Matter Does the plan include a sufficiently broad selection of subject matter, such as conflict of interest, authorship, data management, human subjects and animal use, laboratory safety, research misconduct, research ethics? 3) Faculty Participation - Does the plan adequately describe how faculty will participate in the instruction? For renewal applications, are all training faculty who served as course directors, speakers, lecturers, and/or discussion leaders during the past project period named in the application? 4) Duration of Instruction - Does the plan meet the minimum requirements for RCR, i.e., at least eight contact hours of instruction? 5) Frequency of Instruction Does the plan meet the minimum requirements for RCR, i.e., at least once during each career stage (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, predoctoral, postdoctoral, and faculty levels) and at a frequency of no less than once every four years?

For renewal applications, does the progress report document acceptable RCR instruction in the five components described above? Does the plan describe how participation in RCR instruction is being monitored? Are appropriate changes in the plan for RCR instruction proposed in response to feedback and in response to evolving issues related to responsible conduct of research?

Plans and past record will be rated as ACCEPTABLE or UNACCEPTABLE, and the summary statement will provide the consensus of the review committee.

Select Agent Research

Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including (1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, (2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, (3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and (4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).

Budget and Period of Support

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s), convened by the NICHD in accordance with NIH peer review policy and procedures, using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications:

  • May undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact score.
  • Will receive a written critique.

Appeals of initial peer review will not be accepted for applications submitted response to this FOA.

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this FOA. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development (NACHHD) Council. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

  • Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
  • Availability of funds.
  • Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.
  • Coverage of diverse professional domains most relevant to medical rehabilitation research.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons. Refer to Part 1 for dates for peer review, advisory council review, and earliest start date

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the grantee’s business official.

Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs.

Any application awarded in response to this FOA will be subject to terms and conditions found on the Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website. This includes any recent legislation and policy applicable to awards that is highlighted on this website.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities. More information is provided at Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants.

Recipients of federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must administer their programs in compliance with federal civil rights law. This means that recipients of HHS funds must ensure equal access to their programs without regard to a person’s race, color, national origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, sex and religion. This includes ensuring your programs are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. HHS recognizes that research projects are often limited in scope for many reasons that are nondiscriminatory, such as the principal investigator’s scientific interest, funding limitations, recruitment requirements, and other considerations. Thus, criteria in research protocols that target or exclude certain populations are warranted where nondiscriminatory justifications establish that such criteria are appropriate with respect to the health or safety of the subjects, the scientific study design, or the purpose of the research.

For additional guidance regarding how the provisions apply to NIH grant programs, please contact the Scientific/Research Contact that is identified in Section VII under Agency Contacts of this FOA. HHS provides general guidance to recipients of FFA on meeting their legal obligation to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to their programs by persons with limited English proficiency. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/laws/revisedlep.html. The HHS Office for Civil Rights also provides guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/section1557/index.html; and http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/index.html. Recipients of FFA also have specific legal obligations for serving qualified individuals with disabilities. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/disability/index.html. Please contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights for more information about obligations and prohibitions under federal civil rights laws at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/about/rgn-hqaddresses.html or call 1-800-368-1019 or TDD 1-800-537-7697. Also note it is an HHS Departmental goal to ensure access to quality, culturally competent care, including long-term services and supports, for vulnerable populations. For further guidance on providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services, recipients should review the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care at http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlid=53.

In accordance with the statutory provisions contained in Section 872 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417), NIH awards will be subject to the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) requirements. FAPIIS requires Federal award making officials to review and consider information about an applicant in the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS) prior to making an award. An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that a Federal agency previously entered and is currently in FAPIIS. The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgement about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 45 CFR Part 75.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants. This provision will apply to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements except fellowships.

Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award

Not Applicable

3. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, awardees will be required to submit the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) annually. Continuation support will not be provided until the required forms are submitted and accepted.

Failure by the grantee institution to submit required forms in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in an expenditure disallowance or a delay in any continuation funding for the award.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act), includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of applicable NIH grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.fsrs.gov on all subawards over $25,000. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting requirement.

Other Reporting Requirements
  • The institution must submit a completed Statement of Appointment (PHS Form 2271) for each scholar appointed for 8 weeks or more. Grantees must submit the PHS 2271 data electronically using the xTrain system. More information on xTrain is available at xTrain (eRA Commons). An appointment or reappointment may begin any time during the budget period, but not before the budget period start date of the grant year.
  • A notarized statement verifying possession of permanent residency documentation must be submitted with the Statement of Appointment (PHS Form 2271). Individuals with a Conditional Permanent Resident status must first meet full (non-conditional) Permanent Residency requirements before receiving support.
  • Termination Notice: Within 30 days of the end of the total support period, the institution must submit a Termination Notice (PHS Form 416-7) via xTrain for each scholar appointed for eight weeks or more.

A final progress report, invention statement, and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Evaluation results should be included as part of the final Progress Report.

In accordance with the regulatory requirements provided at 45 CFR 75.113 and Appendix XII to 45 CFR Part 75, recipients that have currently active Federal grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies with a cumulative total value greater than $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of a Federal award, must report and maintain the currency of information reported in the System for Award Management (SAM) about civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings in connection with the award or performance of a Federal award that reached final disposition within the most recent five-year period. The recipient must also make semiannual disclosures regarding such proceedings. Proceedings information will be made publicly available in the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS). This is a statutory requirement under section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41 U.S.C. 2313). As required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all information posted in the designated integrity and performance system on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance reviews required for Federal procurement contracts, will be publicly available. Full reporting requirements and procedures are found in Appendix XII to 45 CFR Part 75 Award Term and Conditions for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

4. Evaluation

In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related programs, the NIH may request information essential to an assessment of the effectiveness of this program from databases and from participants themselves. Participants may be contacted after the completion of this award for periodic updates on various aspects of their employment history, publications, support from research grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

Application Submission Contacts

eRA Commons Help Desk (Questions regarding eRA Commons registration, submitting and tracking an application, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, post submission issues)
Finding Help Online: http://grants.nih.gov/support/ (preferred method of contact)

Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission, downloading forms and application packages)
Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726

Web ticketing system: https://grants-portal.psc.gov/ContactUs.aspx
Email: support@grants.gov

GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and process, finding NIH grant resources)
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov (preferred method of contact)

Telephone: 301-945-7573

Scientific/Research Contact(s)

Ralph Nitkin, Ph.D.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-402-4206
Email: rn21e@nih.gov

Peer Review Contact(s)

Sherry L. Dupere, Ph.D.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-451-1485
Email: duperes@mail.nih.gov

Financial/Grants Management Contact(s)

Bryan Clark, M.B.A
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-435-6975
Email: clarkb1@mail.nih.gov

Section VIII. Other Information

Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Authority and Regulations

Awards are made under the authorization of Section 487 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 288) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR 66.

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 Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 75.

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