and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
Participating Organization(s) |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) |
|
Funding Opportunity Title |
Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25) |
Activity Code |
R25 Education Projects |
Announcement Type |
New |
Related Notices |
|
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number |
RFA-OD-13-009 |
Companion Funding Opportunity |
None |
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) |
93.398, 93.867, 93.233, 93.839, 93.939, 93.837, 93.866, 93.273, 93.286, 93.865, 93.279, 93.173, 93.121, 93.859, 93.242, 93.213 |
Funding Opportunity Purpose |
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) and participating Institutes and Centers invite Research Education Grant (R25) applications to develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate short courses in innovative methods for behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR). Methodological domains include but are not limited to experimental design, data collection, measurement, and data analysis and visualization. A definition of BSSR can be found at http://obssr.od.nih.gov/about_obssr/BSSR_CC/BSSR_definition/definition.aspx. |
Posted Date |
May 3, 2013 |
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) |
(New Date October 14, 2013 per NOT-OD-13-073), Originally June 3, 2013 |
Letter of Intent Due Date(s) |
(New Date October 14, 2013 per NOT-OD-13-073), Originally June 3, 2013 |
Application Due Date(s) |
(New Date November 14, 2013 per NOT-OD-13-073), Originally July 3, 2013, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. |
AIDS Application Due Date(s) |
(New Date January 7, 2014 per NOT-OD-13-073), OriginallyJuly 3, 2013, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. |
Scientific Merit Review |
(New Date February-March 2014 per NOT-OD-13-073), Originally October-November 2013 |
Advisory Council Review |
(New Date May 2014 per NOT-OD-13-073), Originally January 2014 |
Earliest Start Date |
(New Date July 2014 per NOT-OD-13-073), Originally April 2014 |
Expiration Date |
(Extended to January 8, 2014 per NOT-OD-13-073), Originally July 4, 2013 |
Due Dates for E.O. 12372 |
Not Applicable |
Required Application Instructions
It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in 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.
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
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) and participating Institutes and Centers , invite Research Education Grant (R25) applications to develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate short courses in innovative methods for behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR). Methodological domains of interest include but are not limited to: study design, data collection, measurement, data analysis and visualization, modeling and simulation (aka systems science methodologies . For more information about what constitutes a systems science methodology, see PAR-08-224 "Using Systems Science Methodologies to Protect and Improve Population Health (R21)", Part II Section I. 1., available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-224.html#SectionI ).
The need for the use of innovative methodologies in the behavioral and social sciences has been noted in numerous publications, including the following:
The NIH Research Education (R25) grant mechanism is designed to support the development of creative and innovative research education programs for the development of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical researchers, or for public education and outreach on health-related research to a variety of audiences. Applicants are expected to describe the learning objectives for the proposed short course, how the proposed course will enhance existing skills and capabilities of the target participants, and how the learning will be measured. Target participants include those just starting their careers (e.g., graduate/medical students, medical residents, postdoctoral scholars, early-career investigators) as well as established investigators who are interested in learning new methods to apply them in their area of research (e.g., mid- and late-career researchers). The NIH expects all programs to foster the participation of individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities and persons from disadvantaged backgrounds. Therefore all applications must include plans to recruit a diverse group of students and faculty.
Although research education grants are not typical research instruments, they do involve experiments in education and/or dissemination of research knowledge that require an evaluation plan in order to determine their effectiveness. As such, each application must include a plan to evaluate the activities proposed, as well as a plan for disseminating user-friendly course materials to the broader scientific community (see Section IV, Evaluation Plan and Dissemination Plan). Depending on the stated goals of the proposed short course, its duration can vary from one week or less to a maximum of 12 weeks. Frequency can range from a one-time meeting to repeated meetings over the duration of the course. For example, a course might consist of a one time, in-person meeting over a three-day or five-day period, where the meeting might last all day each day. Alternatively, a course might meet for 1-1/2 hrs, once per week for 12 weeks. Recurring courses (i.e., the same course is offered multiple times) are welcome. Applications for training in an online format are also welcome. Courses can be part of a regular university curriculum, but those that have a broad reach, i.e., beyond the applicant institution, and/or that can be more widely disseminated, are desirable, as the goal of this FOA is to make the training available to a wide range of investigators.
