NINR/ORMH MENTORED RESEARCH SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT AWARD FOR MINORITY
INVESTIGATORS

Release Date:  March 5, 1998

RFA:  NR-98-002

P.T.

National Institute of Nursing Research
Office of Research on Minority Health

Application Receipt Date:  May 22, 1998

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 for the Mentored Research
Scientist Award, applicants are encouraged to call the program administrator
listed in the Inquiries section 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 Traditionally Minority Based Institutions 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 1998.  NINR anticipates
funding up to four awards in FY 1998 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 75% 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 an 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.

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. 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 illness and long term
care; health and risk behaviors; cardiopulmonary health; neurological conditions
and sensory disorders; and immune and neoplastic conditions.  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.  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 new
policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public
Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the
Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of
Minorities in Study Populations) which have been in effect since 1990. The new
policy contains some new provisions that are substantially different from the
1990 policies.

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, Volume 23,
Number 11, March 18, 1994.

Investigators may obtain copies from these sources or from the program staff or
contact person listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional
relevant information concerning the policy.

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@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-98-002) 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:

CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW
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:

Robin L. Gruber, MPS
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12 - MSC 6300
Bethesda, MD  20892-6300
ATTN:  Minority Investigator MRSDA
Telephone:  (301) 594-2736
FAX:  (301) 480-8260

Applications must be received by May 22, 1998.  If an application is received
after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review.  The Center
for Scientific Review (CSR) will not accept any application in response to this
RFA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless
the applicant withdraws the pending application.  The 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, 1998.  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:

Cara Krulewitch, CNM, PhD
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12 - MSC 6300
Bethesda, MD  20892-6300
Telephone:  (301) 594-2542
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  cara_krulewitch@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Jeff  Carow
Grants Management Office
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of  Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-32 - MSC 6301
Bethesda, MD  20892-6301
Telephone:  (301) 594-6869
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  jeff_carow@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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