Full Text NR-97-001
 
NINR/ORMH MENTORED RESEARCH SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT AWARD FOR MINORITY
INVESTIGATORS
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 9, March 21, 1997
 
RFA:  NR-97-001
 
P.T. 34

Keywords: 
  Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl 
  Nursing 

 
National Institute of Nursing Research
Office of Research on Minority Health
 
Application Receipt Date:  May 22, 1997
 
PURPOSE
 
The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the Office of
Research on Minority Health (ORMH) invite grant applications to
support the research career development of doctorally prepared
minority nurse investigators in tenure-earning positions at
Traditionally Minority Based Institutions (TMBIs) and at majority
academic institutions in the biomedical and behavioral scientific
mission areas of the NINR.  The purpose of this program initiative is
to: (1) foster the development of independent investigators in
nursing research on the faculties of TMBIs and majority academic
institutions; (2) stimulate nursing research and nursing research
training at these institutions; and (3) encourage the development of
qualified minority nurse investigators in academic research settings
who can become effective role models for minority students.
 
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000
 
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This RFA,
NINR/ORMH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award for Minority
Investigators, is related to the priority area of human resource
development.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy
People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary
Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325
(telephone 202-512-1800).
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
For purposes of this RFA, applications may be submitted on behalf of
candidates by domestic TMBIs and majority academic institutions,
public and private. Applications from foreign institutions will not
be accepted.
 
Candidates who are minority individuals underrepresented in
biomedical and behavioral research in nursing and who are persons
with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply as candidates.
For the purpose of this announcement, underrepresented minority
investigators are defined as individuals belonging to a particular
ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the grantee
institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral
research.  Awards will be limited to citizens or non-citizen
nationals of the United States or to individuals who have been
lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of an
Alien Registration Receipt Card) at the time of application.  In
awarding grants, the NIH will give priority to projects involving
Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander or other
ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be
underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research nationally.
Before submitting an application f or the Mentored Research Scientist
Award, applicants are encouraged to call their program administrator
at the NIH to discuss any aspects of this program that need
clarification.
 
Candidates for this award must be full-time nursing faculty members
in tenure-earning positions at Historically Black Colleges and
Universities or majority academic institutions who:  (1) are citizens
of the United States, noncitizen nationals, or have been lawfully
admitted for permanent residency at the time of application; (2) have
a research or health-professional doctorate (PhD or DNSc), or its
equivalent; (3) have demonstrated the capacity or potential for a
highly productive independent research after the doctorate; (4) has a
Registered Nurse license; and (5) have secured the commitment of an
appropriate research mentor actively involved in research relevant to
the mission of NINR.
 
The candidate must identify a(n) appropriate mentor(s) with extensive
research experience in the research area proposed in the application.
The candidate must be willing to spend a minimum of 75 percent of
full-time professional effort conducting research and career
development activities for the period of the award.  The remaining 25
percent time should be devoted to other research-related and/or
teaching or clinical pursuits consistent with the objectives of the
award.
 
Candidates who have served as principal investigators on PHS research
grants or have been supported by a research career award in the past,
are eligible to apply, provided the proposed research career
development program is in a fundamentally new area of scientific
endeavor for the candidate or there has been a significant hiatus in
his/her research career because of family or other personal
obligations.  Current principal investigators on PHS research grants
are not eligible.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
This RFA will use the National Institute of Nursing (NINR) Mentored
Research Scientist Development Award (K01) mechanism.  This mechanism
is described in program announcement PA-95-071 (NIH Guide, Vol. 24,
No. 2, June 16, 1995).  Although all general guidelines of PA-95-071
will apply, this RFA is written as a stand-alone document and
contains provisions that are unique to this initiative.  Planning,
direction, and execution of the proposed career development program
are the responsibility of the candidate and his/her mentor on behalf
of the applicant institution.  The total project period for grants
awarded under this program must be three years.  These grants are not
eligible for renewal.
 
Individuals applying for the K01 award must comply with the JUST-IN-
TIME procedures announced in the NIH Guide on March 29, 1996 and May
17, 1996.
 