The proposed research education program may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant institution, but the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those research training and research education programs currently receiving federal support. The R25 is not a substitute for an institutional research training program (T32) and may not be used to circumvent or supplement Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) mechanisms.
The OBSSR and participating Institutes and Centers invite R25 applications for short courses in innovative methods for behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) relevant to their missions. A definition of BSSR can be found at http://obssr.od.nih.gov/about_obssr/BSSR_CC/BSSR_definition/definition.aspx. Specific examples of topics appropriate for this FOA include but are not limited to the following:
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 The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types. |
Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards |
OBSSR and participating Institutes and Centers intend to commit an estimated total of $1.7 million per year for Fiscal Years 2014-2018. |
Award Budget |
Application budgets may not exceed $200,000 in direct costs annually and need to reflect actual needs of the proposed budget. |
Award Project Period |
The scope of the propoed project should determine the project period. The maximum project period is 5 years. |
Personnel Costs |
Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the research education 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 students/participants are considered a regular part of an individual's academic duties, then any costs associated with the mentoring and other interactions with students/participants are not allowable costs from grant funds). Personnel costs may not exceed 25% of the total direct costs in any year. Consultant costs may not be used to substitute for Personnel costs. |
Participant Costs |
Participants may be paid if specifically required for the
proposed research education program and sufficiently justified. Participant
costs must be itemized in the proposed budget. |
Other Program-Related Expenses |
Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, 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. |
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 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.
Higher Education Institutions
The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:
Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education
For-Profit Organizations
Governments
Other
All Program
Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) must also work with their
institutional officials to register with the eRA Commons or ensure their
existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA Commons account of the
applicant organization.
All registrations must be completed by the application due date.
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.
Institutions with existing Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service
Award (NRSA) institutional training grants (e.g., T32) or other Federally
funded training programs may apply for a research education grant provided that
the proposed educational experiences are distinct from those training programs
receiving NIH support. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed
research education program will complement ongoing research training occurring
at the applicant institution.
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.
Applicant organizations must complete the following registrations as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. Applicants must have a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to begin each of the following registrations.
All Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) must also work with
their institutional officials to register with the eRA Commons or ensure their
existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA Commons account of the
applicant organization.
All registrations must be completed by the application due date. Applicant
organizations are strongly encouraged to start the registration process at
least 6 weeks prior to the application due date.
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources
necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal
Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to
develop an application for support. Individuals from diverse backgrounds,
including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities,
and women 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 SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
The PD/PI should be an established investigator 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 expected to monitor and assess the program and
submit all documents and reports as required.
The PD(s)/PI(s) should have a strong track record as an educator in a
scientific area related to the topic of the proposed short course
This FOA does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.
NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed within the past thirty-seven months (as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement), except for submission:
Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to participate as faculty. These individuals should have research expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program. Faculty must be committed to continue their involvement throughout the total period of the students' participation in the proposed short course.
Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to participate as preceptors/mentors. Mentors should have research expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program. Mentors must be committed to continue their involvement throughout the total period of the mentee s participation in this award.
Applications must describe the intended participants, and the eligibility and/or specific educational background characteristics that are essential for participation in the proposed research education program. Identify the career levels essential for participation in the planned program.
Unless strongly justified on the basis of exceptional relevance to NIH, research education programs should be used primarily for the education of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application package associated with this funding opportunity using the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants.gov.
It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, 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.
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:
The letter of intent should be sent via e-mail to:
Patricia Mabry, PhD (Patty)
Senior Advisor and Acting Deputy Director
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
National Institutes of Health
Telephone: 301-402-1753
Email: [email protected]
All page limitations described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.
The forms package associated with this FOA includes all applicable components, required and optional. Please note that some components marked optional in the application package are required for submission of applications for this FOA. Follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide to ensure you complete all appropriate optional components.
Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following additional modifications:
Facilities & Other Resources. Describe the educational environment, including the facilities, laboratories, participating departments, computer services, and any other resources to be used in the development and implementation of the proposed program. List all thematically related sources of support for research training and education following the format for Current and Pending Support.
Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following additional modifications: Key Personnel must include the PD(s)/PI(s) (or multiple PD(s)/PI(s)) as well as any other key persons, such as those involved in developing, implementing, directing, monitoring, evaluating, disseminating, etc., who are integral to the proposed research education program
Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following additional modifications:
Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:
The Research Strategy section must be used to upload the Research Education Program Plan, which must include the following components described below: Proposed Research Education Program, Institutional Environment and Commitment, Program Director/Principal Investigator, Program Faculty/Staff, Program Participants, Diversity Recruitment and Retention Plan, Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research, Evaluation Plan, Dissemination Plan.
Research Education Program Plan
Proposed Research Education Program. While the proposed research education program may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant institution, the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those research training and research education programs currently receiving federal support. When research training programs are on-going in the same department, the applicant organization should clearly describe the distinction between the intended participants in the proposed research education program and the research training supported by the training program. The information should include a description of the education and/or career levels of the planned participants.
Provide the rationale for the proposed short course including the scientific need and timeliness, how the course complements existing course/training opportunities (as appropriate), and how the course objectives relate to the mission and current research priorities of the NIH. The Program Plan should provide programmatic detail on course objectives and curriculum; proposed didactics and hands-on laboratory activities to fulfill the proposed course objectives; currently available educational materials as well as any that will be developed as part of the proposed course; and how accomplishment of course objectives by participants will be measured. Describe the format and instructional methods (e.g., live vs. media-based instruction; lecture, small groups; homework; etc.).
Course duration and frequency as well as the number of anticipated participants in each offering of the course should be stated. This section should also describe expected processes for: (a) planning and implementing the proposed educational activities; and (b) coordinating among existing training or research activities available at the site (where appropriate). Describe any plans for enabling continued exchange of information after participants complete the course. Describe how the short course may be modified over time depending upon the outcome of the initial offering and participant feedback and/or new developments in the field in order to ensure that the course continues to be at the cutting edge. A course syllabus should be included in the Appendix.
Institutional Environment and Commitment. Describe the institutional environment, reiterating the availability of facilities and educational resources (described separately under Facilities & Other Resources ), that can contribute to the planned Research Education Program. Evidence of institutional commitment to the research educational program is required. A letter of institutional commitment must be attached as part of Letters of Support. Appropriate institutional commitment should include the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned research education program. If multiple institutions are participating in a single application, they should all be clearly involved in the planning, implementation, and assessment of the program, and should all provide appropriate documentation of institutional commitment.
Program Director/Principal Investigator. Describe arrangements for administration of the program, provide evidence that the Program Director is actively engaged in research and/or teaching in an area related to the mission of NIH, and can organize, administer, monitor, and evaluate the research education program, as well as evidence of institutional and community commitment and support for the proposed program. Provide evidence that the short course PD/PI has a track record as an educator in a scientific area related to the topic of the proposed short course and is actively engaged in research or other scholarly activity that area.
Program Faculty/Staff. Describe the characteristics and responsibilities of the participating faculty; provide evidence that the participating faculty and preceptors are actively engaged in research or other scholarly activities related to the mission of NIH. Provide information about the track records of the participating faculty as educators and information concerning their current engagement in research or other scholarly activity in the behavioral or social sciences.
Program Participants. Where the proposed program involves participants, provide details about the pool of expected participants, their qualifications, recruitment strategies and sources of applicant pool, etc.
Diversity
Recruitment and Retention Plan. The NIH recognizes a unique and
compelling need to promote diversity in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical
and social sciences research workforce. The NIH expects efforts to diversify
the workforce to lead to the recruitment of the most talented researchers from
all groups; to improve the quality of the educational and training environment;
to balance and broaden the perspective in setting research priorities; to improve
the ability to recruit subjects from diverse backgrounds into clinical research
protocols; and to improve the Nation's capacity to address and eliminate health
disparities.
Accordingly, the NIH continues to encourage applicants to diversify their student
and faculty populations in the proposed training, thus increasing the
participation of individuals currently underrepresented in the biomedical,
clinical, behavioral, and social sciences such as: individuals from
underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; individuals with disabilities; and
individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally
disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career
in health-related research.
The NIH is particularly interested in encouraging the recruitment and retention
of the following classes of participants:
A. Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis (see the report Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering, 2007, p. 262). The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Hawaiian Natives, and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands. In addition, it is recognized that underrepresentation can vary from setting to setting; individuals from racial or ethnic groups that can be convincingly demonstrated to be underrepresented by the grantee institution should be encouraged to participate in this program.
B. Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
C. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who are defined as:
1. Individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds. These thresholds are based on family size; published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census; adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index; and adjusted by the Secretary for use in all health professions programs. The Secretary periodically publishes these income levels at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml. For individuals from low income backgrounds, the institution must be able to demonstrate that such participants have qualified for Federal disadvantaged assistance or they have received any of the following student loans: Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), Loans for Disadvantaged Student Program, or they have received scholarships from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional Financial Need.
2. Individuals who come from a social, cultural, or educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that have demonstrably and recently directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.
Recruitment and retention plans related to a
disadvantaged background (C1 and C2) are most applicable to high school and
perhaps to undergraduate candidates, but would be more difficult to justify for
individuals beyond that level of academic achievement.
New applications must include a description of
plans to enhance recruitment of a diverse participant pool and may wish to
include data in support of past accomplishments.
Renewal applications must include a detailed account of experiences in recruiting individuals from underrepresented groups during the previous funding period. Information must be included on successful and unsuccessful recruitment strategies including aggregate information on the distribution of:
For those individuals who were enrolled in the
program, the report should include information about the duration of education and
whether those individuals finished the program in good standing. Additional
information on the required Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity
is available at Frequently Asked Questions: Recruitment and Retention Plan to
Enhance Diversity (Diversity FAQs).
Applications lacking a diversity recruitment and retention plan may be
delayed or not accepted for review. An award cannot be made if an application
lacks this component.
Plan
for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research. Every
participant supported by this Research Education grant must receive instruction
in the responsible conduct of research. All applications must include a plan to
provide such instruction. The plan must address five components (format;
subject matter; faculty participation; duration of instruction; and frequency
of instruction) as detailed in NOT-OD-10-019.
Renewal (Type 2) applications must, in addition, describe changes in formal
instruction over the past project period and plans for the future that address
any weaknesses in the current instruction plan. All participating faculty who
served as course directors, speakers, lecturers, and/or discussion leaders
during the past project period must be named in the application.
Applications lacking a plan for instruction in responsible conduct of research will
not be reviewed. The background, rationale and more detail about instruction in
the responsible conduct of research can be found in NOT-OD-10-019.
If such instruction is not appropriate for the proposed research education
program, then the PD/PI must provide a strong justification for its exclusion.
Evaluation Plan. Applications must include a plan for evaluating the activities supported by the award. The application must specify baseline metrics (e.g., numbers, educational levels, and demographic characteristics of participants), as well as measures to gauge the short or long-term success of the research education award in achieving its objectives. Wherever appropriate, applicants are encouraged to obtain feedback from participants to help identify weaknesses and to provide suggestions for improvements.
Dissemination Plan. A specific plan must be provided to disseminate nationally any findings resulting from or materials developed under the auspices of the research education program, e.g., sample curricula, web postings, presentations at scientific meetings, workshops, etc. In addition, a plan must be provided to disseminate user-friendly course materials to the broader scientific community.
Resource Sharing Plans
Individuals are required to comply with the
instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model
Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies(GWAS)) as provided in the SF424
(R&R) Application Guide, with the following modifications:
Applications are expected to include a software dissemination plan if
support for development, maintenance, or enhancement of software is requested
in the application. There is no prescribed single license for software
produced. However, the software dissemination plan should address, as
appropriate, the following goals:
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, with the following modification:
Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. 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.
Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants
across all Federal agencies) using other electronic submission systems.