FUNDS AVAILABLE
 
The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of
support for the program are expected to be $300,000 in Fiscal Year
1997.  NINR anticipates funding up to four awards in FY 1997 with
each award being $75,000 in total costs.  Salary support for each
recipient  will be for a maximum of $50,000 with a minimum of 50%
effort committed.  Each year $20,000 will be available for research
development support. No financial support is available for the
mentor(s) who must be a(n) accomplished investigator(s).  Funding
beyond the first year of the award will be contingent on the
satisfactory progress of the awardee and the availability of funds.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
Background
 
The striking underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minority groups in
biomedical and behavioral research in the United States has been
underscored in many studies.  There are existing programs at the NIH
designed to improve this situation.  These include: the Minority
Biomedical Research Support Program, the Minority Access to Research
Careers (MARC)  Program, and the Individual Predoctoral Fellowship
for Minority Students Program, and the Research Supplements for
Underrepresented Minorities Program.  The NINR has been an active
participant in the trans-NIH minority research training programs and
has implemented its own minority supplement program for its
institutional research training grants under the National Research
Service Award program.
 
NINR has had a long-standing interest in increasing the number of
minority investigators in nursing research.  Based on the
recommendations from two groups of minority health experts, NINR has
developed a variety of outreach strategies that assist individuals at
TMBIs and other majority institutions in obtaining support for
research training, career development, and research funding from
NINR.  Further refinement of the strategies will take place in May
1997 when  NINR and ORMH will  co-sponsor the Third Minority Congress
with the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Division
of Nursing. (The focus of the Third Minority Congress will be on the
"Caring for the Emerging Majority: A Blue Print for Action.")
Initiating the NINR/ORMH Research Scientist Development Award for
Minority Investigators will strengthen the participation of TMBIs,
where there are few schools of nursing and no nursing doctoral
programs, and majority academic institutions by addressing the needs
of minority nurse investigators for additional research training with
financial support.
 
NINR also recognizes that the paucity of qualified minority nurse
investigators in academic research settings has created a shortage of
role models for minority students.  This RFA seeks to address this
problem by enhancing the research capabilities of  minority nurse
faculty members so these individuals may establish research
laboratories and research programs in nursing at their institutions.
In this fashion they will serve as role models for minority
undergraduate and graduate students, stimulating them to consider
research career opportunities in nursing research.
 
The purpose of the present RFA is to:
o foster the development of independent investigators in nursing
research on the faculties of TMBIs and majority academic
institutions; o stimulate nursing research and nursing research
training at these institutions; and o encourage the development of
qualified minority nurse investigators in academic research settings
who can become effective role models for minority students.
 
Research Areas
 
The research career development plan must address one of NINR's six
scientific areas concerned with: maternal and child health; chronic
diseases and conditions; health and risk behaviors; cardiopulmonary
health; neurological conditions and brain disorders; and immune and
neoplastic diseases.  Minority nurse investigators are encouraged to
develop their innovative research career development plans in areas
relevant to underserved minority populations and in priority areas of
NINR's scientific research mission.
 
Environment
 
The applicant TMBI or majority academic institution must demonstrate
in the application a firm commitment to the development of the
candidate as a productive, independent investigator in nursing
research and to the pursuit of the research career development plan
described in the application. The candidate should describe a career
development program that will maximize the use of relevant research
and educational resources available in the TMBI or the majority
academic institution and in the mentor's institution.
 
Program
 
The award provides three consecutive 12-month appointments to pursue
a mentored research experience and specialized study in nursing
research that are tailored to the individual needs of the candidate.
At least 75 percent of the recipient's full- time professional effort
must be devoted to the program, and the remaining 25 percent devoted
to other research-related and/or teaching  or clinical pursuits
consistent with the objectives of the award.  The program must
consist of both a research plan and a research career development
plan that will develop knowledge and research skills relevant to his
or her career goals.
 
Mentor(s)
 
The candidate must receive appropriate mentoring throughout the three
year program. Where feasible, women and minority mentors should be
involved as role models.  If the mentor (and/or a co-mentor, if
desired) is geographically distant from the candidate, detailed
rationale must be provided to document the mentor-candidate
relationship and level of commitment for the successful
implementation and completion of the proposed research and career
development program.
 
Allowable Costs:
1.  Salary:  The NINR will provide salary  for the recipient of this
award up to a maximum of $50,000 per year plus commensurate fringe
benefits. The institution may supplement the NINR contribution up to
a level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale;
however, supplementation may not be from Federal funds unless
specifically authorized by the Federal program from which such funds
are derived.  In no case may PHS funds be used for salary
supplementation.  Institutional supplementation of salary must not
require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with
the purpose and provisions of this research career development award.
Under expanded authorities, however, institutions may rebudget funds
within the total costs awarded to cover salaries consistent with the
institution's salary scale.
 