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.
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.
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.
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.
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.
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 by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by components of participating organizations, NIH. Applications that are incomplete and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.
Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-10-115.
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.
Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).
Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact.
Significance
Does the proposed research education program address an important problem or critical question in research education or other critical issues? How will implementation of the proposed program advance the objectives of the proposed program?
Does the proposed program address a key audience who is likely to benefit from the proposed education program? To what extent will implementation of the proposed program advance education in innovative BSSR methodological skills, in particular those needed to advance the mission of the NIH?
Investigator(s)
Are the PD(s)/PI(s), collaborators, and other researchers appropriately trained and well suited to the proposed research education program? Is the PD/PI an established investigator 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 research education program? If Early Stage Investigator or New Investigator, or in the early stages of an independent career, does the PD/PI have appropriate experience to lead the program? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the project? Is there evidence that an appropriate level of effort will be devoted by the program leadership to ensure the program's objectives?
Innovation
Is the proposed research education program characterized by innovation and scholarship? Does the proposed program challenge and seek to shift current research education paradigms or clinical practice, or address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field? Are the proposed concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies novel for this area? Does this proposed program duplicate, or overlap with, existing research education, training and/or career development activities currently supported at the applicant institution or available elsewhere? Adaptations of existing research education programs may be considered innovative under special circumstances, e.g., the addition of unique components and/or a proposal to determine portability of an existing program.
Does the proposed short course provide state-of-the-art educational opportunities? Does the applicant make a strong case for this program reaching an audience in need of the program’s offerings? Where appropriate, is the proposed program developing or utilizing innovative approaches to improve the knowledge and/or skills of the intended audience?
Approach
Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the proposed research education program? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the program is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed? If called for, is the proposed plan for evaluation and/or dissemination of the education program sound and likely to provide data on the effectiveness of the education program? Is there evidence that the program is based on sound research concepts and educational principles? Is the approach feasible and appropriate to achieve the stated research education goals? If the proposed program will recruit participants, are the recruitment, retention, and follow-up activities adequate to ensure a highly qualified and diverse participant pool?
Does the proposed program clearly state its goals and
objectives, including the educational level of the audience to be reached, the
content to be conveyed, and the intended outcome(s)? Are the course
content and syllabus appropriate for the course objectives? Is there an
adequate balance between didactic and hands-on training? Is the time
allotted sufficient for the planned material? Is the level of individual
attention appropriate to accomplish the course objectives? Is sufficient
interaction planned between faculty and participants? Is the proposed plan for
evaluation sound and likely to provide data on the effectiveness of the program
in achieving its goals and objectives? Does the evaluation plan adequately
describe how outcomes will be determined and evaluated? Is there a well-defined
plan to disseminate user-friendly course materials to the broader scientific
community?
If the program involves clinical research, are the plans for 1)
protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of
minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of
children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy
proposed?
Environment
Will the scientific/educational environment in which the proposed research education program will be conducted contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional commitment and support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the program proposed? Will the program benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of appropriate collaboration among participating programs, departments, and institutions? If multiple sites are participating, is this adequately justified in terms of the research education experiences provided? Are adequate plans provided for coordination and communication between multiple sites (if appropriate)?
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
Not Applicable
Revisions
Not Applicable
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 & Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity
Peer reviewers will separately evaluate the recruitment and retention plan to enhance diversity after the overall score has been determined. Reviewers will examine the strategies to be used in the recruitment and retention of individuals from underrepresented groups. The review panel’s evaluation will be included in an administrative note in the summary statement. Plans and past record will be rated as acceptable or unacceptable, and the summary statement will provide the consensus of the review committee.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
Taking into account the specific characteristics of the research education program, level of participant experience, and the particular circumstances of the participants, the reviewers will address the following questions. Does the plan satisfactorily address the format of instruction, e.g., lectures and/or real-time discussion groups? Do plans include a sufficiently broad selection of subject matter, such as conflict of interest, authorship, data management, human subjects and animal use, laboratory safety? Do the plans adequately describe how faculty will participate in the instruction? Do the plans ensure participants will receive instruction (or in the case of more senior level participants, provide instruction) for an appropriate amount of time given the length of the research education experience? Plans and past record will be rated as acceptable or unacceptable, and the summary statement will provide the consensus of the review committee.
Applications from Foreign Organizations
Not Applicable
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).
Resource Sharing Plans
Reviewers will comment on whether the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources, are reasonable: 1) Data Sharing Plan; 2) Sharing Model Organisms; and 3) Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS).
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.
Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s)convened by the CSR , 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:
Appeals of initial peer review will not be accepted for applications submitted in 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 appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
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.
Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants
Policy Statement.
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 the DUNS, SAM
Registration, and Transparency Act requirements as noted on the Award
Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website.
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.
The Non-Competing Continuation Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590 or RPPR) and financial statements as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are required annually. Continuation support will not be provided until the required forms are submitted and accepted.Programs that involve participants should report on education in the responsible conduct of research and complete a Training Diversity Report, in accordance with the PHS 2590 Additional Instructions for Preparing a Progress Report for an Institutional Research Training Grant, Including Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards.
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.
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.
A final progress reportand the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
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.
We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.
Grants.gov
Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and
submission, downloading or navigating forms)
Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726
Email: [email protected]
GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and
process, finding NIH grant resources)
Telephone 301-710-0267
TTY 301-451-5936
Email: [email protected]
eRA Commons Help Desk (Questions regarding eRA Commons
registration, tracking application status, post submission issues)
Phone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
TTY: 301-451-5939
Email: [email protected]
Patricia L. Mabry, PhD
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)
Telephone: 301-402-1753
Email: [email protected]
John Glowa, PhD
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM)
Telephone: 301-496-0527
Email: [email protected]
Ming Lei, PhD
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-5634
Email: [email protected]
Cheri Wiggs, PhD
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Telephone: 301-451-2020
Email: [email protected]
Susan Czajkowski, PhD
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-435-0406
Email: [email protected]
Johnathan King, PhD
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-402-4156
Email: [email protected]
Wenxing Zha, PhD
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Telephone: 301-443-0633
Email: [email protected]
Zeynep Erim, PhD
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
(NIBIB)
Telephone: 301-451-4797
Email: [email protected]
Grace C.Y. Peng, PhD
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Telephone: 301-451-4778
Email: [email protected]
Regina Bures, PhD
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-496-9485
Email: [email protected]
Bethany Griffin Deeds, PhD, MA
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Telephone: 301-402-1935
Email: [email protected]
Lana Shekim, PhD
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders (NIDCD)
Telephone: 301-496-5061
Email: [email protected]
Melissa W. Riddle, PhD
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Telephone:301-451-3888
Email: [email protected]
Stephen Marcus, PhD
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone: 301-451-6446
Email: [email protected]
Mark Chavez, PhD
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-8942
Email: [email protected]
Helen Meissner, PhD
Office of Disease Prevention (ODP)
Telephone: 301-451-8681
Email: [email protected]
Examine your eRA Commons account for review assignment and contact information (information appears two weeks after the submission due date).
George Tucker
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM)
Telephone: 301-594-9102
Email: [email protected]
Barbara Fisher
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 301-631-3012
Email: [email protected]
William Darby
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Telephone:301-451-2020
Email: [email protected]
Tawana McKeither
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-402-3842
Email: [email protected]
Lesa McQueen, M.Sc.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-496-1472
Email: [email protected]
Judy Fox
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Telephone: 301-443-4704
Email: [email protected]
Angela M. Eldridge
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
(NIBIB)
Telephone: 301-451-4793
Email: [email protected]
Ted Williams
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-480-4782
Email: [email protected]
Heidi Young
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Telephone: 703-243-8267
Email: [email protected]
Chris Myers
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders (NIDCD)
Telephone: 301-435-0713
Email: [email protected]
Diana Rutberg
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Telephone: 301-594-4798
Email: [email protected]
Lori Burge
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone: 301-451-3781
Email: [email protected]
Rebecca Claycamp
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-443-2811
Email: [email protected]
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.
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 Parts 74 and 92.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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