The total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month
staff appointment.  It must be consistent both with the established
salary structure at the institution and with salaries actually
provided by the institution from its own funds to other staff members
of equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the
department concerned.  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.
 
2.  Research Development Support: The NINR will provide up to $20,000
per year for the following expenses: (a) tuition, fees, and books
related to career development; (b) research expenses, such as
supplies, equipment, and technical personnel; ( c) travel to research
meetings or training; (d) statistical services including personnel
and computer time. These funds must be expended  solely for the
support of the candidate's research career development plan.
 
3.  Ancillary Personnel Support:  Salary for mentors, secretarial and
administrative assistance, etc., is not allowed.
 
4.  Indirect costs:  Indirect costs will be reimbursed at eight
percent of modified total direct costs, or at the actual indirect
cost rate, whichever is less.
 
Evaluation
 
In carrying out its stewardship of human resource related programs,
the NINR, ORMH or NIH may request information essential to an
assessment of the effectiveness of this program.  Accordingly,
recipients are hereby notified that they 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.
 
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN
SUBJECTS
 
It is the policy of NIH that women and members of minority groups and
their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical
and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a
clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that
inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects
or the purpose of the research.  This policy results from the NIH
Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43).  All
investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read
the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects
in Clinical Research", which have been published in the Federal
Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513), and in the NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS
398 (rev. 5/95).  These forms are available at most institutional
offices of sponsored research as well as from the Office of
Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of
Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910,
telephone 301/710-0267, FAX 301/480-0525, email:
ASKNIH@ODROCKM1.OD.NIH.GOV.
 
The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev.5/95) application form
must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application.
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 (NINR/ORMH
Mentored Research Scientist Development Award for Minority
Investigators, NR-97-001) must be typed on line 2 of the face page of
the application form and the YES box must be marked. Instructions for
completing the application are found in the PHS 398 form.
 
The application must address the following issues:
 
Candidate
 
o The candidate's commitment to a nursing career in biomedical or
behavioral research. o The candidate's potential to develop into a
successful independent nursing investigator. o The candidate's
immediate and long-term career objectives, and how the award will
contribute to their attainment. o Letters of recommendation.  Three
sealed letters of recommendation, including a letter from the mentor,
addressing the candidate's potential for an independent nursing
research career must be included as part of the application.
 
Career Development Plan
 
o The career development plan, incorporating consideration of the
candidate's goals and prior experience.  It should describe a
systematic plan to obtain any necessary basic biomedical or
behavioral science background and research experience to launch or
reinitiate an independent nursing research career. o The candidate
must describe plans to receive instruction in the responsible conduct
of research.  These plans must detail the proposed subject matter,
format, frequency, and duration of instruction as well as the amount
and nature of faculty participation.  No award will be made if an
application lacks this component.
 
Research Plan
 
The candidate must describe the research plan and the use of a basic
or clinical approach to a biomedical or behavioral problem.  The
candidate must describe the research plan as outlined in form PHS
398, including sections on the Specific Aims, Background and
Significance, Progress Report/Preliminary Studies, Research Design
and Methods.
 
Mentor's Statement
 
The application must include a biographical sketch and information on
the mentor(s) including research qualifications and previous
experience as a research supervisor.  The application must also
include information that describes the nature and extent of
supervision that will occur during the award period.  A letter of
support from the mentor (and co-mentor, if appropriate) must be
included in the application delineating the match with the
candidate's research and development plan and willingness to provide
the necessary assistance.
 
Environment and Institutional Commitment
 
The sponsoring TMBI or majority academic institution must provide a
statement of commitment to the candidate's development into a
productive, independent investigator in nursing research.  This
statement must indicate that the candidate will be provided with
sufficient release time from other duties to accomplish the research
and career development goals stated in the application.
 
Budget
 
The budget requests must be provided according to the instructions in
form PHS 398.  The request for tuition and fees, books, travel, etc.,
must be justified and specified by category.
 
Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including
the Checklist, and three signed photocopies, in one package to:
 
DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD  20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD  20817 (for courier service)
 
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application
must be sent to:
 
Dr. Mary Stephens-Frazier
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Nursing Research
Building 45, Room 3AN-12
45 CENTER DRIVE - MSC 6300
Bethesda, MD  20892-6300
ATTN:  Minority Investigator MRSDA
Telephone:  (301) 594-5971
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
 
Applications must be received by May 22, 1997.  If an application is
received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant
without review.  The Division of Research Grants (DRG) will not
accept any application in response to this RFA that is essentially
the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the
applicant withdraws the pending application.  The DRG will not accept
any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed.
This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of
applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an
introduction addressing the previous critique.
 
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
 
Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA (as judged
by NINR Program Staff) will be evaluated for scientific and technical
merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NINR in
accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures.  As part of
the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written
critique and may undergo a process in which only those applications
deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half
of applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a
priority score.
 
Review Criteria
 
The following criteria will be applied:
 
Candidate
 
o Commitment to an independent research career in nursing research; o
Potential to develop (or evidence of the capacity to develop) as an
independent nurse investigator; and
o Quality and breadth of prior scientific training and experience,
including, where appropriate, the record of previous research support
and publications.
 
Career Development Plan
 
o Likelihood that the plan will contribute substantially to the
scientific development of the candidate and the achievement of
research independence; o Appropriateness of the research plan to the
career goals of the candidate; o Appropriateness of the research plan
to develop new nursing knowledge; o Consistency of  the career
development plan with the candidate's prior research and academic
experience and stated career goals; o Clarity of the goals and scope
of the plan and the need for the proposed research experience; and o
Quality of the proposed training in the responsible conduct of
research.
 
Research Plan
 
All candidates for this award will have had previous research
experience and in some cases will have been Principal Investigators
in other scientific fields.  A sound research plan that is consistent
with the career development plan and the candidate's level of
research development must be provided: o Usefulness of the research
plan as a vehicle for enhancing existing research skills as described
in the career development plan; o Scientific and technical merit of
the research question, design and methodology, judged in the context
of the candidate's previous training and experience; o Relevance of
the proposed research to the candidate's career objectives; and o
When human subjects are involved, adequacy of plans to include both
genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the
scientific goals of the research.  Plans for the recruitment and
retention of subjects will also be evaluated.
 
Mentor
 
o Appropriateness of mentor's(s')  research qualifications in the
specific areas of the application; o Quality and commitment of the
mentor(s) to supervising and guiding the candidate throughout the
award period; o Previous experience in fostering the development of
independent nurse investigators; and o History of research
productivity and support.
 
Institutional Environment and Commitment
 
o Applicant institution's commitment to the scientific development of
the candidate and assurances that the institution intends the
candidate to be an integral part of its research program; o Adequacy
of research facilities and training opportunities at the sponsoring
institution; o Quality of environment for scientific and professional
development; and o Applicant institution's willingness to develop an
appropriate balance  of research, teaching and administrative
responsibilities for the candidate.
 
Budget
 
Justification of budget requests in relation to career development
goals and research aims and plans.
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
The NINR anticipates awarding up to four K01 grants in response to
this RFA. The anticipated date of award is September 30, 1997.  The
following criteria will be considered in making funding decisions:
 
o  Responsiveness to the purpose of this request;
o  Quality of the proposed research career development program, as
determined by peer review; and
o  Availability of funds.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  The opportunity to
clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.
Consultation with NINR staff is strongly encouraged, especially
during the planning phase of the application process, in order to
ensure that the application is responsive to the scientific mission
and the research training and career development goals of the NINR.
 
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
 
Laura A. James, Ph.D., R.N.
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Nursing Research
Building 45, Room 3AN-12 - MSC 6300
Bethesda, MD  20892-6300
Telephone:  (301) 594-6906
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  LJAMES@ep.ninr.nih.gov
 
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Jeff Carow
Grants Management Office
National Institute of  Nursing Research
Building 45, Room 3AN-32 - MSC 6301
Bethesda, MD  20892-6301
Telephone:  (301) 594-6869
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  JCAROW@ep.ninr.nih.gov
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATION
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.316.  Awards are made under the authority of the
Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as
amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered
under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations at 42 CFR 52 and 45
CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the intergovernmental
review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency
review.
 
The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to
provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco
products.  In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of
1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any
portion of a facility) in which regular or routing 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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